Come to Sukhumvit and Thonglor for: Shopping, malls, cinemas, restaurants, bars, pubs, hostess clubs, hotels, clubs, go-go bars and great hotels
Get to know Sukhumvit Road
Stretching east to west from central Bangkok to the suburbs, the traffic-clogged Sukhumvit Road begins to the west where Ploenchit Road ends and continues all the way out of the capital. The longest road in Thailand, its adjoining 'sois' (roads) are low on traditional tourist attractions, but abundant in nightlife and shopping options.
Fashionable restaurants, countless bars, modern malls, luxury hotels and many hip clubs give it a distinctly cosmopolitan flavour. Having said that, the bustle of the streets - an abundance of pavement vendors and snarled traffic especially - still give you the relentless sensory bombardment that is so Bangkok. Some of the city's most sinful spots, red-light districts Nana Plaza (Soi 4) and Soi Cowboy (off Soi 23) are also here. Making exploring its daunting options and overcoming its staggering length all the easier is the elevated Skytrain (BTS), which stretches along most of it.
Bon appetit!
While there are touches of Thai-ness on every corner, the area has a definite cool cosmopolitan feel. Small immigrant populations, a large expat community, and many tourist hotels are the main reason, and means foreigners of all description are especially well served when it comes to things to see and do here, come dusk.
The huge variety of cuisines available is a wonderful testament to this diversity. Great places for dinner, Sukhumvit's restaurants include Lebanese, Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese, European, Japanese, Mexican and Indian cuisines. You get the idea - every form of gastronomy worth its salt is available. Soi 3, known as Little Arabia, is especially good for Middle Eastern bites followed by a puff on a 'shisha' (hubbly bubbly pipe), while Japanese restaurants congregate in Little Japan, near Soi 33 and the adjacent Soi 24. Prices range from the astoundingly cheap to the staggeringly expensive. Some of the finest street food is also to be had on Sukhumvit's seething streets.
Shopping Fix
That perennial nighttime pursuit, shoppers are well catered for in Sukuhumvit. Small shops sell everything from hair-cuts and antiques to happy-ending massages, and market stalls peddling typical tat line the streets. But there are upmarket shopping experiences too. Near BTS Phrom Phong there's the massive Emporium complex, one of Bangkok's finest and poshest malls. Here you'll find upscale stores (Louis Vuitton, Prada, Greyhound) popular with the hi-so set. On the top floor there's also one of Bangkok's best cinema complexes. And with funky boutique department stores like Playground (Soi 55), the swanky streets of Thonglor - the 'Beverley Hills of Asia' according to the New York Times - are perfect for night shopping.
After Dark Treats
Scattered all across Sukhumvit are countless pubs and bars, many of them very popular with the expat community. Most are either American style bar or European watering holes, with the selection of beers and comfort foods reflecting that. They close between midnight and 02:00, and many offer live music and pool tables.
Discerning clubbers flock to Sukhumvit's Sois, where clubs with world-class DJ's and futuristic interiors like Bed Supperclub (Soi 11), Q Bar (Soi 11) and Glow regularly pack them in. Those eager for Thai style clubbing with the fresh-faced nouveau riche should head a little further out to the voguish Sois of Thonglor (Soi 55) and Ekkamai (Soi 63). Clubs like Santika and Escobar, pump with hip-hop and overflow with 'look at me' attitude.
Sukhumvit is also home to more than its fair share of girls, but not the kind you'd rush home to introduce to your mother. Both Nana Plaza (Soi 4) and Soi Cowboy (off Soi 21, BTS Asok) seem to inspire loathing and loving in equal measure - depending on what your view is on the unstoppable Go-Go scene. Soi 33 is packed with more upscale hostess bars.
Where to Stay
With such a wide offering and the Skytrain covering most of it, Sukhumvit Road also boast some of the city's most popular hotels. Have a look at these great deals!
