5 Creative places to visit in Bangkok

Bangkok is fast paced, affordable and inspirational. Creativity thrives here.

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)

The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is in the middle of Bangkok. When passing through the city I always try to visit. Entry is Free. I love how this museum gives opportunities to emerging artists to display their work. I love the photography exhibitions here.

Thailand Creative and design Centre

The concept of this place is really interesting. As a designer everything is here. Design magazines & books, reading rooms, a studio and a resource centre where you can use things like Pantone books!

There is also a roof garden and coffee shop. This is a very practical place to work individually or as a team, there are even meeting rooms. There is a small entry cost but once paid you get full access.

Lhong 1919

Lhong 1919 was previously a warehouse.

We found this newly renovated Chinese themed area when pleasantly exploring the Chao Phraya river. There is street art around every corner. There is also a cafe’ and a few boutique shops. A great place to wonder around for an hour or two. Lots of people have photoshoots here.

Central Embassy — Open House Bookshop
by Hardcover

This bookshop has a good selection of creative books. There are desks where you can also work and read. This bookshop is at the highest point of the shopping centre.

There is also a small stationary shop that sells good quality art supplies such as watercolours, notebooks and pens. If you want a book for your coffee table, this is where to get it! Some books are A2 in size!

Jim Thompson’s House

Jim Thompson was an American spy and silk merchant in Thailand during the ’50s and ’60s who vanished mysteriously in 1967 while in Malaysia.

It took me a while to visit this place. “It’s just a house… like any other traditional Thai House.”

Walking around this estate you can get a real sense of who Jim Thompson was. The interior design and the choice of antiques/furniture projects a strong personality.

This Thai house has a western influence. I now love how teak wood works with marble flooring.

Unfortunately you are not allowed to take pictures of inside the home.

We took a tour that featured a lot of history about Jim, the silk industry, and how and why Thai people design their homes the way they do. Admission fees go towards helping underprivileged children.

There is also a rather splendid coffee shop.

JJ Outlet

While walking around Chatuchak market we discovered this building across the road. When I entered through the doors my eyes dilated.

JJ Outlet is home to lots of antiques that have been collected from around the world, mainly from western countries. Most seem to be authentic.

If you want to decorate your house with some real and unique objects, come here!

Surprisingly, not many people were wondering around, the whole building was quiet, maybe antiques in Thailand aren’t popular. One of my Thai friends believe that spirits/ghosts are attached to second hand items.

Places like this inspire me to create. I love finding random items and reading into the history. I feel like a treasure hunter.