Bang Rak is a district in Bangkok, which is also one of the best areas to stay in the capital city of Thailand. In this detailed guide, discover the Bang Rak District in Bangkok. Explore top attractions, transportation options, the best things to do, and the best places to stay in the district of Bang Rak, Bangkok.
Together with the neighboring Sathon District, the Bang Rak District and, more specifically, its Silom area are financial and business hubs in Bangkok that are home to local and international establishments, large office buildings, leading department stores, banking institutions, and audit and law firms.
The district gives you green spaces with a huge Lumpini Park nearby, where you can relax and soak up the atmosphere. Most of the hotels in the Bang Rak District and its most famous Silom Road area are upscale hotels set up in skyscrapers with trendy rooftop bars and offering top-quality services to tourists. The district is also home to numerous cafes, high-end restaurants, and spots for a colorful nightlife. Bang Rak is a perfect place to stay for anyone looking for a good time in Bangkok.
Where is the Bang Rak District in Bangkok?
Bang Rak is located slightly to the southwest of Bangkok's center. The district stretches from Rama IV Road to the Chao Phraya River, north of Sathon Canal and North Sathon Road, and in the northwest is separated from Bangkok's Chinatown by Phadung Krung Kasem Canal.
The neighboring Bangkok districts are:
- Samphanthawong
- Pathum Wan
- Sathon
Things to Do in the Bang Rak District, Bangkok
Bang Rak is offering many interesting activities and places to go to from day to night, so you will always find various things to do in the Bang Rak District.
Soi Patpong: The oldest red-light district in Bangkok, which is a small alley about 200 meters long with numerous go-go bars and clubs.
Patpong Night Market: A night market on Patpong Road in Bangkok's entertainment district with most stalls selling miscellaneous goods, clothing, and accessories and only a few food stalls.
King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk: The most iconic observation deck in Bangkok, where you can walk on the edge of the building along the glass-floored skywalk to see a 360-degree panoramic view of the city's skyline.
Rooftop Bars: Bang Rak is home to many rooftop bars, where you can enjoy nightlife with a spectacular view. The most famous rooftop bars in the Bang Rak District are the following:
- Sirocco, Sky Bar & other Lebua rooftop venues: Spectacular open-air rooftop venues on the top of the lebua Hotel at State Tower, 63 floors above Silom Road, on the Chao Phraya River side.
- Scarlett Rooftop Bar: Perched on the 37th floor of Pullman Bangkok Hotel G in the heart of Bang Rak District and serving exquisite French cuisine, creative cocktails, a great wine list, and panoramic views of Bangkok’s skyline.
- Yao Rooftop Bar: Bangkok's first Chinese-influenced multi-level venue, located on the 32nd floor of the Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse.
Silom Complex Mall: A small shopping mall in the Bang Rak District since 1993 with everything you could buy, from clothing and shoes to books. There are several cuisine restaurants, banks, a food court, and a supermarket.
Bangkokian Museum: A traditional Thai house that was built around the time of World War II, displaying furnishings and objects from the period, located on the corner of Surawong Road and Sriphaya Road.
Neilson-Hayes Library: A library with a neoclassical exterior and a collection of approximately 20,000 books. Exhibitions of paintings and other works are held inside the building.
Assumption Cathedral: The principal Roman Catholic church in Thailand and the main church of the Archdiocese of Bangkok. English Mass is held every Sunday at 10:00.
Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple: The main Tamil Hindu temple in Thailand was built by the Indian immigrant residents in the period of King Rama IV in the late 1870s, better known as Wat Khaek.
Wat Hua Lamphong: The third-class Royal Buddhist temple in Bangkok's Bang Rak District, where locals come for merit-making activities 24 hours a day.
Tingly Thai Cooking School: Top cooking class in the Bang Rak District, guided by qualified, professional instructors, where you can visit the local open market and handpick your own fresh ingredients for cooking several different Thai main dishes.
To have more options for your choice, explore an extended list of the best Thai cooking classes in Bangkok and choose a more affordable one.
W Hotel Bangkok Pool: Even if you are not staying in this hotel, you can come to take a break from the bustle of the city and treat yourself to a day of chill vibes, refreshing dips, and ultimate wellness at WET, W Bangkok’s iconic outdoor pool.
Let's Relax Bangkok Silom Edge: A contemporary urban oasis offering rejuvenating spa experiences with a modern Thai twist on the 3rd floor of the Silom Edge Shopping Center.
Lumpini Park: Located just across the road from the Bang Rak District, this green area spreads over an area of 56 hectares right in the middle of Bangkok city and is perfect for exercise, walks, and picnics. At the park, you can join a Hatha or Vinyasa yoga class with a professional instructor.
Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise: A highly recommended experience is to enjoy Bangkok city in a different way. You can spend the night on a dinner cruise while enjoying food and live entertainment on board and seeing several historic Bangkok landmarks along the Chao Phraya River. All main cruise departure points can be easily reached from Si Phraya Pier, which is one of the main public boat piers located in the Bang Rak District.
Some of the most popular Chao Phraya River cruises are:
Places to Stay in the Bang Rak District, Bangkok
Bang Rak has a great choice of accommodations, from luxury 5-star hotels to hostels, even if higher-end hotels are dominant in the area. However, it's pretty easy to find a hotel you like at a price that suits you in the district.
Budget-Friendly Hotels in Bang Rak
The Inn Saladaeng: An affordable 3-star hotel with comfortable rooms and a convenient location behind the Silom Complex shopping mall.
