Pratunam (ประตูน้ำ) is a district of the city of Bangkok.
To know
This is a special shopping district, an area of markets and thousands of clothing stores that sell wholesale and at good prices, especially when buying in stock. In this article Pratunam also covers the area of the Victory Monument, Ratchathewi and Makkasan.
The lower boundary of the area is demarcated by the Saen Saep Canal, built during the reign of King Rama III in the mid-19th century to connect the Chao Phraya River with the Bang Pakok River to the east. When Saen Saep was connected with the Maha Nak and Krung Kasem channels, a barrier was needed to control the water level. In fact Pratunam is literally translated as "water gate".
The area did not develop until the 1960s, when rice fields still dominated the geography of the place, expanding as far as the eye could see. At that time they opened a fresh produce market near the Indra Hotel on Ratchaprarop Road. Since then many more have opened and the whole area is now known as a large market.
Pratunam is often referred to as the "city center of the north", a well-deserved title after the construction of Baiyoke Tower II. Even just taking the lift to go up the tower is an experience not to be missed with its 300 meters high and 88 floors it is today the tallest building in Thailand. Distinctive feature of the city's profile represents the growing economy of both Pratunam and Thailand as a whole and is surrounded by other residential towers and hotels that seek to exploit their "central" location.
Despite this, the markets have never disappeared and fresh products have given way to clothes, fabrics and accessories still sold at local prices. Small endless alleys full of thousands of fashion shops selling at wholesale prices.
To the north of the district is Il Victory Monument a large military monument built by the sculptor Corrado Feroci which today functions as a marshalling yard for traffic.
The area then became a residential area quite popular with both locals and immigrants working in the city center. After dark it is quite lively because besides the night market there is a very active jazz scene.
How to orient yourself
Pratunam: full screen map.How to get
Although it may not seem like it, Pratunam is easily accessible on foot. It's just a 500-meter walk north from the nearby Ratchaprasong intersection Siam Square. Walk past many luxury shopping malls and hotels, cross a covered pedestrian bridge over Ratchadamri Rd, and cross the Saen Saep Canal to Platinum Fashion Mall to escape traffic exhaust, beating sun or rain.
By public transport
Pratunam is one of the best connected districts so traveling by bus is often unnecessary. An exception to the rule is the area from the Grand Palace to Rattanakosin. The bus 60 starts from the east side of Sanam Luang (Ratchadamnoen Nai Road), passes through Ratchadamnoen Klang Road (for Khao San Road) and continue to Lan Luang Road and Phetchaburi Road. You can get off anywhere on Phetchaburi Road which serves the whole district. After Phetchaburi Road it heads northeast along Ramkhamhaeng Road.
If you stay overnight in Khao San Road, the best way to reach Pratunam is by ferry Saen Saep Express Boat to reach which is a short walk to the pier Panfa Leelard near the Golden Mountain a Rattanakosin. Just get on the boat and wait until it is full enough to leave and it is advisable to remain seated because the journey is eventful. The pier of Pratunam it is in fact the interchange pier of the ferry service and at the center of the "worldly" scene. We understand that we have arrived because it is the last stop on the Golden Mount Line, so everyone has to get off. You can also get off one stop before a Sapan Hua Chang for the Ratchathewi intersection and the BTS station of the same name. A single ride costs 9 or 11 baht and takes 25 minutes.
On the train
Skytrain
Centrally located, the Pratunam area is well served by the Sukhumvit line of the skytarin BTS. From the BTS station Ratchathewi, in the south of the area, it is only a 15 minute walk to reach the hub of the area, the intersection of Phetchaburi Road and Ratchaprarop Road. Stop Phaya Thai covers the central area of the district while Victory Monument it's north. At Phaya Thai BTS station you can change for the Airport Air Link skytrain but as the two systems are not integrated you have to buy a new ticket.
Airport Rail Link
To reach the station of Ratchaprarop from Suvarnabhumi Airport you have to take the City Line. The trip takes half an hour and costs 40 baht.
