Neighbourhood guide
Sathorn, Bangkok
Sathorn is Silom's more polished neighbour: fewer street stalls, more hotel bars, and some of the best views in Bangkok from its towers.
Updated
3 min read
How we research
In this guide ↓
Best for
- Business travellers
- Luxury and upper mid-range stays
- Couples
Less suited to
- Street-life seekers
- Walkers (the main road is big and busy)
Getting there
- Chong Nonsi / Surasak / Saint Louis · BTS Silom Line
- Lumphini · MRT Blue Line
- Nightlife
- some
- First-time visitors
- OK
- Families
- OK
- Hotel budgets
- mid-range, luxury
What is Sathorn like?
Sathorn is the more polished neighbour of Silom. Its wide main road — split by a canal in the middle — is lined with embassies, office towers, luxury hotels and condominiums. There's less street life than Silom; instead, Sathorn's appeal is in its hotel restaurants, its quieter side streets and some of the best views in Bangkok from its rooftops.
Where is it, and how do you get there?
Sathorn Road runs roughly parallel to Silom Road, from Lumphini Park towards the river.
- BTS Chong Nonsi and Surasak — on the BTS Silom Line.
- BTS Saint Louis — for the southern side of Sathorn.
- MRT Lumphini — at the eastern end, near the park.
- BTS Saphan Taksin and Sathorn pier — at the river end.
Sathorn Road itself is wide and busy; crossing it on foot means finding a bridge or crossing point. Plan routes around the BTS.
Best things to do
Rooftop bars
Sathorn is home to some of Bangkok's most famous rooftop bars, including Vertigo and Moon Bar at the Banyan Tree. Go before sunset and check the dress code. See Bangkok nightlife.
Lumphini Park
At the eastern end of Sathorn, Bangkok's central park is best in the early morning or early evening.
King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk
An observation deck with a glass-floor section near the top of one of Bangkok's tallest towers.
1 hour · Best time: just before sunset · Chong Nonsi (BTS Silom Line)
Soi Suan Phlu and the side streets
Away from the main road, the sois of Sathorn have a quieter, residential feel, with local restaurants, cafés and spas.
Where to eat
Sathorn's dining tends to happen in hotel restaurants and in the small restaurants of side streets like Soi Suan Phlu and the lanes around Sathorn Soi 12. For a cheap weekday lunch, cross into Silom's sois and food courts.
Nightlife
Rooftops and hotel bars are the focus. For livelier nightlife, Silom is a short walk or one BTS stop away.
Staying in Sathorn
Sathorn suits business travellers, couples and anyone who wants a quieter, more upscale base close to the action.
Advantages
- Upscale hotels, many with big pools and spas
- Quieter than Silom
- Close to the river and Lumphini Park
- Easy BTS access
Disadvantages
- Little street life on the main road
- Not very walkable — big roads and long distances
- Fewer budget options
When to visit
Sunset, for the rooftops.
Sathorn or Silom?
Choose Sathorn for a calmer, more upscale stay and rooftop views; choose Silom for cheap weekday lunches, nightlife and value.
Nearby
Silom is next door and the Riverside is at the western end of Sathorn Road.
where to next?
- Silom, BangkokSilom works hard by day and plays by night. It is one of the best-value bases in central Bangkok, with both the BTS and MRT on hand.
- Bangkok RiversideThe riverside is Bangkok at its most romantic and, thanks to the boats, better connected to the Old Town than anywhere on the BTS.
- Bangkok NightlifeBangkok's nightlife is spread across distinct areas, each with its own crowd. Pick the area first; the venue matters less.