50 Shades of Bangkok

[2009]

Forgive the title, lol

 

Bangkok has 50 districts and each its own character and charm.

 

I thought I'd start a thread where we can share our info on the difference districts. 

 

What's  the feel of it like? Anything interesting there? Any hidden gems there (restaurants, parks etc etc), interesting sub-districts within them? 

 

[2009]

Bang Kapi

 

Up n coming district with the new transport going there.

 

Low cost of living area. Quite a few condo projects starting and some older ones.

 

Ramkhamhaeng has a lot of of hustle n bustle in the evening with a great market for cooked grub by the stadium.

 

And you can't beat Ramkhamhaeng Uni girls - that's all I'm saying!

 

There is actually a decent international program there for farang.

 

A few typical malls. You can take the canal (which is kind nice) boat from Sukhumvit all the way to The Mall Bang Kapi.

 

Plenty of cheap drinking at night around Hua Mak and Lam Sali (although a lot of construction now cis that is where the interchange station will be). Little drinking spots down the canal too.

 

Good, cheap, southern Thai food around the mosque.

 

All in all, not a bad area at all. And not at all quiet. Very busy with lots going on.

[2009]

Phasi Charoen

 

Charming area with canals, long boats, and rickety wooden houses on the canal banks.

 

Mostly a quiet district (as far as Bangkok goes) where you can chill and enjoy what is left of "old Bangkok"

 

Over by Pak Klong Phasi Charoen (the mouth of the canal), there are quite a few condo projects as the MRT and BTS change there, but looking around it doesn't feel like Bangkok.

 

Empty plots of land waiting for development, like overground fields (almost). I saw a cow in one of them. And looking around there is a lot of greenery (trees and many cocunut trees). Feels like you are looking out at a tropical village or coastal town with all the coconut trees. Kinda unexpected.

 

And there is a famous little chicken rice place there between President Sathorn-Ratchapruek 1 and the gas station. Closes at noon. Sells out fast.

 

And an absolutely fantastic massive Buddha statue (you can't miss it) and a very nice temple, Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen. You can get a good view of Bangkok from up there and a nice place to feed the fish and see the various animals they keep at the temple.

 

 

 

[expatjustice]

Khlong San

 

One of the most modern districts of Bangkok, you can perfectly enjoy the views from your condo such as Banyan Tree Residences.

 

You have ICONSIAM nearby, and you can take a walk by the Chao Phraya river, or even take a boat through it. 

 

I just love living here, and the condo Banyan Tree it is perfect too.

[2009]

Bang Rak

 

Fancy riverside hotels, rooftop bars, and Jack's Bar - a little gem.

 

Not too mention, the infamous Patpong in Silom where you can drink in a few quirky, interesting watering holes that have been there 50 years, such as The Old Other Office and The Madrid.

 

Or have authentic French cuisine in Le Bouchon and an interesting chat with the French owner who is ever-sitting outside having a cigarette. And like in Europe, they just keep bringing baskets of bread (complimentary) throughout your meal.

 

Patpong of course has other things to offer, but these are my favs.

 

Beirut, on the main road, is an absolute must visit for healthy, Mediterranean food. Hummus is especially good, and the naans, and olive salad! 

 

 

[2009]

Phra Nakorn

 

Home to Bangkok's Old Town where things REALLY haven't changed in a long time.

 

This is where Bangkok started, due to the importance of the Chao Praya River as a trade route.

 

Cheap street food and some of the cheapest markets in Bangkok.

 

The Grand Palace, famous temples, tour guide trails, some museums, and some of Thailand's oldest schools.

 

There is currently construction going on at the pier. I think they are making a walkway or something.

 

Also, Koh San Road is in this area, the backpacker area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

Sukhumit, the center of Bangkok

'nuff said

[2009]

10 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Sukhumit, the center of Bangkok

'nuff said

 

I really do love Sukhumvit. Plenty of memories from there.

[Airalee]

Cool thread....definitely worth following.  Thanks!

[2009]

14 hours ago, 2009 said:

Phasi Charoen

 

Charming area with canals, long boats, and rickety wooden houses on the canal banks.

 

Mostly a quiet district (as far as Bangkok goes) where you can chill and enjoy what is left of "old Bangkok"

 

Over by Pak Klong Phasi Charoen (the mouth of the canal), there are quite a few condo projects as the MRT and BTS change there, but looking around it doesn't feel like Bangkok.

 

Empty plots of land waiting for development, like overground fields (almost). I saw a cow in one of them. And looking around there is a lot of greenery (trees and many cocunut trees). Feels like you are looking out at a tropical village or coastal town with all the coconut trees. Kinda unexpected.

