Ploenchit/Chitlom Area

Some of Bangkok's most prestigious addesses including Wireless Road (many major embassies including the US Embassy) Rajadamri, (location of the beautifully understated Regent Hotel Bangkok and the Peninsula Plaza shopping centre) are around Ploenchit. Lang Suan, a leafy boulevard close by, has lots of smaller streets (sois) containing swish apartments and lots of small hip restaurants.

Shopping...

If you're looking for concentrated shopping from upmarket brand names to high quality handicrafts, get off at Chitlom BTS (Skytrain) station An elevated walkway from the station directly links to Central Department Store (probably Bangkok's best) and Gaysorn Plaza (an upmarket shopping mall with a cool white marble and chrome interior.) On the opposite side you'll find Sogo (Japanese imports) and Amarin Plaza (brand names.)

Close by, within walking distance, the Central World Plaza (formerly World Trade Centre) offers 8 floors of shops, several cinemas, an ice skating rink, restaurants and cafes, while Narayana Phand opposite - offers a large selection of ethnic clothes and handicrafts.

You'll find a huge choice of restaurants in the shopping centres - from food courts to KFC to Japanese sushi bars. Chitlom/Ploenchit is also a business area with a wide variety of air-conditioned restaurants, good quality international franchise eating places, and excellent hotel gourmet dining. (See Dining Out)

Getting Around

Three BTS (Skytrain) stations - Chitlom, Ploenchit and Rajadamri serve the main roads named after them and are located fairly close to each other. The Skytrain, quick, efficient and air-conditioned, leads directly down to the Silom business area, the river, Chatuchak market and Bangkok's historical attractions.