Lad Prao

[tomth]

Hi all, was just wondering if someone could tell me what Lad Prao is like to live in as an expat??, i've seen an apartment close to the MRT there which I like, and just wanted to make sure it's not too out of the way.

I'm not bothered about being close to go go bars or anything, 'cos I know it's a fair way from Sukhumvit, but is there a few expats there?, good bars, restaurants, clubs, shopping centers??

Thanks for any info guys.

Tom

[Aswin]

Traffic in and around Lad Prao is about the worst in Bangkok. One of the biggest shopping mall is right there. Good restaurants, clubs and bars around yes.

[desi]

I lived there and it was a pain getting back home from further in town if I needed a taxi (too much stuff for MRT or just wanting to be comfortable). The taxi drivers just don't want to hassle with the traffic or the distance. It was tedious on the times when I went out to dinner down by Suk and wanted a taxi home and they'd mostly say no. And although there is quite a lot of shopping at Lad Prao, there are time when going more central BKK is needed so again there is the distance problem.

I ended up moving closer to Victory Monument.

[thecatman]

Hi all, was just wondering if someone could tell me what Lad Prao is like to live in as an expat??, i've seen an apartment close to the MRT there which I like, and just wanted to make sure it's not too out of the way.

I'm not bothered about being close to go go bars or anything, 'cos I know it's a fair way from Sukhumvit, but is there a few expats there?, good bars, restaurants, clubs, shopping centers??

Thanks for any info guys.

Tom

I've lived on Lad Phrao for over a year now and love it. Central Lad Phrao and Union Mall are great for shopping, if you need to get into central Bangkok, then it's only 12 minutes on the MRT from Lad Phrao to Sukhumvit, and of course, all the Ratchada clubs and shopping are also only a short MRT ride away. Sure, traffic around Ratchada and Lad Phrao does get bad at peak times, but the MRT deals with that for me, so no worries.

If I'm out in Sukhumvit at night, say around 10pm or 11pm, and want to get a taxi home, I do get refused by 3 or 4 drivers, but then I'll always come across one whose happy to take me home (with the meter on). Getting a taxi any later than that at night is never a problem.

Still, with all of Ratchada's nightlife and RCA within an easy distance, there's really no need to have to deal with Sukhumvit for entertainment again.

There was a thread a while ago discussing Lad Phrao hang outs etc I've added the link below.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Lad-Phrao-Ha...ts-t239842.html

Edited March 30, 2009 by thecatman

[Jimjim]

There's expats everywhere in Bangkok. Do you need to see a few white faces to feel comfortable? Lad Phrao for sure has horrible traffic and is a bit out there, but there are malls and that near. Live there if you want, but it's not expat central like Sukhumvit or Silom.

[sanook2me]

I lived in Lad Prao for 3 years around soi 24 walking distance (just) to central / tesco

I had my mountain bike here then and used to ride and lock it up at the motorbike stand in the multi story.

Queen Sirkrit park is huge and a great day out to ride /walk /play tennis / basketball and more

As mentioned Ratchada is easy to get to and there are loads of good clubs there.

Getting back from Suk/Silom was always easy late at night about 130 baht metered

I loved the area as it was quieter than downtown and no tourists except the weekend around chatuchak market

BTS and underground are nearby and getting down town is fast

[tomth]

Thats for the good replies,

I don't need expats around to feel comfortable, just wondering what the expat community was like there!!, anyway, sounds a good place to live, i was gonna put a deposit down on this apartment before i arrived, but i'm gonna just book a hotel for a few night's first and go have a look around.

I'm a bit baffled by the choice and locations to be honest!, so it's probably better i wait and decide when i'm there. have seen loadsa decent places, i guess it just boils down to where i wanna be and what facilities there are etc.

I'm only gonna be in BKK for 2 weeks 'cos I work in the UK, so will be travelling back and forth every month.

Anyway thanks for the opinions, much appreciated, roll on 14th april!!!