✅THONG LOR: Bangkok's HISO District | Local Area Living Guide | Renting Condos | Nightlife & More
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 พ.ย. 2022
- Bangkok's Hiso District? What is so 'Must See' about it? Watch and make up your own mind! Thong Lor is a famous high end district of Bangkok where the cost of renting and socialising is a lot higher than other places, or is it? I walked along 5 of the most popular streets in Thong Lor: Sukhumvit Soi 36, 38, 53, 55 and Thong Lor Soi 16, and found that rent prices go from very cheap to the very top.
This area also boasts some of the most expensive real estate in Thailand and there is no shortage of people wanting to move here. A mix of Japanese expats and wealthy Thais and foreigners, Thong Lor is the kind of place many only dream about so take a walk on the less wild side and see the bright side of the road. Enjoy!
WALKING TOUR INFO: Email: djpat2000@hotmail.com Line ID: pat.mck
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I hope government officials will protect some of the older buildings and townhouses in Bangkok. It is the mix of old and new that makes it interesting and makes the ambiance. They will regret it if don’t step on the brake with developers.
I get called old fashioned and poor for thinking such things. Funny how values are different here.
Bangkok can enact laws.For example, forced to paint the building. because people who have buildings have money but they are economical and often continue to rent The tenant did not think to paint the building. and that the governor of Bangkok didn't do it for fear of losing votes.
Loved the BUGGER OFF sign 🤣🤣
"we're on our wai..." Love that.
Another great video! Down Sukhumvit Soi 36, where it turns into Rama IV's "Soi Saen Suk," there is, or was, a small Boxing gym, called, the "Sor Chitalada." This is where the English Boxing Coach, Charles Atkinson, first converted Thai-Boxers to International Boxing to create quite a few International Boxing World Champions back in the 1980's and early 1990's. As you were walking down Sukhumvit Soi 36, it brought back lots of memories.
Thong Lor is the neighbourhood I grew up, and when I was little, my mum would drag me to language and arts school at Fifty-Fifth Plaza every weekend. It is still popular with families, though.
If I remember correctly, the beautiful building at the end of Thonglor used to be a showroom for a car model that looked suspiciously like the Reliant Robin, but it seems to be closed all the time. The architecture is also surprisingly similar to Samitivej Hospital in Soi 49 as well and IIRC, the empty plot next to it used to be a wedding studio - Thong Lor used to be packed with this.
The nightlife is more vibrant in Ekamai, but both are not my cup of tea - too much obnoxious teenagers and DYKWIA kinds of people.
For me, the luxury and premium of Thong Lor neighbourhood is only from Sukhumvit up to around J-Avenue and that's it.
As always, a wonderful video and I kinda look forward to move back home now :D
Corporate Japan invaded Thong Lor and rental prices soared. I worked for short time with the Thong Lor police and got to see most of the area, some nice , some not so nice. Thanks for the tour Pat.
As always another great video 👍😁🙏
I enjoy your channel so much ! 🙏
Fantastic video. I like the use of some new tracks in this one!
lovely video. I really like the onion building and steel drum music!
Very Interesting and Informative Video with your Good Information as always Pat. 🙏
Great video again Pat fantastic footage as always,
Cheers mate! 😎
Great video Pat. !
Great video thanks so much 😊🤙
Thx. Another good video ...
Excellent and helpful video with all the condominium names (and prices!) displayed - so great, thanks for that effort! Also, great narration and choice of places, all making more than up for the image quality that could be slightly improved in some places :) Subscribed.
Great insight, Pat. Like it.
Cheers mate.
I stayed many times in Thong Lor at a YHA on soi 38. I had no idea it was supposed to be a hi-so area. It had backpackers everywhere! And there were good street food options too, at least until 2016. It was nice to see the classic town houses still extant - it's the only way I'd want to live in BKK. No condo living for me.
My memory of first trips to Bangkok too. A lovely quiet hostel conveniently near sky train and food.
that hostel was an asian institution! I met so many interesting people there, some of whom are still friends to this day. Oh, and there was an excellent free storage room!@@stellamarina4123
Thanks for you work 🙏😊
I just enjoy every single frame of each of your videos! Thx for all those great videos. Love your Channel, Love Bangkok, Love Thong Lor (my wife was risen up there in less fancy area next to petchaburi road ) 🥰
Ha ! We all knew the Cat Cafe would be a magnet. U DA BES PAT!
