Bangkok, at your own pace

Art and green spaces in Bangkok

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is a starting point for contemporary art. At the Jim Thompson House Museum, the house, garden and collection of Asian art are the focus. Benjakitti Forest Park offers open views across water and greenery. These are separate destinations around Bangkok, with transport needed between them.

By Leelasanc · Edited 28 October 2026

Curved galleries, warm stone and diagonal escalators around the central atrium at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre — Curves, stone and light inside Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. Photographed in 2015.Photograph by m-louis .® · Bangkok Art and Culture Centre · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Colour adjusted and resized for the web. · Adapted image under the same licence.

In this story

Contemporary art at BACC

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, usually called BACC, is on Rama I Road in Pathum Wan. Exhibitions and activities take place around its curving atrium. The centre lists opening from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm, and closes on Mondays. Its current programme shows what is on during your stay, and individual exhibitions or events may have separate arrangements.

A house and collection at Jim Thompson

The Jim Thompson House Museum brings together a Bangkok home, a collection of Asian art and a garden. Entry to the main house is by guided tour. Visitor information lists daily opening from 10am to 5pm, with the last guided tour at 5pm. Follow the museum’s official information for tickets and tour arrangements.

Timber walls, seating and daylight inside the Jim Thompson House Museum, photographed in February 2024. — A living-room interior at the Jim Thompson House Museum, photographed in February 2024.Photograph by Abogomazova · Jim Thompson House interiors-001.jpg · CC BY 4.0 · Colour adjusted and resized with the full frame retained.

Water, planting and paths at Benjakitti

Water and planted areas sit below raised paths at Benjakitti Forest Park. The paths open up views across the landscape, with places to pause along the way. An outdoor visit depends on the weather, daylight and how much walking you would like to do. The park is a separate destination from the museums, so allow time for the journey as well as the visit.

A different side of the day in Punnawithi

Wetland planting, water and elevated paths in Benjakitti Forest Park, Bangkok — Water, planting and raised paths at Benjakitti Forest Park.Photograph by Supanut Arunoprayote · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 · Colour adjusted and resized for the web.

Useful questions

Which place is best for contemporary art?

BACC is the contemporary arts centre in this guide. Its exhibition programme shows what is on during your stay. The Jim Thompson House Museum focuses on the house and its collection of Asian art.

Can I visit all three on foot?

The three places are spread across Bangkok. Use transport between the stops you choose and allow time for the museums, weather and walking in the park.