Elia Mertz
As a tourist hub for the masses Bangkok is full of unusual and unique attractions and activities. From bizarre local markets to eerie museums here are the Thai capital's strangest points of interest.
Occupying pride of place close to Chatuchak the Rod Fai Market is a glaring anomaly in Bangkok's street bazaar landscape. Located in what was once a functional railway track the street market is situated down Srinakarin Road in Soi 51 at the back of Seacon Square Shopping Mall. Frequented by locals and tourists alike the open-air thoroughfare is a hit with vintage goods fanatics as the appearance of the venue is as old school as its wares. Ideal for treasure hunters or vintage consumer ware collectors the Rod Fai Market specializes in retailing all things old. Everything ranging from hippie clothing items to treasured collectibles and pop culture memorabilia from various eras litters the floors of the market where chic Mao propaganda items and other collectibles such as European chandeliers and antiques are sold side by side. Visitors based in Anantara Bangkok Sathorn, or a similar luxury hotel Sathorn cont among its well situated rests will enjoy easy access to the market.
Another popular hub for shoppers in search of Vintage wonders the Papaya Vintage Shop is a one of a kind store in Ladprao, Bangkok. With more collectibles and superhero toys than one can imagine littering its cozy confines it is easy to get lost in this maze of objects stacked above one another. Comic book fans can marvel at the store's collection of action figures which ranges from 80's favorites to beloved characters such as Batman, Wolverine or the Green Lantern. Star Wars collectibles such as Darth Vader masks are also found here alongside James Dean and Albert Hitchcock mementos. A number of Vespas are also found here alongside household wares harking back to bygone decades. Pinball machines and other now-defunct lifestyle items are also available in this intriguing retail outlet.
Although the green space is the largest public park space in the Thai capital Rama IX Park remains a lesser known attraction within the touristic landscape of Bangkok. Sprawled across an expansive area of 200 acres the venue was set up as far back as 1987 to mark the birthday of monarch King Bhumibol. Located in the outskirts of the bustling capital this lush, verdant venue offers visitors a welcome break from the fast-paced streets of the capital. Home to a scenic lake and several picturesque gardens the Rama IX Park houses a structure which houses paintings, information and photographs of the royal family and their contribution to the country. A Chinese Garden and an Italian Garden are also part of the landscape while an American Garden and a French Garden also occupy the venue. Thai flowers and plants on the other hand are contained within spacious greenhouses in the park where the chief attraction is of course the scenic Thakon Phrakia Pavilion which is located at the heart of a lotus pond.
Located just across the river from the Grand Palace the Bangkok Forensic Museum is an intriguing bio-medical attraction that is not for the faint of heart. Situated within the Siriraj Hospital the museum contains a plethora of stomach churning exhibits with a decidedly sinister air. Displaying everything from human organs to tape worms the museum makes way for the equally disturbing Songkran Nyomsane Forensic Medicine Museum. Here on finds the remains of famed murder victims and mass murdered as well as sociopaths related to the country's most infamous crimes.
