We’ve just concluded a 5 day’s trip to Bangkok. Our stay was long enough to cover most of the tourist attractions, night markets, street foods, shopping malls and even the infamous “adult entertainment” areas of the city.

But here, I would like to share my two cents on the 3 offbeat things to do in Bangkok that you’ll remember for a long time. I’m sure I will!!!

Shooting Ranges

I’ve always been a big action movie and video game’s fan. Most of my teen years were spent either watching action movies or playing first person shooter video games.

So when it came to my notice that Bangkok has several shooting ranges, this was my first on the list of offbeat things to do in Bangkok.

Located in the Dusit district of the city is Bangkok Tactical Shooting, a shooting range with good instructors and a wide array of guns to choose from. It took us 40 minutes from the city to reach a heavily guarded military compound. There were no signs/boards to guide us and it took us a while to communicate our intent to the guard up front. Making shooting gestures was a bad idea in a militarized zone. But finally, Google translate came to our rescue.

Once inside though, the instructors were very friendly and showed us the packages they provide. Looking at the options, my face lit up like a kid in a toy store.

I chose the one with a combination of a Hand Gun, a Semi – Auto Rifle and a Shotgun. The instructors urged my wife to try shooting as well and she did!!!. I loved the shotgun in particular. All those hours playing “ Call of Duty “ didn’t prepare me for the recoil of a real shotgun.

When I overestimated my shotgun shooting ability in the first round, I was humbled by the thundering sound and the recoil. My left ear went numb for a few seconds and the gun left a nasty bruise on my right shoulder. After that, I humbly listened to the instructor’s every advise.

I would recommend everyone to try shooting at least once. My wife wasn’t a gun enthusiast at all but she loved it as well.

Muay Thai Fights

The next item on my list was watching a live Muay Thai fight. Also known as Thai boxing, you can get seats to the live fights at any one of the boxing stadiums across town. I went to the Rajadamnern Stadium and took tickets at the counter for the 6-30 pm event.

8 out of the 10 fights ended in a knockout, one of them was a jumping knee to the ribs (ouch!!). Even the other two fights that went to judge’s decision were close and intense.

The experience of watching a live fight is much different from watching it on TV. I was so close to the ring that I could hear the impact of every strike, watch sweat bounce off fighter’s head with every jab and observe the animated gestures of gamblers betting in between rounds.

Once again, I recommend this to everyone who visits Bangkok.

Weird Snacks

This final activity on my list of offbeat things to do in Bangkok is also the weirdiest.

Khaosan road in Bangkok is a street filled with backpackers, shopping stalls, restaurants and budget friendly hotels.

Also, right at the entrance of the road, you’ll be greeted by the sight of this.

Being a food enthusiast, I had to give it a go. I’ve also tried crocodile meat and fried spider. Both the scorpion and spider were salty and crunchy. The crocodile meat was a bit chewy and has a unique texture, unlike anything I’ve ever tasted.

Overall, they weren’t as bad as they looked. Why would the Thai people eat them otherwise?

A few stalls down the road, there are snack carts filled with silkworms, grass hoppers, and a salad with live prawns. Yes, you imagined it right, the prawns move around the plate while you eat them. (I didn’t have the guts to try this)

I wanted to try the other insects though. But looking at the disgusted/horror struck expression on my wife’s face, I’ve called it a day and headed back to the hotel.

Summary

These Offbeat activities are not provided by mainstream tour operators and are relatively less crowded. If you feel adventurous and would like to try something novel, you can give them a try. Personally, this trip helped me check off multiple items from my bucket list. Thank you Bangkok!!!

Know any more of such unique activities? Please share with us in the comments below.

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