Thonglor, Phrom Phong And Asoke – Central Sukhumvit

Central Sukhumvit (running from Sukhumvit Soi 21 to Soi 67) is Bangkok’s upmarket dining and entertainment area, and one of the city’s most desirable places to live. Home to world-class restaurants, shopping malls, and some of Bangkok’s best nightlife, Central Sukhumvit is a great place to shop, relax and unwind.

Urban Development © Mike Behnken

Why Visit Central Sukhumvit?

Thonglor, Ekamai, Phrom Phong and Asoke districts make up Central Sukhumvit, which is one of the most popular areas of Bangkok for tourists to visit. Thonglor and Ekamai offer a huge selection of bars and restaurants to explore, while Phrom Phong and Asoke mix state-of-the-art shopping malls and cinemas with condos and offices, all interspersed with yet more eateries and wanerdtering holes. Each of these districts are easily accessed by Asoke, Phrom Phong, Thonglor and Ekamai BTS stations respectively.

Central Sukhumvit is quieter and less crowded than Lower Sukhumvit, offering a slightly higher end experience for visitors.

Things to See and Do in Central Sukhumvit

Benjasiri Park © Mike Behnken

• Thonglor
  Thonglor is one of Bangkok’s most fashionable and interesting districts, offering a mix of great food, fun nightlife and boutique stores. Spend an afternoon exploring Soi Thonglor (Sukhumvit Soi 55) and its side streets for a look at higher-end Bangkok life. See the Thonglor Nightlife guide below.
• Benjasiri Park
  Located next to The Emporium, Benjasiri Park is a charming city park offering great views of the Sukhumvit skyline. Relax beside the lake and watch the turtles or take part in the evening aerobics session, which starts at 6 pm daily.
• The Escape Hunt Experience
  Located inside Interchange Tower, close to BTS Asok, The Escape Hunt Experience is a live action mystery game that puts you at the centre of the adventure. Ideal for families with young children.
• National Science Centre for Education
  The Science Centre for Education is home to a planetarium, aquarium and a wide variety of scientific exhibits aimed at children, teens and adults alike. Located opposite Major Cineplex near BTS Ekamai, it’s a refreshing break from Bangkok’s numerous shopping malls.

Check Hotel Availability And Pricing

Destination

Check-in date

Mon 29 May 2023

Check-out date

Tue 30 May 2023

• Flow House
  Who says you can’t surf in Bangkok? Located in A Square on Sukhumvit Soi 26, Flow House has a full-size Flow Rider surf simulator that lets you hone your skills without having to drive hours to the nearest beach. Both boogie boards and standing flow boards are available.
• Yunomori Onsen
  Also located in A Square is Yunomori Onsen. This traditional Japanese onsen offers a unique bathing experience, with a selection of hot springs, a steam room, sauna and traditional Thai massage on offer. A great place to wind down after an afternoon at Flow House.
• The Emporium, is a high-end shopping mall with an assortment of luxury brands, technology and other retailers beside Phrom Phong BTS. Located opposite, EmQuartier is one of Bangkok’s newest luxury malls, with a great range of restaurants and one of the city’s best international supermarkets.
• K Village
  An open-air lifestyle shopping mall located on Sukhumvit Soi 26, K Village is home to a huge range of restaurants, bars and retail shops. Located across Sukhumvit Soi 26 from A Square, making it a great place to stop for lunch after visiting other attractions in the area.
• Thai Massage
  As Bangkok’s high-end residential district, Mid Sukhumvit is home to hundreds of health spas and salons. Health Land on Sukhumvit Soi 63 (BTS Ekamai) offers inexpensive, high quality massage treatments, while Let’s Relax Spa on Soi 39 is perfect for a relaxing afternoon.
• Muay Thai Training
  Mid Sukhumvit is home to two great Muay Thai training schools, both of which are just a few minutes from BTS Phrom Phong. Elite Fight Club is located on the 10th floor of the Waterford Diamond Condo on Sukhumvit 30/1, while Chacrit Muay Thai School is on Sukhumvit Soi 39.
• Major Sukhumvit
  Major Sukhumvit is a shopping mall/movie cinema complex located a short distance from BTS Ekamai. Attractions include an eight-screen cinema playing the latest Hollywood blockbusters and Thai movies and Blu-O Bowling — a nightclub-themed bowling alley.
• Tee Off 42
  Central Bangkok might seem like an unusual location for a driving range, but Tee Off 42 is an excellent place to practice your drive. 44 bays are available on two floors, with club rental and a putting green also on offer for visitors interested in working on their technique.