Another great great BKK Pat vid.
Any chance of one sometime covering your top 5 favourite cat cafes in BKK?
Good video! You never fail to impress a viewer that admires and respects your videos by reaching out to different demographics. They are people that like culture, tradition, sights, sounds, cafe’s and night life of the Thong Lor area in Bangkok, Thailand.
Great video 👏🏻👍🏻🙏🏻
Love your informative and entertaining videos.👍😃
Thanks Alfred ,😇
The rental prices are quite the spread. 14-17k per month then it goes to 40-75k per month. I stayed at Rythmn 44 next to Phra khanong BTS during holidays. Really liked the W District outdoor market.
So true dude
Too noisy that’s next to the road
Pat! You are My Go to Guy !! Donnie in Arizona
Nice area Pat great tour. Iv been there a few time during the day but need to go there at nite really .
Some pretty decently priced condos around there... Thong Lor is a pretty good area as well thanks for the video
Cheers Peter. Not my kind of neighbourhood really.
Ahh soi 38 food stalls/shops. How sad it was the creeps-that-be demolished them. I used to go regularly to see my dear old wonton seller (an old man with slightly hunched back) who made, along with his tall slim wife, made the most unbelievably delicious wonton noodle soup. To die for wonton and crab meet noodle soup!!!!!
It was a fun place and it's another place gone sadly, but l doubt those foodstalls all went out of business, they were good quality.
The first place i ever stayed when i came to Bkk for the first time. Loved those food stalls....my first experience of khao man gai :)
Thanks Pat
Many thanks for another interesting video
Soi 53 is our favorite area as we rented an apartment there in 2000-2003.
Narai Inn, 2 rooms with balcony, pool at a really good price
Countless were the visits to soi 38 on the way home at night for a bite to eat and a few beers
Strange how quiet and peaceful it becomes only a couple of hundred meters in from a chaotic Sukhumvit.
Unfortunately we had to move when the house was demolished in 2003 to make way for a school.
Hi Bangkok Pat, I saw you filming in Thong Lor on last Wednesday night, near the stairs to the BTS! By the time I realised who you were, I returned to say hi, but you had already gone... so I’m saying hi now 👋🏼.
Aloha Pat! Great walk about the neighborhood. It's one area I was interested in looking at when the time comes to get a condo, but sort of dismissed it after looking at the prices. Several of those you listed fit my budget, but I suspect they're the size of a closet! Definitely worth to browse around regardless of where I will live, so I'll be one of those "wannabes"! Bill
Great area for Japanese food, cocktails and clubbing. Love it! 🕺
That won't be cheap! At least 5k upwards
We’re just down a bit from Wat Phasi. It’s such a beautiful complex, and normally very quiet. As clean cut as Thong Lo is, I really like it’s next door neighbor, Ekkamai for maintaining a bit more real Bangkok.
I agree. Ekkamai much more pleasant road, less pretension.
I lived at soi-34 condo in thonglor with nice view, quiet, cozy, clean, near to bts and always love it in BKK Kap!🙏
I don't know much about Thong Lor. I think I might have traveled through there, but I'm sure it was at night. Thanks for the tour. You are very knowledgeable about Bangkok and Thailand.
Just to let you know, i do like to take those busses myself. Nothing is more fun. It takes more time but its more fun in Thailand. The bacerys at Tong lor are great.
Amazing Thailand.
I love Thong Lor, is a nice area but expensive. Poor people like me stay at Phra Khanong ;-) great Video Pat
Different name, same great taste. That brown polo is a winner 🏆
Interesting that a few of the smaller residential streets you filmed had a California look/feel to them especially with some of the 50/60s architecture. The area looks pretty nice, lots of interesting things . Great video as always!
It's an area I've always thought of as a HiSo area, so I've never done more than a quick daytime walk around.
I'd heard the nightlife was a lot more than you mentioned, but generally a very expensive area to have a night out and with a few eye-wateringly expensive places.
Also, no mention of the 'Virus spreading nightclub there (can't remember the name) with it's expensive drinks, expensive ladies and loud/drunken politicians...
great video editing..always entertaining 👏..Beverly is correct spelling
Glad to see you didn’t miss Supanniga!
I forgot which place that is!
Excellent noodles at Thong Lo Pochana on Thong Lo Road near Soi 18.
