Silom Information and Hotels Guide
Silom Information Guide
Who would have thought that an empty, swamp-like field with a tall ’silom’ (windmill) stuck in the middle would somehow become Bangkok’s equivalent to New York’s Wall Street? Today, Silom (by day anyway) is undoubtedly one of the city’s most important financial districts with many bank headquarters, financial institutions and office buildings. Fine hotels, smaller type malls and great restaurants abound in the area too - and then of course there’s the infamous nightlife scene of Patpong.
It is no wonder that Bangkok’s two most sophisticated mass transportation systems - the Skytrain (BTS) and underground - both have Silom connections, which are also conveniently connected by the walkway between MRT Silom and BTS Sala Daeng stations. Siam, Chidlom, Ploenchit, Sathorn, and the riverside are all located close to Silom, usually only a few BTS stations away.
What makes Silom unique though is the interesting mix of people who roam the streets, and a quite different ‘day crowd’ to an ‘after dark’ crowd too. Silom is one of the most cosmopolitan areas of Bangkok, and normally ranks very high on most visitors’ to-do-lists. And with good reason. Patpong has after all been featured in a James Bond chase, and in a scene of the hippie cult movie ‘The Beach’.
Apart from the famous Patpong Night Market and go-go scene, Silom is also home to a smattering of gay or gay-friendly venues, making it the city’s ‘rainbow hub’. Day or (especially) night, the streets of Silom provide endless entertainment and amusement, from blind singers and ‘katoeys’ to pavement and alley vendors selling pretty much anything you can imagine, legit or not, authentic or replicated.
Silom - Where to stay in Silom?
Stretching from Charoen Khrung Road in the West, to Rama IV Road (by Lumpini Park) in the East, the Silom area extends as far as the parallel Suriwong Road and Sathorn Road. Part of the city’s main business and financial district it’s short on traditional tourist attractions. Canceling out the sterility of the abundant head offices and tower blocks however, is the combined appeal of the famous Patpong, Silom Road’s energy and enterprise, some great bars and restaurants, a buzzing gay scene, and its central location - in fact, its one of the city’s most liveliest and popular areas in town. Depending on where you stay along its 4.5km length, Silom places you roughly halfway between the riverside and main shopping areas like Siam Square. The standard of accommodation overwhelmingly ranges between mid-range and five-star luxury, and prices reflect this. Loosely served by three Skytrain (BTS) stations - Surasak, Chong Nonsi and Sala Daeng - its best broken up by these.
Sala daeng
A stay in this area gives you the access to the main shopping and entertainment segment of the Silom area - one of the liveliest, bustling and most interesting areas in the city, including Patpong. Office workers by day become bargain and thrill seekers by night, the straight stretch coming alive with shops and stalls selling all manner of merchandise, great restaurants, bars, Thai massage parlours, crowded clubs and notorious sex shows. Rising above the scene is the skytrain, which, via handy raised walkway, connects to the subway station at the end of Silom road. Just beyond it is Lumpini Park - the perfect daytime escape from the noise and pollution.
| Dusit Thani Hotel 5-star | Superb Location | Internet in Rooms | Great Restaurants This famous 5-star overlooks the lush greenery of Lumpini Park, has an underground (MRT) station on its doorstep, and is only minutes walk away from Sala Daeng (BTS) Skytrain station and the world famous Patpong. Room and suites range from 30 square metre Deluxes to the 239 square metre Majesty Suite - bringing the total room tally to 517. Club Rooms (30 square metres), Club Corner Rooms (40 square metres) and Grand Rooms (60 square metres) offer executives sumptuous Thai interiors and separate lounge areas alongside free high-speed Internet, oversized desk, wall-mounted LCD TV, complimentary local calls, even a pillow menu! Guests in these can enjoy the Club Lounge and exclusive privileges. Restaurants include Thai, Italian, French, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese offerings, and a fitness centre, ‘DFiT’, includes gym, swimming pool, health bar, steam and sauna rooms, squash court, even a golf driving range. Confirming its all-round luxury are the banqueting facilities, Champagne Lounge, hip MyBar, reading library, flower shop, beauty salon, and gourmet delicatessen. (Dusit Thani Bangkok has rooms available at special price on Latestays, starting at 6,190 THB)The Elegance Suite 3 Star | Swimming Pool | Conference Rooms This 82-room hotel has a classical European style and a travel-friendly location on Silom Road, only a few minutes walk from Saphan Taksin Skytrain Station, the Express way and a Tops Supermarket. For the price you’ll be impressed with the Euro motif furniture, fully equipped kitchen, electrical appliances and facilities that grace each room, creating a comfortable residence for all guests. It has more than just elegant abodes up its sleeve though. After business meetings in the conference room, guests can unwind in the Balinese style rooftop garden and its swimming pool, fitness centre, sauna or jacuzzi. (The Elegance Suites has rooms available at special price on Latestays, starting at 2,000 THB)Siri Sathorn Serviced Apartment | Kitchenette | Internet in rooms | Spa On Soi Sala Daeng 1, in the heart of Bangkok’s Silom business and shopping district, lies Siri Sathorn, a luxury boutique serviced residence with convenient access to Sala Daeng (BTS) Skytrain station, Lumpini Park, malls and Patpong’s night market and entertainment. Its 111 suites range from one-bedroom (60 square metres) to two bedroom penthouse suites (200 square metres), all with living room, dining rooms and well-equipped kitchenette. Designed to reflect comforts and conveniences of a private residence, suites feature the finest Italian and Australian finishes and come with facilities including wireless Internet, TV and hi-fi. There is a Spa, Fitness Centre, Business Centre, meeting room, restaurant and swimming pool - and wireless internet access in all! (Siri Sathorn has rooms available at special price on Latestays, starting at 4,600 THB) Siam Heritage |
Chong Nonsi |
Busy but not altogether bustling, the area of Silom near BTS Chong Nonsi - roughly in its middle - is populated by huge office tower blocks and corporate offices, and people scurrying about in suits. Lots of shops of marginal interest and decent restaurants strewn along this stretch - including seafood, Italian and, of course, Thai - as well as further afield, on nearby Sathorn and Narathiwat roads. A stay here puts you roughly midway between the riverside, in one direction, and Patpong’s chaotic entertainment and shopping in the other. Both are in walking distance, but perhaps best reached via tuk-tuk or taxi.
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5-star | Internet in Rooms | Great Restaurants | Spa