9 Most Unusual Sights in Bangkok

Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan is most famous for its massive 3-headed elephant statue, which stands on an equally gargantuan pedestal. Made from pure copper, the 29-metre-tall sculpture weighs around 250 tonnes.

The Bangkok Forensic Museum at Siriraj Hospital offers morbid exhibitions of the human anatomy. Glass jars containing deformed babies and gruesome autopsy photographs are all preserved for posterity in Bangkok’s very own hall of horrors. This unusual museum is not suitable for kids (or the faint-hearted).

Wat Pariwat is called the David Beckham Temple of Bangkok for a very unusual reason. An altar in the back corner of the temple has a mural carving of the famous football player. Depicted in the style of a garuda (mythical guardian) holding up the altar on his shoulders, this 30-cm-tall statuette was the work of a fan with the agreement of the abbot in 1998.

The Elephant Tower is one of the most unique landmarks in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. The 3 towers (A, B, and C) make up a shape of Thailand's national animal. On the right edge of the building, you can see an eye and tusk. The building serves as a condominium, office space, and a language school.

Wat Samphran has a massive dragon sculpture that’s coiled around its 17-storey cylindrical tower. The head of the giant dragon is visible from a distance. Located 40 km west of Bangkok, it’s worth taking a short trip to this unusual shrine.

The 'robot building' in Sathorn dates back to 1986, serving as the headquarters of United Overseas Bank (UOB). The architect behind this 20-storey building was inspired by his son's toy robot. Elements of the exterior design serve real purposes – the oversized 'bolts' and 'caterpillar wheels' act as sunshades and canopies for the building.

Sathorn Unique Tower is a 50-storey unfinished building that remained abandoned since the 1997 economic crisis. It has a strong resemblance with the neighbouring State Tower skyscraper, with its typical round balconies and Roman columns. After several creepy incidents (including a suicide), Sathorn Unique attracts daredevils looking to explore the delipidated structure.

Papaya Studio Bangkok is like no other shop you have even seen before. Many have heard of it, but few have actually stepped inside it. Trying to list the amazing objects, items, figures, toys, household objects and furniture tightly packed next to each other would be impossible, but you can’t help but notice the pinball machines, Vespas, and full-size comic characters like Flash, Wolverine, Green Lantern and Batman, all proudly standing next to... a pair of giant rabbits.