Where to Stay in Bangkok – A Guide for Foodies – Huai Khwang
This is a guide for all the die-hard foodies looking for delicious local Thai eats in Bangkok. It is a recommended read for anyone familiar with traveling around Bangkok. If this is your first visit to Bangkok check you’ll find this blog post more helpful.
Nevertheless, if you already know the ins and outs of Bangkok. And confident enough to travel around and explore on your own, read on!
I wish I could tell you that there’s only one area of Bangkok where you can find great local Thai food. I’m not talking about Thai food made for foreign tourists and priced for foreign tourists.
This is a popular neighborhood spot for takeaway…
I will point you to areas in Bangkok with amazing, authentic Thai foods where you’ll be eating shoulder-to-shoulder with the locals. It’ll be an authentic Thai eating experience.
On top of that, you’ll find out where to stay in Bangkok near all the best local eats!
There is a simple answer to the simple question of “Where to find the best local eats?”
You go where the locals go!
Huay Khwang – Popular Local Neighborhood in Bangkok
It can’t get any more local than this. Huay Khwang is a district, located just north of central Bangkok. There are two MRT subway stations in this location:
Thailand Cultural Centre MRT
Huai Khwang MRT
Thailand Cultural Centre and Huai Khwang station are the next stop from each other. It is a super popular local area with many shopping centers such as the Street Ratchada which is partially open 24 hours with cafes and supermarkets. Around late evenings a night market appears outside the Street Ratchada’s parking lot.
And you can check out the newly renovated Big C shopping center and pick up some Thai snacks. There is also an updated food court and fast food restaurants serving a wide variety of Thai foods and snacks.
To take advantage of the convenience of this location I recommend Prom Ratchada Hotel. It’s right behind the Big C shopping center. A standard room costs about 1300THB a night, which is an excellent value for the location.
Standard room at Prom Ratchada Hotel
And many local Thai hawkers stand where food is delicious and affordable!
One popular Thai restaurant I can highly recommend is Zabb One Restaurant. I’ve been eating there for nearly 15 years. And back then it was just a dark humble shack. They mainly serve Issan food, a region in northeast Thailand.
Today, they’ve expanded their current location so there’s more space for customers to dine comfortably. Matter of fact they’ve become so popular they’ve even opened another location. It is only 600 meters on the opposite side of the Ratchadpisek Road called Zabb One Soi 5, here’s the location.
Zabb One Ratchada is 250m walk from Thailand Cultural Center MRT Exit #1Zabb One Ratchada RestaurantSomtam Kai Kem (spicy papaya salad with salted egg)Gai Yang (grilled chicken)Koo Moo Yang (grilled pork collar)
I like salty foods so for me Somtom with salted egg (ส้มตำไข่เค็ม) is my go to choice for that spicy papaya salad Thailand is famous for. And of course, some grilled pork collar (คอหมูย่าง) and grilled chicken (ไก่ย่าง) with sticky rice round out the meal.
I also highly recommend catfish with green mango salad (ยำปลาดุกฟู) and Tom Saap (ต้มแซบ) another version of Thai hot and spicy soup usually with pork but beef is also an option.
Zabb One Ratchada is popular, especially with the lunch and dinner crowd. I recommend going in before lunchtime and after lunchtime, if you want to eat comfortably. Because it gets busy as it is a very popular local som tam restaurant.
Another Great Huai Khwang Spot for Local Thai Food
Pracharat Bamphen Road Soi 7. Odd-numbered side streets are on the left and even-numbered side streets are on the right.
A little further up north closer, to Huai Khwang MRT station is another area I recommend for local Thai food in Bangkok.
There’s a street called Pracharat Bamphen Road located east of the Huai Khwang junction, with Huai Khwang MRT station entry/exit #1 leading right to the road. This often congested 600-meter-long narrow road is home to Bangkok’s new Chinatown.
Bangkok’s Second Chinatown
This is an area where a small wave of Chinese immigrants gradually settled. Operating restaurants and other businesses catering to Chinese tourists.
You will see the signage of this road spelled Pracha Rat Bamphen Road. However, the word “Rat” alone might be off-putting.
This is why I rather stick with the spelling Pracharat Bamphen Road because it’s the way Google Maps has it spelled. And I don’t want to cause any confusion.
Pracharat Bamphen Map Huai Khwang
In this area, I recommend walking down to Soi 9 and there are a few places I think you will like. It is as local as it will ever get. You might see a few curious foreigners here and there.
Trust me, this place is strictly the local’s favorite spot to pick up a quick meal box.
And these shops don’t have names or signage. You will not find them on Google Maps.
That’s because they open early in the morning. And sell out by the afternoon. You won’t even know they were there as everything they brought is gone. Poof like magic.
And you won’t see them again until early next morning.
Look for Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9
Look for Soi 9This corner has a lot of good food in the morning
Right at the entrance of Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9, in the morning you will find my favorite takeaway food hotspot!
Yes, only takeaway. There are no tables and chairs. But you can eat on the street in Thailand that sort of behavior is not frowned upon.
Or you can take it back to your hotel. I will recommend a few close to this area below.
Many locals living in this area come here for food. Mainly Thai office workers pick up a quick breakfast to eat at the office.
You will see customers standing in line and some even on their motorbikes ordering several boxes for takeaway.
They’ve got two dozen Thai classic food choices for you to pick from. Thai curries, Thai stir-fries, and stuff maybe you’ve never seen before.
I mean there’s stuff I’ve never seen before here either. But that’s the fun thing. You can eat here every single day without getting bored.
Cooked for Locals, Priced for Locals
You gotta give them credit for keeping food prices affordable. It’s not easy to cook up this quantity of food. Thai cooking requires lots of ingredients. They must be working from early morning to prep and cook these foods. While you are still dreaming comfortably in your bed.
1 Choice 30 THB
2 Choice 30 THB
3 Choice 40 THB
Some clarification for the 2 choices it’s still 30 Baht, they’ll just portion out appropriately. And if you want a bigger box with more portions they charge 40 – 50 Baht extra.
At the current exchange rate, 30 Baht is just under $1 US Dollar.
Everything is served on top of rice in a takeaway box. Bear in mind they do not cook everything on the spot. All of the foods are cooked in a separate location and transported to their location. Which means the food won’t be piping hot.
You can always bring it back to your hotel and ask them to reheat it.
I’ve tried at least 6 to 8 of their dishes. My favorite is their Thai-style fried chicken with cashew nuts. And be sure to try their fried boiled egg in tamarind sauce, it’s delish!
Thai Chicken Cashew Nut, My Favorite!Thai Tamarind Fried Hard Boiled Egg
I recommend their Chicken Massaman and Green Curry Chicken. Two classic powerhouse Thai dishes and they cook it just right.
Thai Fried Donuts
Who doesn’t like donuts?! A fine donut made on a street corner is a beautiful thing in the morning!
Patongo (ปาท่องโก๋) are Thai-style fried donuts locals line up for and enjoy for breakfast. And there are two styles of these puffy delectable treats.
This stand makes amazing Patongo, a Thai fried donut
The version that looks like two sticks stuck together is the most common. You will see small containers of coconut pandan custard (สังขยาใบเตย) or a simple sweetened condensed milk for dipping the fried donuts sold separately. Each container costs 10 Baht.
If you plan on buying coconut pandan custard remember to consume it quickly. Coconut milk spoils easily.
Don’t Forget to Try Salapao
This vendor also fries up fresh Salapao (ซาลาเปา) which is a different version of patongo. The outside has a sweet taste with a soft, airy inside and crunchy inside. Not too overly sweet, though enough that it goes terrific with some black coffee with no sugar. Which is how I like my coffee.
