There are many things to do in Sukhumvit, the commercial centre of Bangkok. Both sides of this long road are lined with international brand hotels, shopping malls, and trendy nightlife hotspots. Popular with Bangkok’s expatriate community and travellers to the city, Sukhumvit runs from the downtown area of Nana at one end to the suburban district of Bearing at the other.
You’ll also find family-friendly centres, many of which are conveniently within shopping malls, so the little ones can have a lot of fun while you get to enjoy some retail therapy. If you want to get more of a feel of the creative or historical side of Bangkok, Sukhumvit has traditional houses and art galleries as well.
Terminal 21 is a shopping mall in Asok, with a unique theme that recreates several world-famous cities under 1 roof. Find yourself wandering around a maze of shops in Tokyo City, sauntering down London’s Carnaby Street, bagging a bargain in an Istanbul souq, or enjoying a wide range of cuisine at the Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.
The 9 floors at Terminal 21 Mall are all inspired by a different location, and the main hall is designed like an airport departures zone. This fun mall houses some 600 shops, a cinema, and a food court with all kinds of Thai and international fare.
Location: 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 108 0888
Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge is a 4-storey nightlife venue within Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit. It stays open all day, but the best time to visit is towards the evenings when you can enjoy impressive sunset views of Bangkok. Head for the top floor to find the pièce de resistance: a 360-degree rooftop with a circular bar, where staff mix creative cocktails. Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge is about 250 metres southeast of the Thong Lo Skytrain Station.
Location: 45th Floor, Bangkok Marriott Hotel, Sukhumvit Road Soi 57, Khlong Tan, Watthana Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Open: 24/7
Phone: +66 (0)2 797 0000
Many women visit Bangkok for the city’s fabulous shopping options. Make sure you wear your comfiest shoes because this mile of shopping incorporates over 4,300 shops and stalls and covers around 1.2 sq km. That’s a lot of shops, and it could easily take an entire day to browse all the racks. Start before the crowds at Platinum Fashion Mall where you can check out discount bargains, then funky Siam Center before heading into the warren that is Siam Square, where you can find up-and-coming designers. CentralWorld is one of the biggest shopping malls in Bangkok, while Gaysorn is known for luxury designer goods.
The Sukhothai Bangkok hosts its famous Chocolate Buffet at The Salon from Fridays to Saturdays. The lounge overlooks a stunning water garden with fountains, but the best view is the buffet, with so many options that you’ll need all 3 hours to work your way through the selection. The savoury table includes sushi, mini chicken pies, cucumber sandwiches, and classic chicken satay.
Over on the sweet side, you’ll find 16 types of raw chocolate, including 100% cocoa, white chocolate, and milk chocolate encrusted with hazelnut. Their hot chocolate is made by melting squares of pure chocolate, before topping it with whipped cream. The afternoon tea at this Bangkok hotel is not only delicious but also great value.
Soi Cowboy is a red-light district in Sukhumvit, close to the Asok BTS Skytrain Station. It’s named after the cowboy hat-wearing African-American who opened the first bar here in the early 1970s. This alleyway has a more laidback, carnival-like feel to it than Patpong or Nana Plaza.
Expect lots of flashing neon lights along a colourful streetscape that’s usually packed with expats, Japanese and western tourists. A lot of sexily dressed girls (and ladyboys) will try to lure you into one of the 20 or so go-go bars that line its sides. It’s a good idea to visit Soi Cowboy with an open mind – entry is often free and drink prices are fixed.
Location: Soi Cowboy, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Baan Kamthieng House Museum is a renovated teak house just beside Asoke, one of the busiest junctions on Sukhumvit. Even though it’s surrounded by towering hotels, condos and malls, the museum’s setting makes you feel like you’re in a northern Thai village rather than the middle of a bustling city.
There are plenty of interesting displays that give you an insight into traditional rural life in Thailand. It’s worth a visit when you’re in the area, especially if you’re passionate about Thai history
Location: 131 Asok Montri Rd, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Open: Tuesday–Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Phone: +66 (0)2 661 6470
Flight Experience Bangkok is a simulation flight centre that’s popular among young children who dream of being pilots. The Boeing 737-800 flight simulator offers a fully immersive experience, which includes a check-in process, meeting your first officer and a pre-flight briefing before you can strap in with a 5-point seat harness and real aircraft headsets.
The experience feels so realistic that the cockpit in Bangkok has even been used in local films and TV shows. Flight Experience Bangkok is located on the 2nd floor of Gateway Ekamai Shopping Mall.
Location: Gateway Ekamai Shopping Mall, 2nd Floor, 22 Sukhumvit Road, Prakanong, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Phone: +66 (0)92 529 4616
Both kids and adults will love Kidzoona at Molly Fantasy, located on the 5th floor of Gateway Ekamai Shopping Mall. Whether it’s too hot or too rainy to be outside in Bangkok, it’s an excellent place for younger children to let off some steam, with a soft play area, inflatable slides, an overly pink merry go round and trucks and trikes to speed around on. Tickets give you all-day access to the play area.
Kidzoona is suitable for kids below 12 years old, but if you’re coming with teens, there are some arcade games at the entrance to Molly Fantasy that will keep them entertained for a while.
Location: Gateway Ekamai Shopping Mall, 2nd Floor, 22 Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Toei, Prakanong, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Open: Daily from 10 am to 9 pm
Phone: +66 (0)65 524 1746
Funarium Indoor Playground may look like a warehouse from outside, but once you step inside and through the childproof gates, you’ll find 2,000 square metres of space filled with activities. This indoor playground has a large climbing structure, a soft play, sand and water area, an arts and crafts centre, and baking station. The entire space is air-conditioned, meaning your little ones can run around without worrying about the weather outside.
Location: 111/1 Sukhumvit 26 Alley, Watthana, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Open: Monday–Thursday from 9 am to 6 pm, Friday–Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 665 6555
Benjakitti Park covers a rectangular area of about 208,000 square metres just opposite the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The park forms a narrow swathe of green around the expansive Lake Ratchada, with dedicated bicycle and jogging tracks encircling the whole park.
The water’s edge is also nicely framed by some pretty, well-maintained plant life, and colourful flowers adding to the tranquillity. You’ll also find playgrounds, skate ramps, a central pavilion with fountains, and an impressive half-circle courtyard that makes an ideal spot for picnics in Benjakitti Park.
Location: Ratchadaphisek Rd, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Open: Daily from 5 am to 9 pm
Benjasiri Park is the place to be for sculpture lovers, as some of the best examples of Thai sculpture are scattered around the park. The centrepiece fountain, showcasing the work of master sculptor Misiem Yipintsoi, hosts multimedia water dance shows 3 times daily.
The park offers outdoor sports facilities rarely found at other public parks in Bangkok, including a basketball court, roller skating/skateboarding rink, tennis court, outdoor swimming pool, and a multi-purpose court for sports. Benjasiri Park is located next to the Emporium shopping mall, about 100 metres northwest of the Phrom Phong BTS Skytrain Station.
Location: Sukhumvit 22-24 Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Open: Daily from 5 am to 9 pm