Bangkok Neighbourhoods Overview
Bangkok is a big city, and different areas have very different characters. Sukhumvit is where most expats live, with good restaurants and nightlife. Siam has the big shopping malls. Silom mixes offices with bars and night markets. The Old Town has the temples and historic sites. Chinatown is street food and markets. Thonburi, across the river, is quieter and more local. Here’s a quick guide to each area.
Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit is a long road running east from central Bangkok, with dozens of sois (side streets) branching off it. It’s where most expats live and where you’ll find a huge range of restaurants, from street food to Michelin-starred places. Thonglor (Soi 55) and Ekkamai (Soi 63) are the trendiest areas. Sukhumvit also has well-known nightlife districts like Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza.
Silom
Silom is Bangkok’s main business district during the day and a nightlife area after dark. There are rooftop bars with city views, restaurants at all price levels, and a busy night market. The area also has red-light districts like Patpong. Good BTS and MRT connections make it easy to get around.
Bangkok Old Town
The Old Town (Rattanakosin Island) is where Bangkok’s major temples and historic sites are. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) are here, along with Wat Pho and its giant reclining Buddha. The riverside has some luxury hotels with rooftop bars. Nearby Khao San Road and Soi Rambuttri are the backpacker area, busy with bars and cheap food.
Chinatown
Bangkok’s Chinatown (Yaowarat) is one of the largest in the world. The main draw is the street food, especially at night when the stalls take over Yaowarat Road. It’s crowded, noisy, and worth visiting at least once for the food alone.
Siam
Siam is Bangkok’s main shopping district. Siam Paragon, Siam Center, CentralWorld, and MBK are all here or nearby. The two BTS Skytrain lines cross at Siam station, so it’s easy to reach from anywhere. Siam Square, across from Siam Paragon, has smaller shops, cafés, and more affordable fashion. This is where Bangkok teenagers hang out.
Ploenchit
Ploenchit is next to Siam but more upmarket. Luxury malls like Central Embassy and Gaysorn are here, along with high-end hotels. It’s quieter than Siam and attracts a wealthier crowd. Good if you want fancy shopping without the teenage crowds.
Bangkok Riverside
The riverside area runs along the Chao Phraya River and includes some of Bangkok’s best hotels. Wat Arun is on the Thonburi side, visible from many riverside restaurants and bars. River cruises and dinner boats leave from various piers along here. It’s a different feel from the rest of Bangkok, slower and less chaotic.
Sathorn
Sathorn is south of Silom, mostly offices and corporate hotels. It has some good rooftop bars and restaurants, but it’s not really a tourist area. Business travellers stay here for the hotels and easy access to the BTS.
Thonburi
Thonburi is on the west side of the Chao Phraya River. It’s less developed than central Bangkok, with canals, local markets, and older temples. ICONSIAM mall is here, but most of Thonburi feels more like how Bangkok used to be. Good for seeing a different side of the city.
Pratunam
Pratunam is where Bangkok gets loud and chaotic. It’s a short walk from the malls in Siam, but the feel is completely different. This is where locals and bargain-hunters come for wholesale clothing, tiny food stalls between buildings, and traffic that never moves. Not pretty, but full of character.
Hua Lamphong
Hua Lamphong is named after the old railway station (now closed to long-distance trains). The area sits between Chinatown and the university district. There are still traditional craftspeople here making Chinese ceremonial items like joss paper and red lanterns. It connects to interesting walking areas like Talad Noi and Song Wat Road.
