Nana And Asoke – Lower Sukhumvit

Stretching from the start of Sukhumvit Road to Asok Station is Lower Sukhumvit, one of Bangkok’s most popular business and nightlife districts. Home to a wide range of markets, restaurants and some of the city’s most popular nightlife, Lower Sukhumvit is a mix of work and play.

Sukhumvit Dusk © Null0

🔍 Why Visit Lower Sukhumvit?

Lower Sukhumvit is the centre of Bangkok nightlife – Sukhumvit Soi 11 has some of Bangkok’s most famous nightclubs, while Soi Nana (aka Sukhumvit Soi 4) and Soi Cowboy at Asoke intersection are two of the city’s infamous red light districts. By day Lower Sukhumvit is a bustling mix of shopping centres and street stalls.

Lower Sukhumvit is easily accessible from the Sukhumvit Line of the BTS Skytrain and the MRT Blue Line. A wide range of hotels can be found along Lower Sukhumvit, making it a convenient part of the city to stay in.

Exploring the neon lights of Sukhumvit requires the perfect balance of style and comfort. Before you head out, check out my Thailand packing tips. I’ll help you decide which clothes to bring for the clubs and what useful tech will keep you connected during a night on the town.

🏮 Things To See And Do In Lower Sukhumvit

Lake Ratchada Skyline © Mark Fischer

Attraction	What To Expect
🎉 Sukhumvit Soi 11 Party Zone	Sukhumvit Soi 11 is one of Bangkok’s most popular party zones, and once the sun goes down a variety of nightclubs, pubs and roadside bars open for business. A fun place to enjoy a night out if you’re staying in the Nana/Asok area. Jump down the page for our rundown of Sukhumvit 11’s best clubs and bars.
🟠 Nana Plaza / Soi Cowboy	Lower Sukhumvit is home to two of Bangkok’s most infamous red light districts, which offer a surprisingly fun sightseeing experience. Nana Plaza is the more chaotic and seedy of the two, while Soi Cowboy offers a Blade Runner-style neon light experience that’s definitely unforgettable.
🏪 Terminal 21	Located beside BTS Asok, Terminal 21 is one of Bangkok’s newer shopping malls. Unlike the giant malls at Siam, Terminal 21 is mostly made up of smaller boutiques offering local fashion, cool accessories and other unique products. Accessible via BTS Asok or MRT Sukhumvit.

Attraction	What To Expect
🌳 Benjakitti Park and Forest Park	Now Bangkok’s largest park at 48 hectares, Benjakitti got a major upgrade with the opening of the Benjakitti Forest Park extension in 2022. The original park still has the large Lake Ratchada with its running and cycling circuit and city skyline views, but the real draw now is the forest extension – a wetland park built on the former Tobacco Authority of Thailand site. Highlights include elevated skywalks above the wetlands, mangrove and freshwater swamp forest areas, and cycling trails that connect all the way to Lumpini Park via an elevated Green Bridge. Reachable from BTS Asoke or MRT Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (the closer option for the forest section).
🌅 Sukhumvit-Nana Night Market	As the sun starts to set, stalls selling everything from bootleg designer clothing to travel accessories pop up along Sukhumvit Road. If you’re here to shop, be prepared to haggle – most merchants will offer initial prices at least 50% above what they should be.
👔 Tailored Clothing	Lower Sukhumvit has some of Bangkok’s best tailors. As a general rule, ignore touts outside offering deals too good to be true (two suits, five shirts and a waistcoat for $250, for example). Good options include Rajawongse Clothier (near Sukhumvit Soi 4 — favoured by embassy staff and executives, men’s suits from 12,000 baht) and Tailor on Ten (in a beautiful old Thai house, bespoke 100% wool suits from 16,500 baht).
💆 Thai Massage	Lower Sukhumvit is full of Thai massage shops, not all of which are aimed at a reputable clientele. Visit Health Land Asoke on Sukhumvit Soi 21 (right behind Terminal 21) for a variety of legit, refreshing massage and spa treatments.
🥊 Muay Thai Classes	Feel like learning Muay Thai – Thailand’s national sport? Bangkok Fight Club on Sukhumvit Soi 21 (opposite Rutnin Eye Hospital) offers Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other fighting styles for newbies and experienced fighters alike.

