Who would have thought that an empty, swamp-like field with a tall 'silom' (windmill) stuck in the middle would somehow become Bangkok's equivalent to New York's Wall Street? Today, Silom (by day anyway) is undoubtedly one of the city's most important financial districts with many bank headquarters, financial institutions and office buildings. Fine hotels, smaller type malls and great restaurants abound in the area too - and then of course there's the infamous nightlife scene of Patpong.
It is no wonder that Bangkok's two most sophisticated mass transportation systems - the Skytrain (BTS) and underground - both have Silom connections, which are also conveniently connected by the walkway between MRT Silom and BTS Sala Daeng stations. Siam, Chidlom, Ploenchit, Sathorn, and the riverside are all located close to Silom, usually only a few BTS stations away.
People Watching, Shopping & Nightlife
What makes Silom unique though is the interesting mix of people who roam the streets, and a quite different 'day crowd' to an 'after dark' crowd too. Silom is one of the most cosmopolitan areas of Bangkok, and normally ranks very high on most visitors' to-do-lists. And with good reason. Patpong has after all been featured in a James Bond chase, and in a scene of the hippie cult movie 'The Beach'.
Apart from the famous Patpong Night Market and go-go scene, Silom is also home to a smattering of gay or gay-friendly venues, making it the city's 'rainbow hub'. Day or (especially) night, the streets of Silom provide endless entertainment and amusement, from blind singers and 'katoeys' to pavement and alley vendors selling pretty much anything you can imagine, legit or not, authentic or replicated. |