You can use this line not only as a connection to the airport, but also to get around the city. The closest station to Pratunam Market and Baiyoke Tower II is Ratchaprarop. When you exit the station you cross the railway on the ground floor, on the same side of the station as you come from the airport, and continue walking in the same direction. A "Baiyoke Hotels" sign is the reference and after 500 meters the market is on the right. When you arrive under a pedestrian bridge you are close.
How to get around
What see
There isn't much to see unless you're interested in concrete buildings. The Paya Thai Palace is a pleasant visit if you are free on Saturday and climbing to the top of the Baiyoke Tower II is a breathtaking view of the city skyline.
- 1 Baiyoke Tower II Observatory and rotating terrace (ตึก ใบ หยก 2), 77th to 84th floors, Baiyoke Tower II, 222 Ratchaprarop Road (ARL skytrain stop, Ratchaprarop), ☎ 66 2 656-3000.
200 baht, including an alcoholic drink and popcorn. 
Mon-Fri 10: 30-01: 00, Sat-Sun 09: 30-01: 00. Currently the tallest tower in Thailand (although not for long as they are building a taller tower in Pattaya) with its 304 meters of apartments. There is an observatory on the 77th floor and a rotating terrace on the 84th floor which is very practical for seeing different parts of the city but not helpful if you want to take profile photos of the city. The best time to visit is before sunset to see the sun go down. You can go to the bar on the 83rd floor which has a very romantic atmosphere ideal for couples. He sits behind a huge window overlooking the city while professional bands play on stage. It is recommended to arrive early as seats are selling fast. - 2 The babola museum in Bangkok (บ้าน บางกอก ด อ ล ส์ และ ตุ๊กตา นานาชาติ), 85 Soi Ratchataphan (Soi Mo Leng) (Walking distance from the ARL skytrain stop, Ratchaprarop), ☎ 66 2 245 3008. Free. Mon-Sat 08: 00-17: 00. Opened by Khunying Tongkorn Chandavimol in 1956 after completing a doll making course at Tokyo's Osawa Doll School. The intention of the project was to open a workshop where handmade dolls could be created using local materials and to have a museum to promote the Thai doll industry. A part of the laboratory is dedicated to a private collection of about 400 dolls from all over the world grouped into different categories. The dolls are sold at good prices and the visit takes us inside a local community suffocated by causeways.
- 3 Phaya Thai Palace (วัง พญาไท), 315 Ratchawithi Road (BTS skytrain stop, Victory Monument), ☎ 66 2 354 7660. Free. Sat 09:30 and 13:30, Mon-Fri by appointment only. Phaya Thai Palace was built by King Rama IV who lived here until 1919 during the last years of his reign. After his death it was transformed into one of the most luxurious hotels in Southeast Asia, a radio station and a military hospital. Worth visiting. The most important building, the Phiman Chakri room is in the Art Nouveau style with silk wallpaper and murals. Every Saturday volunteers offer free two-hour tour guides. It is also possible to visit during the week but you have to book in advance and pay 500 baht.
- 4 Suan Pakkad Palace (วัง สวน ผัก กาด), 352-354 Si Ayutthaya Road (BTS skytrain stop, Phaya Thai), ☎ 66 2 246 1775 (6). 100 baht. Mon-Sun 09: 00-16: 00. Complex of five Thai-style houses that was the residence of one of Thailand's greatest art collectors, Prince Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga. It houses a large collection of Asian art and antiquities including items from the prehistoric Ban Chiang civilization and a huge collection of shells. Here are also the Khon Museum of Traditional Masked Dance and the Museum of Traditional Thai Music.
- 5 Thai Labor Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์ แรงงาน ไทย), Nikhom Makkasan Road (ARL skytrain stop, Ratchaprarop), ☎ 66 2 251 3173. Free. Wed-Sun and holidays 10: 00-16: 30. Established in the old office of the labor union of the Thai State Railways. On display are objects that describe the 300-year history of the Thai labor movement. There is also a bookstore with books and job research reports. You must call ahead if you are planning a group visit.