🍕 Places to Eat in Lower Sukhumvit

Roast Duck w/ Fried Egg w/ Rice © Mikhail Esteves

🍕 Sukhumvit Soi 11 Restaurants

As well as serving as Lower Sukhumvit’s party hotspot, Soi 11 is packed with great places to eat, ranging from street food to high-end dining. Some of Soi 11’s best restaurants include:

Restaurant	About
Rosabieng – Thai	Classic Thai dishes from Pad Thai to Tom Yum Goong. Train sets and live music give it an interesting ambience, while the simple but tasty food makes it a great option for Thai dining on Soi 11.
Charlie Brown’s Mexican – Mexican, Sukhumvit Soi 19	A long-running Bangkok favourite for Mexican food, Charlie Brown’s serves classic dishes from burritos to fajitas, plus great cocktails. Easy to reach from BTS Asok.
Limoncello – Italian	A Soi 11 favourite serving great Italian dishes and some of the best pizzas in Bangkok. Great wine selection and classic Italian desserts.
Chez Papé – French	Traditional French food from two chefs, one from Lyon and one from Bordeaux. Classic French favourites backed up by a great wine selection.

🍕 More Places To Eat on Lower Sukhumvit

Restaurant	About
Na Aroon at Ariyasom Villa – Vegetarian Thai	Delicious vegetarian food in a classic 1940s setting. Serves vegetarian and organic versions of classic Thai food, with some seafood dishes also available. Located on the ground floor of Ariyasom Villa Boutique Hotel.
Sukhumvit Soi 3 and 3/1 – Arab/Middle Eastern	Step onto Sukhumvit Soi 3/1 and you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to Beirut. Home to most of Bangkok’s Middle Eastern restaurants – great for a cheap, tasty shawarma after a fun night out.
Dosa King – Indian Vegetarian	Authentic vegetarian North and South Indian food on Sukhumvit Soi 11/1, a short walk from BTS Nana. A great place for lovers of Indian food with a diverse menu that’s sure to include dishes you haven’t tried before.
Cabbages and Condoms – Thai	Great Thai food for a good cause – the restaurant raises funds for Thailand’s Population and Community Development Association. Good food, good karma.
New York Steakhouse – Steakhouse (JW Marriott Hotel)	Great beef is often hard to come by in Bangkok, but the New York Steak House in the JW Marriott delivers. Choose from a variety of large, juicy steaks – with price tags to match.
Suda – Thai, Sukhumvit Soi 14	Classic Thai food in an open-air setting. Wide range of Thai dishes at low prices, making it a great stop for a quick meal around Asok. Walk down Soi 14 a little – you’ll spot it by the crowds.
Bei Otto – German (now Sukhumvit Soi 49, Thong Lo)	Bangkok’s long-running German institution closed its famous Soi 20 Bavarian beer house in September 2021 after 37 years, relocating to Sukhumvit Soi 49. Same menu of rostbratwurst, schnitzel and cold cuts, now in a more modern setting.
Pala Pizza Romana – Italian	Located underneath the skybridge connecting MRT Sukhumvit and Terminal 21 – not the most romantic spot, but the authentic Roman-style pizza and pasta dishes are fantastic.
Long Table – Thai Fusion, Column Hotel 25F	Thai-inspired cuisine with one of the best views in the city. Enjoy the fusion menu inside or pop onto the balcony for drinks with a great view of Sukhumvit.
Rang Mahal – Indian, Rembrandt Hotel 26F	From its lavish interior to its fantastic menu, Rang Mahal delivers the ultimate Indian dining experience in Bangkok. The views from the 26th floor of the Rembrandt Hotel are as exquisite as the food.
May Veggie Home – Vegan/Vegetarian	An extensive selection of MSG-free vegetarian and vegan dishes, including meat-free takes on classic Thai food. Located on Ratchadaphisek Road, a short walk from BTS Asok.
Black Swan, The Kiwi, Mulligans and Other Pubs	Lower Sukhumvit has a solid range of sports bars and classic pubs. The Black Swan near BTS Asok does standard British pub fare. The Kiwi in Soi 8 is a New Zealand-themed sports bar popular for rugby. Other good options include Mulligan’s on Soi 11 and Det5 on Soi 8, popular for Thai/Western food and Belgian beer.

🍻 Nightlife in Lower Sukhumvit

Bangkok – Cowboy Soi © VasenkaPhotography

🎉 Sukhumvit Soi 11

Sukhumvit Soi 11 is the capital of Lower Sukhumvit’s nightlife. Home to some of Bangkok’s most popular nightclubs and a wide variety of roadside bars, there’s something on Soi 11 for everyone.

