Bangkok neighborhood guide

Bangkok Neighborhood Guide for Indie Travellers

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we will receive a small commission at no addition cost to you. Please read our disclaimer for more information.

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. It is the most popular tourist destination in the country. Bangkok is known for its great local foods, amazing culture, impressive nightlife, and technological innovation. Digital nomads in Bangkok have turned the city into a start-up hub. Since it is a big city, you are likely to experience trouble deciding what neighborhood to stay in Bangkok. The list below should help you choose an appropriate place.

Bangkok neighborhoods

Image via Unsplash

1. Prapadaeng

This Bangkok neighborhood is locally known as the Green Lung of Bangkok, and it is located towards the eastern side of the city. This neighborhood is quite different from the rest of the city. In fact, you may need a Bangkok neighborhoods map to comfortably navigate the place. This area is ideal for people who enjoy the natural beauty and environment-conscious practices. There are many picnic spots around, the most popular being the Botanical Gardens. Most commercial places in this area have eco-friendly policies, and that is why you are likely to see very few cars on the road. The businesses aim at strictly hiring people who can walk or ride a bike to work.

2. Silom District

Silom is one of the most important districts in Bangkok. It has a bustling commercial sector, with many financial institutions and bank headquarters. This neighborhood will give you a complete and authentic experience of Thai culture. One of the biggest attractions in this neighborhood is the Neilson Hays Library. You can visit this place for a cup of coffee as you view the local art gallery. The library is open from Tuesday to Sunday. You can also enjoy shopping for Thai foods and goods in the Silom Soi 20 market. This market is only open till 10 am, and after this time the local restaurants will open their doors. If you intend to live in Bangkok as a digital nomad, you can easily find shared office spaces. Coworking spaces are affordable and can comfortably accommodate a person who works online.

3. Siam

Siam is the best place to visit if you intend to shop a lot. In this area, you can buy designer clothes, books, food, and anything else you might need to commemorate your trip. Some megastores you need to look out for include WWA and Today Tomorrow Forever. Siam is also known for its modern Thai foods. Som Tam Nua is one of the biggest street food joints, and it is famous for its fried chicken and green papaya salads. Eating in these places will leave a dent in your pocket, but you will remember the dining experience for months. You should also visit the Erawan Shrine to watch some Thai dances and experience an atmosphere that is totally different from the rest of the city.

Bangkok neighborhood guide

Image via Unsplash

4. Thong Lor

Thong Lor is the hippest neighborhood in Bangkok. It has some of the most high-quality restaurants and nightclubs. Tourists flock to this area primarily because of those two factors. You should especially stay at this place if you love high-quality and authentic Japanese foods. Restaurants in the area make the best Japanese cuisines in the world outside Japan. You should make a stop at Uomasa, one of the best restaurants in the neighborhood. Some unique Japanese specialities in the place include whale, grilled beef tongue, and a wide selection of raw fish. Eateries are affordable here. For nighttime entertainment, you should start with the Ice Bar. This place uses an ice cube theme- it is actually cool and relaxing. Clubs in the area usually play hip-hop music or local Thai pop.

5. Chinatown

Chinatown is not very well organised as a neighborhood, but it has a lot to offer. It is actually the best area to visit for street foods and snacks, particularly along Yarowat Road. Most of these joints sell traditional Thai foods and desserts, and this can expose you to their culture. If you have more money to spend on your meals, you can choose to dine at the restaurants in the place. These include Red Rose Chinese Restaurant, Double Dogs Tea Room, and Rut and Lek Seafood. In addition to the great local foods, you can enjoy traditional Thai dances on Thursdays and Fridays at the Khon dancing show. The dancers in this event are dressed in appropriate costumes and will engage you in some traditional folktales. Chinatown is also known for its flower market. To shop at their flower market, you will have to either wake up very early or stay up late at night.

There are many places to stay as you visit Bangkok. Each neighborhood has its own pros and cons, and these should help you decide where you will stay. It is important to consider the public transport in the different neighborhoods. Some places are not well connected to the rest of the city, and that can cause navigation problems. Alternatively, you can choose to rent a bike and even reduce your carbon footprint. Also, you should consider the eateries, nightlife, and culture. You should consider staying in one of the five Bangkok neighbourhoods listed in this guide.

About the author: Riya is an inspired writer, passionate about traveling, lifestyle and encouraging startups. As a freelancer, she understands the importance of productivity at work. Riya never stopped finding new ways to create her work productivity.