Ratchaprasong is Bangkok’s shopping capital, home to the city’s biggest shopping malls and most exclusive designer boutiques. It’s also home to Siam Square – a fashionable shopping area aimed at teens and 20-somethings – as well as some of Bangkok’s best hotels.
Skyscrapers of Bangkok © Thangaraj Kumaravel
🔍 Why Visit Siam and Ratchaprasong?
The Siam/Ratchaprasong area extends from National Stadium BTS to Ploen Chit. The area can be divided into three sections, each with their own unique distinct character: Siam Square (a shopping hotspot surrounding BTS Siam), Ratchaprasong (a high-end shopping area home to department stores and hotels), and Ploen Chit (a mixed shopping and office area near the beginning of Sukhumvit Road).
Bangkok Things To Do
The Siam/Ratchaprasong area is Bangkok’s commercial and transportation hub. The BTS station at Siam serves as the interchange for Bangkok’s Skytrain, making Siam a fantastic place to stay if you’re interested in easily travelling around the city.
Bangkok Holiday Essentials
- Where To Stay In Bangkok: See our guide to the best areas and the best hotels to stay in Bangkok.
- Things To Do In Bangkok: Check this huge list of Bangkok activities that you can book online.
- Flights To Bangkok: Find the cheapest flights to Bangkok and flight times from scores of airlines with Skyscanner.
- Bangkok Packing List: Don’t forget to take any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Thailand.
- Travel Insurance: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Claim online anywhere in the world.
🏮 Things To See And Do In Siam And Ratchaprasong
Bangkok: Siam Ocean World © Felix Triller
| Attraction | What To Expect |
|---|---|
| Siam Paragon – Shopping | Siam Paragon is one of Bangkok’s biggest and most popular shopping malls, located next to BTS Siam. The lower floors contain a mix of luxury brands, while the upper floors cover high street fashion, furniture, technology and even a luxury car dealership. |
| Siam Centre & Siam Discovery – Shopping | Siam Centre is a fashion-focused shopping mall aimed primarily at teens and 20-somethings located beside Siam Paragon. Siam Discovery, connected to Siam Centre by skybridge, offers a mix of lifestyle products, technology and high street fashion. |
| MBK Centre – Shopping | The MBK Centre is an eight-floor shopping mall located diagonally opposite Siam Discovery, connected to BTS National Stadium. Home to hundreds of tiny shops specialising in all things digital and fashionable, it’s the best place in Bangkok to shop for smartphones. |
| Jim Thompson’s House – Museum | American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson disappeared in the Malaysian jungle in 1967 — a disappearance that continues to attract conspiracy theorists. His traditional Thai home, built in 1959, is open to the public and offers a unique look into traditional Thai design. |
| Siam Square – Shopping | From local fashion designers to vintage movie posters, Siam Square is home to hundreds of tiny shops specialising in every product imaginable. Located beside BTS Siam and opposite Siam Paragon, it’s a great place to shop for modern fashion and accessories. |
| Scala Cinema – Cinema | Step into the 1960s at Siam Square’s Scala Cinema. Built in 1967 and maintained to look just like it did when it first opened, Scala Cinema is a time capsule right down to the chandelier and bow tie wearing ticket attendant. |
| Krungsri IMAX Cinema at Siam Paragon – Cinema | For a more modern cinema experience, head to the top floor of Siam Paragon. Both IMAX and standard cinemas, including a 34-seat private Enigma cinema, play the latest blockbusters. |
| Bangkok Art and Culture Centre – Gallery | Opposite Siam Discovery and accessible via skybridge, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is free to access and showcases a variety of exhibits with a focus on modern visual art. |
| SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World – Aquarium | Thailand’s largest aquarium. Visitors can view a massive variety of marine animals up close, as well as snakes, insects and more. A range of diving packages let you swim inside the shark tank. |
| Wat Pathum Wanaram – Temple | Located between Siam Paragon and Central World, Wat Pathum Wanaram is a nice break from the endless shopping in Ratchaprasong. Built in 1857, the temple is home to the ashes of Prince Mahidol Adulyadej’s bloodline. |