- 6 Victory Monument (อนุสาวรีย์ ชัยสมรภูมิ) (BTS skytrain stop, Victory Monument). Free. Built in 1941 at the request of the dictator Plaek Pibulsongkhram to commemorate the 59 Thais who lost their lives in the short and inconclusive Franco-Thai war which resulted in the annexation of some territories in western Cambodia and northern and southern Laos. Despite this Pibulsongkhram was driven out in 1944 and the swaths of land conquered by Thailand were returned back in 1945. Today this fussy monument is best known as Bangkok's largest traffic marshalling yard. If you travel north on the skytrain you will be able to see the entire monument and it is the best view because to reach it you have to cross a three-lane road busy with buses. Public toilets at the bus terminal cost 2 baht.
200 baht, including an alcoholic drink and popcorn. 
Mon-Fri 10: 30-01: 00, Sat-Sun 09: 30-01: 00. Currently the tallest tower in Thailand (although not for long as they are building a taller tower in Pattaya) with its 304 meters of apartments. There is an observatory on the 77th floor and a rotating terrace on the 84th floor which is very practical for seeing different parts of the city but not helpful if you want to take profile photos of the city. The best time to visit is before sunset to see the sun go down. You can go to the bar on the 83rd floor which has a very romantic atmosphere ideal for couples. He sits behind a huge window overlooking the city while professional bands play on stage. It is recommended to arrive early as seats are selling fast.What to do
- 1 Century the Movie Plaza (เซ็น จู รี่ เดอะ มูฟ วี่ พลาซ่า), 15 Phaya Thai Road (skytrai BTS stop, Victory Monument), ☎ 66 2 247 9940. Mon-Sun 10: 00-22: 00. Cineplex and shopping center opened in 2005 and is the best cinema in the Victory Monument area. The ticket office is on the third floor and the rooms on the fifth. They screen the biggest Hollywood films and some minor Thai films with English subtitles. While waiting for the movie to start, you can wander around the mall or have a bite to eat. The basement has a good variety of restaurants.
Shopping
Many travelers know the Chatuchak Weekend Market for good prices on clothes, shoes and accessories missing the bargains that are routinely done in Pratunam, an easy walk from Ratchaprasong. Most of the products are sold in bulk, which is why they get good deals. Bargaining here is much more important than in other places and the goods are even cheaper when bought in stock, just don't forget the weight limits of the suitcase on the plane. With a no-nonsense approach everything is cheap here, more so than Chatuchak.
The Pratunam market it is the place to go, with its labyrinth of alleys filled to the impossible with stalls offering T-shirts, jackets, dresses, pants, shoes and accessories, including fakes. Not to be missed is the City Complex, a trendy shopping center dedicated to teenagers and students while theIndra Square has a different clientele. Shopping in this area is not for the faint of heart as it is a very large, uninspiring area full of shoving people and there is no air conditioning. To get some fresh air you go to Platinum Fashion Mall which has an excellent food court.
There is a lot of commercial activity around the Victory Monument too, even though the shopping malls aren't all that nice. Every night a night market it is set up along Ratchawithi Road frequented mainly by locals, workers and students.
- 1 City Complex (ซิตี้ คอมเพล็กซ์), 831 Phetchaburi Road (Near the Pratunam pier), ☎ 66 2 254 1999. Mon-Fri 11: 00-21: 00, Sat-Sun 10: 00-21: 00. Walking along Phetchaburi Road you won't miss the huge six-story City Complex shopping mall. It is one of the most famous in Pratunam aimed mainly at teenagers. Most of the shops sell fashionable clothes, shoes and accessories, while some are dedicated to cosmetics, jewelry and crafts. The fifth floor has a modest dining area.