I prefer salapao because it reminds me of the classic Italian zeppole! Just without the powdered sugar.
Each piece is only 3 Baht!
Soy Milk is typically sold next to Patongo…
In Southeast Asia, when you see fried donuts like these, usually hot soy milk is sold beside it; this is because both are enjoyed together as breakfast.
Asians love to dip these fried goodies into soy milk.
Where to Stay Around Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9
CMYK Hotel Bangkok is 300-meter walk from Soi 9
CMYK Hotel is a newly renovated hotel on Pracharat Bamphen Soi 5. Only a 300-meter walk to Pratcharat Bamphen Soi 9 and a 250-meter walk to Huai Khwang MRT subway station.
CMYK rooms are on the small side, around 20 square meters. The upside is the room rates are affordable at around 1000 – 1300 Baht per night. You can read reviews and find discounts for CMYK Hotel on Agoda.com.
There are many other hawker stands and small Thai and Chinese-owned restaurants to explore here. And I just mentioned a few of my favorites that are not listed on Google Maps.
Here are a few local eats I like to recommend, that you can find on Google Maps
Por Charoenchai – Thai Chicken and Rice
Chicken Rice Restaurant Huai Khwang Bangkok
One of my favorite chicken and rice shops open 24 hours, Por Charoenchai is again, super popular with locals in this section of Huay Khwang.
Their tasty boiled chicken is tender and they make a good fried chicken. I like to order both over chicken broth-soaked ginger-infused hot rice. And their house ginger, garlic, and chili sauce is on point.
Thai Boiled Chicken and Fried Chicken mixed over Rice – 60 Baht
Danchai Chinese Steam Bun
Fluffy steamed buns stuffed with delectable delights are a staple in Asia. I like to recommend this little shop on a corner right next to patongo hawker stand I mentioned on the corner of Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9.
Danchai Chinese Steam Bun located on the corner of Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9
This is a very old-school Chinese bakery. And the folks that make their fine buns look like they’ve been around forever. That’s why they are very well known in this neighborhood for steamed buns filled with sweetened black bean paste, minced pork with salted egg, red pork with salted egg, and sweetened cream bun.
Steamed bun at Danchai
One steamed bun costs 30 Baht, which sounds pricey. However, I think the price is justified because it’s handmade. And these folks producing these buns are elderly so let them charge what they want.
Get Out There, Explore, and Eat!
There are other places that I recommend on this post. But I covered the places that are hard to find when you don’t know where to look.
Check out these recommended places to eat in Bangkok yourself and have fun.
Eventually, as I find more places to eat in Pracharat Bamphen Road I will update this post. So I hope you can make it out here one day.
Whether it’s good or bad, I’d like to hear about your experience by commenting below 🙏
See that photo above? It may not look like it, but that right there is an idiot who absolutely loves pizza from New York City.
And that’s where I grew up. On the Lower East Side of Manhattan more specifically. There were many pizzerias in and around my old stomping grounds in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
To this day I still remember going to pizzerias with my dad and grabbing a couple of slices and soda together. I don’t remember what we talked about. I just remember two guys enjoying pizzas. Those are good memories.
Then when I was old enough to go out on my own, like a rite of passage, my parents gave me .75 cents to get a slice for lunch. While trying not to get robbed. I grew up at the peak of the crack epidemic after all. It was life or death I tell you back in the old days of NYC.
I remember Gino’s Pizza on Catherine Street, Richard’s Pasta and Cafe on Pearl Street, Famous Ray’s Pizza (most of them), Pizza Palace on Bayard… and that’s all the names I can remember folks. Hey, it was 40 years ago and at my advanced age, things get foggy.
One of my favorite pizzerias in NYC
To me, it was like a privilege to walk a few minutes from where I lived. And smell the sweet, sweet aroma of a freshly baked pizza bubbling away inside an oven.
New York Style pizzas are thin and crispy. The outer crust is not too fluffy but got a good bite. A well-made cheese pizza with a generous sprinkling of garlic powder and dried oregano. And a dash of spicy chili flakes.
It’s the best I tell ya! THE BEST!
The usual lunch at my favorite NYC Pizzeria
BUT I’M NOT IN NYC ANYMORE
I’ve been residing in Bangkok for around 25 years now. It wasn’t until 5 or 6 years ago NYC style pizzas started to gain traction in Thailand, particularly in Bangkok.
Before that time the options for “Western” style pizzas in Thailand were limited. I mean you could find it in hotel restaurants and chain pizza restaurants. Which just wasn’t the same.
I recall there were a few small pizzerias near a red light district in Bangkok. This made sense cause those are the areas where many foreign tourists hang around to get drunk.
Then there are the local Thai pizza interpretations. A round piece of baked dough topped with mayonnaise and ketchup. With not-so-traditional toppings but I get it. The locals love “pizza” too. I don’t blame them.
Fancy pizzas were already in Bangkok before NY style pizzas…
That’s not to say decent or pizza as close to as I know it was never around Thailand. Like everything else around the world that people are passionate about there is an origin story.
A SHORT HISTORY OF PIZZA IN THAILAND
The fast food business in Thailand started slowly with a cold reception. As the founder of Pizza Hut in Thailand stated in this article, Dairy in the form of cheese wasn’t popular and neither was bread.
Times change and the Western diet is gradually taking hold.
As of writing, there are 180 Pizza Hut restaurants and delivery outlets in Thailand. Pizza Hut’s main rival competition Pizza Company has 560 branches around the Kingdom.
Thais are moving to a Westernized diet. Matter of fact not only Western but East Asian foods are popular also like Korean, Chinese, and Japanese.
That article was written in the 90’s. Today chain pizza restaurants with their flashy commercials are advertised on social media, traditional media with ads splashed all over public transportation. The younger Thai population is crazy about it.
Gradually restaurants serving Neapolitan style or as I like to call fancy pizzas were around too. Because there were many casual dining Italian restaurants, opened by foreigners, especially in Bangkok and Pattaya.
Neopolitan Style Pizza in Bangkok
THE ARRIVAL OF NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA IN BANGKOK
All the years living in Thailand I gave up the search for a slice of New York’s finest. I mean I get it. I’m not in New York City but I do go back once a year. And the first thing I did was search for a pizzeria right after I got out of the airport.
If I recall correctly I found SOHO Pizza through an advert on my Facebook feed. It looked legit with the classic New York style slice appearance. Matter of fact they sold pizza by the slice like they do in America. And they had the name SOHO in it.
SOHO is one of those fancy schmancy neighborhoods around lower Manhattan. With many popular pizzerias dotted around that neighborhood.
With SOHO pizza ads crammed in my face, I decided to go try it out with my wife.
Half and Half Pizza Pie – SOHO Pizza
I gotta say, I was pleasantly surprised. It was really good, as close to NYC style pizza as you can possibly get halfway across the world.
The cheese, the crust, the zingy tomato sauce. And oh yeah, the grease. You know the grease that runs down your hand leaving a yellow orange streak, down to your elbows if you’re not careful. Whether you like that or not it’s a hallmark of a NY slice.
I dug in a little about the background of SOHO Pizza. And learned they were managed by a powerhouse food and beverage agency called SOHO Hospitality. And I think they did a great job bringing my favorite pizza to Thailand. As of writing SOHO Pizza has 6 branches, all inside Bangkok.
Then we got Chef Bing! of Chef Bing Pizza who also started his pizza restaurant in Bangkok, around 2019. The first location was near Khao San Road and now he’s moved to the Lumphini area very close to central Sukhumvit Road.
