Bangkok/Ratchadaphisek

Since 2004, Ratchadaphisek has been served by the MRT metro system. The line exactly follows Ratchadaphisek Road with plenty of stops on it. If you are coming from Silom, Sukhumvit, Siam Square, or Yaowarat and Phahurat, the metro is definitely the most convenient way to get in. The stations are, from south to north, Phetchaburi, Phra Ram 9, Thailand Cultural Centre, Huai Khwang, Sutthisan and Ratchadaphisek. The metro ride from Sukhumvit station takes about five to ten minutes, while the ride from Si Lom station takes about ten to fifteen minutes. Trains leave every five to ten minutes for a fare of about 16-41 baht.

Ratchadaphisek is not easy to reach by boat, but the Saen Saep Express Boat service does have some stops on the south side of the district. It generally is the fastest way to get into Ratchadaphisek if coming from Rattanakosin, Khao San Road or Dusit. A single trip from Rattanakosin to the district takes about 30 minutes (including a transfer at Pratunam pier) and costs around 8-20 baht. The most important pier is Asoke-Petchaburi, which is at walking distance of Ratchadaphisek Road. From there it is possible to transfer to the metro at nearby Phetchaburi MRT station. If you're heading for Royal City Avenue (RCA), you can get out at Wat Mai Chonglom pier. Other piers that border the district are Prasanmit, Italthai, Soi Thonglor and Charn Issara. All of these piers are served by the NIDA Line, which starts at Pratunam pier and runs all the way northeast to Ramkhamhaeng.

There are about 20 bus lines covering Ratchadaphisek Road. Ordinary and air-conditioned Bus 136 starts at the Khlong Toei Market (near Sukhumvit) and then follows the MRT northwards, along the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Asoke Road, and Ratchadaphisek Road. It passes Sutthisan, Lat Phrao and Phahon Yothin MRT stations before heading for Chatuchak Weekend Market and the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). Ordinary and air-conditioned Bus 206 also runs from Asoke Road north, along Ratchadaphisek Road to the intersection with Phahonyothin Road. Ordinary and air-conditioned bus Bus 514 traverses Silom Road and drives along Ratchadamri Road, Ratchaprarop Road, Victory Monument and Din Daeng Road to the intersection with Asoke Road, where it heads north along Ratchadaphisek Road to the intersection with Lat Phrao Road.

You can also hail a taxi — it's OK to say Ratchada ("RAHT-cha-dah" รัชดา), as everybody abbreviates it. Taxis are a comfortable way of getting around Ratchadaphisek, especially if you happen to be in one of its sois, which can be complicated to navigate in. A ride from Sukhumvit should not cost more than 50 baht, while a ride from Silom should not cost more than 70 baht.

Ratchadaphisek is Bangkok's entertainment mecca, offering all the modern entertainment facilities you could expect from a large metropolis, including theatres, bowling, karaoke, go-karts and an ice-skating rink. Most facilities are new, as they opened after the MRT line was completed in 2002.

• Blu-O Rhythm and Bowl, 4F, Esplanade, 99 Ratchadaphisek Rd (MRT Thailand Cultural Centre), ☏ +66 2 5115-5443. 10:00-23:00 daily. Kind of a weird entertainment venue as this complex combines karaoke rooms with bowling facilities, aimed at upper-middle class Thai ladies. The entrance is professional and neat in a glamorous blue, gold and white style. The karaoke rooms look like living rooms with a DVD player and touch-screens. The 22-lane bowling alleys are world-class. After 17:00, bowlers play with a glow-in-the-dark ball in a dimly-lit environment. There are also DJs, lounge seats, and you can have cocktails. 80-190 baht. 
• BSC Bowl, 3F, RCA Plaza, 31/6-9 Royal City Ave, ☏ +66 2 641-5870(-3). 10:00-01:00 daily. This is a bowling centre that does a fine job if you're looking for a night out with friends. It is huge, with dozens of bowling alleys. 
• Muangthai Ratchadalai Theatre, 4F, Esplanade, 99 Ratchadaphisek Rd (MRT Thailand Cultural Centre), ☏ +66 2 669-8288. Opened in 2007, this 1,500-seat musical theatre has an extensive schedule of theatre productions and live shows. Most of them cater to the locals, so check before booking. 
• PTT Speed Way, 2F, RCA Plaza, 31/11 Soi Soonvijai, ☏ +66 2 203-1205(-7). M-Tu, Th 16:00-00:00, F 16:00-03:00, Sa-Su, holidays 13:00-00:00. At 7,000 sq m this is the largest indoor go-kart track in Asia. It receives more than 100,000 visitors every year, most of them karting on the weekends. Formula 1 racer Nico Rosberg is understood to have a membership. But you don't have to be a good racer to do it as anyone can. 390 baht/8 min. 
• Spark Entertainment Center, BF, The Emerald Hotel, 99/1 Ratchadaphisek Rd (MRT Huai Khwang), ☏ +66 2 276-4567. 11:00-01:00 daily. Another one of Ratchada's entertainment meccas. This self-proclaimed "entertainment centre" has a game room, karaoke rooms and a snooker table. Also included in the complex is the Carnival Pub with a live band and the Sparks Discotheque dance floor. 
• UMG RCA Cinema, RCA Plaza, 31-6/9 Royal City Ave, ☏ +66 2 641-5913(-4). Formerly boasting five screens, now two of them on the third floor have been remodelled into the House RCA art cinema. Three screens remain with about 1,000 seats. It features recently released Hollywood and Thai mainstream films. 150 baht. 
• Sub Zero Ice Skate Club, 4F, Esplanade, 99 Ratchadaphisek Rd (MRT Thailand Cultural Centre), ☏ +66 2 354-2134. 11:00-17:00, 17:30-01:00 daily. Just skate around or take lessons. At night, this turns into a swanky club complete with strobe lights, live DJs, and bars made from ice. Just don't forget to bring jackets. 

The area around Thailand Cultural Centre is the place to go for cultural performances. Siam Niramit is one of the best traditional Thai shows in Bangkok.

• 🌍 Golden Dome Cabaret, 252/5 Ratchadaphisek Soi 18 (MRT Sutthisan exit 3, walk south 500 m to Soi 18 and east 400 m), ☏ +66 2 692-8202(-5). Daily 17:00, 19:00 and 22:00. Another one of Bangkok's typical ladyboy shows. 
• 🌍 Siam Niramit (สยามนิรมิต), 19 Tiamruammit Rd (MRT Thailand Cultural Centre exit 1, diagonally across from Thailand Cultural Centre), ☏ +66 2 649-9222. Daily, 20:00. A state-of-the-art cultural performances centre, which uses modern technology integrated with old fashioned drama to depict the history of each region of Thailand. The story also includes depictions of hells, the forest of Himmaphan, heavens and lands beyond imagination from Thai literature, all of which are influenced by Thai common beliefs. There is also a spectacular performance of Thailand's arts and cultural heritage. The show is staged by more than 150 performers. 1,500 baht. 
• 🌍 Thailand Cultural Centre (ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมแห่งประเทศไทย), Walthana Tham Rd (MRT Thailand Cultural Centre exit 1), ☏ +66 2 247-0028. A fully integrated venue for social education and cultural activities. There aren't many foreigners in this area, so most of the shows are aimed at locals. It is a world-class centre that has room for more than 2,000 visitors. There's always something on, most of the time (inter)national symphony orchestra performances, but most foreigners come over to see a traditional Thai cultural show. You might want to call in first and find out about the current programme before heading out. 

Royal City Avenue, usually referred to as RCA, is a popular and trendy road open only to pedestrians. It has gone through some tough times. In 2002, the whole street was pretty much dead as it was known as a place where under-aged locals would sneak in for their alcohol needs. It had a reputation for having bad facilities and long queues for the toilets. After a heavy social order campaign, ID-checks have been introduced and heavily enforced, with only those 20 or older allowed entry.

RCA became hip and happening again, with many of the biggest nightclubs in Thailand. Many clubs have been refurbished with stunning interiors and special effects. To boost its image, especially a lot of dedication has gone in the design of toilets. Route 66 is said to have some of the fanciest toilets in the world. There's also racks of magazines in case you're taking your time and a make-up room for the ladies.

Westerners aren't common, but aren't unwelcome either.

• Onyx Bangkok, Royal City Ave Block C (Across from Route 66), ☏ +66 81 645 1166. Daily, 21:00-02:00. Lots of electronic dance music, strobe lights, lasers, that kind of thing. Free. 
• Route66 Club, Royal City Ave Block C, 29/33-48 Soi Soonvijai, ☏ +66 81 440 9666. 20:30-02:00 daily. One of the largest and most well-known clubs on RCA. It is terribly crowded with young, trendy Thais, especially on weekends. There are different wings, each having a different music genre or live band. All this is combined with beautiful light effects and animations on the walls and ceiling.. 
• Overtone Music Cave, 29/70-72 Royal City Ave Block C, ☏ +66 2 641-4283. W-Su 17:00-02:00. Instead of a general nightclub, all the chairs here are aimed towards the stage, so visitors actually listen and watch the bands perform. The focus is not on drinking, but on listening; usually with jazz, rock, or blues bands. A Singha or Corona costs 100 baht, a cocktail costs around 150 baht. Free. 
• Tha Beatlounge, 21/127 Royal City Avenue Rd. Block D, ☏ +66 89 886 5665. W-M 18:00-02:00, closed Tu. Dining and dancing with mainly rap and hip hop type music. 

Ratchada Soi 4 is a collection of several dozen music pubs very popular with 20-something Thais. Formerly a second-hand car lot, and with still some cars on sale at daytime, this soi gives kind of an insight in how young Thais like to have a good time out. The music is often way too loud, but that seems to be the main attraction. These clubs are not as impressive as those on RCA, they feel a bit run down and trashy, but are still good fun.

• Snop, 58/5 Ratchadaphisek Soi 4 (MRT Thailand Cultural Centre), ☏ +66 2 612 2488. Daily, 19:00-02:00. The most popular of the Soi 4 clubs. It stands out from the rest with its cool light effects outside. With two floors, connected by an escalator, it is certainly large and impressive. The interior is trendy and stylish with the tables neatly lined up. A great place to see local nightlife and hear Thai bands. Free. 
• Fake Club The Next Gen, 60, 1 Ratchadaphisek Road (MRT Thailand Cultural Centre), ☏ +66 2 053 3181. Daily, 20:00-02:00. Gay bar with live music, pumping base, scintillating lights, that kind of thing. Free. 

This venue along Ratchadaphisek Road in Din Daeng is full of open air food vendors and engaging bars like RUST Bar and Cocktail, Dot Box Bar, SquidBar, and Sixty Nine Bar.

Ratchadaphisek Road features many types of massage parlours ranging from upscale spas specializing in traditional Thai massage to the so-called "soapy" massage parlours, which are quite famous in the area, These latter parlours are little more than a front for prostitution. They are indicated by big flashy yet windowless buildings with names including Maria, Emmanuelle and Poseidon. Most of these are in the area around Huai Khwang MRT station. Note that taking a taxi directly to one of these will often have the driver expecting a commission; this will be added to your bill if you're there for service, and may result in an annoyed driver if you are just stopping.

