The Best Neighborhoods in Bangkok To Live For Expats

Bangkok is without a doubt the largest city in all of Southeast Asia. Not only is it the most populated city in Thailand, the cultural diversity of this city is unseen anywhere else.

Bangkok has something to offer to anyone wishing to stay here. From the famous Khao San Road (popular among backpackers), the extensive Sukhumvit area with countless condos and easy access to BTS and MRT trains, to lovely town houses hidden in secret Thai neighborhoods, as well as massive shopping malls, Bangkok has it all.

A true melting pot of tastes from all around the world.

With its monumental size and endless diversity and convenience, Bangkok is the no. 1 city in Southeast Asia.

While the party area of Khao San Road is popular among the more budget-oriented backpacker crowd, high-scale luxury travelers tend to go for the more upscale Sukhumvit and Sathorn parts of Bangkok. That being said, if you are looking to stay in the City Of Angels long-term, you will most likely want to find your dream home in a location that suits your lifestyle.

This is why we have prepared this guide to the best neighborhoods in Bangkok. We hope it will make your hunt for your next home a little bit easier.

How To Find The Best Neighborhood in Bangkok For An Expat

Bangkok is a very colorful city. Neighborhoods can be vastly different from each other. What comes with it is a different way of life which you will have to adapt to. Living in a busy area of Siam or Asoke can be a totally different experience than staying in the suburbs of Samut Prakan or Bang Na.

Finding the best place to live that suits your lifestyle can be quite challenging and confusing.

It is important to keep in mind that in order to make the decision to settle down in a mega city such as Bangkok will largely depend on your work/job situation, commuting to the office, kids and school as well as access to public transportation. Choosing your home is a highly personal decision and is determined by your preferences and unique situation. 

You might enjoy spectacular city views from high-rise condos. These condos usually come with easy access to BTS and MRT train stations. Not only that. Many parts of the city are well connected to the vast network of highways that can take you straight to the beaches of Pattaya. Talk about convenience!

If you are keen on partying, living in the city center will definitely be up your alley. Don't forget, Bangkok never sleeps!

Perhaps you prefer a quiet garden with your kids running around and playing with your dogs or cats.

Here are our top neighborhoods for expatriates looking to live in Bangkok long and short-term.

Ekkamai

Ekkamai is considered the best place to live in Bangkok by many individuals. It is the home of the Eastern Bus Terminal. It's central location in the Sukhumvit area makes it easy to access the BTS line.

Ekkamai is filled with numerous highly praised restaurants which offer a unique blend of cuisines. You will also fully satisfy your shopping needs with nearby malls, along with a bowling alley at Gateway Ekamai.

Ekkamai is most popular with young expats that have come here to pursue their business careers.

It is perfect for those who are on track with their career goals and enjoy the convenience of a modern city.

With the unique combination of luxury malls, a very attractive residential area, BTS Skytrain, countless side streets perfect for walking and discovering Thai food, as well as a number of community hotspots, Ekkamai is our no. 1 choice to live in Bangkok.

Thong Lo

Thong Lo (sometimes spelled Thong Lor) is an upscale neighborhood on Sukhumvit road.

Popular among wealthy expats and travelers, it is also a trendy spot for the “hi-so” Thai crowd.

The proximity of the BTS Sky Train, numerous upscale restaurants makes it easy for networking with the locals as well as digital nomads residing and working in this area.

The modern look of the residential district of Thong Lo attracts many affluent individuals at co-working spaces and coffee shops ready to exchange ideas during heated brainstorming sessions.

If you are looking to stay in the central Bangkok area, Thong Lo might be one of your best bet. Keep in mind that you will most likely pay a little bit extra for the added convenience and close proximity to nightlife options, dining and business meet ups.

Phrom Phong

Phrom Phong area is a central business district located in the Sukhumvit area. It features two luxury malls, such as Emporium and EmQuartier, many high quality Thai restaurants, Japanese restaurants,  coffee shops, and art galleries.

Not only is Phrom Phong close to the BTS Sky Train, it is also right next to Benchasiri Park which is a great place to unwind after a long day of work. Some of the top restaurants are found here which makes it a great place to meet friends and enjoy the finer things in life.

If you like Japanese cuisine, you will absolutely love Phrom Phong as it is home to many fine Japanese restaurants. Not only that, you can also meet many Japanese and Korean residents here.

Phloen Chit

Phloen Chit is located in the heart of Bangkok, near Wireless Road - the home of a multitude of embassies.

Being quite expensive, it gives you the ultimate luxury of living in Bangkok. If you fancy going on a shopping spree, you can always head over to the Central Embassy shopping mall where all your retail needs will be met.

Living in Phloen Chit gives you the luxury of easy access to Lumphini Park via Wireless Road. The development in this area also features the recently built Green Mile Bangkok which has an overpass connecting Lumphini Park with Benjakitti Park. Slicing through the city, it is a joy to walk with beautiful scenery around..

Many digital nomads and expats enjoy working and networking at the local coffee shops and high-end restaurants.

Nightlife in Phloen Chit is not as crazy as in other parts of town so you will enjoy some peace and quiet while living here.

Sathorn / Silom

Sathorn district is Bangkok's central business district with the famous King Power Mahanakhon tower. Maha Nakhon is the tallest and most expensive building in all of Thailand. It is also famous for the mesmerizing glass Bangkok SkyWalk. Not for the faint hearted!

The convenience (and price) of Sathorn/Silom area brings the BTS Sky Train and the MRT Blue Line together in this prime Bangkok neighborhood. Situated right next to the entrance of Lumphini Park, you can travel around the city both underground and in the skies right from here!

