Whether you’re in Bangkok for a short trip or longer, my recommended family-friendly hotels in the heart of Bangkok will be perfect for the little ones. While perfect for keeping the uncle no one talks about far from Bangkok’s nightlife.
Having lived in Bangkok for many years, my friends often ask me to recommend affordable Bangkok hotels their kids will enjoy. Bangkok is a fantastic city, filled with amazing food and sights. But there are some areas where you probably don’t want your kids asking too many questions about. Yes, I’m talking about the red-light districts
As a parent to a curious 4-year-old, I already have enough ‘why’ questions to answer, so I know what it’s like.
I’m talking about Bangkok hotels with playrooms for toddlers to young teens: clean swimming pools, and train stations nearby for easy and quick travel.
You’ll love my top family-friendly recommendations in Bangkok!
3 BEST AREAS FOR BANGKOK FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTELS
Ratchadamri: Located right below the super busy area of Chidlom. Ratchadamri is known for posh hotels and luxurious condominiums. The Ratchadamri BTS station is nearby.
Siam Square: The Bangkok version of Beverly Hills in Los Angeles. It’s crammed full of luxury brand-name stores. And top-notch international hotels that are surprisingly not overpriced. Siam Square BTS station is right along this popular section of Bangkok.
Pratunam: Crazy, hectic shopping for those looking to sell wholesale overseas. Or simply shopaholics. Because this area has many older but renovated hotels, the rooms are more spacious than recently built hotels in Bangkok.
All three areas are practically stacked on top of each other. With Ratchadamri in the south, Chidlom in the center, and Pratunam directly north. You can walk from the north section of Ratchadamri through Chidlom to the Pratunam in 20 minutes.
BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY HOTEL RATCHADAMRI
Quiet and peaceful part of Bangkok. If you can get a room with a view of the west side you’ll get a spectacular city view!
Grande Centerpoint RatchadamriGrande Centerpoint Ratchadamri Playroom
This is an amazing hotel. It’s crazy you can book a hotel room at this 5-star hotel in a terrific location for $150! For three adults and one child under 7 years stays free! And that’s for a 69 square meter grande suite! That’s plenty of space. There’s a washer/dryer and kitchenette with plates and cups. It’s a serviced apartment meant for long-stay visitors. But they also operate as a full-service hotel.
The rooms are clean and most of the rooms have a terrific view of the city beyond.
What’s great about this hotel for children and teens is the large playroom, a game room and there’s even a family home theater room on the hotel property.
It’s remarkably clean and well-managed I think everyone in your family will enjoy it. No doubt everyone will love the amazing tranquil swimming pool, spa, and fitness center.
The Centre Point is a chain of Thai-managed hotels. I stayed in many of their properties when I first started visiting Bangkok. I like them so much you’ll find another Centre Point recommendation below in Pratunam.
Read reviews and find discounts for Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri on Agoda.com
Sindhown Midtown BangkokHarbourland Playground Sindhorn Bangkok Hotel
With a large Thai-branded playground right on the property of Sindhorn Midtown Bangkok Hotel your kids are going to love this hotel. Though rooms here cost high around $200 with a room occupancy maximum of 3. It is a luxury hotel with top-notch service and facilities. I think if you can find a room price you are comfortable with then go for it.
The location of the hotel is perfect with access to two BTS sky train lines, Chidlom BTS (300 meter walk) and Rathathewi BTS stations (400 meter walk).
Read reviews and find discounts for Sindhown Midtown Bangkok on Agoda.com
BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTELS SIAM SQUARE
This area is hectic but with all the stuff going around it’s got something for everyone in the family!
Standard room Siam KempinskiFamily theme room Siam Kempinski
Okay, so this one is on the expensive side. But I tell you compared to hotel prices in the west and east Asia, Siam Kempinski is worth it. Especially when you see the smiles on the young ones’ faces. And strictly writing as a husband, you will earn enough brownie points from your wife to screw up the entire year. Cause we’re talking about $400 dollars a night for standard rooms. That’s for two adults and one kid under 13 stays free.
The fun family-themed rooms cost $1000 a night! That’s because there are two bedrooms and a room occupancy max. for three people.
Those are high season rates so if you can find it for at least 30% to 40% off I’d jump at the chance to stay in one of the poshest family-friendly hotels in Bangkok.