| Central World – Shopping | Bangkok’s largest mall, located at the heart of Ratchaprasong and accessible from BTS Chit Lom via an elevated skywalk. Home to designer brands, high street fashion, home accessories, furniture, technology, children’s toys and more. |
| Erawan Shrine – Shrine | A Hindu shrine to Phra Phrom located beside the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, attracting thousands of visitors per day who pray to the statue in the hope of receiving good fortune. |
| Thai Massage / Health Spas – Wellness | The Ratchaprasong area is full of health spas, many located inside five-star hotels. For a more affordable Thai massage, stop by Let’s Relax, a comfortable spa located on the sixth floor of the Siam Square One shopping mall. |
| Royal Bangkok Sports Club – Horseracing | A private, members-only sports club located between Siam and Silom. Although access to sporting facilities is reserved for members, live horse races are held one Sunday every month and are open to the public. |
⭐ Best Luxury Hotels in Siam Square and Ratchaprasong
| Hotel | About |
|---|---|
| Siam Kempinski Bangkok – Booking.com | Agoda | Arguably Bangkok’s most luxurious hotel, Siam Kempinski Bangkok offers a range of luxury rooms from doubles to the four-person Royal Suite, with a convenient location behind Siam Paragon shopping centre. |
| Centara Grand at CentralWorld – Booking.com | Agoda | Located on top of Central World, Centara Grand at CentralWorld is a modern luxury hotel with a stunning outdoor swimming pool. Thanks to its connection to BTS Chit Lom, it’s conveniently located for getting around Bangkok. |
| Pathumwan Princess Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda | Pathumwan Princess Hotel is located atop the MBK Centre. It offers five-star rooms and suites, as well as the Olympic Club — one of Bangkok’s top fitness centres with a fantastic saltwater swimming pool. |
| Siam @ Siam Design Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda | A stylish four-star hotel located close to BTS National Stadium and within walking distance of Jim Thompson’s House. Offers modern rooms and suites with an excellent rooftop bar. |
| Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong – Booking.com | Agoda | Located less than two minutes from BTS Chit Lom, right in the middle of Bangkok’s shopping epicentre. Includes an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, exclusive fitness club and health spa. |
| Okura Prestige Bangkok – Booking.com | Agoda | The Okura Prestige Bangkok offers modern Japanese design, luxurious spacious rooms and an infinity pool with one of Bangkok’s most impressive views. Connected by skybridge to BTS Ploen Chit. |
| VIE Hotel Bangkok – Booking.com | Agoda | Located to the north of Siam in Ratchathewi, the VIE Hotel is a brief walk or BTS journey from Bangkok’s top shopping destinations. Includes luxury rooms and suites in a modern style, convenient for BTS Ratchathewi. |
| Hua Chang Heritage Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda | A beautiful classic hotel on Phayathai Road blending colonial style with modern comforts. This five-star hotel features a range of rooms and suites with a stunning garden courtyard and outdoor pool. |
| Intercontinental Bangkok – Booking.com | Agoda | Connected to BTS Chit Lom by skybridge and less than one minute from Central World and Gaysorn, the Intercontinental Bangkok is one of the most conveniently located five-star hotels in Ratchaprasong. The top-floor fitness centre offers excellent views of Bangkok. |
| Hansar Bangkok – Booking.com | Agoda | Thai boutique hotel Hansar Bangkok offers some of the most stunning suites in the city and a convenient location near BTS Ratchadamri. Ideal for travellers seeking comfort and luxury close to Ratchaprasong’s shopping malls and restaurants. |
| St. Regis Bangkok – Booking.com | Agoda | One of Bangkok’s most luxurious hotels (all of its rooms are suites), the St. Regis offers an incredible view of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. A short walk from BTS Ratchadamri, ideal for exploring both Ratchaprasong and Silom. |
Luxury Hotels in Siam Square, Ratchaprasong and Ploen Chit
🏢 Best Mid Range Hotels in Siam Square And Ratchaprasong
| Hotel | About |
|---|---|
| Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square – Booking.com | Agoda | Located right in the centre of Siam Square, the Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square offers one of the best locations in the city for shopaholics. Comfortable, modern rooms and easy access to BTS Siam make this one of the most conveniently located hotels in Bangkok. |
| Mercure Bangkok Siam – Booking.com | Agoda | The Mercure Bangkok Siam is located beside BTS National Stadium, making it an excellent choice for travellers looking to explore Bangkok. As well as its fantastic location, this four-star hotel boasts a stunning outdoor swimming pool and a modern fitness centre. |
| Evergreen Place Bangkok – Booking.com | Agoda | Evergreen Place Bangkok is a modern, conveniently located four-star hotel within two minutes walking distance of BTS Ratchathewi. With an outdoor pool and poolside gazebos, it’s a great place to relax during shopping sessions at nearby Siam Paragon and Central World. |
| LiT Bangkok Residence – Booking.com | Agoda | Located on Soi Kasemsan 1, a short walk from the MBK Centre and Jim Thompson’s House, LiT Bangkok Residence is a stylish four-star hotel. With modern rooms and a large outdoor swimming pool, it’s a comfortable and conveniently located place to stay in Bangkok. |
Budget & Mid Range Hotels in Siam Square, Ratchaprasong & Ploen Chit
💰 Best Budget Hotels in Siam Square And Ratchaprasong
| Hotel | About |
|---|---|
| Monomer Hostel – Booking.com | Agoda | Monomer Hostel is located on Phetchaburi Soi 16, a short distance from the Ratchaprasong area by taxi. Although its location isn’t ideal, its clean and comfortable dormitories and rooms make it a good choice for budget travellers. |
| Lub d Bangkok Siam Square – Booking.com | Agoda | Lub d Bangkok Siam Square is a clean, comfortable and stylish hostel located just minutes from BTS National Stadium. Double, twin and dormitory rooms are available at affordable prices, making it a good option for backpackers looking to make friends and socialise. |
🍕 Places To Eat In Siam And Ratchaprasong
Shopping Centres in Bangkok © Walter Lim
| Restaurant | About |
|---|---|
| Siam Paragon Food Court – Multi-cuisine | Siam Paragon is home to one of Bangkok’s biggest and most diverse food courts, serving a mix of cuisines from Thailand, India, China and elsewhere. Meals are paid for with a stored value card — fund yours at the cashier before you eat, then refund it as you leave. |
| Hong Kong Noodle – Chinese, Siam Square | A favourite of Chulalongkorn University students, Hong Kong Noodle in Siam Square serves inexpensive and tasty Chinese dishes. Visit during the early afternoon and you’ll dine with an invariably large crowd of students from the nearby university. |
| Som Tam Nua – Isaan Thai, Siam Square | Another student and local worker favourite, Som Tam Nua specialises in Isaan (Northeast Thai) food. Try the som tam and the fried chicken for an authentic experience. |
| Nooddi Siam – Thai / Chinese Noodles, Siam Square | As the name suggests, the menu is focused on Thai and Chinese-style noodle dishes, although there’s also a mix of other Thai dishes to choose from. |
| Ban Khun Mae – Thai, Siam Square Soi 8 | Located in a shophouse modified to resemble a traditional Thai home, Ban Khun Mae serves classic Thai dishes at reasonable prices. Attracts a mix of local office workers and shoppers seeking a tasty but affordable meal. |
| Coca Sukiyaki – Thai Sukiyaki, Henri Dunant Road | Coca is a Thai sukiyaki chain with multiple locations throughout Bangkok. The Siam Square branch offers tasty sukiyaki with a variety of dipping sauces. |
| Miyatake – Japanese, MBK Centre 4F | Miyatake is an authentic Japanese sushi bar located on the fourth floor of Tokyu department store inside the MBK Centre. The food is great, with everything from toro sushi to Matsuzaka beef on offer at reasonable prices. |
| Crepes & Co – French, Langsuan Soi 1 | Located on one of Bangkok’s poshest addresses, Crepes & Co specialises in outstanding crepes as well as a variety of lunch and brunch dishes. |
| Gaggan – Progressive Indian, Langsuan | Gaggan serves a progressive Indian menu that will redefine what you think of Indian food. The set menu starts from 1,800 baht and is extremely popular, so booking ahead is recommended. |
| Food Loft at Central Chidlom – Multi-cuisine | Food Loft — the top floor food court of Central Chidlom — offers great international food including dishes from China, Japan, Mexico, India, Italy and more, with fantastic views of the city. |
