Rainy Season is normally May to October and means low tourist crowds. Rain keeps clouds lighter at temples, markets and museums.
Rain in Bangkok can arrive suddenly and heavily, but it doesn’t have to stop your plans. The city is packed with free indoor activities, hidden corners, creative spaces, and modern walkways that keep you dry while still giving you a full day of exploring. As someone who has spent countless rainy days ducking into malls, art spaces, covered alleys, and skywalk tunnels, here is the ultimate local-approved guide to the best free things to do when the skies open up.
This guide focuses specifically on completely free, air-conditioned, rain-proof experiences — no tickets, no entrance fees, and no spending required unless you choose to.
Table of Contents
1. Wander the Indoor Skywalk System (Siam → Chidlom → Central World)
If you want to stay dry for hours, this is Bangkok’s best rainy-day route. The skywalk network is fully sheltered, air-conditioned in parts, and connects nearly all the major central malls.
On a single walk you can pass:
MBK
Siam Discovery
Siam Center
Siam Paragon
CentralWorld
Gaysorn
Big C
Central Chidlom
You can explore art displays, window shop, people-watch, and take photos of the skyline — all without getting wet. This is my personal go-to route when the rain looks like it will last a while.
2. Visit BACC (Bangkok Art & Culture Centre)
Short tropical storms mean more indoor exploring. Bangkok’s afternoon rain showers are predictable, perfect for planning indoor activities.
BACC is always a reliable rainy-day destination. Entry is free for most floors, and the atmosphere feels like a creative sanctuary away from the storm.
Inside you’ll find:
rotating art exhibitions
photography galleries
installations
handmade craft stalls
live performances (sometimes free)
It’s one of the few places where you can easily spend 1–2 hours without paying anything. If the rain is heavy, simply sit by the spiral walkway and enjoy the energy of the building.
3. Explore Samyan Mitrtown’s 24/7 Study Zone
Photo courtesy of Art4d
Samyan Mitrtown is one of the most rain-friendly malls in Bangkok. The highlight is its 24-hour study space, a huge open area with free seating, bright lighting, and strong airflow.
What you can do for free:
read or study
recharge power banks
plan your Bangkok itinerary
relax and wait out the storm
explore the indoor art murals and university-style vibe
The entire mall is connected to a covered walkway from MRT Samyan, so you’ll stay completely dry entering and exiting.
4. Enjoy IconSiam’s Indoor Museum-Style Areas
One of the most underrated rainy-day hacks: you don’t need to buy anything at IconSiam to enjoy it. The indoor cultural zones are free to walk through.
Explore:
SookSiam cultural village (covered, themed, and great for photos)
Thai heritage areas
art galleries
riverside viewing platforms (partially sheltered)
Even during heavy rain, the mall is so large that you can wander for hours while staying dry.
5. Explore Central Embassy’s Open House “Library-Style” Space
Central Embassy is calm, cool, and beautifully designed — a perfect escape from the rain. The top floor, Open House, feels like a library mixed with a creative workshop.
You can enjoy for free:
panoramic city views (all sheltered)
reading nooks
open seating
photography spots
cultural mini-exhibitions
Locals often come here just to relax, read, and enjoy the design of the space.
6. Explore Bangkok’s Themed Malls (Great for Window Shopping)
Bangkok has one of Asia’s highest mall densities. With over 180 malls, it is one of the best cities for rainy things to do.
Bangkok malls are basically indoor cities — and many are worth exploring even if you don’t buy anything.
Some favorites:
Terminal 21
Each floor is themed after a different country (Tokyo, London, San Francisco, etc.), making it perfect for photography.
Siam Paragon & Siam Center
Full of art corners, creative displays, and curated exhibition zones.
EmQuartier
Covered walkways, glass elevators, and indoor water features make this one of the most unique rain-safe malls in the city.
MBK Center
Great for people-watching and browsing small local shops.
You can easily spend 2–4 hours walking around while keeping completely dry.
7. Discover Free Indoor Exhibitions & Pop-Ups
Bangkok constantly hosts free temporary exhibitions inside malls and creative spaces. The best areas to find them include:
Siam Center (atrium displays)
ICONSIAM (heritage exhibitions)
CentralWorld (hallway shows + event plaza)
BACC (rotating installations)
Samyan Mitrtown (student exhibitions)
On rainy days, these pop-ups feel like little surprises hidden around the city.
8. Ride MRT or BTS and Explore Stations with Art
Bangkok’s transit stations are dry, air-conditioned, and surprisingly full of creative displays.
Good stations to “rain-hop”:
Sanam Chai MRT – royal blue, gold, and red — looks like a palace hall
Siam BTS – art panels and open viewing windows
Bang Wa BTS – elevated river views under cover
Samyan MRT – modern murals
You can ride for the cost of a single trip, stay dry the whole time, and see different corners of the city.
9. Hang Out in Community Malls (Completely Covered)
Bangkok has countless smaller community malls that are perfect “rain shelters,” including:
The Commons (Thonglor) – indoor seating
J Avenue (Thonglor) – covered corridors
Gateway Ekamai – Japanese-themed indoors
Mega Bangna – huge covered promenades
These offer safe, dry places to walk around, sit, or explore.
10. Explore Covered Cultural Zones Around Old Town
Bangkok’s Old Town has several sheltered areas where you can stay dry while exploring temples and cultural sites.
Good rainy-day routes:
Giant Swing → Wat Suthat → Rattanakosin areas (lots of covered walkways)
Wat Saket grounds (outer areas have sheltered corridors)
Wat Benchamabophit (covered cloisters)
If the rain is light, the temple roofs provide surprisingly good protection.
Final Local Tip: Bring a Small Umbrella (Even Indoors)
Bangkok malls and skywalks have occasional open-air gaps where rain can blow in. Locals almost always carry a tiny foldable umbrella — it fits in your bag and helps with those “just 10 meters of rain” moments between walkways.
Safety Tip: During rainy season, always wear safe shoes and err on a side of caution.
Bangkok is like a giant playground, but remember safety first. I do not recommend wearing flip flops as they are slippery on concrete. You can buy a poncho from any 711.
Summary
Rainy days in Bangkok don’t need to put your plans on hold. With this guide, you can explore:
indoor skywalks
AC museums
creative centers
libraries
modern malls
free exhibitions
sheltered cultural zones
…all without spending anything.
Bangkok is a city built for exploring, rain or shine — and when you know where to go, the rain simply becomes part of the adventure.
You may want to check out the BTS or MRT maps.