• Watana Mansion, 209 Ratchadaphisek Soi 17 (MRT Sutthisan), ☏ +66 2 275-0110. A 14-storey basic hotel offering clean, basic rooms with air conditioning. Wattana Mansion has a small swimming pool, 24 hour room service, and an Internet café with four computers and wireless access (if you have your laptop with you) for 20 baht/30 minutes. The staff do not seem to care much, and the restaurant is not worth it. 600-650 baht. 
• 🌍 Siamaze Hostel, 90 Ratchadaphisek 17, Ratchadaphisek Road, ☏ +66 2 693 6336, reservation@siamaze.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: noon. Low-key hostel with high-quality, clean facilities. Free breakfast 07:15-11:00. Free DIY barbecue on Friday evenings. Coin-operated washing machine available. (updated Feb 2020)

• Bangkok Cha-Da (formerly Siam Beverly Hotel), 188 Ratchadaphisek Rd (MRT Huai Khwang), ☏ +66 2 275-4397. This 14-storey hotel has recently been refurbished (and renamed). Rooms are clean and spacious, and look new and modern. The size of the pool is a tad small, and the restaurant's dishes are bland and uninspired. And don't change money here as the rates are awful. 1,500 baht. 
• 🌍 Maitria Hotel Rama 9 Bangkok - A Chatrium Collection (โรงแรมมายเทรียณ์ พระราม 9 กรุงเทพฯ - เอ ชาเทรียม คอลเลคชั่น), 908 Rimklong Samsen Road, Bangkagi, Huay Kwang (next to Shrewsbury International School; get off at MRT Petchaburi or Pharam 9 station with 10-minute taxi to hotel), ☏ +66 2 203 1111, info.mhrb@chatrium.com. Check-in: 1400 hrs or 2 pm, check-out: 1200 hrs or noon. Hotel with 230 rooms with an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and one restaurant, Coffee & Crumble Eatery (international cuisine, open 6AM - 10PM). THB 1,400. (updated Mar 2021)

• A-One Bangkok Hotel, 9 Sun Wichai Soi 4 (Thong Lo pier), ☏ +66 2 718-1030. This is a decent hotel with a pool. It's quite far off from any public transportation networks, so you'll have to get by taxi. Many people stay here for its location near Bangkok Hospital. Free Wi-Fi in the lobby. 2,500 baht. 
• Chaophya Park Hotel, 247 Ratchadaphisek Rd (MRT Ratchadaphisek), ☏ +66 2 290-0125. This is a good hotel with big, spacious and clean rooms. The rooms might be a little old, but still good. The area is very quiet, there are no shops, but also no "massage parlours". It is close to the MRT, so you're can quickly get to Chatuchak Weekend Market. 4,400 baht. 
• Emerald Hotel, 99/1 Ratchadapisek Rd (MRT Huai Khwang), ☏ +66 2 276-4567. The Emerald is centrally located in the Ratchadaphisek area, with just a five-minute walk to the nearest metro station. It also has very good Chinese food. Rooms are a little worn, though, but the beds are large and comfy and the bathrooms are good. 3,500 baht. 
• Grand Mercure Hotel (Old Fortune Hotel), Fortune Town Bldg, 1 Ratchadaphisek Rd (MRT Phra Ram 9), ☏ +66 2 641-1500. Luxury hotel in the southern part of the Fortune Town Building, which is home to the IT Mall and the Tesco Lotus supermarket. The hotel is at the Rama IX Rd and Ratchadaphisek Rd intersection. 2,800-12,000 baht. 
• Maitria Residence Rama 9 Bangkok, 908/1, 908/2, Rimklong Samsen Road, Bangkapi, ☏ +66 2203 1111, Info.Mhrb@Chatrium.Com. Modern serviced apartments with studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Starting from USD 65. 
• Princeton Park, 3 Mitmaitri Rd (Far off in the sois of Ratchadaphisek, so not very convenient for going anywhere. Even an MRT metro station is far off, so you'll have to use the taxi for everything), ☏ +66 2 617-4600. Pool, gym, café and a convenience store. 3,000-4,200 baht. 
• Swissotel Le Concorde, 157-159 Ratchadaphisek Rd (MRT Huai Khwang), ☏ +66 2 694-2222. Luxury hotel with spacious rooms. It starts with the lobby, which is huge and has an impressive chandelier. The furniture does feel a little old and dull, but it's still good. 3,000-4,500 baht.