Bangkok is not just a city to visit, but a great place to live in; a cosmopolitan that’s rife with culture, art, and a big expat community. From friendly locals. to amazing cuisine, cultural sights, and a bevy of festivals, you’ll never get bored here. If a move to the city of angels and buying or renting a Bangkok property is on your mind, get to know these 15 best areas to live in Bangkok.

1. Sukhumvit

If you have money to spare, then living in Sukhumvit is the best neighbourhood for you. The area has been declared as the great dame of Bangkok living, where real estate is premium and boasts of being the hub of shopping and nightlife in the city. Sukhumvit is 488km long and considered to be one of the longest roads in the world, where it starts in Bangkok and reaches the border to Cambodia.

When it comes to choosing the area to live in, the central Sukhumvit area is prime – having been likened to the city centres of London, Paris, and New York.

2. Sathorn

Sathorn is the area to see and be seen. It is home to some of Bangkok’s most elite hotels, such as the W Bangkok, Sukhothai, and Banyan Tree among many others. It is close to the Chao Praya River, where majestic temples are a sight to behold on the riverside. Lumpini Park is also nearby, which is a grand outdoor park where you can get your much-needed nature walk amidst the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.

From skyscrapers to upscale Bangkok condos, towering office buildings, Sathorn is a major commercial district that offers the best of both worlds. Amidst the major cosmopolitan vibe are open-air kiosks, and food vendors that inject your dose of authentic Thailand living.

And, with a great nightlife scene, from cocktail bars to nightclubs, and jazz lounges, living in Sathorn has Bangkok’s luxury scene at your doorstep.

3. Silom

Silom is also known as the wall street of Bangkok. It is the financial and central business district of the city, where the BTS green line and the MRT blue line meet, offering easy connectivity to and from the rest of Bangkok. While being the hub of the city’s economy, Silom is the proud home of Lumpini Park, the 57.6-hectare park filled with walkways, ponds, and lush greenery. 

As if these highlights weren’t enough to attract businessmen, executives, and young professionals to the area, Silom is also home to the oldest red-light district in the city, which is Patpong. And if a fancier night out is what you’re looking for, the Sky Bar at the Lebua State Tower certainly won’t disappoint.

4. Asok

Dubbed as the most convenient area and a famous meet-up point in Bangkok, Asok is the area where everywhere else in the city is a stone’s throw away. From an outdoor park to a convention centre, to a red-light district, Asok has it all.

It is home to the Makkasan Airport Link, which brings you to and from the Suvarnabhumi International Airport. With easy connectivity brought about by the BTS station and the underground MRT in the area, getting to and from the rest of the city is incredibly easy.

Among other highlights in the neighbourhood include hip galleries, new shops, Terminal 21 mall, Benja Kitti Park, and Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, where events and fairs are frequently held.

5. Victory Monument

If you’re looking for a neighbourhood that’s not too crowded with tourists but still features direct access to public transportation and a central location, then Victory Monument is your best bet. It is situated on the BTS line, and apartment prices here vary, which means there’s a home for different kinds of budgets.

It is popular with young professional, students, and has a rising expat community. Home to the famous monument situated in the middle of a huge roundabout, Victory Monument is also home to Santiphap Park, which features an attractive small green space for residents to enjoy the outdoors. And if shopping is near and dear to you, the area is also home to a busy street market that’s teeming with incredible finds and essentials.

6. Phrom Phong

Phrom Phong is the new exclusive neighbourhood that’s trendy and upscale. Known to be a favourite hangout area for the wives of rich Thai and Japanese men, it is home to two of Bangkok’s most luxurious malls, which are Emporium and EmQuartier malls. You can also find luxury brands in this neighbourhood, such as Cartier, Dior, Chanel, and Tiffany and Co. 

From luxury malls to bespoke tailoring shops, speakeasies, high-end restaurants, this trendy area is famous for Thailand’s new set of nouveau rich. The Thailand Creative and Designer Center has an impressive children’s section, where most wealthy families bring their children.

If you fancy a place where you get to rub shoulders with Bangkok’s elite, then Phrom Phong is the place for you.

7. Ekkamai

The best area to party on a Friday night, Ekkamai is definitely for the partyphile who wants to live it up. It is an upmarket neighbourhood and home to many wealthy Thai families, but also home to an artsy, diverse, and relatively suburban area where quiet streets are lined with trees.

With a juxtaposition of both cosmopolitan and suburban atmospheres, Ekkamai is perfect for families with adults who want to party on the weekends. Plenty of young entrepreneurs call this area home. Businesses include start-ups, galleries, hip restaurants and bars, cafes, and nightclubs that bring traffic to the area on Friday and Saturday nights.