- 2 Indra Square (อินทรา ส ์ ร์), 120/126 Ratchaprarop Road (ARL skytrain stop, Ratchaprarop), ☎ 66 2 208 0022 (33). Mon-Sun 08: 00-20: 00. Indra Square is an indoor mall with more than 300 stores. The first floor specializes in fashion, silk and accessories with some convenience stores. Clothing here is definitely cheaper here than anywhere else in the city and unlike the City Complex, there's a decent supply for men and kids here too. The second floor is more diverse with arts, crafts, toys, and cell phones. If you are hungry on this floor there is the food court.
- 3 [link not working]Krungthong Plaza (กรุง ทอง พลาซ่า), 813/8 Phetchaburi Road (Near the Pratunam pier), ☎ 66 2 653-9333. Mon-Fri 09: 00-18: 00. Krungthong Plaza is another large shopping mall with clothing sold at wholesale prices. The mall has more than 600 shops inside, almost all dedicated to clothing, shoes, bags, cosmetics and accessories. On the fourth floor there is an excellent food court.
- 4 Metro Fashion Mall (เมโทร แฟชั่น), 599 Phetchaburi Road (BTS Ratchathewi skytrain stop, then walk 15 minutes east along Phetchaburi Road), ☎ 66 2 653-7000. This large shopping mall opened in 2009. It has seven floors with 370 wholesalers selling clothing, bags, footwear, cosmetics and accessories. The food court is on the third floor and there is a McDonald's branch out on the ground floor.
- 5 The Palladium World Shopping (เดอะ พาลา เดีย ม เวิลด์ ช้ อป ปิ้ง, formerly called Pratunam Center), 555 Ratchaprarop Road (Near the Pratunam pier), ☎ 66 2 309 9888. Mon-Fri 09: 00-20: 00. The Pratunam Center was a deserted shopping mall with a curious resale of pirated DVDs and handicrafts. In 2011 it was sold to a group of investors who refurbished it at a cost of five million baht even though it was only a five year old building. The new mall, renamed The Palladium World Shopping, is more captivating than the previous one. Rebuilt with a similar approach to the Platinum Fashion Mall with long aisles of jewelry, fashion and souvenir shops. As elsewhere in Pratunam, prices are relatively low and good brands are rare. It seems less crowded than other malls in the area and also has a few restaurants.
- 6 Pantip Plaza (พันธุ์ ทิพย์ พลาซ่า), 604/3 Phetchaburi Road (Near the Pratunam pier), ☎ 66 2 250 1555. Mon-Sun 10 am-8pm. Six-story computer accessories mall famous for product copies. Bootleg music no longer goes the way it used to but software and DVDs are quite there. Also good place for cameras, miscellaneous gizmos, printers, MP3 players etc. Everything you buy must be tried because not everything works. If you want to be on the safe side, you have to buy in official stores even if the prices are similar to those in Western countries, if not higher. Please note that the warranty is valid only in Thailand.
- 7 Platinum Fashion Mall (แพลทินัม แฟชั่น มอ ล์), 222 Phetchaburi Road (Near the Pratunam pier), ☎ 66 2 121 8000. Mon-Sun 10 am-8pm. Good place to buy clothing especially as it has air conditioning. Many of the 1,300 shops here are also featured at the Chatuchak weekend market. Especially interesting for women as the shops mostly sell clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, gifts and makeup, many of which are equipped to organize stock and export sales. On the sixth floor there is a huge and very good dining area that gets crowded in the afternoon and at dinner.
- 8 Pratunam market (ตลาด ประตูน้ำ), Phetchaburi Soi 21 (near the Pratunam pier), ☎ 66 81 402 0631, @[email protected]. 09: 00-18: 00 daily. The Pratunam Market is a huge open-air clothing market and although it is aimed at exporters anyone can shop. Wholesale items are T-shirts, dresses, shorts, jeans, shoes, and accessories. You can easily spend half a day here as there is a presence of at least 4,000 shops. Despite being officially open until 6pm, most shops close at 4pm. Scattered in the streets around the Baiyoke Tower I skyscraper which also contains other shops on the ground floor. In the evening, a night market is set up open until 02:00.
