Sukhumvit is one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan districts in Bangkok. This area stretches around Sukhumvit Road, one of Thailand’s longest roads. It is home to many upscale hotels, trendy rooftop bars, international restaurants, and high-end shopping malls.
Sukhumvit Road, also known as Highway 3, is approximately 480 kilometers long, stretching from Bangkok all the way to the Cambodian border. The first 6 km of Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok, which spans from Sukhumvit Soi 1 to Phra Khanong (around Soi 70), is packed with things to do and see.
Sukhumvit Road is well-connected with the BTS Skytrain runs, which makes it more popular for travelers. You can easily get to and get around Sukhumvit and the rest of the city by trains.
You might have heard of some famous places in Sukhumvit such as Soi Cowboy, Nana Plaza, and Terminal 21. But Sukhumvit offers much more than that. Let’s look at the 15 best things to do and see in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok in this article.
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14 Best Things to do in Sukhumvit
1. Terminal 21 Asok
Terminal 21 is one of my favorite shopping malls in Thailand. You can find it at several locations in Bangkok and Pattaya. There is one in Asok Sukhumvit, one on Rama 3 along Chao Phraya River, and the last one is on the second Road in Pattaya.
Terminal 21 Asok is located in the busy intersection of Asok Montri Road and Sukhumvit Road. It is easily reachable by BTS at Asok Station or MRT at Sukhumvit Station.
The mall has a unique airport theme with each floor styled after a different international city, such as Tokyo, London, Istanbul, and San Francisco. It has a mix of local boutiques, international brands, and a popular food court offering affordable and authentic Thai dishes.
You can find almost everything at terminal 21, from cafes, to clothing, cosmetic products, and electronic items. But the most popular spot to visit in Terminal 21 is its Pier 21 food court on the 5th floor. It is always packed with people finding good value for money meals.
Lots of Thai dishes in Terminal 21 only cost 30-50 baht. You need to buy a prepaid card at the counter first, top up with some money, and use it to pay. Most shops won’t accept cash. I usually top up with 200 baht, and get a refund for any unused amount when I return the card.
I recommend trying Pad Thai, Som Tam (spicy papaya salad), Mango Sticky Rice, Vietnamese style noodle soup, mango smoothies, and mixed cut fruits.
Terminal 21 Asok is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. It is, in my opinion, the must-see shopping mall in Bangkok. You can skip other shopping malls in Sukhumvit, but not this one, especially for its cheap and clean food court.
2. Emporium
Emporium is the high end shopping mall located right on Sukhumvit Road, close to soi 24, EmQuartier, and EmSphere. The Mall is in the upscale area of Sukhumviti called Phrom Phong. It is directly connected to Phrom Phong BTS Station, which makes it easier to reach the mall by trains.
If you are looking for luxury brand and designer stores, Emporium is a must visit in Bangkok. You can find all high end brands such as Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Fendi, Rolex, and Cartier. The mall is also home to an upscale gourmet Market, a nice food court, and a premium cinema.
3. EmQuartier
EmQuartier is located on Sukhumvit Road, just opposite Emporium. These two malls are connected to each other by a pedestrian bridge. You can reach EmQuartier by taking the BTS Sky train to Phrom Phong BTS Station.
Similar to Emporium, EmQuartier offers luxury shopping and dining options. It is a great place for shopping for luxury products, trying trendy cafés, and eating in a big food court.
EmQuartier has three buildings, including The Helix Quartier, The Glass Quartier, and The Waterfall Quartier. It has an Instagram-worthy design with lots of greenery and waterfalls.
In addition to luxury brands like Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Prada, you can find more affordable stores such as H&M, Zara, Uniqlo.
4. EmSphere
EmSphere is a high-end shopping mall located in Sukhumvit Road on the Phrom Phong area of Bangkok. It is just a 5 minutes walk from EmQuartier, Emporium, and Phrom Phong BTS Station. These malls are connected to each other by a sky walk.
You can reach EmSphere by taking the BTS train to Phrom Phong Station, then walk on the pedestrian walkway for 5 minutes to reach the mall. You can shop at EmQuartier, Emporium, and EmSphere in a single trip.
