The Best Neighborhoods in Bangkok for Young Professionals

The financial heart of Bangkok and often referred to as the Wall Street of Thailand, Silom is a bustling hotbed of commercial activity during the daytimes. Shimmering skyscrapers tower over the area and, during weekdays, smart-dressed people in suits power walk the streets. There are plenty of dining options to keep working minds in top form, and there are many bars and evening entertainment options to help people unwind after a day in the office.

Asoke is another thriving business area of Bangkok, with diverse companies housed in modern offices in the many tower blocks. Well connected by both the BTS and the MRT, Asoke has a variety of places to eat and drink, with a huge assortment of international cuisine as well as Thai favourites. There are green spaces close to hand if all you want to do is relax outdoors after a long day at work, and there are plenty of laid-back bars to enjoy in the evenings too.

Ladprao has a terrific balance of business opportunities and leisure activities. There are many ways to unwind after a day at work, including parks, markets, massage parlours, restaurants, and street food stalls, and many local hotels offer first-class facilities for business travellers. Teachers have plenty of avenues to explore with a large number of top-rated schools and universities close to hand.

Just a couple of stops away from Asoke along the BTS line, Ploenchit is within Bangkok’s original central business district. Life here is still fast-paced and the area is teeming with serious and savvy professionals on weekdays. There are many office blocks, some of which offer serviced office facilities, as well as a good selection of leisure and entertainment options to enjoy in your downtime.

One of Bangkok’s most popular areas with foreign visitors and expats, Sukhumvit is also a preferred part of the city for professionally minded people. The BTS skytrain keeps you moving even when the roads are congested and the dense traffic is at a standstill. You’ll find cafes and co-working spaces aplenty, along with a plethora of places to eat and drink. The shopping scene is also great — pop into one of the many malls to grab some smart clothes or perhaps even consider having a new suit tailor-made.

A trendy part of the city that is popular with high-class Thais as well as foreigners, Thonglor has plenty to see and do both by day and by night. There are many opportunities for networking and you’ll likely find a good balance of young local professionals and foreign remote workers in the area’s co-working facilities. In the evenings, the bars offer a classier vibe than in other parts of the city, and the area is known for its excellent dining scene.

Although Ekkamai’s reputation as a hipster and trendy neighbourhood is quickly gaining momentum, it’s also a popular part of the city for young entrepreneurs and remote workers. You’ll find plenty to enjoy when you’re not working hard, including varied restaurants, chilled-out cafes, shops, and art spaces. When your head is in work mode, you’ll be in good company in the shared working spaces.

While Phra Khanong isn’t a business area in itself, it’s a popular base for people who want to stay in a relatively peaceful residential area that is within easy reach of where the deals are negotiated and sealed. You’ll find a good choice of places to eat, drink, and shop, and many local establishments offer free WiFi if you need to stay connected.

Touted as being one of Bangkok’s up-and-coming CBDs, Ratchada is already a great place to work and play. It is seeing a spillover of businesses who don’t want to fight for space in the crowded business area and residents who want convenience without the high premiums. Young professionals can benefit from an increasing number of work opportunities as well as a great selection of fun experiences when clocked off. The location is ideal, between the original central business district and the city’s main international airport.

If you’re visiting Bangkok for one of its many trade fairs and exhibitions, the areas of Bangna and Klongtoey may be more appropriate — the former is home to the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre, and you’ll find the large and purpose-built Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in the latter.