Sukhumvit Siam Sathon Silom Pratunam Riverside Khao San Ploenchit-Chidlom China Town Old City

One of the busiest and most important area for the financial, business and city-life in Bangkok. The area consists of the high buildings along the road in the modern style where the international companies, restaurants, shopping arcade, entertainment and fantastic service apartment set in.  Therefore, most of the visitors and residents come here for business or fine dinning.

Fine Dining: Many fine restaurants are located on Silom since the road is Bangkok’s business area. Travelers and business men from all over the world must come to Silom. That’s why you can find any kind of food from all over the world – Chinese, Japanese, Mediterranean, French, Italian, Indian and so on – here. Also the restaurant are for well class market and welcome all cards.

Shopping: Silom, especially at Patphong Night Market, is well-know among the shoppers for its street vendors. At night a street vendors set up their temporary shop along the road. They sell clothe, bags, shoes, watch, souvenir (no-name and fake) that you can bargain the price for Louise Vutton bag or Rolex watch . Open from 7 pm to approx. 1 am.

Relaxing at Lumpini Park
Lumpini Park is the largest and oldest park in Bangkok. The park is located near the center of the business district where Silom road meets Rama IV. Since it’s near the Dusit Thani hotel, as well as not far from several other hotels and major office buildings, the park is popular among joggers and other sports enthusiasts early in the morning -- it opens at 6:00 am.
Later in the day, you'll find older people enjoying games of chess in the shade, or congregating in the seniors center, one of the newest buildings in the park. The clock tower at right is one of the oldest.

The park is one of those places that seems to constantly offer up something new while staying essentially the same all at the same time. The finishing touches are just being put on this Chinese style gazebo, build in honor of his majesty the king's sixth cycle (72nd) birthday.
The park really has something for everyone. Two large lakes offer paddle boats. There are jogging trails and even a couple of "muscle beach" areas where you can lift weights -- the oldest and most popular is near the clock tower. For those interested in less strenuous activities, there's also a library and several places with chess tables where you can pick up a game to exercise your brain rather than your body.

Hanging out

Patpong is easily Bangkok's best-known, most notorious nightlife area. The four-acre plot of privately owned land has over 100 back-to-back neon-lit bars catering almost exclusively to men. The short lanes stretching between Silom and Surawong Roads constitute one of the best nightlife areas in the world and, love it or hate it, few will forget their first trip to Patpong.

Patpong earned its notoriety during the Vietnam War when GIs made it their base for R&R (rest and recreation), also known as I&I (intoxication and intercourse). These days Patpong is tamer and pretty much run for the tourists.

The nightlife strip runs along two short lanes, Patpong 1 and 2, with a couple of short interconnecting sois. Bars share street-space with restaurants, massage parlors, a couple of hotels, and, incongruously, a Foodland supermarket, while a night market selling clothes, fake watches and souvenirs runs down the center of Patpong 1 and out along Silom Road.
Although touts and overzealous salesmen will pester the tourist for their dollars, Patpong is one of the safest and least expensive nightlife areas in the world and should remain on the itineraries of every visitor to Bangkok. Get there easily from the Sala Daeng BTS Station or just get a taxi or tuk tuk - everyone knows Patpong!



Silom Soi 2: The center of Bangkok's gay scene is without doubt Silom Soi 2, a short lane off Silom crammed with bars and restaurants that caters exclusively to the gay community.

Soi 2 is widely considered to be 'more gay' than nearby Soi 4. The bars get hot and sweaty on Friday and Saturday nights and it's hard to move, let alone dance to the trendy underground sounds. Men wandering into these bars at the weekend can expect to be groped from all quarters.
Hot spots along this strip are the ever-popular DJ Station, a disco with drag shows and dancing guys, as well as JJ Park and Your Place. For slightly tamer, more 'hetero' entertainment, head along to Soi 4.

Soi 2 is just a stone's throw from the Saladaeng BTS Station. All taxi drivers know this area.



Silom Soi 4: Silom Soi 4 is among Bangkok's hottest nightspots, with several bars, discos and restaurants crammed into the 100-meter long lane. Although definitely a 'gay' area, couples and women will not feel uncomfortable in the crowded bars along this strip.

The soi is also the center for the city's club scene and attracts a dedicated crowd of trendy 'in' people. Many of the bars and discos specialize in underground sounds straight from the clubs of London and New York.

Telephone, Sphinx and the Balcony are the hottest venues right now. Also popular are the Icon Club and Pharaoh's. Nearby Soi 2 is generally 'more gay' while nearby Patpong and Thaniya cater to hetero men only (Thaniya attracting a predominantly Japanese clientele).
Narrow Soi 4 is easily missed unless you are looking for it. The soi is directly opposite Convent Road and right below the Saladaeng BTS Station on Silom

Silom Village
At the lower end of Silom is the Silom Village center. This small collection of souvenir shops and restaurants can be an interesting place to poke around in, especially if you are staying in the area. In the evening, classical Thai music is played for guests of the restaurant in the open courtyard. Upstairs is a sort of dinner theater, where you can enjoy a Thai meal along with an abbreviated display of Thai dancing.



Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Just up and across the street from Silom Village is the only purely Hindu temple in Bangkok. Built in the late 1860s by Tamil immigrants, the coloful temple now hosts the faithful of many nationalities.



Neilson-Hayes Library
Walk up Silom Soi 20 (or Decho Road) opposite the Hindu Temple. You'll pass a relatively new mosque near the middle of the alley. At the end of the alley is the Nelson-Hayes Library. The rather elegant library in a shady compound next to the British Club houses one of Southeast Asia's finest English-language collections. The library was built in 1921 to honor Jennie Neilson-Hayes by her husband. The rotunda serves as a gallery space with frequent exhibitions.



Silom Windmill
Chongnonsi Road bisects Silom roughly in the middle. This wide road has a canal running down the middle of it. Between Silom and Suriwong Roads, the canal has been covered with a plaza featuring a modern sculpture of a windmill. "Silom" means windmill in Thai, and the Silom area was once dotted with windmills. This was back when the area was mostly orchards.



Snake Farm
The Snake Farm or Queen Saowapha Memorial Institute, formerly the Pasteur Institute, is set up to produce anti-venom serum for snake-bite victims nationwide. Venomous snakes including the king cobra, Siamese cobra, Russell's viper, banded krait, Malayan pit viper, green pit viper and Pope's pit viper are milked daily for their venom to make snake-bite antidote. Venom-milking and snake-handling shows are held daily at 10.30 am and 2.00 pm on weekdays, and 10.30 am on public holidays. Lots of information on herpetology and toxicology is available at the institute.
The Snake Farm is located on Rama IV Road, near Henri Dunant Avenue, within the Thai Red Cross Institute. If you happen to get bitten by a snake or any other kind of animal then this is a good place to come for treatment. Vaccinations are available for cholera, smallpox, typhoid, hepatitis and rabies as well as snake bite.

The Snake Farm is open to the public every day from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm on weekdays, and 8.30 am to 12.00 am on weekends and public holidays. Admission costs 70 baht. For further information, call +66 2 252-0161-4.

How to get there: BTS Skytrain to Saladaeng Station, Subway to Samyan Station
Bus routes 4, 45, 47, 50, 67, 74, 76, 141, 501
Open : Mon. - Fri. from 8.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m., Sat., Sun. and Public Holidays from 8.30 a.m. - 12 noon.
Venom extraction : Mon. - Fri. at 11 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. holidays at 11 a.m.
Slide presentation in English : 30 minutes before venom extraction.
Admission : 70 Baht
Contact : Tel. 0 2252 0161-4

Benjarong (Thai)
Dusit Thani Hotel, Rama IV Road
T. 02-236-9999
“Elegant” is the word that immediately comes to mind when describing this restaurant. The carpeting is heavy, the tables and chairs substantial and the lighting subdued. There is a view of the garden and “waterfall” I the hotel’s courtyard. The food is Royal Thai with sweet curries and elaborate presentations dominating the menu. At lunch light and economical set menus are available. This is a good place to bring those VIP’s who want to try Thai food in dinnertime.



Cafe de Loas (Thai/Laotian)
Silom Soi 9
T.02-635-2338/9
Set in the charming atmosphere turn-of –the country colonial style house, this restaurant offer an up market selection of Isaan specialties. In addition to an extensive a-la-carte menu, set lunches are available, also kai Baan Yang (Grill free range chicken), Som Tum, Laab, selection of fish menu and other dishes which have made Isaan cooking famous. Unique food and the charming atmosphere make this an ideal place for a business lunch or dinner.



Cafe Swiss Restaurant (Swiss/International)
The Swiss Lodge Hotel, 3 Convent Road, Silom
The most authentic Swiss Chalet experience in Bangkok! In a very cozy atmosphere with separate smoking and non-smoking areas, Caf? Swiss will serve you traditional Swiss specialties like Raclette, Croute Au Fromage, Classic Swiss Fondue (Beef, mixed, Cheese and Chocolate), Salmon steak, rack of Lamb and many more. The combination of Thai hospitality and Swiss cuisine makes Caf? swiss the only place to enjoy the treats of Switzerland to the heart of Bangkok daily.



Chimney, The (Steakhouse)
Silom Soi 21, Silom Road
T. 02-630-2244
The Chimney Steakhouse and Restaurant offers you great imported premium steaks, coffee and wine. Grilled on an open-grill, you can enjoy our steaks in a romantic and cozy atmosphere under the sky roof and candlelight. We entertain you with live piano and violin on Thursday and Saturday.



Coyote (Mexican)
Sivadon Building, Convent Road, Silom
T.02-631-2325
As a Mexican should, Coyote has an atmosphere of fun and revelry and it’s proving to be very popular. The selection of over 75 Margaritas will help any party start swinging and the menu of quality groups but equally as appropriate for couples as the food is of high standard. Lunch times a set menu is served and Sundays there is a Brunch. Downstairs seems most popular at present although the upstairs is very comfortable and perfect for parties or large gatherings. Set lunch menu Monday – Friday. Brunch served 12-6pm (Sat, Sun and Public Holiday)



D’Sens (French)
Dusit Thani  Hotel
T.02-236-9999
In collaboration with 2-Michelin star Chefs, Jacques and Laurent Pourcel from Montpellier, France, D’Sens features innovative French a la carte and set menus of your choice, with great venue for money with an extraordinary bird’s eye view of Bangkok. D’Sens is the real place for a French fine dining experience.



Hamilton’s Steak House
Dusit Thani Hotel
T.02-236-9999
A revival of the 1920’s New Orleans jazz era, Hamilton’s is the place to enjoy the best roasts and steaks from your choice of US Certified Black Angus, Australian and Matsuzaka Beef; aged. Marinated and grilled over lava stones to preserve all their natural juices and flavor. And then, there are the daily changing roasts from a trolley, carved to your order – New Zealand lamb, Roast pork, free-range chicken and US prime ribs. Fine selection of wine by glass and bottle are available.



Sirocco (Mediterranean)
63rd Floor, State Tower
T.02-624-9555
Dramatic and exciting are words to describe this restaurant on the 63rd Floor of the State Tower Building. Drink and dine here and you will be among the stars both literally and figuratively. Popular with the city’s glitterati, it is a place to be seen. The cuisine is Mediterranean and well-prepared; portions are large and surprisingly affordable. For those who only want to drink, the Sky Bar provides a view you will never forget. Still to come is a 20,000-bottle wine cellar.

(Click here for hotels in Silom)

The traffic on Silom Road doesn’t go well because of its crowded comers. However, if you need to go to on this road, there is a lot of taxi to take you. Mass transportation by sky train would be better. The sky train runs from the mouth of the road (Sala Daeng Station) through Saphan Taksin, terminal station. Some travelers love to get here by subway (Silom Station) or skytrain (Sala Deang Station), and then walk along the road to shop or find somewhere to dine.

The terminal station at Saphan Taksin is a good connection to a boat trip to visit Grand Palace, Wat Arun and other historical attraction along Chao Phraya River.