Similar to EmQuartier and Emporium, EmSphere is home to lots of high-end stores and a fancy foot court area. You can find world-class chains in this mall including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada. There are several popular cosmetic shops here such as Sephora and Kiehl.
The unique highlight of Emporium compared to EmSphere and EmQuartier is that it is home to IKEA, which is a great place to look for some affordable home furnishings.
5. Benchasiri Park
Benchasiri Park is a tranquil park located on the Sumkhumvit Road, in the Phrom Phong area of Bangkok. It is in the middle of the EM District, which is home to EmSphere, EmQuartier and Emporium. It is a great place to unwind after shopping in the EM District.
You can easily walk from these shopping malls to Benchasiri Park. It is just a 5 minute walk away. If you are further away, you can reach Benchasiri Park by taking the BTS sky train to Phrom Phong Station, then walk to the park.
The park has a large lake in the central area as well as lots of shade from big old trees. It also has walking paths, playgrounds, benches, and sculptures by Thai artists. You can visit the park to relax, exercise, or escape the city’s fast pace.
The park was built to commemorate Queen Sirikit’s 60th birthday. It is also called Queen’s Park. The park is open every day from 4.30am to 10pm. It has free entrance.
6. Benchakitti Park
Benchakitti Park is one of the biggest parks in the heart of Downtown Bangkok. It is located 500m from Sukhumvit Road. If you are at Asok BTS Station or Terminal 21, you can walk to Benchakitti Park for around 20 minutes. You can also take the MRT train to Queen Sirikit Station then walk to the park.
Benchakitti Park has a huge lake at the western side of the park. You can take a stroll along the banks of the lake and enjoy the stunning views of the city and the skyscrapers.
Another highlight of the park is the beautiful 2 km long skywalk that meanders through the park’s lush landscapes, offering beautiful views of the skyscrapers.
Benchakitti Park is open everyday from 4.30am to 9pm. It is free to the public. From Benchakitti Park, you can walk to the northern end of the park to reach the sky walk to get to another huge park in Bangkok, Lumphini Park. You can explore these two parks within a single trip.
7. Korea Town (Sukhumvit Plaza)
If you are craving for Korean food or want to have a Korean massage, you can check out the Sukhumvit Plaza, also known as Korea Town. This shopping mall is located right on Sukhumvit Road, between Sukhumvit Soi 10 and Suk Chai Alley.
Korea Town is just 300m from Terminal 21 and Asok BTS train station. You can get to Korea Town by taking the BTS train to Asok Station then walking to this Plaza.
You can try many Korean dishes such as bulgogi, kimchi stew, BBQ, or enjoy Korean spa. It’s especially popular in the evenings and on weekends.
8. Nana Plaza – Sukhumvit Soi 4
Nana Plaza is a popular adult nightlife area on Sukhumvit Soi 4 (also known as Soi Nana). It is a three-story entertainment complex with lots of go-go bars, beer bars, and ladyboy bars.
If you are looking for adult-oriented activities, this is the place to go. If you are female solo travelers and families with small children, it is best to avoid this place. You can get to Nana Plaza by taking the BTS Skytrain to Nana Station, then walk to Nana Plaza.
9. Sukhumvit Soi 11
Sukhumvit Soi 11 is a good nightlife area in Bangkok with a wide selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants. It is easily accessible by sky train and is only a short walk from Nana station.
This 1km long street is packed with bars, nightclubs, hotels, and restaurants. Some popular places to check out are the Above Eleven – a rooftop bar with beautiful city views, Cheap Charlie’ – a quirky open-air bar, and Levels Club & Lounge.
10. Soi Cowboy
Soi Cowboy is a red light and adult area in the heart of Sukhumvit. It is just a few minutes walk from Asok BTS Station, Sukhumvit MRT station, and Terminal 21 Shopping Mall.
It is a 130m long alley stretching from Asok Road to Sukhumvit Soi 23. It is packed with go-go bars, girl-dancing bars, neon lights, and adult establishments. If you enjoy the nightlife or are just curious, you can check out Soi Cowboy.
