Bangkok neighborhoods - which neighborhood to stay in

Bangkok is the capital as well as the largest city of Thailand, with a population of 15 million as of 2012. The city is the regional center of Southeast Asia, quite able to compete with such giants as Hong Kong and Singapore.

Bangkok is extremely attractive for travelers from around the world: every year, crowds of tourists flock here to get acquainted with the colorful local culture and enjoy the many attractions.

What's the best place to stay in Bangkok?

In this article, we will answer this question and take a closer look at the main districts of Bangkok. It is worth noting that Bangkok has 50 districts (khats), which are divided into 154 subdistricts (khwengs).

Popular neighborhoods on the map of Bangkok

Bangkok's neighborhoods have their own unique characteristics. Do not try to find a single urban center - Bangkok simply does not exist. It is only possible to single out several main and the most important ones, where the main economic, tourist and cultural life of the metropolis is concentrated.

Rattanakosin (Ko Rattanakosin)

 This is the historical center of Bangkok, located on the island of the same name (by the way, Rattanakosin translates as "the highest jewel"). This area is very popular among travelers, acts as a major tourist center.

Here you can visit the temples of Wat Po and Wat Pra Keo, as well as the luxurious Royal Palace. But you can hardly stay in Rattanakosin - there are almost no hotels here.

Riverside

 It is one of the most picturesque areas of the city. There are a large number of luxury hotels, which offer wonderful views of the waterfront (among them Sofitel, Sheraton, Oriental and Peninsula).

In Riverside, travelers can find many small souvenir shops located in old buildings. There are no large shopping malls or famous attractions here.

Banglamphu

Tao San Road is a popular tourist mecca. You can find local attractions if you go southeast of the Democracy Monument.

There are numerous temples here: Wat Chana Songram Temple, Wat Indra Viharn Temple, also notable are King Prajahipoka Museum, the October 14 Monument, Democracy Monument, Pra Athit Street, Golden Mountain. In Banlampu you can easily find a place to stay, but unfortunately not always of high quality.

Chinatown

It is the Chinatown of Bangkok. Chinatown is located in one of the oldest and also the busiest part of the city. It is famous for a bunch of jewelry stores and pawn shops where jewelry is made according to traditions that have not changed for centuries.

Chinatain acts as a shopping area, you can buy here the same things you can buy in all the Chinese markets, plus local Thai souvenirs are sold. There are not many hotels, but the area is quite difficult to move around - the crowds of people constantly create traffic jams that interfere with traffic.

The temples of Wat Mangkon Kamalawat and Wat Traimit are the local landmarks. The latter contains a famous statue of Buddha made of pure gold.

Silom

It is one of the commercial (not to be confused with the commercial) districts of the city. Silom is the modern center of Bangkok, home to the offices of major companies, the city's tallest skyscrapers, and the most upscale hotels.

When choosing a place to stay be sure to take into account the fact that Silom Soi 2 is a street with many gay bars and clubs for other dubious entertainment. The main part of all such establishments begin to work at night, but during the day here is quite quiet.

Silom is not very rich in tourist attractions, there is only a colorful Hindu temple called Wat Kek Silom. You can spend your time shopping, which is more than enough of a variety of stores and malls.

If you get hungry, welcome to the French Quarter (named for the large number of French restaurants and bistros). End a hard day with a foot massage, which is offered to travelers in many salons.

Lumpini

 It is the "neighbor" of the previous neighborhood, which is not too different from it. Lumpini was named after the park of the same name, which is a real oasis of greenery and tranquility.

There is also the Lumpini Stadium, which regularly holds fights (an iconic place for fans of the martial art of muay Thai).

Siam Square

It is the shopping center of Bangkok, where the most large supermarkets are located, as well as innumerable small stores. Shopping here is very profitable, because the goods are much cheaper than in the tourist areas and much less than in Silom. A true paradise for shopaholics.

If you decide to come to this area of Bangkok be sure to visit the following places: Wax Museum, Jim Thompson House, Suan Pakad Palace, visit Pathum Wanaram Temple, Bangkok Culture and Arts Center. The Siam Ocean World Aquarium is a must-see for underwater enthusiasts.

Ploenchit road

 The area is also rich with all kinds of shopping malls (Central Chidlom, Siam Paragon, MBK, Central World, Terminal 21). Tourists mostly go to Ploenchit Road for shopping.

There are a large number of hotels, but they, as well as in the Silom area, are very expensive. It takes eight minutes to get here from the city center if you use a car.

Pratunam

 It is very popular among travelers. Tourists from the CIS countries like to stay here. Prices for accommodation in Pratunam are quite democratic, and the conditions are quite good.

This area does not have a lot of attractions, however, you can visit the Bangkok Puppet Museum and the Thai Labor Museum, walk through the palaces - Phaya Thai, Suan Pakad, visit the observatory and see the spinning roof of Bayok Tower II.

In addition, Pratunam has many stores and markets where you can make various purchases.

Sukhumvit road

 It is a rather disadvantaged part of the city. It is here that the red light streets of Bangkok are located. Also here there are go-go bars and other places of entertainment.

Doubtful entertainment is very popular, both among the local population and among some categories of tourists.

Ratchadapisek road

 It is a new commercial district of Bangkok (a kind of analogue of Silom). On the map, as a rule, is not marked. Ratchadapisek Road is slightly north of Sukumvit.

There are numerous hotels along the entire street that are open to travelers 24 hours a day. Accommodation prices are in the medium to high price category.

Of note - in this area is the Thai Cultural Centre, there are also many popular cabarets, nightclubs and pubs, huge massage parlors and department stores.