10 Things to Do in Bangkok in June

Let me tell you what you can't miss if you plan to visit Bangkok in June.

Nicolas Reffray

Nicolas Reffray

9 min read

10 Things to Do in Bangkok in June

personas caminando por el puente |©arcibald

Bangkok welcomes summer in June, and it's not uncommon for it to rain more heavily during this time than the rest of the year. However, there are plenty of options to make the most of a trip to Thailand's capital at this time of year, so fear not. In this article I recommend what you can do to have a great time. In principle, as it is the rainy season, there is much less tourist traffic in the city, so forget about queuing at any of its attractions.

You will see that there are many things to see and do in Bangkok in June, from visiting its amazing temples, touring its shopping centres and gastronomic markets, to discovering its museums, including some night tours and sightseeing. Thailand has an extremely rich and interesting culture, so take the opportunity to discover why hundreds of thousands of tourists come to Bangkok every year and many of them decide to return.

1. Visit some of Bangkok's best temples

Wat Phra Kaew|©Joe Coyle
Wat Phra Kaew|©Joe Coyle

Bangkok is a fascinating place to visit, especially if you're interested in local culture and religion. In June the rains are very frequent, so a great way to continue enjoying the city is to discover all the charm of Bangkok's best temples, sacred sites and popular tourist attractions.

Wat Phra Kaew

One of the temples you can't miss is Wat Phra Kaew. This temple is one of the most important temples in Thailand and is located within the Grand Palace complex. The temple is known for its impressive Emerald Buddha, which is located in the main chapel. The architecture and decoration of the temple is wonderful, with murals and statues telling religious stories.

Wat Arun

Also known as the Temple of Dawn, this temple is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. It is known for its central tower, which rises more than 70 metres high and is decorated with Chinese porcelain and stained glass. The temple is particularly impressive at sunset, when the lights illuminate it.

Wat Pho

This temple is famous for being the home of the reclining Buddha, which is an impressive 46-metre long and 15-metre high statue of Buddha. Wat Pho is also known for being the place where traditional Thai massage originated. You can, if you wish, get a massage at the massage school inside the temple.

Wat Traimit

This temple is famous for its solid gold Buddha, which is the largest Buddha statue in the world made entirely of gold. The statue weighs over five tons and is located in the main chapel of the temple.

Wat Benchamabophit

Also known as the Marble Temple, this temple is famous for its Thai-style architecture mixed with Western elements. The temple is built of white Italian marble and is known for its beautiful main chapel, which houses a gilded bronze Buddha statue.

Book a guided tour of Bangkok

2. Join the colourful LGBTQ Pride parade in Bangkok

Bangkok Pride - the parade|©CharlesFred
Bangkok Pride - the parade|©CharlesFred

Recognised worldwide, the ** LGBTQ Pride parade and festival** is an event worth attending. Regardless of your sexual orientation, here you can watch the whole city dress up in colour and celebrate diversity. In addition to the usual parade, there are shows, street music, street food, sweets and much more.

The event takes place in different areas of the Thai capital. This is a perfect opportunity to actively participate in a popular festival in Bangkok, where locals and tourists celebrate together. The parade and most of the events take place on 10 June.

3. Visit its gastronomic markets

Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok|©mst7022
Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok|©mst7022

Bangkok is a world-renowned foodie destination, so a visit to the food markets is a must, as they are an important part of the city's culinary scene, and even a tour of the markets could be considered one of the best food tours in Bangkok, offering a unique opportunity to sample a wide variety of local and regional dishes in one place.

Youcan't visit Bangkok without enjoying its famous street food. Street food stalls can be found almost everywhere in the city and offer a wide variety of authentic dishes at reasonable prices. In June, street food stalls can be an even better option as locals tend to cook more hot and spicy food to combat the humid weather.

Chatuchak Market

One of Bangkok's most popular food markets is Chatuchak Market, which is located next to the famous weekend market of the same name. Here you'll find a wide variety of food stalls serving traditional Thai dishes such as pad Thai, khao soi and som tam, along with international options such as Turkish kebabs and Italian pizza.

Rot Fai Market

Another popular food market in Bangkok is the Rot Fai Market, which is located in the Srinakarin district. This market is located in a former train station and features a wide variety of food stalls, as well as vintage clothing and antique shops. Here you'll find options such as fried chicken, fried egg noodles and the famous beef kebabs.

Or Tor Kor Market

Or Tor Kor Market, located near the famous Chatuchak Market, is another popular destination for food lovers. This market focuses on fresh, high quality ingredients and offers a wide variety of local and regional produce such as fruits, vegetables, seafood and meat. There is also a prepared food section where you can sample freshly prepared local dishes.

Patpong Market

A popular night market in central Bangkok with a wide variety of food and drink stalls. Here you'll find options such as pad Thai, fried egg noodles, meat kebabs and tropical cocktails. In addition to food, the market is also known for its clothing, jewellery and souvenir shops.

Book a tour of Bangkok's markets

4. Cabarets and night shows in Bangkok

Calypso Ladyboy Show|©Sreekanth Raveendran
Calypso Ladyboy Show|©Sreekanth Raveendran

Enjoy the best night shows and cabarets in Bangkok. The Thai capital's nightlife is famous for its array of adult shows, so if you're not planning on visiting the city with your little ones, this can be a great way to escape the steamy June nights.