Thanks for sharing DJ Bangkok Pat ..Next time I'm in town I'll leave a USB DJ music at Reception defo re-start your DJ journey you've got the vibe my friend..talking about HISO i remember I took Lady friend to Royal@Benja & Mature Thai ladys at Morning Buffet were snubbing noses hehe..stay safe.
Cheers thank you, not sure if l could restart my DJ career to be honest. As for mature Thai ladies at the breakfast buffet, l seriously doubt they were hiso if they are staying at Royal Benja. They probably jealous of her as their husbands have all left them for a younger, sexier mia noi.
Nice video 👍🏻😎
Cheers mate😎
Good and interesting video Pat :) Round buildings looks nice from the outside but it can be an organisation mess in the inside. My friend lives in an old Windmill and nearly every room has round walls. Not easy to organize your furniture there :D
Cheers Frank. From what l saw in the letting websites, that round tower is very well laid out and spacious in the apartments. I would choose it over most newer buildings but then again l am quite fussy so would take a long time choosing somewhere
Actually spelled "Beverly Hills." (I grew up in South California.) Always appreciate your videos Pat!
BKK has been growing fast, but some areas still preserve the flair -in my opinion- of better and nicer times. By the way, those kitties look they are from the same family.
ขอบคุณที่ทำข้อมูลกรุงเทพเขตต่างๆของประเทศไทยมาให้รับชมครับ เยี่ยมมากครับ 👍
ขอบคุณมากสำหรับคำพูดที่ใจดี
It’s not Beverly Hills! Not even close. But I do understand the comparison relative to the rest of the city. I’m from LA originally and I can tell you 90210 is off the hook in your face wealth and opulance! That said if I end up buying a condo in BK for my wife and I to have there as a getaway I would definitely consider this area. Love the cat cafe! Another great video!
Danke!
Thanks! ,😎
Thankyou BKK Pat.
Enjoyed watching.
Thanks again!
Min Buri here we come!
🌶️🌶️🇹🇭🇭🇲🍻🇭🇲🇹🇭🌶️🌶️
Thong Lor has a nice skybar 'Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar' and my favorite korea bbq in Bangkok 'Kosirae'
There are a couple of others rooftops too. I mentioned Tichua because they had the coolest music playing in their video.
I'd love to live there pat!!
Deep down many people would!
Will have to try the Old English again. Never liked the old location as you had to walk out the back and go in the shopping centre to have a piss! Very inconvenient after a few pints of Singha 🍻 😅
Thong Lor needs a major overhaul! Burying the wires expanding the sidewalks making new developments add to the sidewalk! Rid the Massage places especially the front business ones that took over all the eatery’s which makes it unpleasant almost resembling a red light district with them all sitting outside the shop chatting loudly away! Except the 55th tower an icon the rest needs help! They plan to add a Gray MRT line so that will make the Mango place move! Needs more Cafes/better eateries/michellin bibs! Honestly still don’t get the hype about the night life there???
That's why it will never bear Sathorn for style and class. Thong Lor Road was much better when it wasn't so commercialised and looks tacky now. Like l said, there are more wannabes and pretentious hipsters that they are catering for.
Great video Pat. I'm a Londoner currently living in Phuket but i'm considering moving back to Bangkok. Thong Lor looks like an area worth looking into. I lived in Ladprao/Ratchada area before but I want try somewhere else this time round.
Why not take a walk around and see what you think, I'd prefer Soi 53 or 36/38 but different people have different preferences!
I live on 53 good choice
The hotel was called Padi Madi. This Soi Padi Madi. You could see the sky train, i imagined Blade Runner movie.
I was living at Thonglor Soi 18 from 2015 till 2020, 14K/month for a two bedroom condo, not far from the J Avenue. I enjoyed living there although I'm not a night life guy. The Greyhound restaurant there is my favorite.
Says a lot that no trashy mall has gone up in Thong lor Road. Residents probably wouldn't allow it.
Didn’t realise there were condos that cheap in that area, never ever been out there either
I lived in Bangkok, and even right next to Thonglor. Was recently back over there. I have also been to Beverly Hills. Thonglor is no Beverly Hills. Thonglor is like Phyliss Diller, and Beverly Hills is more like Sharon Tate. 😉 In terms of new high rises and condos, Thonglor has made big strides, as has all of Bangkok. Rooftop bar vistas are pretty fabulous. Street level, much work needs to be done.