The chef also has a New York City background and is a real chef. It’s not just a title he picked up. After working in the restaurant industry US for a while he eventually returned home.
And then taught himself how to make New York City style pizza. From scratch!
This reminds me of the story of Mark Iacono, a master pizzaiolo and owner of one of the most famous pizza restaurants in Brooklyn called Lucali. And I wish Chef Bing achieves the same level of success here in Thailand
His pizza has a very good char to it. Every bite I took there was a snap and a crunch, the cheese and the sauce, oh man! He had done NYC pizza justice and I am proud!
Chef Bing Cheese Pizza Pie 14″
PIZZAS IN THAILAND TODAY
If you want to eat Italian or American-style pizzas in Thailand today it is very easy to find. Whether or not they are authentic or taste good by your standards is a whole different matter.
Just take for example if an Italian from Napoli traveled to Bangkok and tried a Napolitana at an Italian-owned restaurant will that pizza remind them of Napoli?
It depends on how well the Italian chef trained his cook. It depends on the ingredients the Italian chef used are the same in the Italian city of Napoli. Pizzas in Napoli use specific ingredients native to its surrounding region, such as tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
It’s the same way I look at it. Especially when I started making pizza reviews in Bangkok. And I can say for certain it is an exciting time!
As of writing, I made a few pizza reviews on Wally’s Travels and Eats which is my second YouTube channel.
Looking good from the topBottom needs a bit more time in the oven…
According to this online pizza publication https://www.50toppizza.it/ five of the best fifty best pizzas in Southeast Asia are in Thailand. That’s quite impressive. All of those 5 Thai pizzas are of the Neopolitan variety. I prefer New York style pizzas.
There are Thai cultural aspects to consider in the Thai food industry. Thais do not like to eat burnt food. Eating charred bits as a certain population of Thais believe is carcinogenic. Whether or not that is true I would say you have to do your research on the validity of such a claim.
Traditional pizzas have what’s called Leopard Spotting, where spots of dark char are visible under the pizza as well as the crust. It is typically more pronounced in wood and coal-fired ovens.
That said, there are so many pizzerias all over Bangkok, Pattaya, and Hua Hin I can’t wait to check them out. I’m pretty sure the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui have many too because of foreign tourists and expats.
What’s your favorite pizzeria in Thailand or anywhere you’re reading this?
I know a lot of first-time visitors to Bangkok want to experience staying at 5-star hotels. Because they know hotels in Thailand have a stellar reputation for affordability with excellent quality and service.
And they are right. The Swissotel Bangkok, located on Ratchada Road (Ratchadapisek Road) is a perfect example of a high-quality hotel in Bangkok with excellent guest facilities and genuinely friendly and caring service-minded hotel staff.
And for around USD 100 to USD 150, you can stay in a very comfortable 40 square meter room. Those are off-season rates but even in high season you can book a room for around USD 180.
Grand entrance to Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada
My friends, that is not a bad price at all for a 5-star international hotel near central Bangkok.
To find low rates for Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada I recommend Agoda.com it’s what I use to find discounts for hotels throughout Asia.
Once I paid USD 100 to stay 1 night in a shitty room at a filthy motel near Laguardia Airport in NYC because I didn’t make it to a standby flight. That is a story for another day.
Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada Reception
Where is Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada?
Swissotel is located in Huai Khwang district right by the main Ratchadapisek road intersection. About 1 hour and 15 minute drive to Suvarnabhumi International Airport by tollway. Don Muang International Airport is about a 45-minute taxi ride by tollway.
MRT subway Station Huai Khwang Entry/Exit 4 is about a 300-meter walk to Swissotel. So you do have the option to take the Airport Rail Link by riding the subway to MRT Phetchburi station and then walking a short distance to Makkasan Airport Rail Link station.
Huai Khwang MRT station
Directly south, just 4.5 kilometers lies the Asoke/Sukhumvit junction where you’ll find Terminal 21 Mall with the BTS Sky Train Asok station. You can reach this area by taking the subway to Sukhumvit MRT station, only 4 stops from Huai Khwang MRT station.
So if you want to check out a couple of Bangkok’s famous red-light districts such as Soi Cowboy and Nana you can use the subway station near the hotel. Or just hail a metered taxi, there are many driving past.
However keep in mind Bangkok’s subway and train systems close from 11;30pm to midnight.
Ratchadapisek Road Bangkok (Swissotel on the right side)
To the northwest of Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada is the city’s largest famous open-air market in the world, Chatuchak Weekend Market. You can travel to this popular Bangkok attraction again with the Huai Khwang MRT train to Kampheang Phet MRT station, which will take you to the southwest corner of Chatuchak Weekend Market.
There are many 2-star to 4-star hotels in Huai Khwang which I also reviewed on this blog post, on where to stay in Huai Khwang.
I can say with total confidence Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada is hands down the best 5-star hotel in Huai Khwang. Matter of fact it is the only true 5-star hotel in the area.
Huai Khwang is a Terrific Bangkok Neighborhood
The immediate area surrounding Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada is what I like to call a locals’ local area. Meaning it’s where many local Thais live. As you will see from the apartments and high-rise condominiums all over.
So there are plenty of local Thai restaurants. But you will also find Western and Asian restaurants, particularly Chinese Mala Hot Pot restaurants.
Pracharatbamphen Road leads you down to Bangkok’s second ChinatownChinatown in Huai Khwang Bangkok
Right after the pandemic, many Chinese moved to Huai Khwang, setting up a second albeit smaller Chinatown that runs through a 600-meter section of Pracharatbamphen Road.
There is a red light district aspect in Huai Khwang, particularly with massive massage parlors with prostitutes. But I can tell you for certain the stuff that happens inside doesn’t spill out. You won’t see or notice it.
But it won’t hurt to keep an eye on your husband when he says he is going out to buy milk in the middle of the night.
My Experience at Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada
I lived in Huai Khwang for a while so I am aware of Swissotel’s reputation. I’ve eaten inside the hotel’s restaurants often. And the food is always good.
Why not try staying there for a night I thought. It would be a nice family treat.
Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada Lobby
I booked one of their Premier rooms with a king-sized bed. Premier rooms are pretty much Swissotel’s standard rooms. It’s still a big room at 40 square meters.
At the time I paid around USD 125 plus taxes and breakfast for 2 and my daughter being just a kid ate for free. It was entirely worth it.
Big Room, Clean, Comfortable and Modern
40 square meters is certainly big for a standard room today in Bangkok’s hotel industry. All of the newer hotels built after the 2000s have smaller standard rooms.
Again we booked a premier room with king sized bed. There was plenty of space for my daughter to run around. With an armchair in one corner and a good-sized work desk opposite. I wish the flat-screen television was a little bigger but we didn’t hang out in the room all day.
King sized bed was comfortable. The pillows were soft and the comforter helped as we love blasting the air conditioning so it gets chilly in the room.
Nice spacious guest roomYou can’t see it but there’s a bathtub on the leftTelevision could be a little bigger
The view we had was perfect. We were on the 17th floor with a southwest view. The swimming pool was below and we could see the cityscape outside.
There are USB charge ports added to the bedside fixtures and also by the work desk. The provided free internet Wi-Fi was stable and should be fast enough for general web surfing.
The bathroom is spacious as well with a shower stall and full-sized bathtub. No need to buy soap and shampoo everything is there.
Slippers, check. Bathrobe, check. Hot water maker with powdered coffee and tea bags, check.
Plus a mini fridge to keep things cold and chilly, you got it.
