Major Areas in Bangkok

Sukumvit: Urbane and sophisticated, buzzing Sukhumvit Road offers a popular alternative to spiritual Bangkok. Stretching east to west from central Bangkok to the suburbs, it begins where Ploenchit Road ends (Ratchaprasong junction) and continues all the way out of the capital and beyond. The longest road in Thailand, both it and its many adjoining 'sois' (roads) are poor on traditional tourist attractions but rich in of-the-minute shopping, eating and nightlife. While there are touches of 'Thai-ness' on every corner, the many fashionable restaurants, bars, air-conditioned malls, luxury hotels and hip clubs give the area a distinctly modern, cosmopolitan, aspirational flavour.Small immigrant populations, a large expat community and many tourists, means foreigners of all descriptions are especially well catered for when it comes to things to see and do here, day or night. And yet the bustle of the streets - especially the abundant pavement vendors and snarled traffic - still offers the relentless sensory bombardment that is so typically Bangkok.Some of the city's most sinful spots, red-light districts Nana Plaza (Soi 4) and Soi Cowboy (off Soi 23) are also found here. And little, stress-busting pockets of calm can be found in the sweet cafes, atmospheric restaurants and lush day spas that hide down many of its sois.Making exploring its daunting options and overcoming its staggering length incredibly easy is the elevated Skytrain (BTS) that stretches along most of it.

Riverside: Bangkok's riverside is where its historic roots lie; the traditional heartland of this magical city with origins that read like an epic novel - complete with fallen and rising Kingdoms, heroes and traitors. One of the most fascinating and scenic areas of Bangkok, the riverside reflects a constantly changing scene day and night; water-taxis ferrying commuters and heavily laden rice barges chugging upstream, set against a backdrop of glittering temples and palaces, historical landmarks and luxury, five-star hotels. Despite some condominiums and corporate towers that have risen from the river banks over the past decade or so, the area has retained its unique identity, exclusiveness and seductive charm.Bangkok became the capital of Thailand in the tumultuous years following the Burmese sacking of the former Siamese capital of Ayutthaya in 1767. Originally established on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River (known as Thonburi), the capital was later moved to the eastern side (Old City or Rattanakosin). As a result, the Thonburi side is much less developed. A series of 'khlongs' (canals) branch off into local neighborhoods where communities still live above the water, and where life takes place on the waterline. On the other side, too, many of the 'khlongs' that formerly formed a major transportation network still exist - the reason Bangkok was dubbed 'The Venice of the East' by early explorers. Even today it is still possible to catch a water taxi from the center of the city to the riverside.Flowing south from the highlands on the country's northern border to the Gulf of Thailand near Bangkok, the Chao Phraya River - or 'River of Kings' - is some 365 km (225 miles) long and is Thailand's principal river. Throughout many centuries is has been both the country's and city's lifeblood, used for transportation, agriculture and providing in the day-to-day needs and livelihood of the people living along the water's edge. There are several islands in the Chao Phraya too, most notably Ko Kret, home to the minority Mon community who are renowned for their pottery skills, and believed to have been the first inhabitants of the Bangkok area.During the day, the riverside offers plentiful exciting exploration opportunities and, by night, a romantic dinner cruise along the river with its many beautifully illuminated historical highlights rates among one of the most memorable experiences you can possibly have in Bangkok.

Siam: Siam is unquestionably the centre of shopping in Bangkok, home to some of the city's most popular and important shopping centers like MBK Center, Siam Discovery Center, Siam Center, and Siam Paragon. Within Siam Square itself, there is a wide range of shops and services, including restaurants, caf-s, designer clothing boutiques, record stores, cinemas, bookshops, a Hard Rock Caf-, hotels and banks. The shoppers vary from young-aged school and college students to office workers, trend-setting city dwellers and, of course, throngs of tourists.Almost all forms of entertainment can be had here. Modern cinemas, bowling and karaoke facilities are usually open until late. Many types of restaurants can be found in the area, serving a selection of cuisine from all the corners of the globe. People-watching is a favourite activity in the area, and especially the open-air area between Siam Centre and Siam Discovery is very popular for promotions, events, and seasonal beer gardens. If you want to be seen, or see who's who, head straight to Siam... Just take lots of patience along, because the area can get very crowdy and busy, especially during peak hours and at the end of the month.

Silom: 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.

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.Eager to connect to Siam Square, surrounding businesses sought to make connections to the area, including an air-conditioned pedestrian overpass from MBK Center, and the elevated skywalk connecting the Skytrain (BTS) station at Siam to CentralWorld and Gaysorn. Siam is also the starting point of Bangkok's unofficial shopping 'high' street, which stretches all the way past Ploenchit and down Sukhumvit Road to the Emporium. The Siam BTS station is also the main station, where the Sukhumvit and Silom lines meet. This in itself makes the area a beehive of activity with thousands of people either coming or going, and a gateway to the rest of the city.

