Thailand's 'Wall Street' is by day a place of financial institutions, law firms and multinational corporations. By night however, Silom slips out of its suit, transforming into a bustling shopping street and frenetically paced hedonist's playground. Alongside a cramped but creatively stocked night market (think bootleg DVDs, tourist trinkets, T-shirts, fake watches), sit some of the city's most renowned and raucous streets, namely red-light district Patpong, Soi 2 and Soi 4.
From Live Soccer to Live Sleaze
With its great selection of pubs, clubs and bars, Silom rarely disappoints the party crowd. Fancy sipping a Guinness while watching the latest football match beamed live from Europe? Make your way to Molly Malone's Irish Pub (formerly The Irish X Change) in Soi Convent, or O'Reillys right underneath the Sala Daeng BTS station. Want to experience Silom's sleazier side? Head to world-renowned sex-district (and home of genital gymnastics) Patpong, where you'll find a procession of tightly packed go-go bars, touts flashing explicit menus, and promises of racy memories if only you follow them upstairs (read our Patpong Revealed feature for more insight and ideas).
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Or perhaps you fancy more trendy, more wholesome? Then seek out one of the clubs with live bands or beat-spinning DJs strung along Patpong Road. These get very busy around midnight, and include Radio City, Twilo, Funky Dojos and Lucifers. Nearby Silom Soi 4 - something of an age-old institution among long-time Bangkok revellers - is also home to a few clubs pushing pulsating beats, including the grotto-like house music club, Tapas, and hip-hop den Luminous (go to Silom clubs for a listing of all venues).
Gay Silom: Pink Appeal
The gay community and visitors also find their feet here. Silom - especially Soi 2, Soi 4 and nearby Suriwong Road - is considered one of Bangkok's most gay-friendly stomping grounds. Rainbow boys come to flirt (and, yes, occasionally pick-up) at legendary gay bars like Balcony Bar and Telephone Pub, ogle dream boys at the gay go-go bars off Suriwong, or dance into the small hours at full-on gay clubs like G.O.D. and DJ Station.
Silom is conveniently accessible with the BTS (Sala Daeng station) and MRT (Silom station).
Learn More About Silom: Shopping, Where to Eat, What to See & Do, Getting Around
Learn more about Nightlife Areas:Sukhumvit,Ratchada and RCA, Khao San Road, Siam Square, Chidlom-Ploenchit |