Bar / Club	About
Cheap Charlie’s (Now at Sukhumvit Soi 50, On Nut)	The legendary open-air bar closed its original Soi 11 home in 2017 but reopened near BTS On Nut on Sukhumvit Soi 50. The same eccentric bric-a-brac decor, model train circling overhead, and famously cheap drinks – it’s no longer on your doorstep from Soi 11, but worth the short BTS ride for the novelty.
Levels at ALoft	Step inside the lift outside ALoft Hotel and you’ll be transported to Levels – one of Soi 11’s hottest nightclubs. Attracts a mix of locals, expats and tourists, with one of Bangkok’s few respectable dancefloors.
Oskar Bistro	Equal parts gastropub and ultra-modern bar, Oskar offers an extensive wine list – something of a rarity for Soi 11 – and some of the best cocktails on the street.
Nest – Rooftop bar, Le Fenix Hotel	One of Lower Sukhumvit’s most relaxed rooftop bars. Simple menu of Spanish tapas and Thai classics, but the great atmosphere, good music and fantastic view more than make up for it.
Above Eleven – Rooftop bar, Fraser Suites 33F	Located on the 33rd floor of Fraser Suites with a view that puts you above Sukhumvit Soi 11. Cocktails that aren’t as ludicrously priced as Silom’s rooftop bars – a great choice for a night out.

🟠 Soi Cowboy

Lower Sukhumvit’s second “entertainment zone” – a wild shrine to all things neon located near BTS Asok. The street’s go-go bars are mostly different takes on the same theme, but its amazing neon lighting makes it one of Bangkok’s most iconic nightspots.

🟠 Sukhumvit Soi 4 (Nana Plaza)

Lower Sukhumvit’s seedy nightlife capital. Home to Nana Plaza – one of Bangkok’s three “entertainment zones” – this neon-lit soi is home to hundreds of clubs, go-go bars and other adults-only nightspots.

🕑 Bangkok Nightclubs Open After 2 AM

While most Sukhumvit clubs close their doors at 2 AM, there are several after-hours clubs open until sunrise. Insanity on Sukhumvit Soi 12 is usually open until 4 am – the soundtrack is bass-heavy trance and house, with a mixed crowd arriving after the 2 am closures.

⭐ Best Luxury Hotels in Lower Sukhumvit

Hotel	About
Ad Lib Bangkok – Booking.com | Agoda	Ultra-modern five-star hotel a short walk from BTS Nana, with a fantastic rooftop swimming pool. Despite its proximity to Sukhumvit’s nightlife, Ad Lib is a quiet and relaxing escape from the noise of Lower Sukhumvit.
JW Marriott – Booking.com | Agoda	A huge range of comfortable and luxurious rooms, from standard twins to spacious suites. Located on Sukhumvit Soi 2, convenient for Bangkok’s nightlife and shopping at Ratchaprasong.
The Landmark Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda	Less than two minutes’ walk from BTS Nana, this conveniently located five-star hotel has great dining options and a Fitness First health club – a relaxing escape from the hustle of Sukhumvit Road.
Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit – Booking.com | Agoda	Located between Soi 13 and Soi 15, the Sofitel boasts some of the best hotel facilities in the city. The 9th floor pool and 24-hour fitness centre make it a great place to relax and pamper yourself.
Fraser Suites Sukhumvit – Booking.com | Agoda	Luxurious, spacious serviced apartments on Soi 11, a short walk from Bangkok’s most popular nightspots. Includes a free shuttle service to and from BTS Nana.
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit – Booking.com | Agoda	Connected to BTS Asok by skybridge – ideal for exploring the city. If you prefer to stay in, the hotel’s oasis-style pool and spacious rooms are a great place to unwind.
Grande Centre Point Terminal 21 – Booking.com | Agoda	Located on top of Terminal 21 shopping mall. A convenient location, beautiful views and one of the city’s best swimming pools make it a fantastic place to stay.
The Westin Grande Sukhumvit – Booking.com | Agoda	A short walk from BTS Asok and MRT Sukhumvit. Convenient location near public transport and Lower Sukhumvit’s best restaurants – a comfortable choice for visitors seeking luxury and convenience.
Grand Millennium Sukhumvit – Booking.com | Agoda	Despite its proximity to one of Bangkok’s most notorious nightlife hotspots, the Grand Millennium offers a quiet, peaceful experience. Spacious rooms and suites on Sukhumvit Soi 21.