Located right behind Bangkok’s mega-mall Siam Paragon and many other malls, Siam Kempinski will feel like another world as you step inside. The design is classic yet modern with Thai touches. It’s right by the Siam Square BTS station so you can travel easily throughout central Bangkok and a little beyond.
But seriously your kids won’t care about that. All the kids want is to hang out at Siam Kempinski’s kid’s club all day. And you’ll never want to leave the luxurious swimming pools. Yes, there’s more than one swimming pool.
Their standard rooms are around 40 square meters for two adults and kids under 13 stay free.
Read reviews and find discounts for Siam Kempinski Hotel on Agoda.com
I’m recommending the Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square mostly because it allows two children 15 years and under to stay free along with two adults. This is the first hotel I know of that has this policy. This is why I think this is a popular budget family-friendly hotel in the heart of Bangkok’s shopping center. The standard rooms cost about $175 per night and are around 30 square meters. It’s a bit tight for two adults and two young teens, but if your children are younger, it should be okay.
And of course, if you’ve got young children they will most certainly enjoy the hotel’s kids club and swimming pool.
Read reviews and find discounts for Novotel Bangkok Siam Square on Agoda.com
BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTELS PRATUNAM
There are a few hotels perfect for families in this busy shopping district. Though the hotels I recommend in this section are older it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Older hotels offer guests bigger room choices. And of course, these hotels are renovated and upgraded periodically.
Centre Point PratunamCentre Point Pratunam Playroom
No surprise there is another Centre Point property on this list. It is managed by the same group running Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri, with budget room rates.
Centre Point Pratunam features spacious guest rooms for example their Grande Executives at 47 square meters. Three adults and one child 4 years of age and under can stay in these rooms for around $100. That’s a terrific deal!
Located on Petchburi Soi 15 there are many traditional Thai massage shops and popular local Thai food spots. The problem is this location has a serious car traffic problem during rush hour. The nearest train station is the Ratchathewi BTS station about 10 minute walk.
From Centre Point Pratunam, you can walk to Central World Mall and Siam Paragon Mall in 15 to 20 minutes.
Read reviews and find discounts for Centre Point Pratunam on Agoda.com
One of my most popular blog posts is about starting a cafe business in Bangkok, Thailand. Where I shared my knowledge and experiences about running a coffee business as a foreigner.
That blog post was written almost 10 years ago. I update it once in a while with some new information about selling coffee drinks to the masses in Bangkok.
I don’t have a cafe anymore. But if the timing and situation are right, I wouldn’t mind getting behind the espresso machine again.
I miss cranking out a well-pulled espresso shot.
That said, I’ve always followed the coffee industry in Thailand. Particularly exporting coffee beans from Thailand.
Well, to be a coffee trader in Thailand to be exact.
Roasted Coffee Beans from around the World
Thai Coffee Growers in Thailand
Most people know about coffee from Africa and South America. Well, at least North Americans and Europeans do. And coffee can only be grown in certain regions and climates.
But coffee beans from SE and Pacific Asia nations are getting noticed. Mostly because the world loves coffee and can’t get enough of it.
And, I’m going to do my part to show that Thailand has some amazing coffee by becoming a coffee trader.
Cheers!
An Exciting New Business Venture
So this is new and exciting in my life. Recently I started making connections with Thai farmers in Chiang Mai, the northern region of Thailand. As well as Myanmar.
And I’ll be working with them as a coffee trader.
I gotta admit to that this is a truly exciting venture to get into.
The goal at first is to try and connect the farmers with buyers mainly in the USA. Eventually, if everything goes well I would package my brand of roasted coffee beans.
I’ve been breathing, eating, sleeping, and pooping in Bangkok for 25 years. That’s a long time, considering that’s half my life and counting.
So people ask me:
Is Bangkok safe? How easy is it to get around Bangkok? Are Thai taxis really that bad? What Bangkok scams should I be aware of? Is tap water safe in Thailand? Is there going to be a huge language barrier with locals? What’s the secret sauce to life?
It’s All True, Please Don’t Come Here
I’m just kidding.
Let’s start with whether is Bangkok a Safe City to Explore
Bangkok is a major metropolitan city. Teeming with millions of people and growing. With the laws of mathematical probability, there’s bound to be criminal behavior and activity at every level to some degree. It’s the same as any major city with a sizeable population around the world.
I mean Bangkok is way safer than my native city, New York. Even then I never lull myself into a false sense of security and neither should you.
How easy is it to get around Bangkok?
There are too many variables to supply an ample answer for you.