How to have fun
After sunset Pratunam becomes deserted quickly and unless you are headed to Rooftop Bar there is not much to do. There is an active jazz scene around the Victory Monument which gathers students with artistic tendencies from the area. A relaxed atmosphere is to be expected and it is advised not to dress too well.
- 1 Bossy Pub, 90/84 Soi O.A. Ratchaprarop (ARL Ratchaprarop skytrain stop. Follow Ratchaprarop Road and take the left onto the small road immediately after the station). Entrance 300 baht with a drink included. Mon-Sun 21: 00-06: 00. A nightclub that works after closing hours, a typical cliché for nights out in the city. The clientele is mixed with many tourists, locals and "freelancers". Dark and dingy, much like the nearby Spicy Club's Siam Square. A well lit stage with poles in the center and very loud music. Many taxi drivers have a tendency to bring the cleinti here, as they take commissions from the owner (in which case you might even get the ride for free).
- 2 Café de Norasingh, 315 Ratchawithi Road (BTS Victory Monument skytrain stop), ☎ 66 2 354 8376. Mon-Fri 08: 30-19: 00, Sat-Sun 10: 30-19: 00. Luxury coffee shop located in the royal banquet hall of the Phaya Thai palace. Decorated entirely in Viennese style it was a very famous place during the reign of King Rama V, at the beginning of the last century. This is one of the most elegant ways to have a coffee in the city. Also serves snacks.
- 3 Co-Co Walk (โค - โค วอ ล์ ค), 87/70 Phaya Thai Road (BTS Ratchathewi skytrain stop, exit 2), ☎ 66 8 1455 7696. Mon-Sun 18: 00-01: 00. An indoor area with dozens of bars, pubs and live music. Some of the best bars are: Sawaree Terrace, Co-Co Beach, 69, The Tube and Chilling House Cafe. In the center is a large grilled meat restaurant with an all-you-can-eat offer for 99 baht. Very popular with Thai students.
- 4 Henry J. Beans Bar and Grill (เฮ น รี เจ. บีน ส์ บาร์ แอนด์ ก ริ ล ล์), 1st floor, Amari Watergate Hotel Building, 847 Phetchaburi Road (pier of Pratunam), ☎ 66 2 653 9000. Sun-Thu 17: 00-01: 00, Fri-Sat 17: 00-02: 00. Most people who don't stay overnight at the Amari Watergate Hotel come for this American-style bar. Good place to spend some time having a cold beer or a cocktail. For dinner the offer is Tex-Mex. They have an open grill where they prepare burgers, steaks and salads. Try the chicken fajitas.
- 5 [link not working]Saxotel Pub (แซ็ ก โซ โฟน ผับ), 3/8 Phaya Thai Road (BTS Victory Monument skytrain stop), ☎ 66 2 246 5472. Mon Sun 18: 00-02: 00. One of the best pubs to see live jazz and blues bands. The interior is well decorated with hanging guitars and percussion cymbals. Even when it's full, the atmosphere is welcoming. Dedicated above all to the musical experience, as the audience sits and gathers in a semicircle around the player. You don't come here for the food because it's not good and it's expensive. Beers and cocktails are the most expensive in the city.
- 6 Skytrain Jazz Club, 5th floor, 6 Rang Nam Road (BTS Victory Monument skytrain stop, in front of the Century, the Movie Plaza), ☎ 66 8 9895 4299. Mon-Sun 17: 00-01: 00. Open air bar that doesn't really feel like a jazz place; it seems instead of relaxing on a terrace of an apartment. Night view on the skytrain with a relaxed atmosphere. If you visit on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, there is a group playing live.
- 7 The Rock Pub (เดอะ ร๊ อ ค ผับ), Hollywood Street Building, 93 / 26-28 Phaya Thai Road (BTS Ratchathewi skytrain stop), ☎ 66 2 251 9980. Mon-Sun 19: 00-02: 00. The city's temple of rock and metal. The owner is himself a rock musician who has dedicated himself to making this place a pole of attraction for fans of the genre. Every evening two bands play at 9.30pm and 11.45pm. Many covers of Metallica and Nirvana.