Places to Eat in Mid Sukhumvit

Food a plenty in Thonglor/Sukhumvit © Johan Fantenberg

• Imoya
  Step out of Bangkok and into 1950s Tokyo. Located on the third floor of Terminal Shop Cabin — a nondescript building on Sukhumvit 24 — Imoya serves classic Japanese food in a setting that’s equal parts film noir and mid-century Japan.
• Soul Food Mahanakorn
  Owned and operated by American expat, Soul Food Mahanakorn may not seem like the most authentic Thai dining experience in Bangkok. Its fresh ingredients, great menu of classic Thai dishes and creative cocktail list, however, make it one of Thonglor’s best dinner spots.
• Peppina
  Excellent Neapolitan-style pizzas and a lengthy wine list make Peppina on Sukhumvit Soi 33 a great choice for hearty Italian dining. Advance bookings are recommended, especially on a weekend night.
• Sabai Jai Gai Yang
  Sabai Jai Gai Yang serves almost every Thai dish imaginable, but there’s one dish on its long menu every guest must try — the Gai Yang, or grilled chicken. Tasty, cheap barbecue chicken and a selection of beer towers make Sabai Jai a great choice for a fun dinner with friends.
• Limoncello

  The Thonglor branch of Limoncello — one of Sukhumvit 11’s most popular restaurants — is more relaxed and upmarket than its counterpart further down Sukhumvit. The menu is made up of classic Italian dishes, complemented by a great wine list and tasty desserts.

• Yuutaro
  Bangkok is full of sushi joints, most of which prioritise value over quality. Yuutaro is the exact opposite — a high quality sushi restaurant that has its ingredients flown in daily from Tokyo’s busy Tsukiji fish market. Located on the corner of Sukhumvit 49/2 and 51.
• Phuket Town
  With its bright yellow exterior and classic Southern Thai menu, Phuket Town certainly stands out from the crowd. This cosy restaurant serves Southern Thai curries, seafood dishes and a wide variety of other options that are sure to impress fans of Southern Thai food.
• Roast Coffee and Eatery
  Located on the second floor of Thonglor Soi 13’s SeenSpace, Roast Coffee and Eatery does two things extremely well: good food and great coffee. Drop by early for breakfast or brunch and some of Bangkok’s strongest, freshest coffee.
• Four Seasons Royal China
  The Thonglor branch of Four Seasons Royal China is located on Thonglor Soi 10. The menu is extensive and everything is high quality, but the standout dishes here are the roast duck — the restaurant’s signature dish — and barbecue pork.
• Bo.lan
  Located on Sukhumvit Soi 53, a short distance from BTS Thonglor, Bo.lan serves a diverse selection of Thai dishes cooked to perfection. Fresh ingredients, a relaxing atmosphere and great presentation make it a good choice for romantic Thai dining in Thonglor.
• Supanniga Eating Room
  Hidden inside a typical townhouse on Soi Thonglor is Supanniga Eating Room — a fine Thai restaurant that isn’t afraid to include plenty of spices in its creations. Dishes range from spicy curries to grilled chicken and pork, making Supanniga a good all-purpose Thai dining spot.
• JP French Dining
  Owned and operated by Bangkok resident Jean Pierre, JP French Dining is a charming and cosy French restaurant on Sukhumvit Soi 31. The food is expertly cooked and the service is amazingly personal, making it a great choice for a romantic French dinner in Sukhumvit.