The street is open 24 hours a day, but the most vibrant time to visit is between 8:00 PM and 2:00 AM, when the bars are in full swing and the street is bustling with activity.
If you want to take photos, it’s best to ask for permission before doing it. I also recommend keeping an eye on your belongings and being cautious when visiting this area.
11. Soi Arab – Sukhumvit Soi 3/1
This area is located between Sukhumvit Soi 3 and Soi 5, and is home to lots of Middle Eastern restaurants and businesses. If you are craving for middle eastern food, you can visit Soi Arab. It is easily reachable by taking the BTS sky train to Nana Station.
In addition to the restaurants, Soi Arab is home to many street-side stalls and shops selling Middle Eastern handicrafts, clothing, and jewelry.
12. Phrom Phong
Phrom Phong is an upscale area in Bangkok, home to many high-end shopping, trendy cafes, restaurants, and bars. This is the area from Sukhumvit Soi 31 to Sukhumvit Soi 39, and is home to major shopping malls such as EmSphere, EmQuartier and Emporium.
The neighborhood is well-served by Phrom Phong BTS Station, making it easy to reach by public transport. You can easily use ride share services such as Grab, Bolt, and Indrive to get to the area.When traffic gets bad, GrabBike is a great choice because it cuts through the congestion easily.
13. Thong Lor and Ekkamai /Little Japan
You can find lots of Japanese and Korean restaurants and shops along Thong Lor Road and Ekkamai Road. These are great places to try Japanese food and shop for Japanese products. Lots of Japanese expats living in this area.
Some popular places in this area are the Gateway Ekkamai, Commons Thonglor, and Don Don Donki. These two adjoining areas are easily accessible via the BTS Skytrain, Thong Lo BTS Station, and Ekkamai BTS Station.
14. Rooftop Bars
Sukhumvit is a downtown area of Bangkok, packed with skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. There are many rooftop bars and restaurants in the district where you can enjoy the meal, the drink, and beautiful views of the city.
Some popular rooftops bars in Sukhumvit for you to check out are:
- the Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar in Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit (Thong Lor). This place has a lively upscale atmosphere and is a great place for watching the sunset.
- Above Eleven in Fraser Suites (Sukhumvit Soi 11)
- Spectrum Lounge & Bar in Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit near BTS Nana Station.
How to get around Sukhumvit?
The BTS train line runs along Sukhumvit Road, making it easy to get to and around the Sukhumvit by sky train. There Sukhumvit MRT Station is also located in this area which makes it easy to get to other parts of the city on underground trains.
The Asok Station is a major interchange connecting the BTS to the MRT at Sukhumvit Station. You can easily walk to exchange trains between these two stations.
Some major BTS train stations in Sukhumvit include:
- Nana BTS Station: taking you to Nana Plaza, Soi Arab, Sukhumvit Soi 11, Korea Town.
- Asok BTS Station: taking you to Terminal 21, Soi Cowboy
- Phrom Phong Station: taking you to EmQuartier, Emporium, EmSphere, and Benchasiri Park.
- Thonglor and Ekamai Station: serving the Thonglor and Ekamai areas of Sukhumvit.
In addition to public transportations, you can easily use taxis, tuk tuk, and ride sharing services such as Grab, Bolt, and InDrive to get around. Be mindful that traffic in this area can be very heavy during peak hours. If you’re planning to go somewhere, make sure to allow plenty of extra time to avoid delays.
To get to Sukhumvit from Pratunam, Siam, or Silom, you can use BTS sky train. From olf parts of the city such as Old Town, Chinatown, and Khao San Road, you need to take combination of MRT and BTS trains to get to Sukhumvit.
From shopping malls, nightlife areas, to roof top bars, international restaurants, and upscale hotels, Sukhumvit is really the real heart of Downtown Bangkok. Most visitors to Bangkok will visit at least one shopping mall or nightlife hub in this area, whether they’re staying in the district or not. See more: 8 Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok.