Siam and Pratunam are two famous shopping districts in Bangkok. They are located next to each other but have different feelings. Siam is known as a modern and upscale shopping market, while Pratunam is known for its wholesale market and reasonably priced fashion products.
In this article, I will compare Siam and Pratunam, focusing on their locations, accommodations, shopping, nightlife, foods, and attractions. If you’re wondering whether you should stay in Siam or Pratunam, keep reading.
I stayed in Pratunam and explored most parts of Bangkok including Siam. I hope to give you the best recommendations based on my personal experiences.
Is it better to stay in Siam or Pratunam?
I chose to stay in Pratunam because it is conveniently located on the airport rail link and it offers many budget-friendly accommodations. From the airport, I can just take one train ride directly to my hotel, which is handy for my late arrival.
Generally speaking, Pratunam is the better location than Siam if you want close proximity to the airport, many cheap accommodation options, and wholesale bargain shopping.
Siam is a better area than Pratunam if you want a more upscale trendy atmosphere with both modern luxury and budget shopping malls. Siam has a more family-friendly atmosphere with high end hotels and much child-friendly entertainment inside the malls.
Additionally, Siam is closer to other popular parts of Bangkok like Sukhuvmit and Silom, making it a better base to explore the Downtown part of Bangkok.
Another factor to consider is the local atmosphere. Pratunam has a more local atmosphere with lots of street food vendors and an authentic feel. Siam is all about modern malls and luxury hotels. It is more popular because of its central location in the modern part of Bangkok.
My Recommended accommodations in Pratunam:
- luxury: Eastin Grand Hotel
- mid-range: Anajak Hotel
- budget: Diff Hostel
Top recommended hotels to stay in Siam:
- luxury: Centara Grand
- mid-range: Holiday Inn
Location
Siam and Pratunam are neighboring areas located in the modern part of Bangkok. Pratunam is located on the north of Siam, separated from each other by the Saen Saep Canal.
The main area of Partunam is the area around Pratunam Market and Pratunam Fashion Mall. Major roads in this area are Phaya Thai, Phetchaburi, and Ratchaprarop Road.
Siam is the area centered along Rama I Road, spanning from National Stadium BTS station to Erawan Shrine. This area is home to Bangkok’s iconic malls like CentralWorld, Siam Paragon, Siam Quare, and MBK.
Pratunam is closer to Suvarnabhumi Airport. You can take a direct train from the airport to Pratunam, while to reach Siam, you need to take two trains (airport rail link train and BTS sky train).
However, Siam has a more central location to explore the city. It is closer to Sukhumvit and Silom, which are the nightlife hub of Bangkok, making it more convenient for nightlife and dining. It is also a bit closer to Chinatown and the Old Town, which is more convenient for sightseeing.
See more: How to get to Siam
Public transportations
Both Siam and Pratunam are very well connected with the city public trains and the boat system along Saen Saep Canal. You can easily explore other parts of Bangkok easily on BTS skytrain and by boat.
Pratunam has direct access to Airport Rail Link, which takes you straight to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Additionally, it is served by BTS Sukhumvit Skytrain line.
You can use this line to get Chatukchak Weekend Market, Siam (CentralWorld, Siam Paragon, MBK), and Sukhumvit (Terminal 21, Emporium, Emquatier, Nana Plaza, or Soi Cowboy).
Siam is well-connected to both BTS Sukhumvit and Silom lines. You can easily use these train lines to travel all around Bangkok such as to Silom, Sukhumvit, and Bangkok Rivers.
If you want to avoid the road traffic, you can try to take the canal boat ride along Saen Saep Canal, located between Pratunam and Siam. This boat takes you to Bangkok Old Town passing major points of interest like Jim Thompson House Museum or Golden Mount.
Accommodations
Both Siam and Pratunam have a wide range of accommodations for all budgets. Pratunam offers more budget-friendly accommodations while Siam has more luxury 5-star options. If you are budget travelers, Pratunam is a good choice. If you want a luxury stay, head straight to Siam.
These are two popular neighborhoods in Bangkok, so always make sure to book your accommodations well in advance. Accommodations in Bangkok often sell out quickly during the peak season, from November to May.
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Nightlife
Siam and Pratunam have good nightlife, though it’s not as lively as in Sukhumvit or Silom. The nightlife in these two areas are mostly about shopping malls and night markets.
There are a good range of restaurants and eateries in each area, but for a more vibrant nightlife scene, you can take a short train ride to their neighbor Sukhumvit.
There are more street food stalls on the side streets and at the night markets in Pratunam, so if you want casual cheap local food, Pratunam is the place to go. The dining scene in Siam is more upscale with food courts inside modern malls and trendy restaurants and roof top bars.
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Shopping
For bargain shopping with bulk buy and cheap goods, mostly about fashion, you can head to Pratunam. Siam has a wider range of shopping experiences, including both luxury shopping at Siam Paragon to budget-friendly goods at MBK Shopping mall.
In Pratunam, you can shop at the Pratunam Market, which is one of the biggest wholesale markets in Bangkok. You can find cheap clothes, shoes, accessories at the market. The more you buy, the more discounts you get.
Additionally, there is a cluster of malls along Phetchaburi Road such as Platinum Fashion Mall, Pantip Plaza, Krungthong Plaza. From Platinum Mall, you can walk along the skywalk to get to Big C and CentralWorld for more shopping.
In Siam, you can find High‑end brands, designer stores at more polished malls like CentralWord and Siam Paragon. There are also many mid-range options at Siam Square, Siam Discovery, and Siam Center. For budget hunting, you can check out MBK station.
All malls in Siam are well-connected to BTS skytrain stations. You can easily walk between these malls, which are great for a day of shopping in Siam.
Food
Siam has more upscale restaurants and food courts and the price is generally more expensive than in Pratunam. In Pratunam, you can find more street food stalls along the side road and at the night markets.
You can find a variety of food options in both Siam and Pratunam. Siam has a variety of international and fusion food. Pratunam is more about street food, with a good selection of Thai food, Chinese food, and Indian food.
Attractions
Attractions in Siam and Pratunam are mostly about shopping malls. If you want to see major historical and cultural attractions of Bangkok, you need to travel to the old town and Chinatown. These places can be reached by canal boat or the combination of BTS skytrain and MRT train.
There are some local cultural attractions that are close to both Siam and Pratunam. They are Jim Thompson House Museum, Erawan Shrine, and Bangkok Art & Culture Centre.
Family-friendly atmosphere
If you are looking for a place to stay with family in Bangkok, Siam is the place to go. Siam has a more family-friendly atmosphere with choices of kid-friendly accommodations and entertainment options.
Pratunam is more hectic, crowded, and noisy with less polished ambience, which might not be very suitable for a family with kids.
Some family-friendly attractions in Siam include SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World and Madame Tussauds. There are also playgrounds in big shopping malls in Siam.
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So, there you have it, my comparison of the differences between Siam and Pratunam. Overall, Siam is the better choice if you want a luxury and family-friendly atmosphere. You can choose Pratunam for its more budget-friendly options, bargain wholesale shopping, and close proximity to Bangkok airport.