Where to stay in Bangkok: Best areas and locations for Malaysians

Planning a trip to Thailand? You need this guide to the best place to stay in Bangkok for different types of trips. We’ll look at where to stay in Bangkok for first timers, or with family, to help you plan your perfect itinerary.

If you’re looking for activity driven locations, we’ll investigate where to stay in Bangkok for nightlife, shopping, and more, so you can spend less time crossing the city, and more time doing the things you love. Also, learn how Wise can help make paying for things easier and cheaper in Thailand - more on that later.

What types of accommodation are there in Bangkok?

Bangkok has plenty of hotels and hostels to choose from, to suit all budgets. There are also serviced apartments, villas, townhouses, waterfront locations and tiny houses - the choice is pretty diverse, as you’d expect in a city with so many tourist visitors.

Take a look at a service like Booking.com¹ or AirBnB² to get an overview of the costs and types of different accommodation, from luxe hotels to cheap and cheerful hostels. And once you’ve picked the right type of accommodation for your party, read on to figure out which area to stay in Bangkok based on your plans.

Is AirBnB legal in Thailand?

Yes. AirBnB is legal in Thailand³ - but there are rules the host must follow. They may need a hotel license, for example, and they'll need to ensure the building meets strict building regulations for safety. Compared to hotels, AirBnBs typically provide more value, especially for larger parties.

If you’re using AirBnB, err on the side of caution, and use established hosts with good feedback to make sure you’re in safe hands. Do remember to check with your host what the location of the property is, so you can rest assured that you’ll be staying in your desired neighborhood.

Where to stay in Bangkok for first timers?

Bangkok is a large city, and there’s lots to do, and so choosing the right place to stay based on your interests and your budget will be important to make sure you’re not wasting too much time travelling versus sightseeing. There’s no single best place to choose - but here are our top picks of where to stay in Bangkok if you’ve never seen the city before.

Sukhumvit

The district of Sukhumvit is pretty central and has great public transport connections, making this a good choice for first time visits. It’s a pretty cosmopolitan place with a mix of locals and expats around, which leads to a really nice balance of local and international options for food, accommodation and nightlife.

It’s helpful to know that Sukhumvit is a long road, as well as a designated district. If you’re looking for the cheaper end of accommodation, look for hostels close to BTS stations for easy access in and out of the area. If you have a bigger budget you’ll find there’s lots of choice for hotels at all price points. Try to stay around Sukhumvit Road between Asok and Thong Lor stations for the best mix of cost and convenience.

Chinatown

Chinatown is where to stay in Bangkok for first timers on a budget. It’s not right in the centre, but it’s a vibrant area with a good mix of accommodation, which does include some beautiful heritage hotels - but also plenty of cheaper backpacker hostels. Food is great, there are some fun bars, including some craft beer places if that’s your thing, and it’s not overrun with tourists.

Chinatown is frequently host to festivals and celebrations which see roads closed and market stalls laid out. Take a look at local guides to see if anything fun is happening during your stay there.

Where to stay in Bangkok with family?

The best area to stay in Bangkok with family can vary a bit depending on the ages - and interests - of the travellers. If you’re heading to Bangkok with teens who want to shop, we’ve got some suggestions coming up a little later. And if you’re planning a trip with slightly younger kids, these options may be a good pick:

Bangkok Riverside

The Bangkok Riverside has plenty of nice hotels, and is a quieter and less chaotic experience than in some areas of the city. This may make it more of a draw to families. You can watch the boats as they pass by, or hop in one for a ride. This is a particularly handy and enjoyable way to see famous sights like the Grand Palace and temples including Wat Pho, and Wat Arun.

As well as ferries leaving from Central Pier on a regular basis, there are also dining cruises to allow you to see the city in all its after-dark glory.

Silom

Silom is the financial district in Bangkok, which is well placed both for getting to Patpong Night Market in the evening, and into Lumpini Park when you want a day time stroll. It’s a very well connected area which has a good range of accommodation - mainly mid to higher end hotels - including lots of family friendly places.

You won’t need to miss out on the night time fun in Silom, with plenty of restaurants and bars, which tend to be somewhat more sedate than in areas frequented more by the backpacking crowd.

Where to stay in Bangkok for nightlife?

There’s lots going on after dark in Bangkok - if you’re thinking of hitting bars and restaurants, you could pick many of the areas we’ve already highlighted. But if you’re looking for the heart of the backpacker tourist party, Khao San Road - which features in the cult book and movie The Beach - is the place to be. We’ve also included Ekkamai - technically a street more than a district - but a great place to head if you’re looking for more of a hipster vibe.

Khao San Road

The Khao San Road is busy, loud and packed with revellers, including many backpackers looking for cheap drinks and a good time. It’s not everyone’s idea of fun - but it’s a fairly unique experience, lined with bars, restaurants, market stalls, places to tailor clothes, tourist agencies and everything a traveller could want, right into the wee hours.

Ekkamai

Ekkamai is close to other districts we’ve looked at in this guide, like Sukhumvit and Siam, but has a trendy hipster vibe which makes it a good place to stay if you’re looking for nightlife and accessibility. You’ll be able to get your fill of all the other sights during the day, and in the evening enjoy the many eating and drinking spots along Ekkamai road. There are clubs and bars, including some with regular local and international DJs, and co-working facilities if you’re in town mixing work and pleasure.

Ekkamai isn’t a hugely touristy area, which can make it all the better if you’re looking to experience something unique while you visit Bangkok.

Where to stay in Bangkok for shopping?

Bangkok has plenty to keep shopaholics busy. From boutiques and smaller quirky stores to huge malls with all the top name brands, you’ll be able to shop until you drop. If your entire trip is about hitting the malls, take a look at the Siam district, home to malls including Siam Paragon, and plenty of places to eat and drink.

Siam

The area known as Siam is home to various malls including Siam Paragon, MBK Center, Central World, and Central Chidlom. You’ll also find good dining and entertainment, to refresh and relax after a busy day. If you’re looking to mix things up with a little bit of culture, the area is also close to Jim Thompson’s House - a Thai heritage building housing an art collection and museum.

While you’re there, check out Siam Square’s Walking Street which sees roads closed, street performers and large strolling crowds, from 11:00 AM at weekends, and mid afternoon during the week.

Chatuchak

If you’re looking for where to stay in Bangkok for market shopping you won’t want to miss out on Chatuchak Weekend Market, which hosts over 15,000 stalls every week. You can buy pretty much everything imaginable, but you’ll want to be there early to make the most of it.

Chatuchak isn’t on our featured list of where to stay in Bangkok for a longer stay, but a night here to catch the market early on could be a good plan if you’re dedicated. If not, head to Mo Chit station for the easiest access.

Save even more on your travels when paying in foreign currency with the Wise card

Check out Wise and the Wise card for a great - low cost - way to spend while you’re away from home. Top up in MYR from your bank or with a card, and manage your money in THB with the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees.

You can use your Wise card to spend in 150+ countries around the world, in over 40+ currencies. Start spending with your free virtual card, or order a physical Wise card for a one time fee. This grants you some free ATM withdrawals of up to 1,000 MYR each month as you travel, to save time waiting at a money changer.

Choose to convert your MYR to THB in advance at your desired rate, or leave it to Wise’s auto conversion and spend in MYR directly. All Wise currency exchanges use the rate you see on Google, so you’ll know you’re getting a great deal without the hassle.

Whenever you need to spend in a foreign currency, from booking hotels online to paying in person for food and shopping during your trip to Bangkok, get the most out of your money with a Wise card.

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1. Booking.com
2. AirBnB Bangkok
3. AirBnB Help