| ZENSE Gourmet Deck – International, Central World rooftop | Open from 5:30 pm until late, ZENSE offers outdoor dining on the rooftop of ZEN — Central World’s most popular department store. Four different menus offer dishes from Italy, Turkey, Thailand and elsewhere. |
| La Monita Taqueria & El Osito – Mexican / Sandwiches | Two restaurants located next door to each other. El Osito serves fantastic sandwiches and burgers, while La Monita Taqueria serves Mexican classics like burritos, fajitas and tacos. |
| Bawarchi – Indian, Intercontinental Hotel | Located in the basement of the Intercontinental Hotel, Bawarchi serves fantastic Indian food in a stylish setting. Plentiful portions, authentic Indian ingredients and a convenient location make it a great choice for lunch or dinner. |
| Hyde and Seek Gastro Bar – American / European, Soi Ruamrudee | Located on the ground floor of Athenee Residence on Soi Ruamrudee, Hyde and Seek is a stylish gastro bar offering great food and fantastic drinks. The menu covers American and European favourites, from steak and ribs to pasta dishes. |
| Eat Meat Sweet – Steakhouse, Langsuan Soi 7 | Located on Langsuan Soi 7, Eat Meat Sweet can be a little bit difficult to find but is worth seeking out. The menu includes Australian beef, lobster ravioli, roasted chicken and other classics, as well as a great selection of desserts. |
| Elements – Gourmet, Okura Prestige Hotel 25F | Located on the 25th floor of the ultra-modern Okura Prestige Hotel, Elements serves a range of delicious dishes in an open kitchen environment. Fantastic views of Bangkok complement the gourmet food and excellent drinks list. |
| Red Sky – Rooftop Restaurant, Centara Grand Hotel | The Centara Grand Hotel on top of Central World is home to several good restaurants, but the standout is Red Sky which offers rooftop dining with an amazing view of the city. |
| Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin – Thai Fusion, Kempinski Hotel | You’ll find Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin inside the Kempinski Hotel. This Thai fusion restaurant offers an 11-course tasting menu showcasing the best of gourmet Thai cuisine, as well as an excellent range of desserts. |
🍻 Nightlife in Siam Square And Ratchaprasong
View from Red Sky Bar at Centara Grand Bangkok © John_DL
| Bar / Club | About |
|---|---|
| Hard Rock Café – Bar / Restaurant, Siam Square | Bangkok’s Hard Rock Café is located right in the centre of Siam Square, making it a great choice for post-shopping food and drinks. The menu includes classic burgers, while the drinks list covers local and imported beers and cocktails. |
| CM2 Live Jam – Live music bar, Novotel Siam | Located in the basement of the Novotel Siam, CM2 Live Jam is a live music bar and nightclub hidden underneath one of the Siam area’s most popular hotels. The soundtrack is mostly pop and classic rock, while the drinks range from local beers to classic cocktails. |
| The Speakeasy Rooftop Bar – Rooftop bar, Hotel Muse, Soi Langsuan | The Speakeasy is a stylish rooftop bar located inside Hotel Muse on Soi Langsuan. Themed on a classic 1920s American bar, it offers an extensive drinks list, cigar lounge and fantastic views of the Bangkok skyline. |
| Red Sky Bar – Rooftop bar, Centara Grand Hotel | Located on the rooftop of the Centara Grand Hotel, Red Sky offers panoramic views of the Sukhumvit and Silom skylines and a variety of cocktails, beers and wines. While prices are beyond what you’d pay at most Bangkok nightclubs, the view is certainly worth it. |
🚌 Getting to Siam And Ratchaprasong
| How To Get Here | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚌 By BTS Skytrain | Siam is serviced by several BTS Skytrain stations. BTS Siam — the main interchange for the Sukhumvit and Silom lines — is located outside Siam Paragon. BTS Phloen Chit and Chit Lom are located in Ratchaprasong, while BTS National Stadium is opposite the MBK Centre. |
| ⛲ By Khlong Boat | Ratchaprasong is accessible by the Saen Saep Express Boat, although many of the piers are a short walk from its main shopping malls. Disembark at Pratunam or Chit Lom pier and you’ll be able to reach Central World or Siam Paragon within 10 minutes. |
🗺️ 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 |
