Best areas to stay in Bangkok for a month: a neighbourhood guide

The best areas to stay in Bangkok for a month: how to choose

Bangkok has 50 districts, according to Wikipedia, and most visitors only use a handful of them. Wikipedia also describes chronic and crippling traffic congestion despite a large expressway network. Wikivoyage recommends rail and river travel where possible, so treat the station, not the district, as your unit of choice.

Wikivoyage describes the Skytrain intersection at Siam Square as the closest thing Bangkok has to a centre. Because the BTS Sukhumvit Line and Silom Line cross there, a base on either line keeps most of the central city within one change. Choose the line first, then the stop, then the walk from the station to the door.

Check three things for each address: the walk to the station (covered pavements are not guaranteed), the nearest supermarket, and how much noise reaches the apartment at night.

Sukhumvit long stay: is it the best base for a month?

For a Sukhumvit long stay the draw is convenience. Wikivoyage describes the lower-numbered sois as a popular residential area for western expatriates and affluent Thais, and says Asok is the most convenient station because it sits in the centre of Sukhumvit and connects to the MRT. Wikipedia confirms that the MRT Sukhumvit station and the Skytrain interchange at Asok.

The character shifts along the line. Phrom Phong has a Japanese community around Sois 33 and 24 and two large shopping complexes close by, according to Wikivoyage. Thong Lo concentrates shopping and dining and is described there as a kind of Siam Square of Sukhumvit. Wikivoyage places Japanese residents mainly around Soi 55. Ekkamai's nightlife is described as more modest than the busiest sois, and On Nut lies further out along the line.

The trade-off is cost and congestion. Wikivoyage notes that property values in Sukhumvit are among the highest in Bangkok and that accommodation is priced to match. It also calls Sukhumvit Road probably the most congested road in the city, so choose an address close to a BTS station rather than relying on road transport.

• Asok: the interchange between BTS and MRT, in the centre of the district.
• Phrom Phong and Thong Lo: shops, restaurants and a large expatriate community.
• Ekkamai and On Nut: further out along the BTS, with more modest nightlife at Ekkamai.

Silom, Sathorn and Siam: central alternatives to Sukhumvit

Silom and Sathorn form Bangkok's financial district by day and, in Wikivoyage's words, its primary party district by night around Patpong. The BTS Silom Line serves both roads, and the MRT Blue Line meets the BTS at Si Lom, according to Wikipedia. If your work or commute is in the business district, this corridor puts you within walking distance of the office.

Siam and Ratchaprasong are the commercial core, with large malls and hotels. Wikipedia lists Siam as the interchange between the two main BTS lines, so every other BTS station is one ride away. It is a busy commercial hub, which suits some stays and not others.

North of the centre, Phahonyothin and Chatuchak are suburban in feel. Wikivoyage describes the area as a northern suburb with the large Chatuchak weekend market, and Wikipedia says the Blue Line interchanges with the BTS at Chatuchak Park. Ratchadaphisek and Ramkhamhaeng are described there as a locals' nightlife area and a residential district with large malls, respectively.

Old City, Khao San and Thonburi: should you base a month there?

Rattanakosin, the Old City, holds the Grand Palace and Wat Pho along the river, and Wikivoyage describes Khao San Road and Banglamphu as a backpacker hub with budget options. These are strong for days out but have limited rail access, so a month there means a lot of buses, boats and taxis.

Thonburi, the west bank, is described by Wikivoyage as quieter, with Wat Arun and the floating markets best explored by canal. Britannica notes that Bangkok was once two municipalities, Krung Thep on the east bank and Thon Buri on the west, linked by bridges. Treat these areas as day trips, and look for a long-stay base closer to a Skytrain or metro stop.

Getting around Bangkok: BTS, MRT, boats and airport links

Three networks matter. The BTS Skytrain has the Sukhumvit and Silom lines, plus the short Gold Line, and opened on 5 December 1999, according to Wikipedia. The MRT has the Blue and Purple lines operated by BEM and the Yellow and Pink monorails run by BTS Group subsidiaries. The two systems use different payment rules: Wikipedia says the Rabbit Card used on the BTS does not work on the MRT, which accepts contactless bank cards, and it says the Yellow and Pink lines accept cash, contactless cards and Rabbit. Rules change, so check the operators.

Boats help on specific routes. Wikivoyage describes the Chao Phraya Express Boat and the Saen Saep canal boat, which covers 18 km and avoids road traffic, and recommends the Transit Bangkok journey planner. The Chao Phraya commuter lines listed on the operator's page run Monday to Friday.

Wikivoyage says most taxi drivers speak little English, so have your address written in Thai. Plan for traffic if you do use a taxi.

What is the best time of year for a month in Bangkok?

Season matters more in Bangkok than in most cities. Wikipedia classes the climate as tropical savanna with three seasons: hot, rainy and cool. Wikivoyage gives the cool season as November to February with daytime highs around 32°C, the hot season as March and April with average highs around 35°C, and the wet season as May to October. Britannica adds that roughly four-fifths of annual rain, about 1,500 mm in total, falls in brief heavy downpours in late afternoons during the rainy season.

Flooding deserves a practical thought. Wikipedia says the city is flat and low-lying, averaging about 1.5 m above sea level, and that major floods hit in 1995 and 2011. Wikivoyage says extreme rainfall happens in September and October and calls those months best avoided. A base on higher floors and close to a rail station keeps you moving when roads are under water.

Practical tips for a month-long stay in Bangkok

Wikivoyage points to large shopping complexes near Phrom Phong and Thong Lo, but check which supermarket sits on your daily route. If you cook, the aparthotel kitchen guide covers what to check. Ask about laundry too; the aparthotel laundry guide explains the options.

If you will work during the stay, ask about the internet set-up and a desk, and read working remotely from an aparthotel. Long-stay terms differ by building, so run through the long-stay accommodation checklist and the monthly serviced apartments guide before you book.

Dress codes apply at some temples and palaces, where Wikivoyage says covered shoulders, torso and legs are required. Pack accordingly.

Combining Bangkok with other Thai or Asian cities

Many long-stay plans include more than one city. For beach or cooler-climate options, browse Chiang Mai, Hua Hin or the country page for Thailand. For another Southeast Asian base, see Singapore neighbourhoods for longer stays, and for the wider region read aparthotels in Asia for long stays.