With a style inspired by the big shows in Las Vegas, this is one of the best things to do at night in Bangkok, with such venues also offering traditional Thai dining and live music. The night here has something for everyone, so don't miss out!

Buy your ticket for Calypso Cabaret

5. Take a cruise tour of Bangkok

White Orchid River Cruise Boat|©Uwe Schwarzbach
White Orchid River Cruise Boat|©Uwe Schwarzbach

Although in June the weather can be a bit unpredictable and rain is very common, you can take the opportunity to join a Bangkok river cruise and escape the humidity by having a drink while you cruise along the coast.

I recommend you to check the weather in Bangkok daily, because although this kind of tours also take place in the rain, because they have roofed and glazed boats, it is not advisable to do them in case of a heavy rainstorm. Seeing the city from the water is always an incredible experience that is well worth it.

Book a dinner cruise in Bangkok

6. Visit the best palaces in Bangkok

Bangkok - Vimanmek|©Enea Pestelacci
Bangkok - Vimanmek|©Enea Pestelacci

If the weather in June doesn't allow for outdoor excursions, then you can take the opportunity to visit some of Bangkok's finest palaces. With a rich mix of styles, a tour of these centuries-old buildings is an ideal way to get a taste of the country's culture.

Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is one of the most visited places in Bangkok and is home to the famous image of the Emerald Buddha. It was built in 1782 and is a stunning example of Thai architecture.

Vimanmek Palace

Vimanmek Palace is the largest wooden palace in the world and was built in 1900 for King Rama V. It is an impressive example of Victorian architecture. It is an impressive example of Victorian architecture.

Ananta Samakhom Palace

This is an impressive white building located in the centre of Bangkok and was built in 1915 for King Rama V. It is now used for royal ceremonies and royal ceremonies. It is now used for royal ceremonies and special events.

Suan Pakkad Palace

Suan Pakkad Palace is located in central Bangkok and is an excellent example of Thai architecture. It houses a large collection of antiques and artefacts.

Phya Thai Palace

Phya Thai Palace was built in 1909 and is located in the Phaya Thai district. It is another impressive example of Thai architecture and was home to several members of the royal family.

Book a tour of Bangkok with a visit to the palaces

7. Take a tour aboard a tuk tuk

Tuk-tuk's in Bankok|©pixelfields241
Tuk-tuk's in Bankok|©pixelfields241

Undoubtedly one of the most picturesque tours in Bangkok. Touring the city in a tuk tuk is the perfect way to get in touch with its people, customs, noises, food and history. Your guide (and driver) will take you around Bangkok in this curious vehicle, you'll see some markets, taste Thai street food, have a drink, and take in some highlights.

The tuk tuk is a kind of small motorbike with a cabin in the back that can hold up to three passengers. Taking one of the best tuk tuk tours in Bangkok will make you marvel at Thai culture. You will visit temples, ride along the Chao Phraya River where you can appreciate the beauty of the illuminated city, and much more.

June is a perfect time for this type of tour. Although rainy weather is common, the beginning of summer brings warm and pleasant temperatures, making a tuk tuk tour of the city an ideal plan.

Book a tuk tuk tour of Bangkok

8. Take a tour of the floating markets

Float Market Tour|©Sergio
Float Market Tour|©Sergio

Take a tour of Bangkok's floating markets, you won't regret it. Although the rains can be a bit of a nuisance in the month of June, these tours are very popular and adapt to the inclement weather. This is a unique opportunity to explore one of Thailand's oldest traditions. Some of the most popular floating markets are Amphawa and Damnoen Saduak.

These are some of the best tours in Bangkok, as they give you a chance to get an insight into the local culture while enjoying the delicious flavours of Thai street food.

9. Tour Bangkok's shopping malls

Siam Square (Bangkok,Thailand)|©Vesselin Kolev
Siam Square (Bangkok,Thailand)|©Vesselin Kolev

Another of the best things to do in Bangkok in summer is to stroll around the malls. A great way to escape the June showers, they are all indoors and offer a good amount of shopping, entertainment and dining venues, so you can spend the whole day in them.

Most of them are located in the Siam Square area, one of Bangkok's most famous shopping districts. The MBK shopping mall is one of the most popular malls in Bangkok, as it offers a wide variety of shops and is famous for its night market. Other popular shopping centres include Siam Paragon and CentralWorld.

You'll find that touring Bangkok' s best shopping centres will delight you.

10. Visit the city's best museums

Wat Traimit - Bangkok|©Luigi cosentino
Wat Traimit - Bangkok|©Luigi cosentino

June brings with it a rainy season, that's true, but fear not, because a rainy day is a great day to visit museums, and Bangkok has a wide variety on offer. Here are some of my favourite museums to add to your itinerary.

Bangkok National Museum

The Bangkok National Museum is one of the most important museums in Thailand and has an impressive collection of art and historical objects dating from prehistoric times to the present day.

Golden Buddha Museum

This museum is known for housing the largest solid gold Buddha statue in the world, as well as a collection of other Buddha statues of great historical and artistic value.

Bangkok Museum of Contemporary Art

The Bangkok Museum of Contemporary Art focuses, of course, on the promotion of contemporary Thai and international art, and has an interesting collection of works by local and foreign artists.

Erawan Museum

This museum is known for its impressive collection of ancient artefacts and objects of Thai culture, as well as its exhibits on the history of religion in Thailand.