Best Luxury Hotels in Mid Sukhumvit

• Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit
  Located a short distance from BTS Thonglor, Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit offers some of Mid Sukhumvit’s most exclusive and spacious rooms. The hotel includes an outdoor pool, exclusive spa and rooftop bar and restaurant offering fantastic views of the city.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit
  DoubleTree by Hilton is located on Sukhumvit 26, a short walk (or free tuk tuk ride) from BTS Phrom Phong. Rooms range from luxurious and comfortable doubles to spacious suites, with an outdoor pool offering great views of the dense Sukhumvit skyline.
• Marriott Executive Apartments Sukhumvit Park
  Need the comfort of a five-star hotel with the conveniences of an apartment? The Marriott Executive Apartments Sukhumvit Park on Sukhumvit Soi 24 offer a variety of studios and suites, an outdoor saltwater pool and a free shuttle to nearby BTS Phrom Phong.
• Emporium Suites by Chatrium
  Emporium Suites by Chatrium offers spacious (even the smallest rooms are 50+ sqm) and comfortable serviced apartments on top of The Emporium shopping mall. Connected to BTS Phrom Phong by walkway, this hotel is ideal for visitors seeking easy access to the Skytrain.
• Hilton Sukhumvit
  Located on Sukhumvit Soi 24, the Hilton Sukhumvit boasts a convenient location and a range of comfortable rooms and suites. The elevated infinity pool and poolside bar offer great views of Bangkok’s skyline, while the hotel’s location is a short walk from BTS Phrom Phong.
• Oakwood Residence Thonglor
  Located on Thonglor Soi 13, Oakwood Residence Thonglor is close to local nightlife and a short walk from some of Bangkok’s best restaurants. Studios and serviced apartments are available, with rooms including their own kitchen facilities.
• Pan Pacific Serviced Suites
  Conveniently located on Soi Thonglor, Pan Pacific Serviced Suites offers comfortable and spacious serviced apartments in one of Bangkok’s most prestigious areas. Rooms range in size (two-bedroom suites are available for families) and include full kitchens.
• Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor
  Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor is a short distance from BTS Thonglor, making it a good choice for travellers that want to explore Sukhumvit with ease. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the hotel’s beautiful outdoor pool is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the heat.

Best Mid Range Hotels In Mid Sukhumvit

• S31 Sukhumvit Hotel
  S31 Sukhumvit is a comfortable four-and-a-half-star hotel located at the start of Sukhumvit Soi 31, giving it one of the most convenient locations in Mid Sukhumvit. A short walk to BTS Phrom Phong makes this a great choice for travellers wanting to explore the city.
• Retro 39 Hotel
  Retro 39 is a comfortable three-star hotel located close to BTS Phrom Phong. Although it’s not the most luxurious hotel in the area, its convenient location makes it a great home base for exploring Bangkok without having to worry about getting caught in traffic.
• Davis Hotel
  The Davis Hotel is a large four-star hotel located towards the far end (from Sukhumvit Road) of Sukhumvit Soi 24. Rooms are spacious and comfortable and the rooftop pool makes it easy to escape from Mid Sukhumvit’s noise and traffic.
• Bless Residence
  Bless Residence offers spacious four-star rooms (the one-bedroom suites start from 65 sqm) ideal for couples and families. Located on Sukhumvit Soi 33, this comfortable hotel is a short distance from BTS Phrom Phong and The Emporium shopping mall.
• One One Bangkok Hotel
  One One Bangkok Hotel is a comfortable three-star hotel on Soi Thonglor, one of Bangkok’s most fashionable streets. Rooms are spacious, comfortable and affordable, although it’s a 10 minute walk to the nearest BTS station at Thonglor.

Best Budget Hotels In Mid Sukhumvit

• 1Yolo Hostel
  Located between Sukhumvit Soi 26 and 28, 1Yolo Hotel boasts an excellent location close to BTS Phrom Phong and The Emporium. Dorms and private rooms are available, making it an excellent choice for budget travellers looking for an affordable and convenient place to stay.
• HI-Sukhumvit Hostel
  HI-Sukhumvit Hostel is located on Sukhumvit Soi 38 — Mid Sukhumvit’s street food capital. A basic but clean and comfortable hostel, it offers a selection of private rooms and dorms ideal for budget travellers.

Nightlife in Mid Sukhumvit

Funky Villa in Bangkok © Nick Gray

• Thonglor (Soi 55 and surrounding area)
  Thonglor (Sukhumvit Soi 55) is one of Bangkok’s nightlife capitals, offering a mix of bars and nightclubs aimed at a moneyed audience. Prices are slightly higher than RCA and Bangkok’s other major nightlife areas, but the huge choice of venues makes Thonglor worth a visit.
  • Thonglor Soi 10
    Thonglor Soi 10 is the area’s party capital, home to several of its most popular clubs. Muse, a Thai-style live music club, is located on Soi 10 itself a short walk from Arena 10. Packed with partygoers on its first floor, it’s also home to a more relaxed, downtempo upstairs lounge.

    Demo, which plays a diverse of electronic dance music. With its derelict, industrial style (drinks are served on top of industrial barrels) and ludicrously strong cocktails, it’s the place to be once you’ve warmed up at Muse.

