Thonglor and Ekkamai: Why This Part of Bangkok Costs More

Thonglor (āļ—āļ­āļ‡āļŦāļĨ่āļ­) and Ekkamai (āđ€āļ­āļāļĄัāļĒ) are where Bangkok's Japanese and expat communities concentrate.

Prices reflect that. It feels like a different city from Khao San Road.


Where

BTS Thong Lo — Sukhumvit Soi 55
BTS Ekkamai — Sukhumvit Soi 63

One BTS stop apart, about fifteen minutes on foot between them. Usually spoken of together.

Both are long sois running north off Sukhumvit. The further in you go, the quieter it gets.

Why it's expensive

A large Japanese community lives here — Japanese restaurants, supermarkets and schools cluster along both sois, and prices formed around that.

Western long-stay residents too. Condo rents run well above the Bangkok average.

The result is high-quality cafÃĐs and restaurants at high-quality prices. Coffee costs two to three times what you'd pay at a local shop.

What it's for

CafÃĐ work. This is the centre of Bangkok cafÃĐ culture. Reliable wifi, power sockets, nobody minds a laptop.

Japanese food. Ramen, izakaya and sushi, much of it Japanese-run.

Bars. Cocktail bars and rooftops rather than clubs. Quiet.

Shopping. Concept stores and lifestyle shops rather than malls.


Thonglor vs Ekkamai

ThonglorEkkamai
FeelPolished, pricierCasual, slightly cheaper
CrowdJapanese, Western expatsYoung Thais, expats
Strong onJapanese food, barsCafÃĐs, local character

Start with Ekkamai if you want the area without the price shock.

Practical

The sois are very long. Thonglor runs over 2km. Take a car if you're heading deep — you cannot walk it.

No shade inside the sois. Don't attempt it midday.

Come by BTS. Parking is difficult.

Evening is when it works. Daytime is quiet and many places are closed.

For long stays

This is a frequent one-month-stay recommendation, and the reasons hold up: BTS on the doorstep, cafÃĐs and coworking, hospitals and supermarkets nearby, and it feels safe.

The one drawback is rent. If budget is tight, drop one or two BTS stops to On Nut or Phra Khanong — the difference is substantial.


In short

  • Sukhumvit Sois 55 and 63, on the BTS
  • Japanese expat concentration drives the prices
  • CafÃĐs and Japanese food are the strengths
  • The sois are long — take a car past the first stretch
  • Evening is the main event

For the wider picture of which district suits which traveller, see the neighbourhoods guide. For eating, this area sits between the Michelin listings and the night markets.

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