For Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium in Chatuchak, don't imagine beautiful frozen sets of wings under display cases with Latin names pinned underneath. Rather, you enter the huge and lofty enclosure of the conservatory with rockeries, shady ferns, wildflowers and a cooling waterfall – all the elements that make up the insects' natural habitat.

Unfortunately, only a few species of beautiful winged creatures hide within the dome. So, if you’re quiet and still, you may be able to lure one out of hiding and take a beautiful and memorable photograph.

Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium - one of the highlights of 12 Best Things to Do with Kids in Bangkok (Read all about Bangkok here)

photo by ::::=UT=:::: (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

Finding peace and tranquility at Bangkok Butterfly Garden

Good news for those who grow weary of the slow-moving crowds and rambunctious goings-on of the nearby Chatuchak Weekend Market... Just round the corner from the market, no less than 3 parks can be found.

Upon entering Chatuchak Park subway station, cross Chatuchak Park and turn right, pass the front of the market and turn left at Kampaengphet IV Road. In between Queen Sirikit Gardens and Rotfai Gardens lies the quiet enclosed sanctuary of the Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium.

Queen Sirikit Gardens, which lies between here and the Children's Discovery Museum, is a magnificent botanical garden with brightly coloured flower beds and old shady trees, all labelled in English, Thai and Latin. Meadows of wildflowers and immaculately landscaped gardens with canopied benches, ponds and mazes all lend it a feeling of Alice in Wonderland. This can be an enchanting day of butterfly spotting, picnicking or bicycling through the expansive and picturesque gardens. Old fashioned bicycles are available for rent. You could get lost in here, so be sure to bring a bottle of drinking water and a hat.

It's across these lands one must traverse to reach the realm of butterflies. Some of the prettiest include the Golden Birdwing, Siam Tree Nymph and the Giant Silkworm Butterfly. An informative indoor display follows the fascinating lifecycles of these colourful insects.

Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium

Location: Kamphaengpet 3 Road, Lad Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 8.30am to 4.30pm (closed on Mondays)

Phone: +66 (0)2 272 4359

Price: Free!

Willy Thuan | Compulsive Traveller