Sukhumvit - Bangkok - page 329

Witnessing a corner of northern Thailand in modern Bangkok at Ban Kamthieng .
Getting lost in Khlong Toey Market , one of the city's largest.
Explore: Sukhumvit
You'll probably spend more time on Th Sukhumvit eating, drinking and perhaps sleeping
(there's a high concentration of hotels here), rather than sightseeing. The BTS (Skytrain)
runs along the length of Th Sukhumvit, making it a snap to reach just about anywhere in
this chapter. BTS stops are also a convenient way to define the street's various vibes.
Lower Sukhumvit, particularly the area around Nana BTS station, is a discombobulating
mix of sexpats and Middle Eastern tourists; street markets and touts make this a frustrat-
ing zone to navigate nearly any time of day or night. Middle Sukhumvit, around BTS
Asok/MRT Sukhumvit, is dominated by midrange hotels, upscale condos, international
restaurants and businesses meant to appeal to tourists and resident foreigners. Starting at
BTS Phrom Phong is where you'll find well-concealed compounds of wealthy Thai resid-
ents and tidy Japanese enclaves, while extending east from BTS Ekkamai, the feel be-
comes more provincial and more Thai.
Local Life
» Hi-So hangouts This is Bangkok's ritziest zone, and is the area to observe hi-so
(high society) Thais in their natural environment: chatting at a wine bar on Soi 55 (Thong
Lor) or buying Fendi bags at Emporium ( Click here ) .
» International dining Th Sukhumvit's various ethnic enclaves are a logical destina-
tion if you've grown tired of Thai food. Known colloquially as Little Arabia, Soi 3/1 is
home to several Middle Eastern restaurants, while a handful of Korean restaurants can be
found at Soi 12, and several Japanese restaurants are located near BTS Phrom Phong. Not
surprisingly, there's relatively little interesting Thai food in the area.
» Club Alley The streets that extend from Th Sukhumvit are home to many of
Bangkok's most popular clubs. Ravers of uni age tend to head to Soi 63 (Ekamai), while
the pampered elite play at Soi 55 (Thong Lor) and expats head to the clubs around Soi 11.