Areas and suburbs in Bangkok

The best places to live in Bangkok

Over the years, Bangkok has experienced something of a facelift. Where there were once humble wooden homes, there are now luxury high-rise apartment buildings, promoting themselves as must-haves for those who want a modern life with all the mod cons.

For many expats moving to Bangkok, these luxury residences come at a far more affordable price than similar accommodation in their home country.

City living in Bangkok

Downtown Bangkok: Silom, Sathorn, Sukhumvit

Many expats favour living right in the heart of Bangkok. The centre of the city is in close proximity to the sleek and stylish Bangkok Sky Train as well as shopping malls, hospitals, museums, good schools, nightclubs, bars and international restaurants, not to mention plenty of green areas. The middle of town is also the primary place of business – for many expats, being near work and having access to the area's amenities is an attractive option.

People from all walks of life – expat retirees, engineers, journalists, teachers and UN workers – are found living in these areas, either with family or by themselves. However, being able to enjoy the privileges of city living will add to an expat’s monthly rent. For those with the time and energy, it is recommended to go by foot and see first-hand what kind of value there is in each area because many places that offer great value for money do not advertise. 

Nevertheless, while the pros are obvious, so are the cons. The quality of air in the city centre is poor, playgrounds and parks are fairly rare, and red-light areas are abundant. These aspects are more obvious in some neighbourhoods, and while the adventurous singleton can easily brush the risqué elements aside, expat families may prefer not to have to constantly dodge curious questions from their children.

Suburban living in Bangkok

Nonthaburi, Suan Luang, Samut Prakan

The heavy urban sprawl of Bangkok unfurls from the central downtown areas into many exclusive private housing estates. The Bangkok Sky Train extending towards the east and south of the city has presented an opportunity for expats to escape the city centre, set up base in the fresh air of suburbs, and still commute using public transport.

Naturally, these estates favour families moving to Bangkok rather than single expats. They are generally quiet and safe to live in, and some of these areas also play host to some excellent international schools. The downside is having to contend with a daily commute to and from work. 

There are, however, some areas which offer freestanding houses that are closer to the city. Demand for real estate in these areas is high, though, meaning that properties are more expensive and are a bit closer together than houses in areas further from the city centre. These places often have easy access to public transport as well as amenities such as shopping centres, schools, hospitals, parks and tourist attractions.