    Nunglen and Escobar can be found at the corner of Thonglor Soi 10 and Ekamai. Both bars are connected and play a mix of hip hop and Thai pop, attracting a mostly local crowd that’s here to party, be seen and have fun.

  • Iron Fairies
    A short walk from Thonglor Soi 10 is Iron Fairies, a bar that’s equal parts classic dining room and blacksmith’s workshop. Decorated with rusting bicycles, iron gearing and other amazing trinkets, Iron Fairies is as much a visual experience as it is a great cocktail bar.
  • Shades of Retro
    Vintage leather sofas, David Bowie records (on vinyl, of course) and TV sets heavy enough to challenge even the sturdiest of entertainment consoles decorate Shades of Retro – a vintage bar on Thonglor Soi 18 that’s furnished like a 70s living room.
  • Badmotel
    Badmotel blends modern dining with street-inspired decorations. A diverse menu of Thai and Western dishes is complemented by a great cocktail list, making Badmotel — which is located next to J Avenue on Soi Thonglor — a great place for late-night dinner and drinks.
  • HOBs Thonglor
    Choose from a huge selection of Belgian beers at HOBs (House of Beers) Thonglor. Located in a small outdoor shopping centre next to Thonglor Soi 16, HOBs fills up with local workers and expats hoping to enjoy the perfect ice cold beer each evening.
  • SeenSpace (Thonglor Soi 13)
    SeenSpace, Thonglor’s trendiest nightlife hotspot, is full of restaurants and bars serving up a huge range of drinks. Popular with local “hiso” Thais, this outdoor mall is packed with people on the weekend, making it important to arrive early if you want to get a table outside.
  • Octave Rooftop Lounge
    Most of Bangkok’s rooftop bars are found in Lower Sukhumvit and Silom, but Octave — a bar atop the Marriott Sukhumvit Hotel — brings high-rise drinks to Thonglor. Located on the 45th floor of the hotel, Octave offers fantastic views of Bangkok and an extensive drinks menu.
• AR Sutton Engineers Siam at Park Lane
  Ashley Sutton, the man originally behind Iron Fairies and other Thonglor favourites, has a new project at Park Lane Ekamai. AR Sutton Engineers Siam is a relaxing, stylish bar with a rustic, colonial interior that makes it a great place to relax and unwind after a busy day in Bangkok.
• Tuba
  From its eclectic interior design to its great Thai/Western menu and huge cocktails, Tuba offers a unique, casual and distinctly boozy dining experience. Note that smoking is still allowed inside the bar, despite the smoking ban that applies to the rest of Bangkok. Located on Ekamai Soi 21, it’s a reasonable distance from the BTS, so best to make your way here by taxi.
• Sukhumvit Soi 31/33
  Sukhumvit Soi 31 and 33 are home to a range of small bars and nightclubs. Potion Bar on Soi 31 (Soi Sawasdee) serves a selection of strong, tasty cocktails, while Sukhumvit Soi 33 offers a mixture of go-go bars, Japanese izakayas and local pubs such as the ever popular Mojos.

Getting to Mid Sukhumvit

• By BTS Skytrain
  Mid Sukhumvit is serviced by the BTS Skytrain Sukhumvit Line. BTS Phrom Phong covers the area from Sukhumvit Soi 22 to 30, while Thonglor and Ekamai stations cover the remainder of Mid Sukhumvit, making getting around Bangkok a breeze.
• By MRT
  Although there’s no MRT station close to Thonglor or Ekamai, MRT Sukhumvit is just a few stops away on the BTS Skytrain, making it easy to connect to the BTS and travel anywhere in Bangkok from Mid Sukhumvit
• By Khlong Boat
  There are several Saen Saep Express Boat piers in Mid Sukhumvit, making the area easy to reach if you’re travelling from elsewhere in Bangkok. Soi Thonglor pier drops you right in the heart of Thonglor, a short motorcycle ride away from the BTS Skytrain.

Bangkok BTS and MRT Map

View Bangkok BTS and MRT Map full size.

Bangkok Area Guide

• Quick summaries of what's interesting in each major Bangkok area:
• Ari
• Khao San Road
• Rattanakosin
• Phaya Thai
• Ratchadaphisek
• Siam Square
• Silom Sathorn
• Nana and Asoke
• Chatuchak
• Victory Monument
• Riverside
• Sukhumvit
• Thonglor