Where to eat
Many of the eateries around Pratunam are simple and inexpensive, except for the five-star hotels. The food courts at Platinum Fashion Mall and Pantip Plaza are good if you don't have a lot of money. The Victory Monument has the usual Thai and Western food restaurants and a slew of street restaurants lined up along the dormant Rang Nam Road.
Moderate prices
- 1 Kai Ton Pratunam (ไก่ ตอน ประตูน้ำ), 960-962 Phetchaburi Soi 30 (Pratunam Pier, in the alley in front of the Palladium), ☎ 66 2 252 6325. 30 baht. Mon-Sun 05: 30-15: 00, 18: 00-03: 00. At first glance it looks like a street restaurant but it is always full and people are fighting over food. Rumor has it that you cook the best chicken rice (ข้าวมัน ไก่ khao man kai) of the city, very similar to Hainanese chicken rice. The staff do not speak English and there are no signs in Western languages but the waiters are easy to recognize as they are dressed in pink with a white hat and a logo with a chicken on their back.
- 2 Mallika (ร้าน อาหาร ์ ร์), 21/36 Rang Nam Road (BTS Victory Monument skytrain stop, Exit 2), ☎ 66 2 248 0287. 80 baht. Mon-Sat 10: 00-22: 00. Famous among locals for offering Southern Thai dishes. The menu consists of a plethora of dishes as if cooked and shipped straight from Chumpon province. Their main dish is "kaeng som" which is one of the most famous southern dishes. Other recipes to try are "khanom jeen" (spaghetti noodles) and "khua kling" (minced and fried meat with curry). A little more expensive than the others on Rang Nam Road, justified by the delight of the dishes they prepare.
- 3 SabX2 Wonton Noodles (แสบ X2), 4 / 32-33 Soi Phetchaburi 19 (Pratunam pier, in the alley next to Shibuya 19), ☎ 66 2 653 9618. 60 baht. Mon-Sun 09: 30-17: 30. Famous for spaghetti noodles and wonton soups. Refreshing air conditioning for long shopping days at the Pratunam market. Try the braised pork legs.
Average prices
- 4 Once Upon A Time (กาล ครั้ง หนึ่ง ณ เรือน เจ้าคุณ อู๋), 32 Phetchaburi Soi 17 (Pratunam Pier, in the alley opposite the Pantip Plaza), ☎ 66 2 252 8629. 250 baht. Even though it is in a suspicious alleyway opposite the Pantip Plaza, it is worth looking for. Located in an old Thai style house with a garden and full of photos of famous Thai actors, it serves good food. Check out the rooms above when you go to the bathroom.
- 5 Pickle Factory, 55 Ratchawithi Soi 2 (a 10-15 minute taxi ride from the Victory Monument), ☎ 66 2 246 3036. 100-300 baht. Mon-Sun 17: 30-23: 30. At the bottom of a small soi is this trendy restaurant / bar which despite its name does not produce and does not have any pickles on the menu. It is a residence with a swimming pool where they prepare pizzas, pasta and the most famous Thai dishes.
Where stay
As we know, shopping in this area is very convenient thanks to the best prices in the city; sleeping, on the other hand, is quite another thing. It is no surprise that property prices have skyrocketed in recent years and it is no coincidence that the tallest building in Bangkok is here.
Moderate prices
- 1 Home Hug Hostel, 11/118 Ratchaprorop Soi 8, ☎ 66 2 2616187. 180 baht for a dorm bed. Check in: 13:00, check-out: 12:00. Dorms with 8-bed rooms and air conditioning. Free lockers. Free Wi-Fi. Breakfast included in the price.
Average prices
- 2 Citin Pratunam (โรงแรม ซิ ท อิน ประตู นาม), 88/19 Ratchaprarop Road (skytrian stop ARL Ratchaprarop), ☎ 66 2 120 8999, fax: 66 2 120 8998, @[email protected]. 1,500-3,200 baht. Right in the center of Pratunam, next to the Baiyoke Tower II skyscraper. The rooms are small but comfortable and modern with 32-inch LCD televisions and free Wi-Fi. They also have a nice spa and a coffee shop that serves vegetarian food. Free tuk tuk service to go to nearby shops and skytrain stops.