🏢 Best Mid Range Hotels in Lower Sukhumvit

Hotel	About
Maitria Hotel Sukhumvit 18 – Booking.com | Agoda	Spacious, comfortable serviced apartments on Sukhumvit 18. All apartments include full kitchens – a good choice for visitors seeking the home comforts that other hotels don’t offer.
Four Points by Sheraton – Booking.com | Agoda	A modern four-star hotel on Sukhumvit 18 offering five-star service without the price tag. Spacious, well-equipped rooms and a great pool and terrace area.
Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 – Booking.com | Agoda	Located right in the heart of Soi 11 – great for party goers but far from ideal for families. A great option for solo travellers visiting for a night out.
Ariyasom Villa Sukhumvit 1 – Booking.com | Agoda	A luxurious boutique hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 1, built in 1941 as a family villa. Unlike anything else in Lower Sukhumvit – a great choice for visitors seeking an experience of ‘Old Bangkok’.
Adelphi Suites Sukhumvit – Booking.com | Agoda	A four-star hotel and serviced apartment building with spacious, modern rooms – ideal for long-term visitors. The Monsoon restaurant serves great Thai food, and the outdoor pool offers panoramic views of the Sukhumvit skyline.
Holiday Inn Express Sukhumvit 11 – Booking.com | Agoda	A short walk from Soi 11’s top nightclubs and bars, and a short walk from BTS Nana – a solid, no-fuss option for travellers seeking to enjoy Bangkok’s nightlife.
U Sukhumvit Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda	On the quieter Sukhumvit Soi 15, U Sukhumvit offers a more relaxed experience than the Soi 11 hotels. Modern Thai-style rooms, fitness club, outdoor pool and library/study area.

💰 Best Budget Hotels in Lower Sukhumvit

Hotel	About
The Blocks Hostel – Booking.com | Agoda	Located on Sukhumvit Soi 10, a short walk from Lower Sukhumvit’s nightlife and dining. Four-person dormitory rooms and private rooms at affordable rates.
Studio Sukhumvit 18 – Agoda	Located on Sukhumvit Soi 18, a short walk from BTS Asok, MRT Sukhumvit and Terminal 21. A great choice for budget travellers who want to explore Bangkok.
Petals Inn – Booking.com | Agoda	Despite its somewhat seedy location on Sukhumvit Soi 4, the Petals Inn offers great value for money and clean, cosy rooms with free Wi-Fi. A short walk from BTS Nana.

🚌 Getting to Lower Sukhumvit

How To Get Here	Details
🚌 By BTS Skytrain	Lower Sukhumvit is served by the Sukhumvit Line with two convenient stops. Most of Lower Sukhumvit’s nightlife is near Nana station, while offices and Terminal 21 shopping mall are at Asok station.
🚖 By MRT	The most convenient MRT stop is Sukhumvit station, located beside Terminal 21 and connecting to the BTS at Asok.
⛲ By Khlong Boat	Reaching Sukhumvit by khlong boat along Khlong Saen Saep is possible, albeit not ideal. The express boat stops at Nana Chard and Prasanmit piers, allowing access to Lower Sukhumvit along Sukhumvit Soi 3 and Soi 21 respectively.

🗺️ Bangkok Area Guide

Bangkok has numerous areas of interest to tourists – see our Quick Guides to each Bangkok area to help you get a sense of what you can find in each district.

Area	Nearest BTS / MRT	Known For
Rattanakosin	Sanam Chai MRT	Grand Palace, Wat Po, Bangkok’s historic royal core
Bangkok Riverside	Saphan Taksin BTS	Chao Phraya views, Asiatique, luxury riverside hotels
Khao San Road	Sanam Chai MRT (then walk/taxi)	Backpacker hub, cheap guesthouses, bars, street food
Siam Square / Chit Lom	Siam BTS / Chit Lom BTS	Bangkok’s central shopping district, Siam Paragon, Central World, Erawan Shrine
Lower Sukhumvit – Nana and Asoke	Nana BTS / Asok BTS / Sukhumvit MRT	Hotels, restaurants, nightlife, Terminal 21 mall
Central Sukhumvit – Thonglor and Phrom Phong	Phrom Phong BTS / Thong Lo BTS	Upmarket dining, EmQuartier malls, expat-heavy neighbourhood
Silom and Sathorn	Sala Daeng BTS / Silom MRT / Chong Nonsi BTS	Business district, Patpong, Lumphini Park, rooftop bars
Chatuchak	Mo Chit BTS / Chatuchak Park MRT	Chatuchak Weekend Market – one of the world’s largest
Ari	Ari BTS	Quiet, leafy neighbourhood with good cafes and local restaurants
Victory Monument	Victory Monument BTS	Transport hub, local market food, day-trip minibus terminals
Phaya Thai	Phaya Thai BTS / Airport Rail Link	Airport Rail Link terminus, budget hotels, local market streets
Upper Sukhumvit	On Nut BTS / Udom Suk BTS	Local neighbourhood, good value hotels, expat community
Ratchadaphisek	Thailand Cultural Centre MRT	Train Night Market, local bars, nightlife strip, Esplanade mall