Sukhumvit Street in Bangkok and the surrounding district are one of the most famous locations in the Thai capital. Unlike other areas of the city, you won’t find beautiful temples or palaces here; Sukhumvit Bangkok is best known for its Western feel and is made up of bars, restaurants and shopping malls, which you’ll find alongside even more bars (healthy and otherwise) and massage parlors. The sex trade is hard to ignore, prostitutes are almost everywhere you look, and you wouldn’t come to Sukhumvit Road for traditional Thai culture, but it’s still one of the most visited areas in the city. So why so much interest? Read on for our recommendations for amazing places to visit on Sukhumvit Street in Bangkok.
Read about:
• How to get to Sukhumvit Bangkok
• Sukhumvit Bangkok – the most important attractions
• Shopping on Sukhumvit Street in Bangkok
• Visit the Spa in Sukhumvit
• Sois in Sukhumvit, Bangkok
• Restaurants in Sukhumvit Bangkok
• Museums in Sukhumvit Bangkok
• Two Sukhumvit parks
• Ekkamai Bus Station in Sukhumvit
How to get to Sukhumvit Bangkok
As this is Bangkok’s main street, getting to the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok couldn’t be easier. It is one of the longest streets in the world, starting in the heart of Old Bangkok and stretching for approximately 400 kilometers along the southeastern coast of Thailand, almost to the border with Cambodia. The section of Sukhumvit Road that will be of most interest to you as a tourist is located around famous neighborhoods including Soi Cowboy, and with public transport (Skytrain) easily accessible along Sukhumvit Road Bangkok, you’ll have no problem getting on and off this busy part of the city.
Sukhumvit Bangkok – the most important attractions
Shopping on Sukhumvit Road. (EmQuartier and Emporium) © Nattakit Jeerapatmaitree / Shutterstock.com
As we have already said, for many tourists the main attractions are the bars, restaurants and shops on Sukhumvit Road, so we will discuss some of them here. But let’s not forget about other attractions: several interesting museums that will take a break from the busy city streets for a while, and several parks that are an oasis of peace amidst the traffic and noise.
Shopping on Sukhumvit Street in Bangkok
If you’re looking for Western-style shopping, Sukhumvit Road’s shopping district will suit your needs. There are many famous shops and malls worth visiting, and although you may find some bargains, don’t come here expecting really cheap prices, as the malls in this area are top-shelf.
That said, you don’t have to go to a large mall to shop, as the street is full of countless stalls where you can buy anything. The quality may not be the same as in malls, but the prices are reasonable compared to Patpong.
Among the shopping centers, we recommend two: Terminal 21 and Emporium. Terminal 21 looks like an airport terminal, but inside it’s like a trip around the world, with themed floors including Paris, Istanbul and San Francisco. Emporium is undoubtedly a luxury shopping center, as evidenced by all the expensive brands.
Visit the Spa in Sukhumvit
In addition to countless bars, Sukhumvit certainly has no shortage of spas! The main street and its neighbors are full of massage parlors that may be associated more with the sex trade, but these are not the only types of massage services you will find here. There are also many luxury SPAs in Sukhumvit, located in elegant buildings with design elements, where a luxurious approach to health, beauty and well-being is the basis, and the facilities will always be clean, professionally managed and friendly to everyone, men and women. In fact, some of the best spas in Bangkok are located around Sukhumvit, and you have plenty of options to choose the type of spa treatments you want. Whether it’s a full body massage, neck and head massage, foot massage, facial massage, aromatherapy, yoga classes, or you just want to go somewhere for a nice nap, it’s all possible at the spas in Sukhumvit.
Sois in Sukhumvit, Bangkok
Soi Cowboy in Sukhumvit. © TK Kurikawa / Shutterstock.com
While there are plenty of attractions to see on the main street, Sukhumvit Road is an experience not to be missed. The most famous is Soi Cowboy, although if you don’t want to experience the seedy side of Bangkok you should probably avoid it. This is the famous red light district and there are go-go bars, but overall the atmosphere is quite relaxed. Another famous red light district on Sukhumvit Street in Bangkok is Nana Plaza; It is said to be the greatest sexual complex in the world. However, sois is not only about go-go bars. These streets also have some great restaurants and places to stay, so be sure to check them out. A few of the many worth mentioning are Thong Lo and Soi 11.
Thong Lo (Sukhumvit Soi 55)
View from Octave rooftop bar in Bangkok. © Stephane Bidouze / Shutterstock.com
Officially called Soi Sukhumvit 55, one of Bangkok’s trendiest streets and districts, it is more colloquially known as Thong Lo (or Thong Lor). Recently named Asia’s hippest district, over the past twenty years Thong Lo has transformed from a street known for car showrooms to a street full of luxury boutiques, restaurants, cocktail bars and chic new apartments.
