There are many words to describe Asoke. Some label it as a prime hangout spot, while others call it the central business district. The Asoke neighborhood, defined as the area around the intersection of Sukhumvit Road and Soi Asoke Montri (Sukhumvit Soi 21), roughly Sukhumvit Sois 15 – 29 and 10 – 20, is a well-established commercial hub.
Long a very popular nightlife destination for foreigners, Asoke has been going upscale in recent years because of its convenient public transportation, and is now a popular residential choice for many Europeans, Japanese and upscale Thais. Either way, it’s a central location in the heart of Bangkok at the crossroads of the BTS and MRT lines making it one of the city’s most popular meeting spots.
Both the BTS Skytrain and MRT subway have stations here, and transferring from one to the other is simple, although separate tickets are required.
BTS Asoke has a large overhead walkway connecting to many adjacent shopping centers and office buildings and MRT Sukhumvit Station houses a Metro Mall.
Travelers to Suvarnabhumi International Airport can connect to the Airport Rail Link at Makkasan Station via MRT Petchaburi Station.
Ferry services along the Saen Saep Canal are available at the Asoke Pier, also near MRT Petchaburi.
During the week, the atmosphere of Asoke is vibrant and teeming with activity due to the presence of office employees that momentarily fill the neighborhood. On weekends, though, the area is quieter and more casual.
The popular Terminal 21 shopping mall is located where the BTS and MRT intersect, it’s a shopping hot spot for foreigners and locals alike. Each floor is themed after an international city, from London to San Francisco, Tokyo to Istanbul. The food court on the sixth floor is popular among travellers and locals alike for the fresh yet affordable food.
Bangkok is a big city with huge buildings and shopping malls. The traffic can be dense and urban areas overcrowded at times, while natural areas are often overlooked and closer than you might realize.
However, Asoke is home to one of Bangkok’s largest parks. The picturesque Benjakitti Park is just around the corner, about a 10-minute walk south of Terminal 21 along Ratchadapisek Road. The expansive Benjakitti Forest Park is crisscrossed by elevated walkways above a wetlands environment. It’s a great place to go for an outdoor jog or just to unwind.
The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center is located beside the park and hosts a variety of exhibitions and conferences.
Asoke DIning
Whether you crave Thai, Asian or Western cuisine, Asoke offers many wonderful dining options:
- The Local, Sukhumvit 23, Thai food
- Cabbages & Condoms, Soi 12, healthy Thai food and a unique atmosphere
- Kenshin Izakaya, Soi Asoke, Japanese Izakaya
- Korea Town, Sukhumvit Road near Soi 10, Korean BBQ
- Le Dalat, Soi 23, fine Vietnamese cuisine
- El Gaucho Argentinian Steakhouse, Sukhumvit 19, fine American and Japanese steaks
- Suda, Soi 14, tasty and inexpensive, get there early for dinner because it gets busy.
Where To Sleep In Asoke
Many of Bangkok’s best hotels are located in this neighborhood, including:
- The Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit Hotel, Soi Asoke
- The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Sukhumvit Road at Soi 19
- Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, Sukhumvit Road near Soi 15
- Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Bangkok, Sukhumvit Road near Soi 14
- Grande Centre Point Terminal 21
- Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Sukhumvit Road between Soi 12 and 14
- Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok, Sukhumvit Road at Soi 27
- Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit, near Soi 27
Asoke is also a luxury office center.
Interchange 21, Exchange Tower Asoke, GMM Grammy Headquarters and the Singha Complex are clustered on or near Soi Asoke.
What To Do in Asoke
The premier shopping complex in the immediate neighborhood is Terminal 21 Asoke, six floors of unique small boutique shops and interesting restaurants, with a three-storey escalator. It’s easily accessible from a skyway connected it to Asoke BTS Station.
Asoke offers many choices for a relaxing afternoon or evening drink.
Craft, an outdoor craft beer bar with food on Soi 23, is very popular with locals on weekends. Nearby is Whisgars Whiskey & Cigars, which features live jazz.
The Black Swan is an excellent English pub on Soi 19.
Also, many of the top local hotels have excellent bars. But, later at night is when Asoke really kicks into high gear. Many foreigners head to Soi Cowboy, a small street running between Soi Asoke and 23,
On a calmer note, Benchasiri Park is an easy walk down Sukhumvit past Soi 22 (or one BTS stop), as are two other shopping malls, EmQuartier and Emporium. The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center is one stop away on the MRT.
