Siam is one of the best areas to stay in Bangkok. In this detailed guide to Siam area you will find the essential information about this shopping neighborhood with the most popular attractions and things to do in Siam Square, Ratchaprasong and Ploenchit, transportation, and selection of hotels according to your budget.
Siam area is a fresh and trendy area to stay in Bangkok. Siam is a famous shopping and entertainment district, which is easily reachable from different parts of Bangkok. There is a top university, countless shopping malls, major cinemas, trendy restaurants, fashion boutiques and chic cafes scattered around this area. Siam area is a lively place worshiped by the upper-class teenagers for fashion shopping and hanging out during daytime. There are various hotels suitable for different budgets in the area even if luxurious options are dominant in Siam.
Main areas of Siam Bangkok
Siam area consists of 3 main sections:
Siam Square: A shopping hub with a lot of movement during the day, where you will find the famous shopping malls Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Siam Square One and MBK.
Ratchaprasong: One of the most prosperous commercial districts in Bangkok with several large shopping malls such as CentralWorld, Gaysorn, Big C Supercenter and a variety of sacred sites.
Ploenchit: A business and commercial area that is home to foreign embassies, office buildings, high-class condominiums, and a luxury shopping mall of Central Embassy.
Things to Do in Siam Area Bangkok
Siam area is Bangkok's premier shopping district, where many huge shopping malls are located. The area is also offering numerous activities and places to go from day to night, so you will always find great things to do in Siam Square, Ratchaprasong and Ploenchit.
Siam Paragon: The leading luxury shopping center with many brand-name shops, restaurants and a movie theater.
Siam Center: Vibrant and lively shopping mall, located across from Siam Paragon, with a wide variety of stores and brands to choose from, mainly a mid-priced range trendy products that target the youth.
Siam Discovery: An ideal shopping mall for youngsters where they update new fashion trends, buy home decorations, electrical appliances, eat at restaurants, and watch movies at the theater.
Siam Square One: A 7-storey modern shopping mall just opposite Siam Paragon Mall with many clothing and accessories stores, bank, beauty, tutoring centers and numerous restaurants and coffee shops.
MBK Center: A shopping paradise for tourists to shop for many things from luggage, mobile accessories and souvenirs, where you can bargain for a discount.
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC): The best exhibition center in the city with free admission. There are different kinds of art and photography exhibitions that change every month on multiple floors.
CentralWorld: Thailand's leading department store, where you will find the most famous brands. CentralWorld is also holding various festivals such as the New Year's festival, Songkran Festival, Chinese New Year.
Central Embassy: Luxury shopping mall with various premium high-end brands like Prada, Hermès, Givenchy, YSL, Rolex and lifestyle store on the upper floor.
Erawan Shrine: One of the most famous spiritual tourist destinations in the middle of Bangkok. This shrine is dedicated to the four-faced god of Hindu, Brahma.
Jim Thompson House: A beautiful museum that is a former home of Jim Thompson, American architect and businessman who played an important role in Thailand's silk industry. You can only explore the museum through a guided tour that lasts around 40 minutes.
Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World: The largest aquarium in Southeast Asia with over 400 marine species and 30,000 sea creatures including many sharks, eagle rays, and Gentoo Penguins.
Book SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World Ticket
Madam Tussauds Museum: Famous wax museum with hundreds of wax figures from local showmen and notable politicians to world-class athletes and award-winning scientists, which is a great spot for selfies with your favorite celebrities.
Wat Pathum Wanaram: An old Buddhist temple built since the reign of King Rama IV in the heart of the city, now located between two shopping malls - Siam Paragon and CentralWorld.
Jeh Oh Chula Restaurant: Visit Jeh Oh, a Michelin Bib Gourmand award winner, that serves the best mama tom yum in town! Book your visit in advance to avoid queuing in this very famous and crowded eatery in Bangkok.
CHAR Bangkok: Restaurant and bar located on the top floor of Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road. CHAR Rooftop Bar is the place to be for uninterrupted skyline views of Bangkok with signature drinks.
Transportation in Siam Area Bangkok
Siam area is easily reached by BTS SkyTrain as Siam BTS Station is the station, where BTS Silom and Sukhumvit lines connect. The area is perfect for getting around the city and even going to the airport.
To make your travel experience more efficient, book BTS Skytrain One Day Pass in advance for unlimited travel on BTS Skytrain during a single day and avoid the long queues at ticket machines.
In the area you can also find Sapan Hua Chang Pier, where you can get on Saen Saep Express Boat and travel to the old town of Bangkok to visit the historic tourist attractions in a few minutes.
How to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Siam Area
By Train: Airport Rail Link train connects the airport with BTS Skytrain at Phaya Thai Station. There you can transfer to BTS and get off at Siam station.
By Airport Express bus: Airport Express bus service from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok downtown (Sathorn Route) makes a stop at MBK Center. Price is 180 THB.
By Private Transfer: Enjoy a premium and hassle-free experience going from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Bangkok Siam area with private transfer service. All-inclusive price includes a ride with comfortable seating and ample luggage space.
By Taxi: Bangkok taxi ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Siam area takes approximately 1 hour and can be a bit longer during heavy traffic. The price should be approximately 300-400 THB plus an additional 50 THB airport fee.
Explore Bangkok right away by booking Bangkok Airport luggage delivery to send your luggage from the airport to your accommodation within the city.
How to get from Don Mueang Airport to Siam Area
By Bus: Bus A3 can be used to transfer from Don Mueang Airport to CentralWorld in Siam area within 30 minutes and costs only 50 THB.
