Is Sukhumvit Soi 24 the best mix of everything in 2025?

[ericdk]

I'm considering giving Bangkok a try again for 6-12 months and was thinking about Soi 24, since I stayed at Park Origin in 2023.

 

I was pleasantly surprised to see how Soi 24 has changed over the years, when I first saw it 15 years ago it was much like Lang Suan, just seemed to be expensive condos aimed at japanese business expats and nothing else. Now it seems to have changed a lot and there's really a good mix towards both ends of the soi. The Rama 4 end of the soi has a bunch of restaurants, cafes, bars etc.

 

It's also walkable and it's easy to get to Benjasiri Park. There's a streetfood market in Soi 22 and of course close to all the good stuff near Phrom Phong. Close to Emquartier, close to Asok. Can jump on your own motobike and drive down Rama 4 to Lumpini or Siam Square.

 

Overall it seems a very good option of you want to live centrally and busily but not with all the tourist traps right next door. I liked Park Origin except for the pool. I am also considering Lumpini 24 which has a great pool, but rooms are less well constructed.

[tjintx]

38 minutes ago, ericdk said:

I'm considering giving Bangkok a try again for 6-12 months and was thinking about Soi 24, since I stayed at Park Origin in 2023.

 

I was pleasantly surprised to see how Soi 24 has changed over the years, when I first saw it 15 years ago it was much like Lang Suan, just seemed to be expensive condos aimed at japanese business expats and nothing else. Now it seems to have changed a lot and there's really a good mix towards both ends of the soi. The Rama 4 end of the soi has a bunch of restaurants, cafes, bars etc.

 

It's also walkable and it's easy to get to Benjasiri Park. There's a streetfood market in Soi 22 and of course close to all the good stuff near Phrom Phong. Close to Emquartier, close to Asok. Can jump on your own motobike and drive down Rama 4 to Lumpini or Siam Square.

 

Overall it seems a very good option of you want to live centrally and busily but not with all the tourist traps right next door. I liked Park Origin except for the pool. I am also considering Lumpini 24 which has a great pool, but rooms are less well constructed.

 

A lot of traffic, is the only downside I'd see.   Queing traffic to go to Rama 4 or Sukhumvit sides;  granted it's easier on a bike.

[wordchild]

Not the most attractive soi off sukhumvit by a long stretch. Just a long line of condos and hotels. Personally I prefer the other side of Suk, between 39 and thong lor.

[rimmae2]

17 hours ago, wordchild said:

Not the most attractive soi off sukhumvit by a long stretch. Just a long line of condos and hotels. Personally I prefer the other side of Suk, between 39 and thong lor.

Agreed except traffic on these soi probably worse especially when a bike lane is initiated.

[richard_smith237]

12 minutes ago, rimmae2 said:

Agreed except traffic on these soi probably worse especially when a bike lane is initiated.

Indeed…. We lived on Soi 20 for a couple of years…

… the traffic was hideous & prevented us from getting out to restaurants etc on many evenings… Fridays was insane…

 

We since moved further out & have far better access to many other options. 

[Yagoda]

I try to stay these days between Soi 11 and 15. Thermae and Nana

[norsurin]

18 hours ago, wordchild said:

Not the most attractive soi off sukhumvit by a long stretch. Just a long line of condos and hotels. Personally I prefer the other side of Suk, between 39 and thong lor.

I use to stay in soi 31..quiet compared to lower sois..But near enough if u want a funny nigth. just a short walk.

[Tom100]

I lived in that area for 2 years until 2024. I hated the noise and traffic! The sidewalks on Soi 24 are also very narrow and broken, especially towards Rama IV.  The traffic is impossible when Sukhumvit is jammed up. 

 

To each his own!

 

 

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

19 hours ago, ericdk said:

It's also walkable and it's easy to get to Benjasiri Park. There's a streetfood market in Soi 22 and of course close to all the good stuff near Phrom Phong. Close to Emquartier, close to Asok. Can jump on your own motobike and drive down Rama 4 to Lumpini or Siam Square.

 

Yes, you can walk or take a motorcycle, those are the options which make sense. Using a car in that area is no fun.

 

I think anywhere in Bangkok it depends a lot on your personal taste, how much money you are willing to pay, if you like lots of international restaurants and shopping centers with English speaking employees, etc.

If you like that area, then live there.

If you are for 6 months or more in Bangkok, then you have enough time to explore also other areas and find out what you like and don't like.

 

Bangkok Pat has many videos about different areas in Bangkok. Maybe watch some of them.

 

 

 

[spidermike007]

I like soi 24, I often stay in hotels on that soi and there is a lot surrounding it that's of interest. The only issue is the traffic, so I would stay there if you're going to use a motorbike or use motorbike taxis. I would only drive a car in and out of soi 24 after 11:00 p.m. and before 6:30 a.m. Or on Sunday. 