Big Fitness Center and Swimming Pool
If you are a fitness fanatic you will love Swissotel’s gym. It is amazing!
It’s full of modern equipment. From weights to machines. Very clean inside too. And there is so much space inside you won’t bump elbows.
Large fitness center with modern gym equipmentLarge swimming pool at Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada
Outside there is a swimming pool, one side for adults and another for the kiddies.
I enjoyed these facilities so much that I decided to buy a monthly fitness membership. It is worth it especially the staff working inside. They are some of the nicest and friendliest people.
My Only Gripes…
As of writing, I think the in-room safe tucked inside the built-in closet is tiny. You can’t put a small laptop in it or even a full-size tablet. I’m sure Swissotel security is reliable and all. But a more up-to-date room safe wouldn’t hurt.
Swissotel is large, with plenty of space. It would be nice if they could add a playroom for children and young teens. As I mentioned I go to Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada frequently. And I can tell you there are many families with children staying as guests.
Surely Swissotel can find the space to put together a room filled with toys for young children and a gaming system for young teens.
Conclusion…
Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada is a fantastic 5-star hotel in Bangkok that I highly recommend. It’s in a great neighborhood. You can easily walk to the subway station. Plenty of metered taxis pass by because the hotel is near a major road.
I highly recommend staying at this hotel even if it’s just for a few nights and you want a 5-star hotel experience in Bangkok. It’s a terrific hotel near central Bangkok. And easy to get around the city to explore.
Read more reviews and find discounts for Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada on Agoda.com
The Quick Guide to Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market if You’re Short on Time…
If you want to check out Chatuchak (or Jatujak also JJ Market; Thai: จตุจักร) in Bangkok and you don’t have a lot of time, I’m going to show you where you should go to pick up unique Thai handmade souvenirs, eat delicious Thai street food and of course shop to your heart’s content.
There are an estimated 15,000 stalls within 27 zones as stated in Wikipedia. Chances are you don’t have time to go through all of them.
In this post, I’m going to save you some time by showing you the best parts of Chatuchak Weekend Market so you don’t need to walk the entire market.
Because JJ Market is such a huge sprawling weekend market you can easily run around like a headless chicken. Who wants to get lost and miss the good parts?
You’re not. Because you’re going to know the best parts of JJ Market and why it’s one of the best outdoor shopping experiences Bangkok has to offer.
Lots of local designers open shop in Zone #2…
Here’s the Breakdown
The biggest weekend market in Thailand is organized into 27 zones. Below you will find one of the best maps of Chatuchak Weekend Market I found on the internet.
But Here’s a Few Chatuchak Weekend Market Travel Tips from the Wayfaring Soul:
It’s best to visit Chatuchak around 10 am when most of the shop owners open their doors. Plus it’ll be a bit cooler and less crowded. There’s another reason why you want to get there early.
The best time to get a discount is when the shop just opened up for business. Thai business owners are very superstitious. They believe the first sale of the day is the most important. They will take the cash you gave them and brush it all over their products. In hopes that a day of good sales and profits are on the way.
Hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate more. If you can’t visit Chatuchak early in the day it can get very hot. Walking around 35°C (95°F) with hordes of sweaty tourists is not fun. It’s only 10B for a small bottle of water so there is no reason to not take in plenty of fluids.
The Do Not Miss Areas Inside JJ Market
Remember, Chatuchak Weekend Market is divided into 27 zones. Each zone specializes in the items and goods sold. If you don’t know where you’re going it’s very easy to get lost. Because every nook and corner can look the same. You can find plenty of maps online or at Thai tourist info centers.
That said, here are the must-see zones I highly recommend if you don’t have a lot of time to explore JJ Market:
Zone #2 is the bohemian/hipster chic zone inside the market. Once you take a look at this section and a look at all the others you will not only see zone #2 is different, but also feels different!
Zone #5 and #6 are the used clothes section but you can also find some new clothing items too. You will see brand-name jeans for sale in that area. However, I can not confirm if the jeans are counterfeit or not. But they sure do look real and high quality also.
The best map of Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market I ever found on the internet…
As you can see on the map, zones #2, #5 and #6 are all on the same side of the market. If you walked from zone #2 to zone #6 it would only take 30 minutes. That is if you don’t stop and check out the goodies. Good luck with that.
The Closest Train Station to Chatuchak Weekend Market is Kamphaeng Phet MRT
I recommend starting off at zone #2 simply because the Kamphaeng Phet MRT subway station is practically right next to zone #2. Just be sure to use subway station Exit 2.
This is exit 2 of the Kamphaeng Phet subway station, very close to zone #2…
Get Ready to Shop and Drop in Bangkok
Zone #2 nearby has gone through a sort of transformation. It’s like a hipster’s paradise filled with small boutique shops started by enterprising Thai designers living in Bangkok.
Now if you take a good look at the map below, you will see many other sections also selling clothes and Thai handicrafts, particularly right in the center of Chatuchak.
Zone 2 has a different feel and vibe…
Zone #2 is the top spot for finding Thai handmade souvenirs in Chatuchak at reasonable prices. It’s also the best place to buy unique graphic t-shirts and even shoes, both brand new or second-hand.
I know a lot of Japanese tourists love searching for second items inside JJ Market, specifically vintage clothes and accessories. And some come to find stock to resell back in their home country.
The best map of Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market I ever found on the internet…Thai hand made items can be found in zone #2…Prices are higher in zone 2 but not by much…Lots of graphic t-shirts can be found in Chatuchak…Zone 2 has a lot of one of a kind boutique shops…Many smaller shops selling stone bracelets and necklaces too…My favorite t-shirt shops are in zone 2…Seems like white t-shirts are popular in Bankgok….Many boutique shops in Chatuchak follow fashion trends…
Now I’m not saying the rest of Chatuchak is not worth visiting. No way. I love the whole market. It’s just that if you don’t have a lot of time and you don’t want to sweat buckets when it’s hot you just want to see the best part.
Zone #2 is where you’ll want to go if you don’t have a lot of time to visit Chatuchak Market.
Lots of fusion grilled food found in zone 2Coffee and cakes are very popular in Bangkok…Many fruit drink stands are found as well along zone 2…And of course one of Bangkok’s famous dish is represented, sticky rice mango..
There are just so many unique little treasures located in Chatuchak’s Zone #2 that I don’t even know how I can ever list them all. So it’s best if you go there and check them out for yourself. You just might find something you’re going to fall in love with.
And I recommend that if you see it, it’s best to just buy it. As long as it fits in your budget of course. Because the worst thing you can do is get back on that plane and regretting you never bought it.
Finally, items in zone 2 are a bit more expensive compared to the rest of JJ Market because the items are a little more unique.
You are allowed to bargain but please don’t be so aggressive. And don’t try and lowball the shopkeepers because they do work hard and have bills to pay.
A Short Glimpse of Chatuchak Weekend Market
If You Love Denim You’ll love Zone #5 and #6
In this zone, you will find used clothing, particularly denim. You can also find stalls selling brand-name jeans as well with labels. Now I don’t know if it’s fake or genuine. But the prices are not so cheap. I think the jeans inside were probably overage stock, or didn’t pass quality control from jean-producing factories around Thailand.
Even though Bangkok is hot and humid throughout the year Thai locals love denim wear. New or used it doesn’t matter. If it looks good on them and the price is right they have to have a pair of jean pants or jacket.
Prices for clothes in this zone are reasonable though there is space to get discounts as long as you buy more items.