- 3 PJ Watergate Hotel (โรงแรม พี เจ วอ เตอร์ เก ต), 467 Soi Watthana Sin (ARL Ratchaprarop skytrain stop), ☎ 66 2 254 3314. 1,000-2,000 baht. A decent hotel in the Ratchaprarop area. The rooms have air conditioning and TV. There is an internet cafe, a restaurant and a bar. Most of the staff speak at least some English. If you book online you can get a room for as little as 1,000 baht, much better than the price offered if you show up at the reception. Breakfast included.
High prices
- 4 Amari Watergate (โรงแรม อ มา รี วอ เตอร์ เก ท), 847 Phetchaburi Road (pier of Pratunam), ☎ 66 2 653 9000. 3,000-8,000 baht. Four-star hotel with all the facilities one would expect from a category hotel, including a few restaurants capable of attracting external customers, such as the American-style Henry J. Beans bar / grill. Very close to Pratunam, across the Saen Saep channel if walking from Ratchaprasong.
- 5 Baiyoke Sky Hotel (โรงแรม ใบ หยก ส กาย กรุงเทพ), 76-78F, Baiyoke Tower II, 222 Ratchaprarop Road (ARL Ratchaprarop skytrain stop), ☎ 66 2 656 3000. 2,000-3,400 baht. The tallest hotel in Southeast Asia. 673 rooms with phenomenal city views. A great choice for breakfast with over 100 dishes to choose from. The rooms are spacious but many are in need of refurbishment. The staff are very helpful. The only bore is the time it takes waiting for the elevator.
- 6 Century Park Hotel (โรงแรม เซ็น ี่ รี่ พาร์ ค), 9 Ratchaprarop Road (a ten minute walk from the BTS Victory Monument skytrain stop), ☎ 66 2 246 7800. 2,500-8,000 baht. A good quality four star hotel with spacious rooms with good views if you sleep in the upper rooms. Good gym and swimming pool, Breakfast is good with a choice between Asian and Western cuisine.
- 7 Indra Regent Hotel (โรงแรม อินทรา รีเจนท์), 120/126 Ratchaprarop Road (ARL Ratchaprarop skytrain stop), ☎ 66 2 208 0022(33). 2,000-5,900 baht. Decent four-star hotel with spacious rooms and good views. The staff is nice but the breakfast is not that great. Wi-Fi available at extra cost. Many people sleep here due to the proximity to the clothing markets.
- 8 Bangkok King Power coach (โรงแรม พูล แมน บางกอก คิง พา เวอ เวอร์), 8/2 Rang Nam Road (BTS Victory Monument skytrain stop), ☎ 66 2 680 9999, @[email protected]. 3,000-5,600 baht. Opened in 2007, this luxury hotel is a better offer than other hotels in the same price range although the breakfast leaves something to be desired in comparison to others. A huge lobby with smiling staff. The rooms reflect the quality of the five stars with floors reserved for "executive" rooms with extras and canapés in the evening. Right next door is the Power Duty Free shopping center. In the evening you can have a drink at the bar / wine bar which is also open to external customers.
- 9 The Sukosol (เดอะ สุ โกศล), 477 Si Ayuthaya Road (you walk 500 meters from the ARL Phaya Thai skytrain stop), ☎ 66 2 247 0123. 3,600-5,000 baht. Locally owned five-star hotel with Thai-style decor and close to skytrain stations. Free Wi-Fi and breakfast included in the price.
How to keep in touch
Internet
Within the Miami villa complex on Phetchaburi Soi 43/1 there is Jessie's Minimart an internet cafe open 24 hours with also Wi-Fi connection available. Close to Phetchaburi MRT skytrain station.
At the entrance to the Amari Watergate Hotel there is Wi-Fi signal, a great excuse to get something in one of the cafes.
