Where to Live in Bangkok OFFICE LOCATION The United Nations Economic and Social Commission is located on Rajdamnern Nok Avenue. Rajdamnern Nok Avenue links the Grand Palace to Dusit Palace in the new royal district, ending at the Royal Plaza in front of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. Inspired by the Champs-Élysées. The King and the royal family used the road as a route for grand royal parades. Today the Rajdamnern Avenue serves as a major throughfare bringing traffic into the old city center and across Phra Pinklao Bridge to Thonburi, which is the other side of Bangkok. The Rajdamnern Nok avenue is bordered by government offices including the Government House and Democracy Monument. WHERE TO LIVE IN BANGKOK 1 CONDITIONS OF HOUSING As Bangkok covers a wide area and suffers from severe traffic congestion, the choice of residence depends on its proximity to the office or school. Before deciding on where to stay, consider the following: a) How far is the home from the office, school and expressway access? b) Is the water supply adequate? c) Are there obvious electrical hazards? d) Do electrical and gas appliances work? e) Do balconies have a sturdy, high railing? f) Do the telephones work? g) Does the road and the compound flood in the rainy season? Is the road one-way? h) Is the home screened against mosquitoes and flies? i) Are the surroundings reasonably clean? j) Is the property adequately fenced against stray dogs and burglars? k) Ask that gas hot water heaters be exchanged for electrical ones. l) Visit at least twice to check the noise, traffic congestion and pollution at different times of the day. m) Ask for improvements if necessary, such as furniture, lamps, fans, repainting. PREFERRED NEIGHBOURHOODS Popular neighborhoods for internationally relocated staff include the Central Business District, Sathon, Silom and Sukhumvit. Living anywhere near the BTS line (sky train) will ensure that traffic conditions not affect your commute. The central Sathon/Silom area houses many embassies, the Siam Kempinski, Intercontinental and Grand Hyatt hotels, as well as big shopping malls like Siam Paragon, Central World and Thailand’s oldest and most prestigious university, Chulalongkorn University. Lumphini Park, the biggest park in the downtown, is also located here. Apartments and condominiums abound, especially around the Chidlom and Ploenchit BTS stops, and along Ratchadamri, Lang Suan, Wireless, and Ruam Rudee Roads. There are a few single houses and townhouses, but this is city living with high rises, food shops, bars and restaurants. There are excellent service apartments along Langsuan Road. The more popular ones are Cape House, Center Point, and Mayfair Marriott Executive apartments. WHERE TO LIVE IN BANGKOK 2 ➢ SATHON / SILOM Click: SATHON/SILOM Map Sathon / Silom area is just south of the Central area and serviced by both the BTS (sky train) and MRT (underground) lines. There are three main roads – Sathon, Silom and Surawong, with many small roads that run between them. Traffic here can sometimes be a challenge. Sathon is the road that runs to the central ferry pier on the Chao Phraya River and continues on across Taksin Bridge. The area is an old and established, interesting mixture of tourist and local haunts. The British Club and Neilson Hays Library are located here. There is an Indian Hindu temple and two Christian churches. Less family friendly is the Patpong area, the oldest red-light district here. Apartments, condos, private houses, townhouses and at least one gated housing community are tucked away in the tiny roads and on the grand avenues. Some of the best views of downtown Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River are from high-rise apartments buildings in this area. How far from Sathon / Silom to the UNESCAP Building: - From Sathon to Rajdamnern (UNESCAP): 4.9 kilometers, about 24-minute driving - From Silom to Rajdamnern (UNESCAP): 7.0 kilometers, about 25-minute or 30- minute driving Means of Public Transportation - Taxi - Skytrain (BTS) – Sala Dang Station and Chong Nonsi Station - Underground (MRT) – Silom Station WHERE TO LIVE IN BANGKOK 3 ➢ PLOENCHIT / CHIDLOM Click: PLOENCHIT / CHIDLOM Map Description: Ploenchit and Chidlom is the area of downtown Bangkok all urbanites aspire to be. If the Riverside traces Bangkok's rich historical roots, Ploenchit Road, Chitlom, Ratchadamri, Lang Suan and Wireless Road represent the new face of Bangkok. Shaped by high rise offices, upscale apartments, embassies, expensive shopping malls and luxury hotels, the area is low on traditional tourist attractions (other than several popular shrines), but high on chic and prestige. During the day, it's mostly about shopping of the designer, status-symbol variety. How far from Ploenchit / Chidlom to the UNESCAP Building: - From Ploenchit to Rajdamnern (UNESCAP): 6 kilometers, about 21-minute driving - From Chidlom to Rajdamnern (UNESCAP): 5 kilometers, about 20-minute driving Means of Public Transportation - Taxi - Skytrain (BTS) – Ploenchit Station and Chidlom Station SUKHUMVIT Description: Sukhumvit Road is a broad avenue that runs from Ploenchit in the central business district southeast to the city outskirts. Sukhumvit has long been the expat area. There are food shops, pharmacies and restaurants throughout the city, but the ones in Sukhumvit in particular seem more targeted to international clientele. The BTS line runs directly down Sukhumvit Road. Accessibility to the BTS, shops and markets make Sukhumvit a prime residential destination for internationally recruited staff. All types of residential dwellings can be found in this area of town. Two notable BTS stops are Thong Lo and Phrom Pong. Thong Lor is a street with many trendy restaurants. Phrom Pong epitomizes WHERE TO LIVE IN BANGKOK 4 Sukhumvit with a park, a shopping mall, grocery stores, bakeries, restaurants, and spas within easy walking distance. Prime Areas on Sukhumvit Road are Phrom Phong (Sukhumvit 24), Thong Lor (Sukhumvit 55) and Ekkamai (Sukhumvit 63) SUKHUMVIT 24 – PHROM PHONG Click: SUKHUMVIT 24 – PHROM PHONG Description: In the wider Sukhumvit area, Phrom Phong offers numerous shopping opportunities and is on the BTS line. A pleasant area with a park, art galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants to suit all tastes, there are shops that sell foodstuffs imported from other Asian countries. Phrom Phong is especially popular with Korean and Japanese expats. How far from Phrom Phong to the UNESCAP Building: - From Phrom Phong to Rajdamnern (UNESCAP): 9 kilometers, about 30-minute driving Means of Public Transportation - Taxi - Skytrain (BTS) – Phrom Phong Station WHERE TO LIVE IN BANGKOK 5 SUKHUMVIT 55 – THONGLOR Click: SUKHUMVIT 55 – THONGLOR Map Description: Another trendy area of Bangkok that appeals to both tourists and residents. One of Bangkok’s trendiest areas, you can expect to pay a premium for your property here. You’ll be surrounded by classy bars, upmarket restaurants with Thai and international menus, designer boutiques, and trendy malls. Thonglor appeals to expats from various countries who enjoy the finer things in life and who have a modern outlook. How far from Thonglor to the UNESCAP Building: - From Thonglor to Rajdamnern (UNESCAP): 10 kilometers, about 45-minute driving Means of Public Transportation - Taxi - Skytrain (BTS) – Thonglor Station WHERE TO LIVE IN BANGKOK 6 ARI Click: ARI Map A little out of the city centre, peaceful Ari has a large expat population. It’s a great place to live for those who want easy access to the city’s heart yet want a clean and peaceful neighborhood with a local feel. A relatively safe part of Bangkok, Ari has a range of stores that sell imported products, restaurants, cafes, and bars. Attracting families, couples, and lone expats, Ari has something for everyone looking for a homey base in Bangkok How far from Ari to the UNESCAP Building: - From Thonglor to Rajdamnern (UNESCAP): 6 kilometers, about 15-minute driving Means of Public Transportation - Taxi - Skytrain (BTS) – Ari Station Other areas Chaengwattana area: Chaengwattana Road, to the North of the city, leads to a very large expatriate gated community called Nichada Thani, which has amenities to cover most needs; a school, clubhouse, clinic, mini shops and so on. It takes around 40 to 60 minutes by expressway from Nichada Thani to the downtown area, depending on traffic. Bangna area: This area is located to the southeast of the city, and is convenient for the airport. The BTS skytrain now extends into the area making access easier. This is where a couple of other international schools are located. WHERE TO LIVE IN BANGKOK 7 SUMMARY OF TRAVEL TIME to COMMUNTE TO ESCAP Notes: Cost expressed for regular cab and not GRAB For Motorway, count in addition 50 THB of toll For BTS frequent users, you may buy a "BTS rabbit card " Please visit : https://maps.google.com/landing/transit/index.html https://www.transitbangkok.com/ From Sathorn Chong Nonsi Type of transport Duration in average Cost in average (THB) By taxi 30-40 minutes 100-150 By BTS + Taxi 50 minutes 70 + 15 By boat (if located close Chao Praya River) From Chitlom Type of transport Duration in average Price in THB By taxi 30 minutes 100-150 By BTS + Taxi 30 minutes 70 By boat + taxi 40 minutes Less than 100 From Phrom Pong Type of transport Duration in average Price in THB By taxi 35-45 minutes 150-250 By BTS + Taxi 45 min 150 By BTS + boat From Thong Lo Type of transport Duration in average Price in THB By taxi 35-45 minutes 150-250 By BTS + Taxi 45 min 150 WHERE TO LIVE IN BANGKOK 8 Finding accommodation It is preferable to go to an established agency. It is also useful to check the notice board on the 4th floor of the Service Building, the bulletin boards and Personal Ads. One can also walk into the rental office in apartment buildings (not applicable to condominiums) to look at available apartments and negotiate directly with the building management.