Where is Thonglor?
Thonglor is officially Sukhumvit Soi 55 in Bangkok, running off Sukhumvit Road and served by the Thong Lo BTS station. The neighbourhood covers the main soi and its offshoots, roughly between Sukhumvit Soi 51 and 59, and sits right next to Ekkamai, Soi 63, to the east. The two are often talked about together as one continuous strip.
What makes Thonglor unique?
Thonglor is upmarket, that's simply the reputation it has, and it's earned. The name means molten gold, after Thonglo Khamhiran, a naval officer and 1932 revolutionary who owned land here. It was farmland and navy linked suburbs before the war, then a strip of car dealerships for decades, before transforming in the early 2000s into Bangkok's trendiest district. It's now home to a mix of young Thai elite, expats, and creatives, with a large and long standing Japanese community, which is why the Japanese food scene here is a genuine standout, not just an afterthought.
Why is Thonglor a nice place to live?
It's walkable in pockets, which is rare for Bangkok, and has an energy that shifts through the day: coffee shops and co working spaces in the morning, restaurants through the evening, rooftop bars after dark. It's dense with good design: boutique fitness studios, sleek condos, and low rise community malls, including theCOMMONS Thonglor, Eight Thonglor, and J Avenue Thonglor, sit alongside the high rises. Benjasiri Park gives it a proper green space for running or just getting outside. By Bangkok standards it's mid to high range; by international city standards, it's still good value.
Where's good to eat, drink, and hang out in Thonglor?
The dining scene is serious. Baan Ice serves fiery southern Thai food from a chef trained at three Michelin starred Sorn, and Restaurant Gaa holds two Michelin stars for modern Indian fine dining. Err Rustic Thai, from the Bo.lan team, and Aburi Ishida Izakaya are both well regarded, and theCOMMONS Thonglor is the easiest starting point: a community food hall with a strong mix of cuisines and a laid back atmosphere. For drinks, Dry Wave Cocktail has ranked among Asia's best bars, Octave Rooftop at the Marriott gives you 360 degree views from the 45th floor, and WTF is a low key bar and gallery tucked down a side soi for something less polished.
Roots at theCOMMONS is one of our favourite coffee shops, a specialty coffee bar on the market floor of theCOMMONS that roasts and sells exclusively Thai grown beans, alongside pastries and a small bar area to sit and stay a while.
Bamee Kon Sae Lee Thong Lo is one of our favourite places to eat cheap local food, a Thonglor institution running since 1956 near Thong Lo BTS, known for homemade egg noodles and crispy pork belly.
What schools and amenities are near Thonglor?
Bangkok Prep has a campus right next to Thong Lo BTS station, and Wells International School also has a campus in Thonglor. Just next door in Ekkamai, Ekamai International School and the Singapore International School's Ekkamai campus are both a short ride away. Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital is within walking distance for healthcare. For everyday shopping and food, J Avenue Thonglor and theCOMMONS are right in the neighbourhood, with EmQuartier, Emporium, and Terminal 21 reachable by a short BTS ride for bigger retail.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thonglor expensive?
By Bangkok standards it's mid to high range, though still good value by international city standards.
Is Thonglor good for expats?
Yes. It's widely considered one of Bangkok's most liveable expat neighbourhoods, with a strong long standing Japanese community alongside Thai and international residents.
What BTS station serves Thonglor?
Thong Lo station, on the Sukhumvit line.
Are there international schools in Thonglor?
Yes. Bangkok Prep has a campus right next to Thong Lo BTS, and Wells International School also has a campus in the area.
Is Thonglor near a hospital?
Yes. Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital is within walking distance.