Pula Silom: A budget 3-star accommodation located right in the heart of Silom, Bangkok's business district area, next to BTS Sala Daeng station.
iCheck Inn Silom: A budget hotel in the Bang Rak District that provides chic and affordable accommodation with 26 stylish bedrooms perfectly furnished to ensure maximum comfort.
Hotel Furama Silom: Bangkok business hotel offering cozy accommodation featuring contemporary interiors with a cozy feel, kitchenettes, and views of the city. Chong Nonsi BTS Station is a short 10-minute walk away.
Mid-Range Hotels in Bang Rak
The Raya Surawong Bangkok: A modern boutique hotel offering 55 rooms and suites. Its convenient location, close to the Patpong night market, spacious accommodations, and modern amenities make it a great choice for travelers.
Novotel Bangkok Silom Road: A 4-star hotel with 216 guest rooms and suites featuring practical comfort and contemporary design, located on Silom Road near two BTS Skytrain stations.
Holiday Inn Bangkok Silom: A 4-star hotel offering the ideal accommodation on Silom Road for those who prioritize comfort and convenience. The hotel has 684 rooms with a 20-meter outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court, a health club, an all-day dining restaurant, and a complimentary tuk-tuk to shuttle you to the nearby Surasak BTS station.
ibis Styles Bangkok Silom: A 3-star hotel offering 264 comfortable rooms and a modern urban design. The hotel has a restaurant, a lobby bar, a cafe, a bohemian-themed rooftop bar, a spectacular infinity swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and modern yet laid-back co-working spaces.
Luxury Hotels in Bang Rak
Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse: A 5-star hotel with spacious rooms and suites filled with luxury amenities and décor that merge the traditional and the contemporary. The hotel has an outdoor infinity pool, a 24-hour fitness center, Quan Spa, restaurants, and the Yao Rooftop Bar.
Le Méridien Bangkok: An award-winning, art-inspired, five-star hotel on Surawong Road in the Silom business hub. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with city views, spacious rooms are furnished with warm earth tones and digital systems.
Pullman Bangkok Hotel G: A 5-star hotel known for its contemporary lifestyle theme and setting. The rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of Bangkok. The hotel also provides a multitude of dining options, including Scarlett, the award-winning rooftop bar & restaurant.
lebua at State Tower: A world-class luxury hotel in the Bang Rak District, close to the Chao Phraya River. Tower Club suites offer space, comfort, and some of the city's most stunning views.
The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon: an award-winning design hotel in one of the most iconic buildings in the city, King Power Mahanakhon.
Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park: Luxury hotel next to Sala Daeng BTS Station and Si Lom MRT Station. The newly renovated rooms with premium amenities are situated from the 24th floor onwards, providing breathtaking views of the vibrant Bangkok cityscape.
Transportation in the Bang Rak District, Bangkok
The Bang Rak District is one of the areas in Bangkok that are best-connected by public transport, making it easy to access different sightseeing spots and other places of interest in the city.
The district is crossed by a BTS Skytrain line with the main stops in the area being Sala Daeng BTS Station and Chong Nonsi BTS Station, which is connected to the MahaNakhon building and can be used to transfer to the BRT bus. The BTS Silom Line lets you directly reach Bangkok’s main shopping district, Siam, and Sathorn Pier, where you can jump on the Chao Phraya Express Boat or Thai Smile Boat to travel along the Chao Phraya River.
There are also several Bangkok MRT stations located in the area. By boarding the underground metro at MRT Si Lom Station, MRT Samyan Station, or MRT Hua Lampong Station, you can get from the Bang Rak District to Chinatown, Bangkok Old Town, or Sukhumvit directly.
Several Bangkok bus routes pass through Bang Rak. In the area you can also use the sightseeing bus, as there’s a stop of the hop-on hop-off bus tour next to King Power Mahanakhon.
How to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bang Rak
By Train: The Airport Rail Link connects the airport with the MRT Blue Line at Makkasan Station. From the connected Phetchaburi MRT station, you can travel to MRT Si Lom or another station in the Bang Rak District.
By Private Transfer: Enjoy a premium and hassle-free experience going from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Bang Rak with a private transfer service. The all-inclusive price includes a ride with comfortable seating and ample luggage space.
By Taxi: A ride by a Bangkok taxi from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bang Rak can take approximately 1 hour, depending on traffic conditions.
How to get from Don Mueang Airport to Bang Rak
By Train: Trains on the SRT Red Line depart from Don Mueang Airport and terminate at Krung Thep Aphiwat Station, which is connected to the MRT Blue Line. From MRT Bang Sue Station you can travel directly to MRT Si Lom Station.
By Taxi: A taxi ride from Don Mueang Airport to the Bang Rak District normally takes approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on the traffic.
Tips for a stay in Bang Rak
The Bang Rak District and especially the Silom area are full of life with business in the daytime and transform into the best entertainment district at night. If you are not a party lover, avoid staying near the red-light area of Patpong between Silom Soi 2 and Silom Soi 4, as the environment there can be quite annoying from the noises and crowd.
As it is the central area, traffic conditions in the Bang Rak District can be heavy, meaning that a 15-minute trip can turn into a 1-hour-long journey. Public transportation such as BTS and MRT should be your preferred choice if you are not willing to waste your time in traffic jams.
Other Bangkok Districts
As Bangkok is a huge metropolis, staying in the right place can save you lots of time and money during your visit. Explore the city's most popular districts and choose the best district to stay in Bangkok according to your trip plan.
Otherwise, explore a full list of Bangkok districts.