Zone #5 and #6 is a well known location inside Chatuchak for denim wear…You can spend hours inside looking at selections of new and used clothingsMany used shoes are repaired and sold…Even old used sneakers are cleaned for resale…There are a lot of military style clothing sold inside Chatuchak…Denim is always popular for Thai people…Military fashion is also popular with Thais…Local Thais love shopping in zone #5 and #6…Even used soccer jerseys are sold in zone #5…If it’s worn and used you’ll probably find it at Chatuchak…
But you’re also going to see a lot of military-style clothing, shoes (new and used), and all sorts of other second-hand clothing items. You might even find brand-name clothing too. But again, if they are fakes I honestly wouldn’t know.
Getting a Quick Bite inside Chatuchak Market
If you still have some time for a quick bite to eat, there’s a small shop selling to die for Chinese-style roast pork. It’s one of the best roast pork I’ve ever had. Even better than the ones I’ve had in Hong Kong! If you don’t like pork they also sell awesome fried chicken wings too!
Though there are many Thai restaurants within JJ Weekend Market it’s best to head over to Aor Tor Gor Farmer’s Market for their awesome food court. Aor Tor Gor is also the most popular fruit market in the city where you’ll find the best Durian money can buy in Bangkok.
This shop is located on zone #19, Soi 7/1, about a 5 minute walk from zone #2…These chunks of Chinese roast pork belly are melt in your mouth good!…I can’t believe Chatuchak Market has the best Chinese roast pork…
Chatuchak Weekend Market is an incredible place filled with lots to see, eat, and of course shop. But if you don’t have a lot of time to spend there then just checking out the areas I’ve mentioned on this blog is going to give you the full experience to remember in Bangkok.
When you are visiting Bangkok there’s a very good chance you’ll be popping into MBK Centre (Mahboonkrong) since it is one of the most well known shopping centers in Bangkok.
Mainly because for tourists MBK is easy to find. Right next to MBK is National Stadium BTS Sky Train station. And taxis, tuk tuk know exactly where it is.
Among Bangkok’s selection of malls, MBK is not exactly the poshest. It’s the Thai working classes’ preferred mall. Where prices for clothes and shoes are more acceptable for locals. It is the oldest mall in this particular part of Bangkok. Yet its popularity has withstood the test of time.
Competing against super malls like Siam Square One, Siam Discovery/Centre and Siam Paragon that are a short distance walk.
And it’s also a great place to socialize with friends and family because MBK has a huge bowling alley, ice skate rink and cinema theaters with the latest screen and sound tech.
MBK also has lots of beauty salons where you can get gel manicures and foot spas. But prices for beauty services inside MBK are rather high. So below I’ll let you know where you can find beauty salons where the local Thai ladies go to get themselves beautified.
Where is MBK Centre
You can find this popular shopping centre in central Bangkok, specifically in the Pathuwan District. Not far is the Jim Thompson House, a popular tourist attraction for those wanting to learn about Thailand’s rich silk history.
There are so many restaurants on the streets and especially inside the shopping malls. And of course not only will you find Thai restaurants, there are also many Japanese, Korean and Western restaurants, including Mcdonald’s, Burger King, KFC and even a Taco Bell.
Many hotels in the area as well. You can find some places to stay near MBK Mall near the end of this post.
MBK Will Always Be Part of the Bangkok Experience
Every single person I know visiting Bangkok will eventually end up inside MBK. Even if they don’t plan on shopping. Today it’s changed so much since the first time I stepped foot inside nearly 25 years ago.
Don Don Doki, a super popular Japanese store has a multi level shopping center inside. This store is the 8th branch in Bangkok and super popular with Thais because they love all things Japanese. And Don Don Doki gives them a glimpse of the Japan shopping experience as well as purchase Japanese sweet snacks, beauty cosmetics, gadgets and home accessories. And of course all sorts of Japanese style of foods also.
Don Don Doki at MBK Mall Bangkok 2nd Floor Entrance…Many things to buy inside Don Don Doki MBK Mall
Cannabis for Sale in MBK
After Thailand legalized marijuana in June 2022 numerous weed dispensaries started popping up all around the city. There are several shops where you can buy grams of the stickiest of icky inside MBK. Though you can not smoke inside MBK mall. Or practically anywhere in public, especially near schools and temples. If you get caught you’ll get hit with a 20,000B fine.
Safe places to light up in Bangkok are Cannabis Cafes but I recommend calling them up if you want to bring your own stash.
Cannabis dispensary located on 1st floor of MBK Mall…
MBK Mall is Best for Buying Western Size Clothes and Shoes
For budget tourists or just savvy travelers that don’t want to overpay, MBK is the best place to buy clothes at reasonable prices. Because a lot of MBK’s customers are foreigners. So you can find many European and American sized shirt, pant and shoes on the racks at affordable prices
I’m talking about good quality clothing and shoes. Not items with cheap materials. Even though you can find that sold inside MBK too. There are tons of shops selling good quality t-shirts with gimmicky phrases and quirky graphics for as little as 100B when you buy more than one shirt.
MBK Mall in Bangkok has 8 floors
Plus they’ve got one rocking food court with affordable food on the 6th floor. Local Thai dishes like Thai Som Tom and Pad Thai along with Thailand’s famous mango with sticky rice is well represented. Along with international fare such as Hong Kong styled noodles plus a bit of Muslim fare like chicken curry over yellow rice.
Now there really isn’t too much new information to add on top of what has already been written about MBK in numerous travel articles.
But I’d like to share a little bit of what I know about MBK.
And below are my 5 tips that might be useful to you plus 5 hotels that are really close to MBK mall.
One of the best food courts in Bangkok is at MBK mall…
No More Fakes and Counterfeits Inside MBK Mall… But You Can Still Find Knock Offs
One of the primary reasons why MBK Mall became famous is because tourists (and locals) could find knock off designer goods easily. There was a short period of time where brand name knock offs were taken off the shelves, due to pressure from foreign companies.
Today, as or writing, you can find all kinds of knock offs on shelves. Most shops selling wearable fake brand named items are located on floors 3 to 6.
Counterfeit luxury lines of Rolex and Omega watches are still abundant. Though to be honest, it’s probably best to not waste money on knock off watches.
Fake Air Jordans are popular and many foreigners buy with intent to take back to their home country for resale. Plenty of fake Supreme T-Shirts and accessories, Gucci and Louis Vuitton hand bags are sought after too. If you do plan on buying knock offs I recommend paying what you can afford. It’s not worth overspending.
Will the Thai authorities crack down on fakes? Probably, but it’ll be back on the shelves eventually. As long tourists know they can find fake good inside MBK there will be shops selling to make money.
Fake Supreme t-shirts MBK Mall
MBK is One of the Best Malls for Electronics
I’m talking about white label electronics “bordering counterfeit” level of electronics. For example I bought these Apple Airpod Pro for 550B inside a shop called Lemon Telecom. Now the box doesn’t say Apple Airpod Pro. But it doesn’t take a genius to see that the packaging is 98% unmistakably Apple.
White label products are what factories, mainly Chinese factories, call products that wholesalers slap their names on the packaging. And many white label products can be found inside MBK.
Lemon Telecom is located on the 5th floor. Everything inside has price labels which is super important. Because many of the small shops selling same types of electronics items on the 4th floor have NOprices on any of their goods for sale. So you gotta ask for the price. Asking for discounts is expected and how much they go down on price is up to the shop owners.
You will not get discounts inside shops like Lemon Telecom however.
Personally before I bought this Airpod Pro copy I checked around on the 4th floor with several shops. I was quoted 800B to 1300B. And some of those shops have Apple Airpod Pro printed on boxes, which cost more. Funny the more “counterfeited” in appearance the higher the price goes. And you’re paying for the branding rather then actual products.
