Bangkok is one of the main destinations in South East Asia. It is a metropolis that offers great local and international cuisine, an efficient public transport network, excellent hotels, fresh markets, top rated schools and universities and amazing cultural landmarks.
This Capital City has many different type of neighborhoods, with each having their own character that offer a diversity of living environments. From exclusive and trendy to more tranquil and less pricey areas. It is a city that meets the lifestyle needs of different people’s taste.
Fresh Property knows that whilst a wealth of information is available about Bangkok’s prime areas (I.e., Asoke, Phrom Phong, Sathorn or Silom) the city’s suburbs get less attention.
This is not the case, because “Outer Bangkok” areas offer a refreshing contrast to the City Center’s busy lifestyle. Bangkok’s suburban neighborhoods are charming with plenty of character and with a vibrant community style.
Outer Bangkok offers areas that should be explored by anyone looking for an authentic local lifestyle.
5 Neighborhoods outside Central Bangkok for property buyers and travellers to explore
1. Huai Khwang
Huai Khwang is a popular residential neighborhood located only a few MRT Stations away from the Rama 9- Ratchada business hub. It is a well-connected location with easy access to other parts of the Central Business District.
Dynamic Huai Khwang includes cultural landmarks such as Siam Niramit Theatre, and the Thailand Cultural Centre, which hosts concerts by the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. The large malls in the area offer fashion chains and cafes, whilst the busy Pracha Rat Bamphen Road is known for its Chinese restaurants, bars and nightclubs,
It is a popular area for office workers and it has developed a unique residential character. The neighborhood is packed with traditional shophouses featuring a large selection of restaurants, eateries and coffee shops. Residents can also pamper themselves by enjoying spas and massage shops located there.
Huai Khwang is most lively in the evenings when professionals return from work, as the area fills-up with street stalls and night markets. There is also an active and friendly nightlife with many trendy bars and clubs, servicing the young professionals that the neighborhood attracts.
The area has the advantage of being near the heart of Ratchada (MRT Thailand Cultural Center) which is an entertainment and leisure hotspot. Residents of Huai Khwang can enjoy numerous shopping malls located in Ratchada such as Esplanade Ratchada, The Street Ratchada and the Ratchada Night Market.
2. Ladprao (or Lad Phrao)
Ladprao is an appealing residential neighborhood popular with Bangkok’s middle-class families. It is a connected area that thanks to the BTS Skytrain and MRT Underground interchange, residents can connect to both mass transit networks and access different parts of the city with ease.
This is a quiet suburb and home to a temple with golden Buddha statues surrounded by ornate pillars and mirror-tiled ceilings. It is an up-and-coming area with a great dining scene, with redeveloped canals and trendy cafes and restaurants with a terrace.
Ladprao Wanghin Road has numerous simple noodle shops. The Huamum night market sells great local food, clothing, and many other items. It is a great place to explore.
It is rapidly developing and it offers a convenient lifestyle with numerous malls such as CentralPlaza Ladprao and Union Mall. These malls are a great for local residents to shop, stock-up on groceries and relax.
Ladprao’s appeal as a residential area, means it is full of numerous leisure and lifestyle venues. This includes a selection of restaurants offering a range of cuisines, coffee shops and bars catering to the local community.
The neighborhood is also famous for being the host of Southeast Asia’s biggest open-air market, the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market. The market is packed with vendors selling a range of products from food items, clothes, furniture to electronic accessories and much more.
Ladprao has a great balance between fast-paced modern lifestyle and relaxed suburban community living.
3. Thonburi
Thonburi is a charming residential neighborhood west of the Chao Phraya River. This ever-developing area is home to the iconic Wat Arun Temple, local villages and markets, captivating museums, and waterways (Khlongs) where long-tail boats cruise up-and-down. Many locals still use the canals as streets. There are floating vendors selling food and fruits. It is a fascinating area that offers a peaceful and relaxed lifestyle.
Residents can commute to central areas such as Silom and Sathorn with relative ease, either via BTS, MRT, ferry or via the motorway network.
Thonburi is an old and traditional part of Bangkok. The neighborhood was temporarily “left behind” during the city’s early urban transformation. However, things are changing fast and the area is now positioning itself as trendy hotspot.
The reason behind its transformation is the influx of professionals attracted to it due to the cheaper cost of living and the price of housing options.
Thonburi is rapidly gentrifying and residents of the neighborhood can enjoy numerous attractions such as the luxury mall ICONSIAM. There are also several great hangouts such as The Jam Factory, a trendy arts center, craft shops and restaurants, or Lhong 1919, a mixed-use leisure complex. These are only a few of the many great spots that have been sprouting throughout Thonburi.
4. Udom Suk (or Udomsuk)
Udom Suk, located in eastern Bangkok, is a neighbourhood that has flourished in recent years thanks to the opening of the Udom Suk BTS Skytrain station. Residents can reach Central Bangkok in 15-20 minutes by Skytrain.
It is mainly a residential area, with a large number of condos and a range of old and newly built houses. It has become popular with Westerners who are looking to live in an authentically Thai neighbourhood.
A good number of international schools and universities can be found in the area, which has attracted both Thai and expat residents.
The One Udomsuk is a large shopping mall complex with many dining options, including international and local restaurants, shops and spas. It is located on soi 103, and is a popular place to visit during weeknights and weekends for Thais and Foreigners.
Udom Suk is a quiet residential neighborhood far from the tourist attractions of Central Bangkok. The area is very popular with working professionals and families due to the low-cost of living and the large selection of affordable condos and houses.
The area offers numerous street stalls and markets, and local eateries serving a range of traditional-styled Thai foods.
Udom Suk offers modern conveniences, as it is located only 1 BTS station away from Punnawithi, where the large mixed-use shopping complex “Whizdom 101” is located. It is also in close proximity to Bangna, another residential neighborhood that hosts large shopping malls such as CentralPlaza Bangna and Mega Bangna.
5. Ari
Ari is located in North Bangkok and it is serviced by the Light Green BTS Line (BTS Ari Station). This gives it direct access to the Siam leisure and retail hub. Road users can also quickly connect to the expressway and travel to the other parts of Bangkok.
This neighbourhood transformed in the last few years into one of Bangkok’s trendiest residential areas. It offers a range of modern condos, beautiful houses with large gardens, and chic bars, cafes, restaurants and shops.
Ari has a large number of expats as well as many young Thai professionals that have moved there or have been in the area for generations.
La Villa is a vibrant shopping centre, where area residents go to for groceries shopping and to check out boutiques and specialty shops.
A number of Western-style bars and restaurants have opened in the neighbourhood, attracting many new residents. Also, many of the tree lined streets make Ari a very pleasant area to live that with a lively atmosphere.
The neighborhood is popular with Bangkok’s affluent middle-class, and its network of sois offer many choices for eating, drink and relax. The area is also famous for its nightlife and it features some of the Capital’s coolest bars and entertainment spots.
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