Agreed. I'm from Southern California and Thonglor is nothing like Beverly Hills.
Nice George comment
Pat, I wish you would've shown some of the hidden cocktail bars around Thong Lor because there are quite a few interesting ones. #findthelockerroom, Back Stage etc.
I didn't really have that much time on my hands to be honest while filming!
Love your vid's,although would be nice to see interiors of the condo/apartment rentals. Thanks
Thanks Tim, you can easily find the interiors of those condos via google. What I put is just a simple, brief shot of the building and rent amount because in the past people would say ''Why don't you give us an idea of the rents in that area?" If I added interior pics I would be adding a lot more running time to videos.
This is the site I use to get a guide price:
www.ddproperty.com/en
When I was in Bangkok I stayed in back packers area, forgot name. But it was at a nice location where I was able to walk to water taxi and experience different areas of the city. I went to China Town and explored and then to a medical/educational facility where they had a lot of former life in formaldehyde jars.
Have you watch The Beach ,maybe you're too young.
Thanks!
A must see for anyone thinking of renting in BKK but not 1 had mango trees in the garden so I'll stick to my house down Ladprao. Some indications of Baht per sq ft would be interesting - N.B. I don't do sq ms.
Hey Pat.
😎
I made a crust in Thong Lor for a good few years before Covid struck! All said it's a good place to live if you have the money, I'll manage at Dull old Onnut living with the Thai's🤣
And as a long-term resident, I can tell you that the rent at Raintree hasn't changed since then!
I checked, and was very surprised to see that. In fact a little cheaper. Ton was a very pleasant guy. In 2004 it wa more exclusive I think because it was still one of those quiet, wealthy neighbourhoods. It's more out in the open now.
Another great video Pat. I live at Samrong, anther interesting area. Would love to know a little of its history if you had any? Regards Tony
I did look into the area and there's not much historical about it, but at some point when I do the video I'll dig a bit deeper and see what's there from walking around.
@@BangkokPat Thank you Pat. Theres no one quite like you on YT, Doing old school research. Love the stories too, Cheers Tony
The only problem with the condos, aside from those reasonably close to the BTS it’s a long walk or motorcycle every day, no MRT . Still it’s a great area for restaurants and clubs👍👍
For prices like that you can get luxury in Europe.
Thong Lor? You’re slumming it mate😀. Btw I thought „townhouse“ was estate agentese for terraced house (with or without woodchip on the walls).
And regarding the high-rises on Suk 53, there is quite a large group of local residents organized and protesting against the construction. We've been attending public hearings and EIA meetings. The soi is insufficiently wide for anything above eight stories.
I really hope it comes through positive. Soi 53 has great natrual light and anything tall will not be favourable, lt will bring a very nice street downmarket. I did say that in the video but cut it out because people get offended easily. It's bad enough with noisy bikes going through spoiling the ambience!
@@BangkokPat Completely agree. Already the construction right across from Raintree (the Red Bull family's "clubhouse") will be right on the property line, a sheer 21-meter cliff looming over the soi.
20:24 Well worth a visit.
Cheers mate 😎
Hmm.... the "delights" of Hampstead Heath are definatly missing from this area...lol Although it would be a lot warmer for George prowling around the bushes looking for a playmate....... I'll be in Bangkok in March 2023, perhaps we can meet up and do a tour? Something involving trains/buses/cats perhaps?.... And you do get out at night even if you're not living it up, plenty of your vids are taken after dark.......
Thanks mate. I did work with a guy in the 90s who was always 'on the Heath' looking to add to his resume, not my idea of romance. We could shoot something rail or bus related l can show you some great spots.
@@BangkokPat Thanks Pat, i'll send you an email of when i'm in town and we can meet up and do one of your tours as well....
2005 to 2007 - Sala Daeng next to Lumphini Park. Remains my favorite as somewhat cozy tree lined soi's and quiet. No soi dogs ... Would love to see an updated video of the area.
I'm planning a video on Lumpini Park and surrounding roads. Lumpini is now Bangkok's biggest free cat cafe, bring your own coffee and cat food.
@@BangkokPat Thx my friend. The most peaceful time of my life was living on Sala Daeng - noting I rented a service apartment at the former named Siri Sathorn Hotel.