Whatever you plan on buying, I recommend going to a store like Lemon Telecom on the 5th floor and take a look at their prices. Then head down to the 4th floor below and check prices amongst the smaller shops. This way you get some idea about prices.
Not exactly Apple Airpod Pros, but really close…Lemon Telecom 5th floor MBK Mall
But First You’re Going to Need Thai Baht, Right? I’ll Show You Where to Get the Best Currency Exchange Rates in Bangkok
If you’re going to shop hard you’re going to need plenty of Thai Baht in your pockets. So if you’ve got yourself a fist full of your home currency and need to exchange them with better than bank rates then head to the 2nd floor of MBK where you’ll find a Super Rich money exchange branch.
I personally use Super Rich’s services. When you compare them to Thai bank conversion rates Super Rich gives you better exchange rates. They’re now located in a lot of major tourists areas in Bangkok. But Super Rich’s MBK branch is very convenient.
I highly recommend bringing in your local currency and exchange them for Baht. Because Thai ATM fees are very high charging a minimum of 280THB per withdrawal with foreign accounts.
Now that you’re armed with fresh Thai Baht and ready for shopping here are my 5 Shopping Tips for MBK:
1. My Favorite Areas Inside MBK Mall
As you will see once you’re inside MBK it is a massive mall. But where do you go find some nice Thai souvenirs at decent prices?
For me, I always recommend heading to the 6th floor. It’s less crowded and the prices for Thai made products are very reasonable. This area is newly renovated and filled with made in Thailand products. No problem finding fakes here too.
I recommend heading up to the 6th floor Thai made products…
If you want the best prices for t-shirts and other souvenirs, look for made in Thailand products. I find that Thai manufactured slippers and flip flops are really good quality and priced inexpensive.
If your goal is buying bulk at wholesale prices, MBK is not the right place. For that you should go to Sampeng Market in Bangkok’s Chinatown district.
Any creative products made with Thai rubber, coconuts and hemp materials are nicely made and so affordable and unique to Thailand. It’s where I tell my visiting friends to shop for souvenirs.
I find that MBK’s 6th floor has the most Thai made products inside the mall. There are plenty of Thai made products sold elsewhere inside MBK but cost slightly higher.
2. Find Brand Name Clothes at Outlet Prices
I’m a big guy and sometimes here in Bangkok for me it is tough to find the right size. I wear XL size for shirts. And I am shaped like a gorilla. Normally XL labeled clothing for Thais are still small because it was originally made for the Thai market.
So I like going to this shop called Export shop. You can find 2 inside MBK Mall. One on the 2nd floor and the other on the 3rd floor.
Back in the States we have these outlet malls where you can find brand name clothes for cheap. Well, the Export shops stock up on brand name clothing themselves. From Gap, Dockers, Ralph Polo, American Eagle and sometimes J. Crew and Banana Republic. They even have these 511 Tactical shirts and pants for sale on the racks.
Other export shops selling similar brands but different styles are called XL for Men and 71 Imports.
Because so many big name clothing companies use factories in Southeast Asia to produce their clothing line. A lot of the overage ends up in shops like these. Keep in mind, some of the clothing have slight defects. But nothing so major that it’s unwearable or noticeable.
My favorite clothing shop inside MBK
If you are looking for sporting goods and wear it is worthwhile to check out Super Sports Factory Outlet on the 3rd floor. It is worth checking out because it can be a hit or miss.
Because a lot of the really good in demand items are quickly picked up by lucky tourists and enterprising Thais looking to quickly resell online for profit. Though keep in mind these are factory outlet grade items. Which means that there could be slight defects. Give the items a quality check before forking over your hard earned cash.
The discounts are quite considerable but if you are not there at the right time, and find something you like, the size you want might not be available. In any case, deals can be found on original Nike, Adidas, North Face, Asics, New Balance and so on.
Super Sports Factory Outlet inside MBK Mall 3rd floor…
3. MBK’s Camera Shops
I’m a camera geek. So I love checking out the latest camera toys.
To me the prices of cameras are expensive in Thailand. Though prices for camera gears are very reasonable like tripods, camera bags and sometimes lenses. I think the better deals for the actual camera itself is back in the States.
Anyways, if you lost your camera somehow and you need to buy a new one, I recommend heading to the ground floor of MBK near zone B. It’s the one pictured below. I know it looks like a hole in the wall but they’ve been there for the longest time and quite reputable.
You can get a Tourist Vat Refund also when you buy something there. So you can save a bit of cash as well. I believe you get back about 7% back at the airport.
Camera Center on the 5th floor camera prices are not too shabby either if you really need to pick up cameras in Bangkok. They also offer a VAT refund as well.
Many big camera shops on 5th floorA camera shop at MBK with decent prices…
4. Don’t Forget to Check MBK’s Ground Floor
The ground floor has a lot of good deals too. Many tourists neglect the ground floor because most of them enter the shopping mall from the 2nd and 3rd floor. That’s where the Sky Train walkway leads to the BTS National Stadium train station and Siam Discovery Mall.
But the ground floor is where a lot of discounted clothes and accessories can be found too. So be sure to explore around the ground floor. You just might end up with better discounts for clothes and other knick knacks.
MBK has a total of 7 seven floors and you can check out the mall directory here.
Be sure to walk around the ground floor of MBK, plenty of discounts too…
5. Hair Salons, Nail Salons, Eyelash Extensions and Eyebrow Tattoos
Chances are if you’re staying over in Bangkok for a week or longer, you might be interested in checking out the many varieties of salons for pampering women.
MBK’s got all kinds of beauty salons located mainly on the third floor. But some are spread out on the upper floors too.
Okay so I can’t make any direct recommendations of the salon services located inside MBK Mall.
And there are 2 reasons why:
I go to the cheap places near where I live in Bangkok to cut my hair. For 80THB I get a cut and shave.
As her youngest son, my mother would have a heart attack if she saw me with eyelash extensions and painted nails
However this blogger’s post recommends Goree Salon on the third floor. And she seems quite happy.
I should mention that MBK salon prices to local Thais are not exactly affordable. I’m not suggesting salons inside MBK are overcharging tourists. From a business standpoint, renting space inside one of the most popular malls in Bangkok isn’t cheap.
For local Thais if they want to get their nails done at prices they can afford, they go to nail salon like Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon. It’s a nail salon my Thai lady friends tell me is really good. Or Union Mall for hair salons with services priced just right for Thais working hard for their money.
Need Someplace to Keep Your Luggage While You Shop?
If you checked out of your hotel early and decided to drop by MBK for last minute souvenir shopping, there is a luggage drop off service center on the 6th floor in Zone B, right next to Food Island Food Court.
This service is provided by Airportels.com and they’ll hold your luggage for 4 hours FREE of charge. After that, it’s 100THB per bag. The counter is open from 10am to 10pm everyday.
Consider Booking a Hotel Near MBK Mall
MBK is a fun place to hide, chill out and get away from the city’s heat for awhile. The mall officially opens at 10am but a lot of the smaller stalls open a little later. Closing time is 10pm.
It’s located right in central Bangkok, in a lively area called Siam Square. So it’s also a really good idea to find a hotel in that area because it’s right next to a Sky Train station called National Stadium.
Because MBK is right by Siam Paragon, Siam Square, Siam Discovery and Center the area is totally family friendly and away from the red light districts.