Thanks to its artistic atmosphere, Thong Lo attracts artists from all over the country and tourists from all over the world, and although it is not a district known for its Thai history and culture, the appearance of art and artists is certainly gaining recognition. And then there’s the great food. If you like Japanese cuisine, this is the place to be as it is home to the largest number of Japanese expats and many other types of food are also available in the best restaurants in Bangkok. When the sun sets, Thong Lo becomes one of Bangkok’s main nightlife districts, home to some of the city’s best sky bars such as Octave, high above the city streets on the roof of the Bangkok Marriott Hotel. If you’re looking for the trendiest spots in Bangkok, look no further than Thong Lo!
Sukhumvit Soi 11
You’ve probably already noticed that Sukhumvit Street in Bangkok is one of the best places in the city for a night out. With world-famous alleyways such as Soi Cowboy, Sukhumvit has a seedy and upscale side that includes rooftop bars at international hotels offering some of the best views of the city. Well, at the heart of it all is Soi 11. It’s truly the best place to enjoy Bangkok’s nightlife, no matter what you’re looking for, because Soi Sukhumvit 11 has it all! If you’re looking for a more elegant experience, rooftop bars are worth checking out as they offer not only amazing views of the city, but also partying, great cocktails and, usually, tasty drinks. There are also great cocktail bars on the ground floor, or you can opt for a more casual atmosphere in one of the many sports bars or pubs, which often feature live music. Of course, Soi 11 is also home to some of the city’s most famous nightclubs and great hotels to stay at when your feet have had enough. Be sure to spend a few nights enjoying this mile-long source of fun.
Restaurants in Sukhumvit Bangkok
Sukhumvit Road, one of the city’s main shopping streets, is a great place to stay when visiting Bangkok. There are many hotels along the street, including luxury international chains. It is also home to some of the best restaurants in the city. Prices are typically higher here, but the quality is also likely to be higher. You’ll find restaurants here representing almost all the major cuisines of the world, apart from traditional Thai, and if you’re craving Western food, you’ll find it here too.
Museums in Sukhumvit Bangkok
The Kamthieng House Museum is located right in the middle of all the skyscrapers
Okay, most people don’t go to Sukhumvit Road specifically to visit museums, but if you’re already here and want to escape one of Bangkok’s most crowded streets for a while, museums are a great option. Kamthieng House Museum This is a good example and perhaps one of the few places in this part of the city where you can experience a less Western view of Thai life. This beautiful 19th century Thai teak house is located in the middle of all the skyscrapers, although this was not its original location. The house was moved in pieces from Chiang Mai in 1964 to serve as the headquarters of the Siam Society. It’s a small museum but definitely worth a visit.
Three other museums that offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of Sukhumvit Bangkok are the Thai Pharmaceutical Museum, Center for Creativity and Design Thailand and the National Science Center for Education.
Two Sukhumvit parks
Benchasiri Park (Benjasiri) in Sukhumvit, Bangkok
Two parks on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Street offer another chance to escape.
Benchasiri Park (Benjasiri) is often called the Queen’s Park because it was built in 1992 to celebrate Queen Sirikit’s 60th birthday. Although it is quite small compared to other city parks, what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty. The park, centered around a pond and a fountain that “dances” every day at certain times, also contains excellent examples of Thai sculpture. Benjasiri Park, located next to Phro Phong BTS Station, is easily accessible.
Benjakiti Park is the second park in the Sukhumvit area, although it is a 5-minute walk from Asok BTS/Sukhumvit MRT station. It is much larger than Benjasiri and is a popular place to admire the Bangkok skyline, especially at sunset, when the buildings are reflected in the lake water. The centerpiece of the park is Lake Ratchada, covering most of its 208,000 square meters, and during special festivals and large events, the central fountain becomes the stage for light and music shows. You can also admire the lake by rowing or bicycle boat, or explore its surroundings on foot or by bike.
Ekkamai Sukhumvit Bus Terminal (Eastern Bus Station)
Ekkamai Bus Station
Sukhumvit Street in Bangkok is not only a place for shopping and dining; It is also home to many attractions. However, if you want to leave Bangkok after visiting Sukhumvit, head to the East Bus Station. The property is just a 3-minute walk from Ekkamai BTS BTS Station. Located in the heart of Sukhumvit, this bus station is the perfect place to travel from Bangkok to the beaches of Thailand. The station is a major transport hub for travelers from all over the eastern region of Thailand. Popular destinations include Pattaya, Ko ChangKoh Samet, Trat and Chonburi.
So a visit to Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok is not only about shopping and Western-style dining; If you look a little further afield, you’ll find plenty of attractions, including museums and parks. Once you’ve explored the area, be sure to stay in Sukhumvit until late in the evening, as that’s when the city really comes alive.