 

And there is a famous little chicken rice place there between President Sathorn-Ratchapruek 1 and the gas station. Closes at noon. Sells out fast.

 

And an absolutely fantastic massive Buddha statue (you can't miss it) and a very nice temple, Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen. You can get a good view of Bangkok from up there and a nice place to feed the fish and see the various animals they keep at the temple.

 

 

 

 

[2009]

14 hours ago, 2009 said:

Phasi Charoen

 

Charming area with canals, long boats, and rickety wooden houses on the canal banks.

 

Mostly a quiet district (as far as Bangkok goes) where you can chill and enjoy what is left of "old Bangkok"

 

Over by Pak Klong Phasi Charoen (the mouth of the canal), there are quite a few condo projects as the MRT and BTS change there, but looking around it doesn't feel like Bangkok.

 

Empty plots of land waiting for development, like overground fields (almost). I saw a cow in one of them. And looking around there is a lot of greenery (trees and many cocunut trees). Feels like you are looking out at a tropical village or coastal town with all the coconut trees. Kinda unexpected.

 

And there is a famous little chicken rice place there between President Sathorn-Ratchapruek 1 and the gas station. Closes at noon. Sells out fast.

 

And an absolutely fantastic massive Buddha statue (you can't miss it) and a very nice temple, Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen. You can get a good view of Bangkok from up there and a nice place to feed the fish and see the various animals they keep at the temple.

 

 

 

 

[2009]

14 hours ago, 2009 said:

Bang Rak

 

Fancy riverside hotels, rooftop bars, and Jack's Bar - a little gem.

 

Not too mention, the infamous Patpong in Silom where you can drink in a few quirky, interesting watering holes that have been there 50 years, such as The Old Other Office and The Madrid.

 

Or have authentic French cuisine in Le Bouchon and an interesting chat with the French owner who is ever-sitting outside having a cigarette. And like in Europe, they just keep bringing baskets of bread (complimentary) throughout your meal.

 

Patpong of course has other things to offer, but these are my favs.

 

Beirut, on the main road, is an absolute must visit for healthy, Mediterranean food. Hummus is especially good, and the naans, and olive salad! 

 

 

 

[Surelynot]

12 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Sukhumit, the center of Bangkok

'nuff said

Damn

[2009]

Let's see, where else is interesting?

[Airalee]

Phra Khanong

 

Just off the beaten path but still on the Sukhumvit corridor we have Phra Khanong.  Just far enough out that the locals aren’t jaded by having to interact with demanding tourists and still greet foreigners with a smile.  
 

Lots of good restaurants ranging from cheap Thai eateries/shabu/bbq all the way up to the Cielo Skybar and Restaurant on the 46th floor of the Skywalk condominium, which I would recommend reserving your table via the Eatigo app as it’s rather expensive (although much more affordable than many other rooftop restaurants).

 

The W district, an outdoor area with dozens of booths offering choices of many, many different kinds of food from Sushi to Greek to Mexican and even Jamaican all at affordable prices.  Waitresses roam the grounds taking drink orders from the on-site bar and there is even a small, air conditioned indoor bar with a pool table if you need to escape the heat.  No...not that kind of bar.  W district also has many interesting art installments placed here and there.  Various fast food outlets are also located here for those who want it.

 

The local mall (although not like the major malls such as Paragon/Emquartier) has a small selection of good restaurants but best of all, a new, comfortable and affordable cinema where you can watch the latest in mindless dreck pumped out of the cultural wasteland that is Hollywood.

 

Grocery shopping is great with markets catering to every taste and budget.  A good wet market, Tesco, Big C, Makro, MaxValue, Tops...even a Gourmet Market for those hard to find imported items.

 

Lots of traditional Thai massage shops that still only charge ฿200/hour and even a shop run by the blind where a Thai massage (last time I checked) could be had for ฿100/hour.

 

A few pubs are scattered about but as I don’t drink, I can’t offer up any useful opinions on those.

 

Rents are quite affordable with 30sqm 1Br units (not studios) starting at about ฿8,000 per month in buildings with nice pools and gyms.

 

Every time I have hailed a taxi from here, I have never had to ask them to turn on the meter and have never been pestered by street sellers as is common on lower Sukhumvit, but if that’s what you want, it’s a 7 minute BTS ride away.

 

 

 

 

[warrima]

3 hours ago, Airalee said:

The W district, an outdoor area with dozens of booths offering choices of many, many different kinds of food from Sushi to Greek to Mexican and even Jamaican all at affordable prices.

