Saphan Khwai, Bangkok: A Quick Guide

Less glitzy than upmarket Ari and less popular than transport hub Mo Chit, Saphan Khwai is one of Bangkok’s most underrated neighbourhoods.

Located close to the north end of the Sukhumvit BTS Line, Saphan Khwai is gentrifying quickly and seems poised to become one of Bangkok’s most fashionable small, “undiscovered” areas in the near future.

From craft beer bars to affordable hotels, Saphan Khwai’s mix of new businesses and old Thai shophouses give the neighbourhood an interesting vibe and make it one of Northern Bangkok’s best neighbourhoods to live in.

Since Saphan Khwai is only one stop from Chatuchak Market on the BTS, it’s a great place to stay if you want to be close to Bangkok’s best place for weekend shopping. Saphan Khwai is also home to some of Bangkok’s best hostels, making it a great area for budget travellers.

Our guide to Saphan Khwai covers the best places restaurants, cafés and bars in the area, as well as Saphan Khwai’s accommodation options and neighbourhood highlights.

Saphan Khwai Restaurants and Cafés

Most of Saphan Khwai’s best restaurants and cafés can be found in Aqua — a small community courtyard located between Phahonyothin Soi 14 and 16. This is where you’ll find the area’s best international restaurants, as well as a good selection of local Thai eateries.

• Filete Cafe and Bistro
  One of several great restaurants in Aqua, Filete Cafe and Bistro serves great steak, burgers and other Western mains, as well as a variety of local and imported beers. Well priced lunch specials are available from 11am to 3pm.
• Smiley Shrimp
  Smiley Shrimp is a Cajun seafood restaurant in Aqua that serves everything from clams, squid and mussels to jumbo prawns. The restaurant, which is run by siblings from Chiang Mai, buys its ingredients daily from local markets for optimal freshness.
• Yakizen
  Another dining option on pedestrian-only Aqua, Yakizen serves excellent Japanese BBQ and a variety of tasty soups, snacks and appetisers. Drinks include plenty of local and imported beers, as well as a good selection of Japanese sake.
• Ansel & Elliott
  Located a short walk south from Saphan Khwai BTS, Ansel & Elliott Cafe serves excellent fresh espresso and bottled iced coffee. Fast Wi-Fi, a variety of interesting photography books and the usual café treats make this a great place to work on your laptop or enjoy a good book.
• Coffee Model
  This friendly local café serves excellent coffee and a great variety of cakes and other treats in a garden setting. Located on Pradipat Rd, it’s open from 10am until 10pm, making it a great place to hang out and relax with friends.
• Suku Suku
  Located halfway between BTS Saphan Khwai and BTS Ari, this Japanese buffet offers unlimited sashimi, sushi, soup and other dishes.
• Krua Hangout
  Krua Hangout is a Thai restaurant located on Pradipat Road, a short five to 10 minute walk from BTS Saphan Khwai BTS. The menu covers all of the usual Thai favourites and has a variety of vegetarian dishes at excellent prices.

Check Hotel Availability And Pricing

Destination

Check-in date

Thu 05 Dec 2024

Check-out date

Fri 06 Dec 2024

Best Mid Range Hotels in Saphan Khwai

• Mystic Place BKK Hotel
  View on Booking.com or Agoda.com
  Located on Pradipat Road a short distance from Saphan Khwai BTS, Mystic Place BKK Hotel is a great choice for travellers that want to explore Northern Bangkok. Rooms here are simple and comfortable, with great prices for budget travellers.
• Capital Mansion
  View on Booking.com or Agoda.com
  Located five to 10 minutes from BTS Saphan Khwai on foot, Capital Mansion is a small hotel with a selection of spacious and inexpensive rooms. Facilities include a small swimming pool and garden.

Best Budget Hotels in Saphan Khwai

• Everyday Sunday Social Hostel
  View on Booking.com or Agoda.com
  Everyday Sunday Social Hostel is a boutique hostel less than 10 minutes from Saphan Khwai BTS with a variety of rooms and bunks available for guests. Low prices, great cleanliness and an excellent location close to public transport make this a good choice for budget travellers.
• Adventure Hostel
  View on Booking.com or Agoda.com
  Located right next to Saphan Khwai BTS, Adventure Hostel offers dormitory beds in mixed and gender segregated dorms. Fast Wi-Fi, friendly staff, clean rooms and an extremely convenient location make this a great place to stay if you’re on a budget.
• KENCOZY Accommodation
  View on Booking.com or Agoda.com
  KENCOZY is a small budget hotel located less than 10 minutes from BTS Saphan Khwai. The rooms here are cosy, private, clean and well prices, with a convenient location a short walk from Saphan Khwai BTS station.
• Buff Hostel
  View on Booking.com or Agoda.com
  Another budget hostel, Buff Hostel is a five to 10 minute walk from Saphan Khwai BTS. Private rooms and dorm beds are available for great prices, making this one of the area’s best options for travellers on a strict budget.

Nightlife in Saphan Khwai

While Saphan Khwai definitely isn’t Bangkok’s best neighbourhood for nightlife, it’s home to a good mix of bars, gastropubs and other fun hangouts that are perfect for enjoying a good night out with friends.

• Old Dirty
  Located inside the Aqua courtyard off Phahon Yothin Road, Old Dirty is a local gastropub that serves a mix of Western comfort food, local and imported craft beers, cocktails and more. One of the best places in the area to spend time with friends and enjoy live music.
• Brewix
  Another good gastropub, Brewix serves excellent burgers and has a diverse selection of local and imported beers. Craft beer enthusiasts will appreciate the beer tasting set, which features small samples of six of the draft beers available on tap.
• Sutthisan Winitchai Road
  Sutthisan Winitchai Road is home to a variety of go-go bars and “entertainment” venues, most of which are aimed at Thais. The area has a similar atmosphere to Soi Cowboy or Nana, albeit with much lower drink prices and little English spoken by the bar staff.

Things to See and Do in Saphan Khwai

Since Saphan Khwai is a mixed residential and commercial neighbourhood, it’s a little light on tourist attractions. The best thing to do in Saphan Khwai is enjoy the area’s great cafés, bars and restaurants.

• Sam Sen Nai Philatelic Museum
  A short walk from Saphan Khwai BTS, the Sam Sen Nai Philatelic Museum is heaven on earth for stamp collecting enthusiasts. This small museum contains a variety of exhibits on Thai and international stamps, with thousands of rare and vintage stamps from around the world.
• Muchroom Co-Working Space
  If you need to focus and get work done, Muchroom Co-Working Space is easily the best option in the Saphan Khwai area. This coworking space on Pradipat Soi 23 has fast Wi-Fi, good coffee and everything else you need to stay focused and productive.

Getting to Saphan Khwai

• By BTS

  Saphan Khwai has its own BTS station, making it easy to get to using the Skytrain. From Siam, take the Sukhumvit Line towards Mo Chit. Most of the best cafés, restaurants and other things to do in Saphan Khwai are located around or a short walk south of the BTS station.