If you want a totally different café experience head to the Death Café in Bangkok’s trendy Ari district. It’s just a short walk from Ari BTS station so very easy to get to. The café’s full name is Kid Mai (Think New) Death Awareness Café and has been set up as a Buddhist exhibition that aims to give people a birth and death experience.
The main exhibit in the café is a coffin. To experience what death feels like you are supposed to climb into the coffin, slide the lid closed and stay in there for three minutes. Unsurprisingly, not many people are happy to try this. Death is a frightening thought for most people, so they just don’t want to go through what might seem like a traumatic experience.
However, some people do want to experience what it’s like lying inside a coffin, and there are photos next to the coffin of people that have done this, including a few Thai celebrities. A small incentive is available to get you to try this experience. Anyone that lies in the coffin gets a 10% discount on their food and drink.
Birth Experience
But it’s not all about death. There is also a birth experience section. In this section of the exhibition, there are a number of cradles that are similar to hammocks, but that hold you tight in a fetal position. You need to climb into the cradle, close your eyes and imagine you’re in your mother’s womb covered in amniotic fluid. Imagine that you will be there for nine months and that your future is uncertain. After a minute open your eyes and write down your thoughts. This is a very powerful experience for many.
The Food We Eat
Another section is all about the food we eat and what effects it has on our bodies. The more junk food we eat the closer we get to our time lying in that coffin. Unfortunately, this section is only in Thai, but you can tell from the food exhibits which are healthy and unhealthy options. I’m sure we already know this although many of us still don’t make the best choices.
Around the café, you’ll see other mentions of death, including a board that shows the word death in many different languages. There is also a section where you can put on a heavy suit that enables to experience what if feels like to be old.
Kid Mai Death Café Experience Details
Address: 1191 Phahonyothin Road, Ari
Nearest BTS: Ari (2-3 minutes’ walk)
Opening Hours: 10:00-19:00 daily
Getting There: From Ari BTS station take exit 1 then walk straight ahead, passed the Mercedes Benz showroom and EXIM Thailand. Then on your right, you’ll see a small alleyway that says Banana Family Park. The café is at the end of that lane in a very large open space.