Here’s my approach:
If I am in sort of a hurry, I’m traveling alone or with my wife and it’s a long distance, it’s raining, and it’s rush hour, but there is a train station near my destination I train it.
Take that same long-distance example, if I’m traveling with 2 or more people, it’s not raining, it’s not rush hour, and even if there is a train station near the destination I will take a taxi. Keep in mind, that Thai taxis can seat 3-4 passengers.
Mainly because the combined costs of train fares for 3-4 people for long-distance train rides will equal or possibly cost more than taxi fares.
But aren’t Thai taxis just a bunch of scammers?????
Back in NYC I could count the number of times I’ve taken yellow cab taxis on one hand. Because NYC yellow cabs are expensive.
Out of those five times in a NYC cab, I was taken for “a ride” once. The meter went way too fast for a short distance.
Now in Bangkok, I’ve used Thai taxis hundreds of times. Short distance, long distance. I’ve only encountered one taxi with an overambitious meter.
That said, I stay away from taxis parked outside of hotels and major tourist attractions. I always wave down metered taxis that are moving along with traffic.
You’ll often hear foreign tourists complain about drivers refusing to go by meter.
This happens most often, you guessed it, near busy tourist attractions.
But guess, what? Locals get the same treatment. Especially when it’s raining.
Finally, this shouldn’t be an issue as much these days. Because many foreign tourists now use the Grab Taxi service.
Bangkok Scams?
Not every local or local business in Thailand is out to scam. Please keep that in mind. There’s a lot of (mis)information floating out about making travelers hyper-paranoid.
Sadly it is a perpetual cycle that is harming well-meaning local Thai businesses.
That said, my advice is very simple.
Wherever you go. Do your research online about your destination. Whether it be a tourist attraction, restaurant, or beauty salon. Google Maps is effective but should just be one source for information.
Do not talk to anyone who approaches you out of nowhere. This includes foreigners in Thailand. Not saying you should quickly get into your karate stance and round-kick them in the face with your best war cry.
Scammers are highly motivated sellers. There are also foreigners in Thailand attempting to take advantage of other foreigners as well.
In most cases, they do not mean harm when you reject their offer. They think they are providing you with a valuable service with compensation.
Most importantly do not be overly defensive. Just smile, walk away, and forget about it.
Is the Tap Water Safe?
I’ve never drank tap water in Thailand. I know of some locals that do but not many. Brushing and showering are fine. Just stick with drinking bottled water.
The Langauge Barrier
English is spoken, particularly in Bangkok and especially around the tourist attractions. Practically everything has signage in English, even the local buses in Bangkok.
Many Thais can speak various foreign East Asian languages, particularly Mandarin.
You’ll be fine.
Want to Discover a Little More of Bangkok?
I do love my kebabs
What’s the Secret Sauce to Life?
I was hoping you could tell me by leaving a comment below 😀
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? That is me, and I am addicted to New York pizza. But I wasn’t in NYC when I took that photo. I wasn’t even in the USA. I was on the other side of the planet. Bangkok, Thailand to be exact.
And in my hand, a proper NY slice
For the past year, I’ve been reviewing pizzerias in Bangkok. I can tell you with certainty—this city’s got the goods. While most pizza restaurants in Thailand are leaning towards Neapolitan style, NYC-style pizza is slowly gaining traction.
I’ve made it my mission to eat and review as much pizza as I can in Thailand!
MY PIZZA QUALIFICATIONS
I grew up in New York City. Specifically on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It’s the early 1980s, and back then, there were many local Italian pizzerias in and around my old stomping grounds
I still remember going to pizzerias with my dad, grabbing a couple of slices and a soda together. I don’t remember what we talked about—just two guys enjoying pizza. Those were good times.
When I was old enough to go out on my own, as if a rite of passage, my parents gave me .75 cents to get a slice for lunch. At the same time, avoid the possibility of getting beaten, stabbed, and robbed in that specific order.
I remind you it was the mid-1980s. Peak crack epidemic era. Crackheads everywhere. Also, a time when Chinese triads ran amuck looking to stop any Chinese kid with a funny hairstyle “on their turf” with .75 cents jingling in their pocket, just ripe for collection.
Back in those days, NYC was life and death I tell you. It’s a miracle I’m still alive. I remember walking alone to Gino’s Pizza on Catherine Street, Richard’s Pasta and Cafe on Pearl Street, Famous Ray’s Pizza (most of them), and Pizza Palace on Bayard. When I got back home I would relish my reward.