I stayed on Thonglor 21 when I first came to Thailand. It was 21k for a nice 2-bed apartment and I think 8k for a small single. Right at the end of the soi by the khlong was a cheap place for 'teachers' to stay.
Our good friend 'Wally' was up on 53 - RIP mate.
Speaking of tefl ghettos l did go by Hi Tech tower when l walked to the temple for Loy Kratong. Matt was the reason l moved to Raintree Villa, he was a good mate and stayed there until he left. Big Johns on Soi 9 as well, brings back memories. Witch's Tavern was a spot that was good, but since the riffraff moved in after J Avenue and Villa arrived, the condos started shooting up. Cheers mate, hope you're well.
@@BangkokPat Ahh yes. Hi Tech Tower. I was in Prasanmitr Condo right behind the school on Soi 21. I moved in 21 years ago next month - chuffing 'eck!
Anyway, thanks for bringing back lots of great memories with your videos. It's cool to see the old haunts and how things are looking nowadays. 👍👍
Thonglor is ok but it's like being in Tokyo, Seoul. Not an area I would personally want to live in. Visiting occasionally is fine for me. Speaker box and Studio Lab are good places for live music.The up market parts of Thonglor are off the main road. I do go to the Art Palette Cafe a lot and sometimes the Old English Pub.
Studio Lam is getting a good for underground music atm. Not poncey at all.
It would be great if you did a canal map and routes. I can’t find this anywhere. You could do it as a one payment app,say for 3.99usd, I’d pay . Excellent vid as always
Very good idea.
Shabby chic? It is a little hard to believe Thong Lor is upscale. Great video, thanks Pat.
You would never think so. Thong Lor Road is not a good advert for an upscale neighbourhood. Ekkamai Road is much better l think.
l lived in soi 36. Urbitia Thong lor Condo. Very good price
I miss the Coliseum, which is now the location of a condo.
Never understood why Thong Lor was considered a high-end suburb, but it was always a great late night street food spot.
In the past it was classier because it wasn't a high srreet like it is now, tacky to cater for the wannabes. When they build a mall you'll know the real rich have moved on..
@@BangkokPat that shopping mall rule reminds me of a scene from The Crown, where Prince Charles shows his contempt for "retail as recreation".
Me neither. I don't get why it is considered so high-end. I've walked around the area a lot.
@@BangkokPat What would be the "new Thong Lor" in your opinion then? Somewhere classy, upmarket, perhaps slightly quieter etc?
Nice George Michael joke there! I'm a big fan!
The cats in that cat cafe seem to be all siblings. One thing I was expecting before moving here is that I will come across a lot of Siamese stray cats. But the last time I came across a stray Siamese cat was in 2012 at the top of soi 18. Haven't seen but domestic short hair strays since.
I've seen a few Siamese strays around but not many, you would have assumed that being Siam...there would be much more around!
@@BangkokPat I had a Siamese cat back in the 80s before I even knew where Siam was on the map.
I heard so much about Thong Lor being Bangkoks high society street and was quite shocked when I went there. I didnt get it. There is absolutely nothing to live for. At least what I have seen. Not even a fancy shopping mall.
There is a fancy mall there but it's nothing unique or special. In that area (for me anyway) it's got the kind of people around that I wouldn't want to live amongst.
👍👍👍
It's 'Beverly Hills'.
I spent a good while walking around Thong Lor (and Ekkamai) and have to admit I don't get it. Everyone says it's so nice, but it seems pretty ordinary to me. In particular, I miss having an open space, like a park. Seems like the areas around Lumphini or Benchakitti would be nicer, where you can leave your condo and take a walk in the park. But everyone can't be wrong, so I must be missing something.
It's always been a wealthy area for 100yrs but there are a lot of wannabes who dream of living amongst all that affluence which is there, as is a lot of fakery and wannabes.
Thong lor does have some nice restaurants, Michelin star R - Haan being well worth the high price for exquisite Thai cuisine.
But mostly I find the area itself to be a bit of a high priced wank , especially for condos.
Ideal description Christian, spot on mate.
just going by your video, it doesn't look like a place i would want to live in.
Good to hear that Abi, I wouldn't want to live around there either.
Are you going to do ekkamai?
I did an exploration video last year but didn't show any condos. It was more about history and a look down some very interesting streets.
How do Bangkok electricians manage repairs and maintenance?