Thonglor and Ekkamai in Bangkok: cafes, bars and restaurants in the trendy district
Thonglor (Sukhumvit Soi 55) and Ekkamai (Soi 63) make up Bangkok's trendiest neighbourhood, on the BTS Sukhumvit line: designer cafes, Japanese and Thai restaurants, cocktail bars and boutiques, with a large Japanese and expat community. There are no monuments to "visit": you come to stroll in the late afternoon and have dinner. Allow half a day or an evening. Prices are higher than in the rest of the city: a coffee 100 to 150 THB, a cocktail 300 to 500 THB, a meal 300 to 800 THB.
Highlights
Soi 55 (Thonglor)
The main street runs more than two kilometres from BTS Thong Lo to Phetchaburi, with restaurants, bars and boutiques along the pavement and in the side streets. In the evening taxis and motorbike taxis are in high demand: work out your way back in advance.
The Commons and the cafes
The community mall The Commons groups specialty cafes, restaurants and shops around an open courtyard; Casa Lapin, Greyhound Cafe and other cafes known to local guides sit in the neighbouring sois. Check each place's hours: small venues change quickly.
Ekkamai (Soi 63)
More laid-back than Thonglor, with cafes, restaurants and the nearby DIB museum and planetarium. The Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) is here too, for buses to Pattaya, Rayong and Trat.
Cocktail bars
Thonglor is known for bars that feature on Asian best-of lists: well-known addresses include 008 Bar (Akyra hotel) and Backstage; book at the weekend. See also our rooftop bars in Bangkok.
Practical info
Tips
- Walk between stations only if you like walking; otherwise take a motorbike taxi or Grab for the long sois (see Grab or taxi in Bangkok). Many restaurants do not open before 11am and some bars open around 6pm. Dress neatly (no flip-flops) for smart bars. For eating in the rest of Sukhumvit, read eating in Sukhumvit; for the whole area, see the Sukhumvit guide.
How to get there
BTS Sukhumvit line, stations Thong Lo (Soi 55) and Ekkamai (Soi 63), one stop apart. For distances and cards, see BTS or MRT in Bangkok.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
Nearby
See on the map →
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