If you’re planning on visiting Bangkok, you may feel overwhelmed by the options when it comes to choosing where to stay. A large, metropolitan city, Bangkok offers something to every kind of traveler, and each area has its pros and cons depending on what you are looking to get out of your vacation. Below is a list of the five most popular areas in Bangkok, listed in order of their proximity to the city center.
Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit is over 18km long and is an exclusive district that’s home to exciting nightlife, fantastic restaurants, and some of the best shopping malls you’ll find within the city. Thanks to the BTS (the overhead train network) traveling to and from the area is easy, making traveling further afield to some of the city’s cultural attractions a piece of cake. Looking for a hotel in Bangkok near BTS? The S33 Compact is a great budget option and offers a serene place to relax away from the hectic nature of the city.
Siam
Love to shop? Siam is the area you’ll definitely want to make your base. Home to Siam Paragon, MBK and the Siam Center, you’ll never run out of shops to explore. Siam is also the host to a variety of family-friendly attractions, such as Madame Tussauds and Siam Ocean World, making it a popular location for those traveling with children and teenagers. It doesn’t, however, have many bars so it’s not the best option for those who want to party.
Silom
If you’re traveling to Bangkok for business, Silom is where you’ll want to stay. The Central Business District of the city, this is where you’ll find most of the city’s offices. During the evenings, Silom comes alive with the night market of Patpong… and yes, this is also where you’ll find the city’s Red Light District. Another thing of note here is that Silom is an affordable area, and as such it’s a fantastic area in which to try some Thai street food.
Chinatown
Chinatown is a popular area with backpackers, predominantly due to how cheap it is. However, there are also a lot of interesting attractions here, including the world’s largest gold Buddha, located inside Wat Traimit. Sampang Lane is a great area to visit for those who want to buy some souvenirs on a budget, while if you’re into Asian cuisine, Yaowarat Road sells some of the best, and most authentic, street food in the city.
The Old City
Finally, we have The Old City. This is where you’ll find the most cultural attractions, as well as popular backpacking areas such as the infamous Khao San Road. Another area that’s typically a lot cheaper than those listed at the start of the list, it’s still relatively easy to get around by taxi or tuk-tuk. The Old City has a strong party vibe mixed in amongst the temples and it’s definitely one of the most fun places to stay in Bangkok.
So there you have it, the best places to stay in Bangkok. Do make sure to refer to this guide before booking as the area you choose could make or break your vacation!