8. Ari

And speaking of artsy types, Ari is a hip and happening neighbourhood where expats can still enjoy an authentic Thai neighbourhood while situated in the heart of the city. Ari is located on the BTS line, making it convenient to get to the rest of Bangkok. Once you get off the BTS line, you will be greeted with artsy murals every few meters, as well as authentic Thai restaurants that have been around for generations.

Home to young creatives, established businesses, and excellent restaurants, it is a fantastic suburban neighbourhood that’s much quieter, cleaner, and greener than other central areas of the city. Residents get to enjoy what Bangkok has to offer but without the fast-paced lifestyle of other areas.

9. Phloen Chit

Phloen Chit is close to Wireless Road, which is home to a large number of embassies in the city. Which can explain the increasing number of expats who live here, who either work for the embassies or who simply want to be near the offices. Though not exactly a hip and happening neighbourhood, it does have some of the most spacious roads in Bangkok, which is convenient in and of itself in the city with the world’s worst traffic.

Because of its burgeoning expat community, you can find a plethora of coffee shops and restaurants in the area. It is also home to the Central Embassy shopping mall. Apartments here can get expensive, though, but they’re definitely worth it for being a less crowded neighbourhood that’s close to to several embassies.

10. Phra Khanong

With a great sense of community, Phra Khanong offers mid-range to high-end apartments. It is quite off-the-radar, which means there are fewer crowds and tourists in the area, perfect for anyone who’s looking for a more peaceful neighbourhood to live in without sacrificing modern comforts. 

It is home to the W District Market, which is a large, outdoor communal area defined as an artsy beer garden, surrounded by small shops and food stalls.

Phra Nong is also home to a distinct nightlife scene, as well as plenty of art spaces.

11. Thonglor

An upmarket neighbourhood that’s home to plenty of expats and locals, it is a favourite of many city professionals, as well. One of the trendiest and hippest areas for the rich and famous, it is packed with gourmet restaurants, boutique shops, craft coffee shops, themed cocktail bars, and a favourite nighttime hangout neighbourhood.

It is home to the COMMONS, which feature a range of food stalls, cafes, and live music entertainment all throughout the day.

12. Huai Kwang

Huai Kwang may not be the prettiest neighbourhood of Bangkok, but it sure does offer a great area to live in. Its central location makes it easy for residents to reach both of the city’s airports, which are the Don Muang and the Suvarnabhumi airports. And given the heavy traffic in the city, its location is definitely its top draw, as well as being home to one of the most visited shrines in the city.

The shine is home to Ganesha, a Hindu god believed to be the god of wisdom, wealth, accomplishment, and the remover of obstacles, Aside from these highlights, it is also home to 24-hour streetside restaurants mostly offering authentic Thai cuisine. Furthermore, the area features an impressive night market, perfect for anyone who loves to shop away from the busy night markets that proliferate in other areas of Bangkok.

13. On Nut

On Nut is an area in Bangkok that gives off a homey atmosphere with a strong community vibe. It has been likened to lower Sukhumvit, but with cheaper rent. The neighbourhood has all kinds of accommodations, from high rise condominiums to low rise, to townhouses, and block apartments, it has it all. This makes On Nut attractive to a diverse set of expats and locals who wish to live in cheaper accommodation but still stay close to the centre of Bangkok.

A growing number of artsy and creative young professionals live here, where peace and quiet still exist. There’s food in every corner, making it a great place for all kinds of income earners. Additionally, On Nut is home to a couple of shopping malls, and features direct access to public transportation. It is the neighbourhood of choice for those who want to feel at home but also have the cosmopolitan feel a stone’s throw away.

14. Praram 9

The BTS and the MRT stations intersect here, and this means Praram 9 offers easy and fast connectivity within Bangkok. Home to a good number of malls, such as the Big C mall, the Central Plaza Grand, Fortune Town Mall, and Esplanade, residents in the area won’t have to travel far to be able to refill their supplies as well as get their retail fix. It is also home to a good hospital, which is the Praram 9 Hospital, and a good range of home accommodations are well within budget, plus a few high-end places for discerning residents.

Praram 9 has nothing grand or unique to offer, but if you want to live in an area where everything you need is at your doorstep, then this place is the most ideal for you.

15. Udom Suk

And last, but not least is Udom Suk, a neighbourhood where wellness is placed on a pedestal. It is home to the Bangkok Float Center and massage shops are on every corner. It is also near to the BITEC (Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center) where global conventions and events are held on a regular basis.

Popular with expats, itis only about 20 minutes from the Suvarnabhumi Airport. Rent is much cheaper in this neighbourhood, where modern living is mixed with an authentic Thai atmosphere.

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From hip and happening neighbourhoods where the rich and famous of Bangkok have set up homes, to off-the-radar areas that offer authentic community spirit, Bangkok has great neighbourhoods that meet different needs and preferences for both expats and locals.

Check out our list of most popular areas to live in Bangkok.