Siam Ocean World
When the old Siam Intercontinental Hotel was torn down to make way for the Siam Paragon many of us were horrified that a colonial style building with some of the most elegant lawns and trees in Bangkok was leaving to make way for commercial space.
It’s true we still miss those tropical vistas and would have them back in a heartbeat but the Siam Paragon Shopping Centre has a number of attractions for children that should take up a day of any child’s life.
The Siam Ocean World is an aquarium experience that immerses the visitor both child and adult alike into the very machinations of the ocean deep. Actually it’s one of the largest in South East Asia that extends across 10000 square meters that contain hundreds of different species of water borne animals and fish in about 5 million liters of water.
The aim is for the experience to be educational as well as entertainment. There are glass tunnels that pierce though the deep waters allowing the visitor to marvel at the aquatic life all around.
There are glass bottomed boats for children to float and observe from the surface. For the most serious of visitor there’s a chance to join in with a dive in the waters among the sharks and the Rays.
Siam Ocean World practices dual pricing so try not to be too offended if you see Thai nationals getting in for half price compared to Westerners.
Flow Rider
Opposite K Village on Sukhumvit 26 is Flow rider. If you haven’t heard of it yet it’s worth a visit just to see the concept in action even if you don’t fancy taking a ride yourself.
The idea is to provide an inner city surfing experience. This is create by water being pushed up a slope with riders making their way down by balancing on a board just like wake boarding or surfing.
The place is kind of like a half indoors and half outdoors pool which is perfect for relaxing around as the kids or young adults partake in the experience. Food and snacks are available and a surf shop is next door where the dedicated surf aficionado of Thailand gather to check out the latest styles and equipment.
It gets quite busy at the weekend so maybe during the week is the best time to try the experience out.
The prices are somewhat less expensive during the week too, with around 550 Baht from Monday to Friday and then a jump to 650 Baht an hour at the weekend. On occasions Flow Rider is rented out for pool parties and a DJ is brought in along with extra bar staff.
It’s a really fun experience with all the top talent of Bangkok turning up in their swimming costumes and boogying away around the flow pool or spilling out into the A-Square community which is the name of the retail space where Flow Rider exists.
There’s simple food and snacks such as hamburgers and hotdogs so you’re all set for a fun afternoon with the kids or later on if you party hard.