I can relate to Neatherdals going out in the wild hunting mammoths. Or a hyena back from a successful scavenger hunt. NYC was just that bad.
From then on I’ve eaten pizzas all over NYC’s 5 boroughs. Most taste the same. And then there are the pizzeria gems. Whether good or bad, pizza is pizza.
One of my favorite pizzerias in NYC
Though looking back and counting my lucky stars, it was a privilege to walk a few minutes from where I lived. And smell the sweet, sweet aroma of a freshly baked cheese pizza bubbling away inside a gas oven.
New York Style pizzas are thin and crispy. The outer crust is not fluffy but has a yeasty bite. A well-made cheese pizza with a generous sprinkling of garlic powder and dried oregano afterward. And a dash of spicy chili flakes is a must!
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 living in Bangkok for over 25 years now. It wasn’t until five or six years ago that NYC-style pizza started gaining traction in Thailand.
Before that, options for ‘Western’ style pizza in Thailand were limited. You could find Neapolitan-style pizzas in hotel restaurants, and Pizza Hut—Thailand’s first American pizza chain—arrived in the ’70s, but it wasn’t the same.
I recall there were a few small foreign-owned pizzerias near a red-light district in Bangkok. This made sense since those areas are popular spots where many foreign tourists go to drink and “socialize”.
Then there are the local Thai interpretations of pizza: a round piece of baked dough topped with mayonnaise and ketchup. With non-traditional toppings like imitation crab, squid chunks, and hot dogs. But I get it—the locals love their version of ‘pizza’ too, and I don’t blame them.
Fancy pizzas were 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.
SO MUCH GREAT FOOD IN THAILAND, WHY PIZZA?
Pizza is in my blood. Cut me, and I bleed tomato sauce and cheese—mostly cheese. Just ask my doctor; it’s probably in my medical records. When you’re away from something you love eating for so long, the craving only grows stronger. You just want to be near it, to savor it, to become one with it. I hope I’m not coming off too creepy.
I’m sure there’s a Thai national who’s been living in NYC for two decades, still searching for the perfect Tom Yum Goong or Khao Soi in one of the boroughs—just the way they remember it from growing up in Bangkok.
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 cheese form wasn’t popular with Thais. And neither was bread.
Times have changed and the Western diet is quickly taking hold in Thailand and most of Asia. Cheese is widely eaten and then some. Seems like many Asian countries are finding a whole bunch of reasons to add cheese to everything today.
For example, bubble tea and donuts. No, I’m not making that up.
Currently, there are 180 Pizza Hut Thailand restaurants and delivery outlets. Pizza Hut’s main rival The Pizza Company has 560 branches.
Domino’s Pizza Thailand has the least branches. They are quickly growing in popularity.
First Pizza Chain in ThailandSecond Pizza Chain in ThailandThird Pizza Chain in Thailand
Today chain pizza restaurants spend heavily on flashy commercials that are advertised on social media, and traditional media. And it’s working. The younger Thai population is crazy about fast food pizza. Plus it’s affordable. Often you’ll find a buy 1 get 1 free promotion all for under 500B for medium-sized pan pizzas.
Fancy Pizzas in Thailand (Neopolitan Pizza)
Over time, restaurants serving Napoli or Neopolitan-style pizza—or as I like to call them, fancy pizzas—began to appear as well. Many casual Italian dining spots, often opened by foreigners, became popular, especially throughout Bangkok and Pattaya.
Even a famous NYC Neapolitan pizza restaurant Roberta’s has tossed their hat into the pizza ring in Bangkok! I haven’t had a chance to review them yet but it’s on my calendar book after I lose a few pounds.
Neopolitan Style Pizza in Bangkok
THE ARRIVAL OF NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA IN BANGKOK
If I remember 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 parts of America. And they had the name SOHO in it.
Soho (South of Houston Street) is one of those fancy-schmancy neighborhoods in Lower Manhattan, with many popular old-school pizzerias dotted throughout the area.
With SOHO pizza ads crammed in my face, I decided to try it out with my wife at their flagship restaurant on Sukhumvit Soi 11.
Half and Half Pizza Pie – SOHO Pizza
I gotta say, I was pleasantly surprised with the first bite. It was excellent, as close to NYC-style pizza as you can 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 is a hallmark of a NY slice.