The Silom district lies on the Chao Phraya River. There are many dining options available on river cruises for very affordable prices. This area is also full of tourist attractions such as Thai temples, picturesque canals, nearby Chinatown, and the Sirocco Rooftop restaurant at Lebua State Tower overlooking the river.

The higher rental costs of the Sathorn area justify the plethora of luxury living options, including condominiums and townhouses tucked away in little streets. You can discover many hidden Thai communities with local cafes just by going for a stroll. Many expats choose to live here with the proximity of the Chao Phraya river as opposed to the Sukhumvit area.

Lat Phrao

Lat Phrao is one of Bangkok neighborhoods where business and leisure collide.

Being at the crossroads of the MRT and BTS train stations, it offers easy access to Chatuchak Park - the second largest park in Bangkok and home to the largest Weekend Market in the world - Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Chatuchak Weekend Market is also famous for the JJ Green Market (sometimes referred to as Jatujak Green). This lively place is filled with vendors selling everything from food, clothes, rustic furniture, pets, to souvenirs or even home appliances at cheap prices. This is one of the main reasons why many expats choose to live here.

Lat Phrao also hosts many top schools and universities in the country. This entire area is very family friendly. Its close proximity to Don Muang Airport makes it very easy to travel across the country with just a quick taxi drive away.

To satisfy your shopping needs you can always head to Central Plaza Lad Prao. This mall is also very well connected to the MRT Line with new train stations stretching far and wide into the northern parts of Bangkok.

Ari

Ari is known for its charming laid-back lifestyle. This is why many expats like to live here.

Life seems to run at a slower pace in Ari. The calm surroundings intertwined with lovely little streets make for a unique experience.

Situated near the Ari BTS station, this Bangkok neighborhood offers easy access to high scale fitness centers, gyms, cinemas and stores.

It is here where locals like to venture in search of freshly brewed coffee and enjoy the fine company of international residents. This place is also very family friendly.

Victory Monument

Victory Monument is another area of Bangkok that is easily accessible via BTS Sky Train.

This area offers great availability of apartments for all budgets.

The street vendors gather around the Victory Monument offering some of the cheapest prices in all of Bangkok.

Victory Monument is more of a quiet part of Bangkok with mostly bars and restaurants offering a peaceful place to hang out.

Bang Na

Bang Na is located outside of the city center. Although being away from the city madness, you can always hop on the BTS for a quick train ride to the heart of Bangkok.

This part of Bangkok comes at cheaper accommodation prices compared to the other parts of town.

Bang Na features Mega Bangna - the largest shopping mall in Thailand with Ikea being right next to it. All your household shopping needs will be met there. You will also discover excellent international restaurants located inside.

Bang Na is an up and coming residential area with new developments on the rise.

If you want to get away from the city, you can get on the highway that will take you straight out of the city and into Chonburi and Pattaya. The Suvarnabhumi Airport is also very close so you can be sure you never miss a flight. Bang Na makes it easy to live if you don't fancy the high-rise condos.

Udom Suk

Udom Suk is another area outside of central Bangkok. Although Udom Suk is part of Bangkok’s central business district (CBD), it is quite peaceful when compared to other parts of the city. This makes it a popular choice among many expats who simply want some peace and quiet. The living costs are much lower here too.

If you are looking to abandon the hectic way of life in Bangkok, Udom Suk might be the perfect choice. This area offers many lovely townhouses for rent and sale. Mostly inhabited by Thai people, it has a more authentic Thai feel to it with few locals residing here. This makes it easy to adopt the Thai way of life.

What is more, Udom Suk offers some of the most authentic Thai cuisine at very good prices. The local flavors are strong and full of character. You will also find plenty of massage parlors, shops.

The Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC) are also located here.

On Nut

On Nut feels much like the central Sukhumvit area at a much cheaper price.

It is mostly a Thai neighborhood with places such as the Habit Mall popular among foreign residents. Many newcomers choose this place as their first stay when moving to Bangkok from other parts of Thailand. It's great for networking, with an abundance of co-working spaces and many travelers working on contracts at coffee shops remotely.

This busy area has many fresh markets. Not only that, there is also Big C and Tesco Lotus here.  Century Movie Plaza offers some great experiences as well.

If you need to get to the city center, there is the BTS On Nut train station right next to Tesco Lotus.

Phra Khanong

Phra Khanong is yet another affordable area made up of mostly Thai residents.

Its central location makes it a desirable location among expats who value a decent local community. The most popular place for meet ups is the W District just a few steps away from the Phra Khanong BTS station. This place is always filled with a mix of Thai and foreign nationals happily chatting over a glass of beer, enjoying fine international cuisine. Its central seating area is a beer garden surrounded by small food stalls and shops.

You can find great deals on high rise condos here.

Ratchada / Rama 9

The Ratchada is Bangkok's new business district with an abundance of amenities. It is best accessed by the MRT underground train and a top choice for residents with cars.

It is also the location of the former Ratchada Train Market. Sadly, the market has been demolished after the global pandemic and is no more.

That being said, Ratchada has a wide variety of condos, studios and apartments of all sizes to choose from at very competitive rates.

Ratchada is also famous for being home of the largest mall complex in Bangkok.

The Fortune Town Mall is your go to place for everything electronics.

If you need to go to the cinema, head over to Esplanade (which also hosts the Thailand Cultural Center Station).

Being one of Bangkok's key business districts, Ratchada is the perfect place to seek job and business opportunities. It also has a very good connection with the Suvarnabhumi Airport via the Airport Link sky train.