Below are names of 5 hotels near MBK in the 3 to 5 star range I would like to recommend:
Ibis Hotel is one of the best hotels near MBK Mall. It’s right across and next to National Stadium BTS station…
Conclusion
I’ve had visiting friends stay in all of those hotels so I know they’re all very good choices in a prime area of Bangkok. Plus those hotels have plenty of good reviews already.
Out of the list of five, if you have the money, I recommend Pathumwan Princess Hotel. It’s attached right on top of MBK. So you won’t even have to step outside.
On a budget? Lub D has a popular chain of hostels in Bangkok and this particular one on Siam Square has really affordable rooms and perfect for families.
So that’s my five tips on visiting MBK. Plus five hotels near a bunch of Bangkok’s best shopping centers that are perfect for exploring popular sections of central Bangkok.
5 Best Areas in Bangkok for First Time Visitors – With Recommended Bangkok Hotels
If you’ve never traveled to Thailand before and want to know where are the best areas to stay in Bangkok (กรุงเทพมหานคร) for your first visit then you’ve come to the right place.
With a decade of experience in Bangkok under my belt, I’ll point out the best locations to stay in Bangkok for sightseeing, shopping, eating and of course for partying.
Bangkok is a big city with lots of distinct neighborhoods. And deciding the right location with the right hotel can make your head spin. I know how you feel. I always feel the same way whenever I’m researching hotels in places I’ve never traveled to.
Which is why I’m going to point out only 5 areas in Bangkok you should focus on for your first epic visit! By the end of this post, you’ll learn all you need to know about these 5 popular neighborhoods and have an idea on hotel cost, location and the reasons why you should be staying there for your first visit to Bangkok as a solo traveler, or with friends and family.
I’ll point out the best family friendly hotels in Bangkok. Where there’s something for the young and old. Whether your Thai holiday is focused on shopping, sightseeing or for eating!
And for those that want to know where is the best area and hotels to stay near Bangkok’s crazy nightlife, well you’re going to find names of cool party hotels near Bangkok’s red light districts.
But before we go any further, please familiarize yourself with these 3 tips for booking hotel rooms in Bangkok.
At the Chao Praya River with Wat Arun in the background…
3 Quick Tips for your Bangkok Hotel Search
The most important tip I can dispense here is to book your hotels near a Sky Train (BTS) station or an MRT (subway) station. The areas of Chid Lom/Ploenchit, Siam Square, Sukhumvit and Silom all within central Bangkok have train lines nearby. Most of the areas I recommend below have train stations near the recommended hotels, just a short walk.
Most 3 star Thai owned hotels are just as good as international owned hotels in Bangkok. Plus Thai hotels are usually cheaper and the service is just as good. Although I have listed some foreign-owned luxury hotels below only because their room rates are affordable compared to Western luxury hotel rates.
You do not need to book your hotel room far in advanced thinking you’ll get the best hotel rates. Today, you can find many discounted hotel deals even just a few days before arrival into Bangkok.
When I’m asked about where to stay in Bangkok my response is typically “How much you wanna spend?”
From my experience, you can find a lot of good quality hotels in Bangkok in tourists friendly areas for as low as $40USD.
I’m not kidding, for $40USD you can get a decent 3-star hotel room in a decent area of Bangkok.
The rule is if you can spend $60 to $80USD there could be marginal differences in terms of quality compared to hotels in the $100USD price range.
There’s a Lot of Affordable 3 to 5 Star Hotels in Central Bangkok
Though this rule is not set in stone because there are so many hotels in Bangkok that a lot of them are competing fiercely to get you into their rooms.
Which is why I always say even if you see a hotel in Bangkok with a 4 to 5 star rating go ahead and check the hotel’s rates. You might be surprised how affordable it really is to stay in Bangkok for your first ever visit to Thailand.
Before settling down in Thailand I stayed in plenty of hotels in Bangkok…
There are many distinct districts, or neighborhoods in Bangkok with hotels from cheap to expensive. Finding a nice comfortable hotel room to rest after a long day of sightseeing, shopping or eating is not an impossible task. And location is key.
I’ve broken down these 5 best districts to stay in Bangkok all for you.
Let’s get started!
5 Best Places to Stay in Bangkok for First Time Visitors:
First of all, you want to focus staying in Central Bangkok. That’s the sweet spot you should only focus on and nothing else. Which part of Bangkok is central? The answers are right below:
Chidlom/Ploen Chit – Though you don’t see both areas on the map these areas border Siam Square and where Sukhumvit Road begins. So you’re right between two of the best areas in Bangkok especially for traveling families. It can’t get better than that.
Siam Square – The nerve center of Bangkok. At least to me. Siam Square has it all, shopping malls and restaurants. MBK Centre is right in Siam Square. Plus it’s also the BTS Sky Train’s main hub station. Other major malls in this area is Siam Paragon and Siam Square One.
Sukhumvit – Within Sukhumvit are distinct neighborhoods; Nana, Asoke, Phrom Phong, and Ekkamai/Thonglor. All these neighborhoods are the best areas to stay for checking out Bangkok’s nightlife and red light districts.
Silom – Silom is the city’s financial center. But there are also many good hotels in the area. And not as busy as Sukhumvit. It’s also a nightlife hotspot mixed with a popular albeit expensive Patpong night market/red light district.
Rattanakosin– This historic area of the city borders Khao San Road, Bangkok’s popular hangout for backpackers and budget travelers. Best to book a hotel right on the river for tranquility and a wonderful view of the sunset over the Chao Praya River.
The first four neighborhoods are connected by Bangkok’s MRT subway train and BTS Sky Train network. The last area, Rattanakosin doesn’t have a train system yet.
However, Rattanakosin is one of the quietest and historical areas of Central Bangkok. But not a convenient area to travel around and explore the rest of Bangkok. So you’ll have to rely on metered taxis if you choose to stay at a hotel in Rattanakosin.
If you’re planning on staying in Rattanakosin be sure to download Grab taxi service app as a backup when you can’t find a metered taxi. I’ve only added Rattanakosin because I truly believe that it’s one of the best areas to stay in Bangkok for new visitors who want to experience the old essence of Bangkok,
Because the city is growing fast with high rise buildings, condos and shopping centers getting pumped out. Experience the old charms of Bangkok while you still can.
But if the old doesn’t interest you, then you’ll love staying in Chit Lom or Phloenchit!
1. Chit Lom (ชิดลม) and Ploenchit (เพลินจิต)
Hotel Price Ranges: $50USD to $200+USD Train Line: Chit Lom BTS and Ploen Chit BTS Why Stay in Chit Lom and Ploenchit: Close to Bangkok’s major retail shopping centers with the best business and tourist-classed hotels. This is the best area to stay for first-timers in Bangkok looking to shop and explore.
Chit Lom (also spelled Chidlom) has a lot of affordable 4 and 5-star hotels. In the West and East Asia hotels with that amount of stars have higher price tags. Not so in Bangkok. You can book a hotel room in one of Chit Lom or Ploenchit’s high-end hotels for about $150USD.
There are a few posh luxury brand-name malls plus the Central Group’s flagship shopping center Central World.
The hotels I recommend in this area are near Chit Lom BTS Sky Train station. Ploenchit also has a station just one very short stop from Chit Lom. Central Embassy Mall is the nearest luxury goods mall to Ploenchit with lots of good restaurants in the area.
These four hotels are not cheap compared to the rest of Bangkok. Chit Lom is considered an upscale locale that warrants higher hotel rates.
However, I highly recommend just checking prices for 4 or 5-star international hotels in Bangkok because you’d be surprised you just might find a hotel price tag you can handle.
However, if you want a high-quality hotel, but reasonable rates in Chit Lom, I highly recommend Grande Center Point Ratchadamri on this short list of popular upscale hotels in Chit Lom.
