The Best Areas to Rent in Bangkok

Where should you rent in Bangkok?

What areas offer the most comfortable lifestyle?

Bangkok is a metropolis and this can make the city overwhelming and confusing for newcomers.

There are hundreds of neighborhoods in the city, with each offering a different character and unique living environments.

Fortunately, Bangkok’s urban development has revolved around a few specific zones within the city. These popular districts sometimes referred to as the Central Business District (CBD) are business areas with balanced residential , leisure and entertainment elements.

Bangkok’s residents tend to “live, work and play” primarily in these 4 main zones:

Sukhumvit
Silom and Sathorn
Wireless and Lumpini
Rama 9 and Ratchada

This article provides the lifestyle and characteristics of each zone and offer insights into the different neighborhoods within these areas.

Sukhumvit
(Nana to On Nut)

Sukhumvit is probably one of the most popular parts of Bangkok, named after “Sukhumvit Road”, a major road that connects Lower Sukhumvit (Nana) all the way to Samut Prakan Province in East Bangkok. It is one of the largest roads in Thailand.

The area is extremely convenient for commuters due to the presence of the BTS Skytrain that runs along “Sukhumvit Road”. Sukhumvit’s appeal is largely because of the pleasant work-life balance it offers to potential residents. There are business and office areas complemented by a vast range of leisure and entertainment venues.

Sukhumvit offers a variety of lifestyles and residential options that suits a wide range of rental budgets.

Neighborhoods in Sukhumvit

Nana

Nana is predominantly known for its eclectic and risqué nightlife. It is also a popular residential neighborhood due to the wide choice of comfortable residential condos available.

Asoke

Asoke is Sukhumvit’s business and commercial neighborhood, with Sukhumvit 21 hosting a cluster of office towers, making the area particularly packed with working professionals on weekdays.

Phrom Phong

Phrom Phong has consolidated its position as Sukhumvit’s retail and leisure destination. The area hosts two luxury malls including Emporium and Emquartier making it a popular social hotspot. It is also an area that both Thais and Expats like to live in.

Thonglor and Ekkamai

Although two separate neighbourhoods, Thonglor and Ekkamai both offer similar living environments with a classy nightlife and desirable lifestyle.

Both areas offer a range of quality housing options and a pleasant living experience with trendy restaurants, independent cafes and good supermarkets.

Phra Khanong and On Nut

These two neighbourhoods are usually popular commuter hubs with many of Sukhumvit’s working professionals living in either Phra Khanong or On Nut. The popularity of these two areas stems from the affordable housing options available, and the many places to eat, drink and super markets.

Silom and Sathorn

Silom and Sathorn are often compared to London’s “City” or New York’s “Wall Street” areas as the district is Bangkok’s financial hub. Numerous financial institutions such as banks, private equity, investment firms and insurance companies have their headquarters located on Sathorn Road.

Silom and Sathorn are the original “Central Business District” of the Capital and its atmosphere of “establishment and class” is present in the lifestyle it offers. The neighborhoods are packed with world-class restaurants, trendy bars, hip clubs and popular eateries.

Neighborhoods in Silom and Sathorn

Silom (BTS Station Saladaeng)

Silom offers an “old world” and “retro chic” living environment. The area is a deep contrast between old fashioned shop houses peppered with modern restaurants, bars and coffee shops.

The living environment in Silom is fast-paced, offering residents a many choices for entertainment, dining and leisure.

Chong Nonsi

Chong Nonsi offers a contemporary lifestyle and the area is famous for its iconic skyline. The neighborhood is affluent and exclusive, usually catering to professionals working in finance and media.

Surasak

Surasak is a more peaceful and quiet extension of Chong Nonsi. Its proximity to Sathorn Road and the large number of good-value condos, make Surasak a popular residential neighborhood for working professionals.

Wireless and Lumpini

Wireless and Lumpini flow with prestige and glamour. The district is informally known as the “embassy quarters” of Bangkok, with many of the world’s most influential nations having their embassies located in and around Wireless Road.

The neighborhood is packed with large malls including Central Embassy and Central Chidlom, “six star hotels” and a wealth of trendy dining options.

This makes it a particularly affluent and exclusive area where rental prices have increased in recent years.

Neighborhoods in Wireless and Lumpini

Ploenchit

Ploenchit is one of Bangkok’s most exclusive neighborhoods with numerous Embassies located on Wireless Road. The area is affluent and residents can enjoy the luxury mall Central Embassy and a wealth of upscale restaurants and coffee shops.

Chitlom

Chitlom is located very close to Siam and this has made it an appealing residential and luxury retail hotspot. It is also located very close to Lumpini Park, Central Bangkok’s largest green space.

Rama 9 and Ratchada

Rama 9 and Ratchada are the “new kids on the block”, a relative newcomer but a rising star nonetheless.

In the space of the last five years it has transformed into a business and commercial area. Especially with the development of numerous A-grade office towers such as G Tower, Unilever House and AIA Capital Center. As a result of this commercial expansion, its residential environment has gradually developed into a convenient and vibrant rental neighborhood.

Numerous shopping and leisure venues are located there, such as Central Plaza Grand Rama 9, Fortune Town, Esplanade and the famous Ratchada Night Market.

Neighborhoods in Rama 9 and Ratchada

Rama 9

Rama 9 is a newly developed business area that has risen in popularity in recent years. It offers a bustling environment with convenient retail and leisure venues such as Central Plaza Rama 9.

Ratchada (MRT Thailand Cultural Centre)

Ratchada serviced by the MRT Thailand Cultural Centre is another popular residential and commercial area. It is famous for its Ratchada Night Market which is a popular evening hangout spot.