By Taxi: Taxi ride from Don Mueang Airport to Siam area takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the traffic. The price should be approximately 200-300 THB plus an additional 50 THB airport fee.
Places to Stay in Siam Area Bangkok
Siam area has a great choice of accommodation, from luxury 5-star hotels to hostels. It's easy to find a hotel you like at a price that suits you, especially if you are interested in higher-end accommodations. Keep in mind that the best hotel deals here are offered when booking well in advance.
Budget-Friendly Hotels in Siam
Lub d Bangkok Siam: Funky, eclectic hostel, where comfort meets quirkiness. The hostel has 24 private rooms and 14 shared rooms as well as an outdoor cafe and theater room.
P18 Hotel Bangkok: 3-star hotel with a rooftop terrace offering cafe tables and city views, located on a narrow lane 4 minutes' walk from Ratchathewi BTS station and a 9-minute walk from contemporary exhibits of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.
Lazy Sunday Hostel: The modest hostel offering accommodation service for up to 28 guests with both private and shared rooms, located in the city center just 10 minutes’ walk from Siam Square and 300 meters from BTS National Stadium station.
Muangphol Mansion: Affordable accommodation with standard facilities and excellent location, with BTS National Stadium station within 3-minute walk distance from the hotel.
House Of Papa Bangkok Siam: Affordable 3-star boutique hotel conveniently located behind National Stadium with many restaurants around.
Mid-Range Hotels in Siam
ibis Bangkok Siam: The modern and comfortable pet-friendly hotel offers great value rooms with a cozy bed, located just steps away from the convenience of National Stadium BTS Station and MBK Shopping Centre.
Bliston Suwan Park View: 4-star hotel provides a choice of one, two, and three-bedroom layouts, each fully furnished and warmly decorated with rich wood and silk trimmings in contemporary classic style, situated 3 minutes from Chidlom BTS Station.
The Duchess Hotel: Hotel in Langsuan neighborhood, offering luxurious living in the heart of the city with modern, spacious and comfortable apartments.
Evergreen Place Siam by UHG: Well-rated 4-star hotel offers 119 one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites in modern-contemporary design with a touch of Thai glamour just 2-minute walk to BTS Ratchathewi Station and 8-minute walk to Siam Paragon shopping complex and MBK Mall.
Hua Chang Heritage Hotel: A luxury design hotel in the heart of Bangkok offering all the facilities and amenities you can expect in a top-class hotel. Hotel is a 5-minute walk from MBK Shopping Center, Jim Thompson House and Siam Paragon.
Luxury Hotels in Siam
Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel: Five-star hotel featuring modern amenities and upscale accommodations offering city views and natural light from over-sized windows. It houses a first-rate spa, fitness facilities and 5 dining options.
Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok: 5-star luxury hotel with resort-style facilities, strategically located in Bangkok's downtown Rachaprasong area, right next to the famous Erawan Shrine.
InterContinental Bangkok: 37-storey luxury Bangkok hotel, freshly renovated in 2023, offers a modern, cosmopolitan escape and elegant stay. Chitlom BTS Station is adjacent to the hotel.
The Okura Prestige Bangkok: Five-star luxury hotel in Bangkok offering impressive city views through triple-glazed tinted panoramic windows. Guests can dine in Michelin-starred restaurant Elements and Award-winning signature restaurant Yamazato or refresh at infinity-edge swimming pool on the 25th floor.
Pathumwan Princess Hotel: 5-star property located opposite Siam Square, a short walk from MBK Mall. Hotel features relaxing massage treatments and meditation rooms, half Olympic-sized 25-meter swimming pool, rooftop tennis courts and a jogging track.
Tips for a stay in Siam
If you want to stay in very central area of Bangkok, which is easily accessible by public transport, and shopping is part of your trip, it is best to choose Siam area for a stay in Bangkok.
As it is the central area, traffic conditions in Siam area can be heavy meaning that a 15-minute trip can turn to be 1-hour long journey. However, it is very well connected to public transport so BTS Skytrain should be your preferred choice, if you are not willing to waste your time in traffic jams.
Siam area has many mid-range and high-end hotels. If you want to stay in Bangkok on a budget, you can look for a hostel near Phaya Thai area. That area also has a direct access to public transport as it is connected by Airport Rail Link and BTS Skytrain.
Siam is also a recommended area for families with kids. There are many attractions for children and teenagers such as Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World, the famous Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and shopping malls with a variety of indoor playgrounds.
Stay connected with your loved ones during a stay in Thailand by getting the Tourist SIM Card, which is offering generous data with affordable packages.
Popular Day Tours from Bangkok
Bangkok Day Tour: Visit the stunning Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew), Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklaram (Wat Pho), then cross the river on a ferry boat and stop by Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn).
Ayutthaya Day Tour: Admire Thailand's history and cultural heritage and explore the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, roam markets, and discover some of Thailand's most charming temples in Ayutthaya.
Floating Markets Day Tour: Take a tour to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, ride long-tail boat down Amphawa Floating Market's river and watch a train passing through the middle of a bustling market at the Maeklong Railway Market.
Kanchanaburi Highlights Day Tour: Travel back in time and recapture Kanchanaburi's triumphs and tragedies on the River Kwai Bridge and discover WW2 landmarks including the Death Railway.
Other Bangkok Areas
Planning a trip to Thailand and wondering where to stay in Bangkok? To make your visit in the capital city easier, find the guide to the best Bangkok areas and choose accommodation according to your preferences and trip plan.
Detailed guides to other popular Bangkok areas:
