Joanna James
As a top tourist hub in Bangkok, Sukhumvit is famous for its night markets, shopping malls, vibrant nightlife and street food scene. Whether you want to experience a bit of culture or enjoy hidden gems in this popular area, here are some unique highlights to add to your itinerary.
While holidaymakers might be more familiar with the cosmopolitan landscapes of Sukhumvit, the heart of Bangkok is also home to one of the most impressive Lanna households in the Thai capital. Offering visitors the chance to travel back in time to an era when most Thai homes resembled the Kamthieng House Museum, this is an engaging point of interest that's not just reserved for architecture buffs. Built more than 170 years ago in Chiang Mai, this traditional Lanna home was disassembled at its original location and reassembled in Sukhumvit. Conveniently located near the Asok MRT station, those based at lyf Sukhumvit 8 Bangkok or any similar studio apartments in Bangkok will find the architectural marvel a welcome respite from some of Sukhumvit's more crowded tourist attractions.
Although it may not command the popularity or even the acreage of the city's most visited green space, Lumpini Park, Benjasiri Park is no less charming in terms of its layout and natural beauty. Despite its small size, the park which is also called Queen's Park was built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty, Queen Sirikit. Accessible free of charge, this lakeside park borders a natural water feature, unlike Lumpini Park which is centred around a manmade lake.
Although Terminal 21, EmQuartier Bangkok and Emporium are some of Sukhumvit's biggest and most frequented malls, shoppers will find that the lesser-known Gateway Ekamai Shopping Mall is no lightweight when it comes to high fashion and accessories. Fans of Japanese cuisine will find that the mall is a veritable treasure trove for foodies as it houses several well-known Japanese chain food outlets on its ground floor.
K-Pop enthusiasts looking to explore the Thai capital's best Korean BBQ joints and street food must venture down to Sukhumvit's Korean community stronghold. Home to countless Korean restaurants blasting K-Pop hits on massive TV screens, Korea Town is aesthetically a world away from its location in the heart of Bangkok.
Called Little Arabia Town by some locals, Arab Street offer Bangkok visitors a slice of the Middle East in the epicentre of Asia. Lined with shisha lounges, tobacco stores and restaurants serving Middle Eastern delicacies, Little Arabia is a great place to spend an evening or an afternoon walking the streets and immersing oneself in Middle Eastern culture.
As the best edutainment hub in Sukhumvit, Bangkok's Museum of Science & Planetarium is not just reserved for local school kids and sci-fi fans. Hosting a wide range of educational lectures, talks and events throughout the year, the planetarium's staggering projections are another reason to head to this institution.
Ranked among the city's underrated art galleries, Ardel's Third Place Gallery prides itself in celebrating the contemporary artists who are defining the future of Thai creative expression. Having showcased work by Nino Sarabutra, Anak Navaraj and Seiji Kunishima, it is an intriguing corner of Sukhumvit dedicated to the creatively inclined.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
