Bangkok guide by a local: Locations Guide City Center Sukhumvit line
This article is part of the Bangkok guide series, serving as a general explanation of some popular areas in inner central Sukhumvit to Siam, Bangkok, as our picks for the areas you might want to stay at or visit during your travel!
We hope it provides some information to aid in your decision on where to go or stay. You can also treat this as a guide for malls along the Sukhumvit line, Bangkok!
The area along central Sukhumvit is generally safe throughout and contains a lot of cafes and restaurants. Our list is based on our personal preferences and where we would recommend our friends stay if they travel to Bangkok. We believe it is one of the best places to stay for holidays and long-term stays alike; however, this also depends on each individual’s budget and travel style.
This guide is aimed at the areas around the BTS Skytrain stations along center Sukhumvit line.
Siam (BTS Siam → BTS National Stadium)
Area Summary: The Shopping district, one of the most popular and busiest, is a top destination for teenagers and fashion-related products, including cosmetics.
Layout: Can be categorized into Zones, Indoor, and Outdoor.
Indoor: air-conditioned, Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Siam One, MBK
Outdoor: refer to parts opposite Siam Paragon easily accessible via the BTS skywalk on the M floor. Divided into different stores in the alley, predominantly fashion and food.
Note: There are not many hotels in this location
Tip: You can walk from Paragon all the way to MBK solely on skywalks and through the buildings (Paragon M floor → Siam Center → Siam Discovery → Skywalk → MBK).
Fun Fact: people who went to school in Bangkok often have a name for the students and teenagers who like to hang out in Siam or dress in a certain style as “Dek Siam,” or “เด็กสยาม.” The name can be directly translated to “Siam Kids.” That is how popular the destination is among teenagers; it is often the first place we go to when we start to go out with friends for the first few times, and we have used it more than 10 years ago–probably those before us as well–and the new generation is still using it today.
BTS Phloen Chit → Chitlom & Lang suan
Area Summary: Generally, A more prestigious neighborhood
Layout: Central shopping malls: Central World (one of the most popular shopping malls), Central Chidlom, Central Embassy, Gaysorn Malls (Luxury): Gaysorn Amarin (with Louis Vuitton’s Cafe), Gaysorn Village, Dior Cafe
Lang Suan Road (opposite Central Chidlom): Sindhorn Village (Cafe and restaurants) (expect higher prices), and other cafes and dining spots along the road. The road leads to the back of Lumphini Park, hence the name Lang Suan Road, which directly translates to ‘the road behind the park.’
Tip: Central Chitlom and Central Embassy are connected on floor 2.
The Okura Prestige Bangkok Hotel is a great choice for staying in this area.
Asoke (BTS Asoke)
Area Summary: Shopping, Park, Market, and nightlife, with a less upper-scale vibe in Central Sukhumvit
Layout: Terminal 21 shopping mall (great food court on the upper floor), Benchakitti Park (our favourite park in Bangkok), Asoke Market, street vendors, SW1 Market (Night Market (closed during the afternoon and evening), Soi Cowboy (a wilder side of Bangkok for those who love the nightlife, definitely not a kid-friendly place)
Phrom Phong (BTS Phrom Phong)
Area Summary: Shopping area, generally higher price points and international brands. Our personal favourite shopping/dining district.
Layout: Emdistrict shopping malls: Emquartier, Emporium, Emsphere, all within walking distance and interconnected with the BTS skywalk on floor M.
Emsphere: a food destination with various popular cuisines from all over the world. Generally, higher price points than local dining, but also better hygiene and quality. IKEA, Event spaces.
Emporium: Luxury mall, brand names, electronics, etc., a great food court located on the 4th floor, mainly local cuisines, recommended.
Emquartier: General major international brands, Muji, Uniqlo, Zara, and H&M
They are often our go-to for desserts, located on the G floor.
Thonglor (BTS Thonglor → Eakkamai)
Area Summary: An area full of cafes and Japanese restaurants, many of which are run by Japanese.
Note: This area could cost you a lot more money, maybe comparable to or a little cheaper than destinations in more developed major cities. With that said, Thailand is still as cheap or expensive as you want it to be.
Bar and nightlife are also rich in this area.
Layout: Notably, the area from Sukhumvit 49, 55, and 63, and connecting alleys between them, distinctively, the soi (Thai word for alley) that bears the title Thonglor and Eakkamai, is where you will find various stores, hotels, and places to sit, eat, and relax, or work.
I have heard that Bangkok has been mentioned by some Japanese travelers as a place to try many famous places and cuisines from various prefectures in Japan, all in one city. As Thai people love Japan, we have adopted quite a few of their food cultures very well. As someone who frequently travels to Japan and enjoys Japanese cuisine immensely, I would say it is comparable to some restaurants in Japan, albeit at a higher expense and a bit less authentic.
Pro Tip:
Technically, you can walk all the way from Phloen Chit station to the MBK Center at the BTS National Stadium, which is all connected via an elevated path through skywalks and various malls. A total of roughly 2.5 km, or a 35-minute walk, according to Google Maps.
Although for this to work from Central Chidlom, I believe you did have to pay a BTS fee of around 15 baht (0.5 USD) to pass from one side of Chidlom Station to the other side without walking down from it.
Phloen Chit Station Skywalk → Central Embassy → Central Chidlom → Chitlom Station Skywalk (pass through gate and out) → Siam → Siam Center → Siam Discovery → One Siam Skywalk → MBK
Other Things to note:
From around Phromphong to Eakkamai is heavily Japanese-influenced, as a number of Japanese live there.
As the outside is hot, most people prefer shopping in the malls, hence the number of malls near each other, and for that reason, we have good malls here in Bangkok!
Malls located closer together around the same BTS station are connected by a skywalk, allowing you to walk between them without needing to go down to the sidewalk. Use the exit, typically located on the M floors, to access the skywalk.
BTS Siam and Chit Lom are connected all the way with said skywalk, along with other malls and hotels along the way, making them more easily accessible and pleasant to walk through. For instance, you can walk from Central World to Siam Paragon without having to go down to the road.