W District is in Watthana. Likely much of what you talk about is in Klong Toei and Wattana. Phra Khanong district is Bang Chak / lower suk area

[Airalee]

12 minutes ago, warrima said:

W District is in Watthana. Likely much of what you talk about is in Klong Toei and Wattana. Phra Khanong district is Bang Chak / lower suk area

Thanks...I had no idea and now, looking at a map I see you are correct.  It’s strange however that the Phra Khanong BTS and also the two condos I have lived in (both in the Wattana area as denoted by the Google map) both use Phra Khanong in the mailing address.

 

Thailand sure is a confusing place.

 

 

[iaminwa]

Scratch Dog bottom of the Windsor Hotel - loved that place from 12 - 4am!

[josephbloggs]

Nice thread.  Always good to see a positive thread on here that celebrates the place we live in.

[VocalNeal]

8 hours ago, 2009 said:

 

 

Madrid. Great place for breakfast. Pizzas are not bad either! An oasis in an otherwise hectic area.

[warrima]

3 hours ago, Airalee said:

use Phra Khanong in the mailing address.

 

 

Likely Phra Khonong Nuea, Wattana - Phra Khanong Nuea being the sub district.

 

Phra khanong used to be a very large district stretching all the way to Bang Na. 

 

Ive personally always found it amusing that Klong Toei (my district) is famous for its slum - but is also home to Emporium. 

[ExpatOilWorker]

8 hours ago, 2009 said:

Let's see, where else is interesting?

Everyone seems to refer the West side of Bangkok sa the Thonburi side, I thought that district was much bigger.

Isn't Bangmod also a district?

 

[unblocktheplanet]

Udom Suk

Greetings from the last street in Bangkok!

 

We’re a short street that ends on a bridge over Srinakarin & becomes Charoenprakiat on the way to Suan Luang.

 

Out that way is Lake Nong Bon, a man-made reservoir and scenic nature area. Our daughter learned to kayak & sail there, very peaceful.

 

We live between Sukhumvit & Srinakarin, very convenient for transport.

 

My secret is Klong Klai. One can walk along the klong from Udomsuk past Ramkamhaeng, I walk here frequently, leaving the cars, noise & exhaust behind, dropping off at Paradise Park or Seacon for shopping.

 

Green & peaceful, klongside is real Thai life. After 30 years, I still see something new every time I walk.

[Airalee]

1 hour ago, warrima said:

 

Likely Phra Khonong Nuea, Wattana - Phra Khanong Nuea being the sub district.

 

Phra khanong used to be a very large district stretching all the way to Bang Na. 

 

Ive personally always found it amusing that Klong Toei (my district) is famous for its slum - but is also home to Emporium. 

I suppose I should delete my post and start a thread about what’s in Phra Khanong but not actually in Phra Khanong.  I do know one thing....I’ve never known a Thai that can read a map and every taxi driver that I tell to take me to Phra Khanong somehow gets me home.  ????

Not in Phra Khanong...

 

 

 

 

[fakser]

Rattanakosin island+Bangkok Noi+Bangkok Yai

 

Definitely the coolest place to live in Bangkok.

I live in Charansanitwong by the new Bang yee kan MRT station.

Close to everything. Grand Palace, Wat Pra Chetupon (Wat PO), Chine town, Democracy monument, Central Pinklao, The river and canals, Khaosan, Home Pro, Decathlon, Food land, Macro, Chang Chui (the Airplane art market), Golden mountain (Wat Saket), Siriraj hospital, Mission hospital, Major cineplex Pinklao. The Sense. Royal barge museum. And much more. Not many tourists or farangs. a lots of fan. 

[Nemises]

On 5/4/2021 at 2:27 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Sukhumit, the center of Bangkok

'nuff said

Agree 100.

 

If you're not living in Sukhumvit the center of Bangkok, then you're camping out.

 

'nuff said.

[Hanuman2547]

On 5/3/2021 at 7:21 AM, 2009 said:

Phra Nakorn

 

Home to Bangkok's Old Town where things REALLY haven't changed in a long time.

 

This is where Bangkok started, due to the importance of the Chao Praya River as a trade route.

 

Cheap street food and some of the cheapest markets in Bangkok.

 

The Grand Palace, famous temples, tour guide trails, some museums, and some of Thailand's oldest schools.

 

There is currently construction going on at the pier. I think they are making a walkway or something.

 

Also, Koh San Road is in this area, the backpacker area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I lived in this area for many years back in the 90's.  Wife's family has lived here since WW2.  It's a fun area to be in.  A lot of small markets all through the area.  

[smutcakes]

On 5/3/2021 at 8:35 PM, expatjustice said:

Khlong San

 

One of the most modern districts of Bangkok, you can perfectly enjoy the views from your condo such as Banyan Tree Residences.

 

You have ICONSIAM nearby, and you can take a walk by the Chao Phraya river, or even take a boat through it. 

 

I just love living here, and the condo Banyan Tree it is perfect too.

 

Deleted