I looked into the background of SOHO Pizza and learned it’s managed by a powerhouse food and beverage agency called SOHO Hospitality.
They did a great job bringing my favorite style of pizza to Thailand. As of this writing, SOHO Pizza has 6 branches, all inside Bangkok.
Though for me, it’s corporatized pizza.
CHEF BING PIZZA
Then we got Chef Bing Pizza in Bangkok. First opened around 2019 serving up NYC pizzas in the Khao San Road neighborhood. He has recently moved to the Lumphini area, very close to central Sukhumvit Road.
I learned about the chef from watching Mark Wien’s videos.
The chef has a New York City pedigree. And he is a real chef. After working in top-notch restaurant kitchens for a while he eventually returned home to Thailand. Where he taught himself to make New York City style pizzas.
Chef Bing and Mark Wiens
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 so proud he’s in Bangkok!
Chef Bing Cheese Pizza Pie 14″
PIZZAS IN THAILAND TODAY
Today, if you want to eat Italian or American-style pizzas in Thailand, it’s easy to find them. Whether they’re authentic or meet your taste standards, however, 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?
Sad Soggy Neopolitan Pizza
It depends on how well the Italian chef trained his cook. It depends on the ingredients the Italian chef used the same ingredients used in the Italian city of Napoli. Napoli pizzas use specific ingredients native to its surrounding region, such as tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
That’s how serious the Italians are and there’s an organization AVPN that oversees the quality and integrity of Napoletana pizza around the world.
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. Go check it out and discover Bangkok’s pizza scene!
I’ve tried over 24 types of pizzas in Thailand so far!
My Favorite Pizza Restaurants in Bangkok
Who Makes the Best NYC Pizzas in Bangkok?
No surprise here, it’s my man Chef Bing Pizza! His style of NY pizza reminds me of home. I only wish he sold them by the slice. But I understand it’s not the way locals eat pizzas in Thailand. Pizza Mania makes amazing pizza too!
SOHO Pizza will satisfy your cravings. Finally worth mentioning is Capone’s Pizza and I will have to try their deep dish someday. The last two sell pizzas by the slice which I enjoy on the spot.
I can also recommend Capone’s Pizza, also located in the heart of Bangkok near the Asoke/Sukhumvit intersection. Though they are more well known for their deep dish pizza, you can gather from the name Capone it’s got Chicago roots.
Then we’ve got Pizza Mania which is quite popular making deliveries straight out of their kitchen from the heart of Bangkok. I couldn’t find out too much about the owner of Pizza Mania but it’s all good, I highly recommend their pizzas in Bangkok.
Classic Cheese Pizza from Pizza Mania
The Best Fancy Pizzas in Bangkok
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 pizzas are of the Neopolitan variety as those are the predominant variety in Thailand.
The main reason I don’t like Neopolitan Pizza is because the center is soggy. Some restaurants in Bangkok make it soggier than others. It really depends on the hands of whoever is making the pizza.
As the dominant variety of pizzas in Bangkok this post won’t be complete without mentioning my favorite margherita pizzas!
Ronin Pizza takes the top spot in my books. Ugly Dough is terrific, you will love their crust, that is when it’s not overloaded with sauce and cheese. Daniello makes yummy margherita pizzas around the Lad Prao area of Bangkok.
Pannetti Pizza Margherita
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. If a local Thai sees many scorched marks on the crust it’s a big no-no in their eyes.
A pizza I got at a Hua Hin night market. Looking good from the top.Bottom needs a bit more time in the oven…
That said, most of the best Neopolitan pizzerias or Italian restaurants are written up on popular food websites. The names Pizza Massilia, Pizzeria Mazzie, and Peppina come up as the de facto best of the best
I have never eaten in any of those restaurants before. But it’s on my to-do list.
Instead, I went to Neapolitan pizza restaurants off the beaten path. And some sorta around the path.
Ronin Margherita Pizza
Above is a photo of Ronin’s pizza. As you can see, it’s got some dark char on the crust, which I enjoy. Again, some Thais, depending on how old they are, might not be into it.
This is challenging for Thai pizzerias deciding to go the traditional route or make the taste palatable for locals. That’s a hard decision.
That said, there are so many pizzerias all over Bangkok, Pattaya, and Hua Hin that I can’t wait to check them out in the future. I just gotta lose some weight first.
Until then, I will eat as many pizzas as I can in Bangkok!
What’s your favorite pizzeria in Thailand or from anywhere else 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
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