China town: Chinatown is a colourful, exotic and busy area, packed with market stalls and probably the greatest concentration of gold shops in the city. The Chinese community, relocated here from Rattanakosin (Old City) in the 1700's, still continue their own traditions and religious practices, and the area is quite unlike the rest of Bangkok. Relatively untouched by modern development - and despite being always crowded, hot and exhausting - it's an experience not to miss. The main road, Yaowarat Road, (appropriately) follows the curve of a dragon's body, making it an ideal location for business. And business is doing very well, thank you...The Chinese community in Bangkok, descendants of early traders, have been living in Thailand for generations, and generally consider themselves very much as Thais; most can no longer speak any Chinese. The area has a somewhat seedy historical reputation for large numbers of opium dens, brothels, pawnshops and a fondness for gambling that used to prevail.Today, gold shops and pawnshops are still very popular in Chinatown, and can be found almost anywhere and everywhere. Drug dealing, prostitution and gambling (all now illegal in Thailand) are also still thought to be widespread in this area - although they are not likely to be very noticeable to the average visitor. So don't expect to see any go-go bars in Chinatown! What you will find are beautiful Chinese temples, Taoist places of learning and traditional Chinese medicine shops selling all sorts of fascinating remedies. The small alleys and streets between Yaowarat Road and the Chao Phraya River are crammed with market stalls and small shops jostling to sell just about everything imaginable; from hair accessories, tea sets, hardware and food, to fabric, strange vegetables imported from mainland China and Chinese funeral items.And here you don't buy one or two items - buy a dozen or two! Indeed, Chinatown is a pretty interesting area to visit. With the exception of Wat Traimit (see below), it's not very touristy and you'll find yourself in another world and age altogether.

Chatuchak: The Chatuchak area acquired its name from the large public park of the same name. However, the area is best known for the largest market in Asia, the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Chatuchak also provides a convenient gateway to other areas like Vipawadee Rangsit, Ladprao and Saphankwai with a variety of public transportations such as the Bangkok Skytrain (BTS), the underground (MRT), and countless of bus lines.

Khao San Road: The popular book 'The Beach' famously described Khao San Road as "the centre of the backpacking universe". Judging by the truth-seeking travellers who converge here to shop, exchange tales and prepare for their next stint on the backpacker trail, it's a phrase that sums it up pretty much perfectly. For over twenty years now, this has been the base camp of choice for budget backpackers delving intoThailand and South East Asia.Little wonder, then, that everything they could need or want can be found here. Packed into a straight 1km long strip that spans only a couple of blocks are countless budget guesthouses and hotels, internet cafes, restaurants, massage parlours, travel agents, clubs, bars, bookshops, tailors, chemists, market stalls, tattoo shops and much, much more. So much in fact, that the people, peddlers and party spirit have spilled over into nearby Soi Rambuttri.With its carefree, anything-goes vibe it's quite unlike anywhere else in Bangkok and, probably, the world. In recent years there's been a subtle makeover, an influx of fast-food outlets, swanky bars and mid-range hotels helping the area to shed its shabby image. Only slightly though - it's still got an in-your-face energy that is all its own, and is still the stage for a cast of quirksome characters. Today, so infectious is its atmosphere it's also popular with locals, especially young hipsters and art students. Stay too long though and it may all wear a little thin.

Pratunam: Rising an impressive 88 storeys high, the Baiyoke Sky Hotel is Thailand's tallest building. A distinctive feature of Bangkok's skyline, it also marks the spot for one of the city's all-time, favourite pursuits: Shopping! A scandalous variety of goods are on offer, with something for everyone - no matter how deep or shallow your pocket may be. One of Bangkok's most colourful and chaotic areas, and famously popular for its fashion factory outlets, street markets, bazaars and armies of local vendors, Pratunam offers bargain prices for all kinds of clothing, apparel, fashion accessories, shoes, watches, jewellery, belts, luggage and then some.Cluttered, noisy and hot - but packed with great deals if you have the stamina and patience - it's the major wholesale center for the garment trade. Along with that, Pratunam deserves all the credit that a city of ten million people can afford to clad themselves fashionably...Passing through the area, you will see many shops and vendors along the main roads. But the real activity is in the market hidden behind the stalls and pavement entrepreneurs (Pratunam Market). It's very popular with international traders, particularly visitors from India, the Middle East and Africa.Bargain hunters looking for good deals on computers, accessories and related paraphernalia flock to nearby Pantip Plaza, which is renowned worldwide for low prices and counterfeit software, CDs and DVDs. And just further along is the newly-revamped CentralWorld, reputed to be one of the largest shopping malls in Southeast Asia. A hop and skip beyond that lies the prime shopping grounds of Chidlom-Ploencit and Siam.