5 Unusual Things to Do in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, thanks to its exotic blend of centuries-old colourful culture and vibrant urban hubs. This Southeast Asian country is wonderfully weird, and will definitely take you out of your comfort zone.

Here are some of the most unusual things to do in Thailand if you are looking for an unforgettable holiday and travel experience.

Go to a Fish Spa

There are plenty of massage options in Thailand, but for a purely unforgettable spa experience in Thailand, make sure to head to a fish spa. Essentially, a fish spa employs thousands of tiny fish to give clients a unique foot massage. The tiddler fish eat the loosened bits of dead skin on the fit, and do not bite directly on the flesh. You just have to remove your shoes or sandals, and dip your feet right into the fish tanks. The feeling of fish nibbling on your feet might be a little ticklish in the beginning, but toward the end of the session, your feet will be feeling smooth and supple.

Watch a Cabaret Show

Thailand is extremely popular among tourists for its vibrant nightlife, but if you want something different, you should head over to one of the cabarets featuring amazing performances of katoeys, or Thai ladyboys. Thai society is very accepting of transvestites, with some families even believing that ladyboys bring good luck. Katoeys are very pretty and very talented as well, putting on high-quality shows that would definitely entertain you. The shows run an amazing gamut—from Hollywood and Broadway themed ones to Oriental legends and myths. There are comedy performances as well, for those looking for a laugh and a good time after the sun sets.

Sample the Street Food

Do not prowl the streets of Bangkok expecting hotdogs or bagels when you get the munchies, because you will definitely find something more exotic and more appealing to the taste buds. Bangkok is a true street food heaven, with an exciting variety of delicious fare, including sukhothai noodles (thin rice noodles with palm sugar-flavored pork broth, green beans, and peanuts), pork sate (grilled pork marinated in coconut cream and slathered with yummy peanut sauce), hoy tod (omelette with mussels or oysters), and nam kaeng sai (a delicious dessert of coconut cream, jelly, and water chestnuts).

Visit Siriraj Medical Museum

If you do not want to visit any old medical museum, make sure to head over to the Siriraj Medical Museum, also known by its morbid and slightly goth-y nickname, the Museum of Death. Notable exhibits in the museum include the mummified corpse of the first modern serial killer in the country and a host of slightly grotesque displays important to the field of local traditional medicine and forensic pathology.

Mingle with the Thai Hill Tribes

Thailand is home to many ethnic tribes that still dwell in the country’s lush hills. These tribes, including the Akha, the Lahu, Mien, the Karen, and the Hmong, have lived pretty much the same way they did centuries ago. They have their own rich histories and colorful cultures, and visiting them in their remote settlements will definitely widen your perspective of Thailand.