Sukhumvit

Sukhumvit in many ways epitomizes modern Bangkok. Characterised by high rise apartments, air-conditioned shopping centers, stylish restaurants and a wide selection of entertainment venues. Linked to the main tourist and commercial areas by the BTS skytrain Line, which runs from Mo Chit through the Silom Line interchange at Siam Square up to On Nut on Soi (side-street) 81. The Bangkok Metro's Sukhumvit Station interchanges with the Skytrain at Asoke. The area is provides a good base for exploring the sights and sounds of Bangkok. Accommodation is also very good. Many of the hotels are new and offer excellent facilities, swimming pool and great views over the city.

Sukhumvit is the longest road in Thailand, both it and its adjoining "Soi" (roads) are low on traditional tourist attractions but abundant in shopping, dinning and nightlife options. While there are touches of 'Thai-ness' on every corner, the many fashionable restaurants, countless bars, modern shopping malls, luxury hotels and many hip clubs give the area a distinctly cosmopolitan flavour.

Small immigrant populations, a large expat community and many tourists, means foreigners of all descriptions are especially well catered for when it comes to things to see and do here, day or night. The bustle of the streets - especially the abundance of pavement vendors and snarled traffic - still offers the relentless sensory bombardment that is so typically Bangkok.

The area between Sukhumvit Soi 1 and Sukhumvit Soi 63 is popular as residential area for western expatriates. Japanese nationals tend to prefer from Asoke intersection upwards, especially Soi Thong Lo. Rentals tend to be higher in the even numbered streets between Soi 8 and Soi 28 and in the odd numbered streets between Soi 15 and Soi 39. Soi 12 is occupied mainly by Indian expatriates, see Phahurat.

Some of the city's most sinful spots, red-light districts Nana Entertainment Plaza and Soi Cowboy are also located here.

The areas of Soi Cowboy (between Soi 21 Asoke and Soi 23) and Nana Entertainment Plaza (Soi 4) are packed full of go-go bars. Restaurants of various levels of luxury exist all along the road, as well as hotels including famous names such as The Westin, JW Marriott and Sheraton. Also several shopping malls are found, like the upscale The Emporium shopping center. It also harbours the eastern bus station at Soi 63 Ekkamai.