[xtof2]

It really depends on your own criteria. I lived in President Park near Rama 4 for many years—though that was 10 years ago. Traffic and sidewalks are indeed terrible, but the area offers easy access to the expressway, Suvarnabhumi Airport, and other key locations if you travel frequently. It’s also convenient with Big C, Tesco, and many restaurants nearby.

[ericdk]

I didn't notice the traffic to be honest, but that's maybe because I have lived in On Nut and Thong Lor which are both much worse (the main sois) and Park Origin lies well back from the street. 

 

I'd much rather take a motocy taxi every day in Soi 24 than On Nut or Thong Lor.

 

As I see it, if you have a motorbike you can also quite easily go the other direction through Soi 22 and drive to the BTS and leave it there without dealing with traffic.

 

The issue with the small sois such as on the unequal side of Phrom Phong is that it's a long walk and there are often gridlocks. If they could get the cars out of the subsois then it would definitely be the better area.

[ericdk]

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Yes, you can walk or take a motorcycle, those are the options which make sense. Using a car in that area is no fun.

 

I think anywhere in Bangkok it depends a lot on your personal taste, how much money you are willing to pay, if you like lots of international restaurants and shopping centers with English speaking employees, etc.

If you like that area, then live there.

If you are for 6 months or more in Bangkok, then you have enough time to explore also other areas and find out what you like and don't like.

 

Bangkok Pat has many videos about different areas in Bangkok. Maybe watch some of them.

 

 

 

 

An added benefit of Soi 24 is that it allows for sort of easy access to Sathorn and Lumpini etc, which are areas that I have never really explored.

 

I'm kind of done with the whole Sukhumvit area to be honest. I do not think the extension of the BTS has done it any favor.

[OneMoreFarang]

16 minutes ago, ericdk said:

I'm kind of done with the whole Sukhumvit area to be honest.

Then why would you want to live there?

Sukhumvit Soi 24 is for sure more expensive than many other areas in Bangkok - for a reason.

Obviously, there is also something to discover in Sathorn and many other areas. But there is a reason why many farangs live in Sukhumvit. Here is a lot of what many of us want.

[ericdk]

10 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Then why would you want to live there?

Sukhumvit Soi 24 is for sure more expensive than many other areas in Bangkok - for a reason.

Obviously, there is also something to discover in Sathorn and many other areas. But there is a reason why many farangs live in Sukhumvit. Here is a lot of what many of us want.

 

Well, I don't mean done with the good parts of Sukhumvit such as lower Sukhumvit from Nana to Phrom Phong, which is the best part of BKK imo, just I think the residential areas of Sukhumvit are very overrated and people only stay there because they want to stay close to Lower Sukhumvit, when in fact you could stay near Rama 4 or somewhere like Soi Ruamrudee and get the parks, while still being closer to Asoke. It's also why this area is easily more expensive, but Park Origin and Lumpini 24 are actually quite affordable now.

[OneMoreFarang]

21 minutes ago, ericdk said:

 

Well, I don't mean done with the good parts of Sukhumvit such as lower Sukhumvit from Nana to Phrom Phong, which is the best part of BKK imo, just I think the residential areas of Sukhumvit are very overrated and people only stay there because they want to stay close to Lower Sukhumvit, when in fact you could stay near Rama 4 or somewhere like Soi Ruamrudee and get the parks, while still being closer to Asoke. It's also why this area is easily more expensive, but Park Origin and Lumpini 24 are actually quite affordable now.

 

If you like Lower Sukhumvit, then why don't you move to that area? I live in that area since almost 30 years, and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I am more than 90% of my time in walking distance to my condominium. Sometimes I actually walk, more often I ride motorcycle because I am lazy. I have lots of restaurants, bars and shops right next to me.

Look i.e. at Soi 8. At one end you have nightlife and restaurants. A little further into the soi it's quiet. 

 

Some time ago I had a friend who worked in Bang Khae and liked to go out in Soi Cowboy and surrounding. First, he lived near his work in a nice house in a quiet area. And most nights he drove with his car to Soi Cowboy and then later, more or less drunk, back. Then he rented an apartment in Soi 16 walking distance to Soi Cowboy. He had to drive to work every day. But he liked that a lot more than the previous arrangement.

 

IMHO live where you want to be. Why drive when you can walk a short distance? 

 

 

[alex8912]

1 hour ago, ericdk said:

 

An added benefit of Soi 24 is that it allows for sort of easy access to Sathorn and Lumpini etc, which are areas that I have never really explored.

 

I'm kind of done with the whole Sukhumvit area to be honest. I do not think the extension of the BTS has done it any favor.

Think the " Other " way.  One stop on sky train from Siam interchange station is Rachatewi. Easy walk to Paragon, MBK , Pratumwan market and even Central World. Lots of new and old restaurants, cafes and fast food if that's your thing. Taxi and motor bike easy. 

[ericdk]

56 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

If you like Lower Sukhumvit, then why don't you move to that area? I live in that area since almost 30 years, and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I am more than 90% of my time in walking distance to my condominium. Sometimes I actually walk, more often I ride motorcycle because I am lazy. I have lots of restaurants, bars and shops right next to me.

Look i.e. at Soi 8. At one end you have nightlife and restaurants. A little further into the soi it's quiet. 

 

Some time ago I had a friend who worked in Bang Khae and liked to go out in Soi Cowboy and surrounding. First, he lived near his work in a nice house in a quiet area. And most nights he drove with his car to Soi Cowboy and then later, more or less drunk, back. Then he rented an apartment in Soi 16 walking distance to Soi Cowboy. He had to drive to work every day. But he liked that a lot more than the previous arrangement.

 

IMHO live where you want to be. Why drive when you can walk a short distance? 

 

 

 

I have considered that also, probably would prefer Soi 14 or Soi 10 because you can exit without having to go past the tourist crowds every day.

 

Soi 2 and 4 is also an option there.

[ericdk]

52 minutes ago, alex8912 said:

Think the " Other " way.  One stop on sky train from Siam interchange station is Rachatewi. Easy walk to Paragon, MBK , Pratumwan market and even Central World. Lots of new and old restaurants, cafes and fast food if that's your thing. Taxi and motor bike easy. 

 

I think I prefer to live with more westerners to be honest. 

[tjintx]

1 hour ago, alex8912 said:

Think the " Other " way.  One stop on sky train from Siam interchange station is Rachatewi. Easy walk to Paragon, MBK , Pratumwan market and even Central World. Lots of new and old restaurants, cafes and fast food if that's your thing. Taxi and motor bike easy. 

 

Aren't the Pratumnam and the Rachatewi overpasses going to be or have been torn down for the new MRT line?    Could be noisy, dusty and very traffic congested (and if walking, may not be ideal to go to the places you listed, depending upon the construction impact).

 

[bkk6060]

I have access to a condo off Ploenchit. 

I lived off Soi 8 several years ago.

Ploenchit to me is great out of the way from lower Suk which is like a slum in my opinion.  Drunks, bums, hookers, and thieves at lower Suk 24/7.  Soi 24 is OK, the Japanese, Koreans and Chinese seem to love it.

[DTL2014]

soi lang suan still very good - Tops supermarket -plenty of choice and variety-mid way to shopping centres -lots of motorbike taxis.lived on the river in samsen soi 3 for many years - despite its awkward geography -really enjoyed it.what's the best riverside location , up the serious end of town?

[ericdk]

56 minutes ago, DTL2014 said:

what's the best riverside location , up the serious end of town?

 

When I studied at Thammasat back in the day I walked to Pinklao, which I would not recommend to live in, but every day I walked across the bridge and look at the condo by the river, Rattanakosin View Mansion, the best view, but then again, no MRT/BTS, so you'd have to take the riverbus to Saphan Thai or drive.

 

If you worked at Thammasat or something, maybe it would be worth it.

[alex8912]

16 hours ago, tjintx said:

 

Aren't the Pratumnam and the Rachatewi overpasses going to be or have been torn down for the new MRT line?    Could be noisy, dusty and very traffic congested (and if walking, may not be ideal to go to the places you listed, depending upon the construction impact).

 

I walk up and down Petchburi everyday and live one block off it.  My condo itself is pretty quiet. There is construction with the overpass coming down and new subway station ( I look at these as added future benefit) but you can certainly walk on both sides of road. One side that hasn't been affected has a very wide sidewalk as well. 

[alex8912]

17 hours ago, ericdk said:

 

I think I prefer to live with more westerners to be honest. 

Why do you prefer that?  Also when I walk around Petchburi a lot I certainly see foreigners around and some in my building.  That nana area is just overly populated with tourists etc and you can barely walk around at 8/9 pm. and ALL taxis want 200 baht lol, I was there last week. Anyways, I think BKK has foreigners all over. 

[ericdk]

1 hour ago, alex8912 said:

Why do you prefer that?  Also when I walk around Petchburi a lot I certainly see foreigners around and some in my building.  That nana area is just overly populated with tourists etc and you can barely walk around at 8/9 pm. and ALL taxis want 200 baht lol, I was there last week. Anyways, I think BKK has foreigners all over. 

 

I speak poor thai and it's just good to have a chat with people without the cultural and language barrier once in a while.

 

I am not against your suggestion, but that's why I would sign a 6 month contract and see how things play out.