2. Siam Square (สยามสแควร์)
Hotel Price Ranges: $80USD to $200+USD Train Line: Siam BTS and National Stadium BTS Why Stay in Siam Square: Recommended for families as there’s something for everyone of all ages. Siam Square is also the best area for shopping and sightseeing for first-time visitors to Bangkok. With down-to-earth hotel prices in most instances.
Siam Square has the most family-friendly hotels. There are so many shopping centers, particularly Bangkok’s famous MBK Centre and Siam Paragon. Your kids will have a chance to shop at stores that appeal to them. And the same for the adults.
I also recommend staying in Siam Square if you have kids because there are also a lot of international restaurant chains with foods that will be familiar to your young ones. We all know how fickle children can be when it comes to eating something they don’t recognize.
Plus Siam Square is the BTS Sky Train’s main train hub that connects the Silom Line and Sukhumvit Line. This is why Siam Square is a very convenient location and why I recommend families to book hotels because you can travel around Bangkok a lot easier.
Hotels within the Siam Square area cost between $80USD to $200USD. There are many new hotels in Siam Square built just a few years ago and some are listed below for consideration.
Siam Square is great because you’ll be close to everything and ideal for exploring the rest of Bangkok. MBK Shopping Center, Siam Discovery Mall, Siam Paragon Mall plus the brand new Siam Square One Center itself have a family fun atmosphere and are perfect for young and old traveling together.
3. Sukhumvit (สุขุมวิท)
Hotel Price Ranges: $40USD to $200+USD Subway Line: Nana BTS, Asok BTS and Sukhumvit MRT stations Why Stay in Sukhumvit: Bangkok’s central nightlife and red light district. Sukhumvit is the best area to stay for the nightlife.
Ladies, if you don’t trust your guys it’s probably best not to stay in Sukhumvit. Kidding of course. Sukhumvit is the home of two of Bangkok’s red-light districts, Nana and Soi Cowboy. Though it’s still a family-friendly area as well not so much as Siam Square.
So if you are traveling with adults with no kids in tow it’s best to book a hotel near Nana or Soi Cowboy red light districts in Sukhumvit. That is if you want to truly experience Bangkok’s insane nightlife.
Sukhumvit area hotels are newer too and the quality is good with hotel rates ranging from $40USD to $200+USD. Which is not so expensive considering the central locality.
These hotel selections are in Sukhumvit’s prime location close to nightlife as well as Bangkok’s efficient, if not crowded at times MRT subway and BTS Sky Train systems.
But if you ask me to make a specific recommendation for a hotel in Sukhumvit I would pick Grande Centre Point T21. It is attached to Terminal 21 mall with lots of restaurants and shops. Plus the MRT and BTS train systems are right outside the hotel’s doors.
4. Silom (สีลม)
Hotel Price Ranges: $30USD to $200+USD Train Line: Sala Daeng BTS and Silom MRT Why Stay in Silom: Has a smaller red light and nightlife district too but also the best area in Bangkok for sightseeing near Chao Praya River.
Speaking of first epic visits, Silom was the first neighborhood in Bangkok I stayed in for my first visit to Thailand. That was decades ago. So I’ll always have a soft spot for Silom.
Anyway, Silom is great because it’s near the Chao Praya River. Or at least a few trains stop on the BTS exactly. But you won’t have to pay for the big hotel prices.
Silom also has a small red-light district called Patpong with many affordable hotels. Matter of fact Silom has the most inexpensive quality hotels.
Hotel rates in Silom range from $30USD to $200+USD. Hotels in Silom tend to be older. However, many smaller boutique hotels and hostels have been sprouting all over the neighborhood.
Silom has a lot of fine dining options available as well with many international restaurants. There’s even a small Japan Town called Soi Thaniya where many Japanese go for traditional sushi.
A walk through Patpong Night Market after dinner could be a memorable experience as well. Its go-go bars lights will dazzle you while touts tempt you to a sex show.
Silom is often crowded especially during night time as the lanes are smaller and compact. But still, a fun area to stay in Bangkok.
5. Rattanakosin (โกสินทร์)
Hotel Price Ranges: $30USD to $80+USD Why Stay in Rattanakosin: Bangkok’s old historic district, recommended if you prefer a peaceful area in hectic Bangkok. This is the best area you’ll find for sightseeing especially if plan to visit Sampeng Market in Bangkok’s Chinatown.
Rattanakosin is Bangkok’s historic district. Filled with quiet lanes and many small businesses run by the same family for generations and usually by Chinese immigrants.
Staying at a hotel in Rattanakosin you’ll have easy access to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha, and of course Khao San Road, famous for backpacking crowds of tourists.
Hotels around Khao San Road tend to be cheaper, with many guesthouses throughout Rattanokosin. You can easily find hotels in this area for about $30USD to $80USD.
Rattanakosin is certainly a lot less hectic compared to the other neighborhoods I recommend. And you won’t have any access to public train systems. So you’ll mainly have to rely on public taxis.
But luckily today, Uber and Grab Taxi are very good options as taxi rates are still reasonably priced in Thailand. So make sure you have an Uber and Grab Taxi app set up on your smartphones.
Bonus: Affordable Hotels along Bangkok’s Chao Praya River
Hey, I love Khao San Road too! But just like Rattanakosin, there’s no public train transport. Though staying in the Khao San Road area you’ll have some benefits because it’s one of the best places to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors for partying and sightseeing.
However, if you twisted my arm enough I will recommend a few choice hotels near Khao San Road for you:
Navalai River Resort – This little 3-star boutique hotel is located right on the Chao Praya River with a great view of Wat Arun. Get a room with a view of the river and watch the sunset with a drink in hand.
Riva Surya Bangkok Hotel – If you want an excellent 4-star hotel but do not pay the same expensive rates as the luxury hotels down the river then Riva is one you’ll enjoy by the Chao Praya River.
Both of these excellent highly recommended Rattankosin hotels are near Phra Athit Pier. To get to central Bangkok, hop on an express boat and alight on Sathon Pier where you’ll find BTS Saphan Taksin station just a short distance away.
Both cost more than the typical hotels in Khao San Road but you’ll enjoy the quality as well as the view of the Chao Phraya River. And they are very good hotel options for all traveler types and especially for first-time tourists to Bangkok.
The Takeaway
So there you have it. Five areas in Bangkok where you should be staying for an epic holiday in Bangkok for your very first time in Thailand.
But here are 5 tips to remember before you book your hotel in Bangkok:
Don’t be tempted to book hotels in Bangkok in poor locations because it’s cheaper. You’ll be spending money on metered taxis and most likely waste time getting stuck in traffic.
Travel mostly by BTS Sky Trains and MRT subway trains. So best to pick a hotel that is within easy walking distance of your chosen hotel.
Booking a hotel room from online travel agencies like Agoda.com is better. In most cases, they can offer lower hotel rates than the actual hotel.
Breakfast or no breakfast? If it’s a 4-star hotel go ahead and book that room with breakfast even though it costs more. Usually, cheaper hotels offering breakfast with limited choices are not worth the extra cost.
Want a room upgrade? Who doesn’t? If you can, dress to impress. But most importantly, be nice! And you’ll increase your chances of getting a room upgrade in Bangkok. I know this one is kind of hard to do if you’re on vacation but you don’t need to be dressed in a tuxedo. Even though it helps!
So there you have it, the best places to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors looking for that epic first-time experience in Thailand, the Land of Smiles.
Where did you stay in Bangkok for your first visit? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
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