Silom, Bangkok

What is Silom like?

Silom is Bangkok's main business district, and it has two personalities. By day it's office towers, banks and lunchtime crowds pouring into the side streets for street food. By night it's one of the city's liveliest areas: after-work bars, rooftops, the Patpong night market and the LGBTQ+ bars around Soi 2 and Soi 4. Lumphini Park anchors one end of Silom Road; the river is at the other.

It's also one of the best-value bases in central Bangkok, with both the BTS and MRT on hand.

Where is it, and how do you get there?

Silom runs south-west from Lumphini Park towards the river.

• BTS Sala Daeng — the heart of Silom, connected to MRT Silom.
• BTS Chong Nonsi — for the Mahanakhon tower and the Sathorn end.
• BTS Surasak and Saphan Taksin — towards the river.
• MRT Silom, Lumphini and Sam Yan — for Lumphini Park and Chinatown connections.

Best things to do

Read our Lumphini Park guide for the best times to go.

Patpong Night Market

A long-running night market on the streets between Silom and Surawong roads, selling souvenirs and clothes. The area is also Bangkok's oldest go-go bar district — some visitors find it fun, others uncomfortable.

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

A colourful Hindu temple at the western end of Silom Road, also known as Wat Khaek. Remove shoes and dress modestly; photography isn't allowed inside.

Where to eat

Silom at lunchtime is one of the best places in Bangkok to eat like a local. From about 11:30am to 1:30pm on weekdays, office workers fill the sois off Silom Road and Convent Road and the food courts in the office buildings. City clearances have cut back pavement stalls here, as across Bangkok, so expect a mix of stalls, shophouses and food courts rather than a solid row of carts; it's much quieter at weekends. In the evening, there's everything from street food to fine dining. See our street food guide.

Nightlife

• After work: bars and pubs around Sala Daeng fill up from 6pm.
• Rooftops: several of Bangkok's most famous rooftop bars are in Silom or just over the line in Sathorn and the Riverside.
• Silom Soi 2 and Soi 4: the centre of Bangkok's gay nightlife, with bars and clubs that welcome everyone.
• Patpong: go-go bars alongside the night market.

See our full nightlife guide.

Shopping

Not a major shopping district. Patpong Night Market for souvenirs; Silom Complex and the malls at Sam Yan for everyday needs. For serious shopping, Siam is two BTS stops away.

Staying in Silom

Advantages

• Both BTS and MRT, plus easy access to the river
• Good value mid-range hotels
• Street food at lunch, nightlife at night
• Lumphini Park on the doorstep

Disadvantages

• Busy and noisy around the main roads
• Office-district feel at weekends
• Parts of the nightlife (Patpong) aren't for everyone

When to visit

Weekday lunchtime for street food, early morning for Lumphini Park and evening for rooftops and bars.

Silom or Sathorn?

They're neighbours, and the line between them is blurry. Choose Silom for street life, value and nightlife; choose Sathorn for quieter, more upscale hotels. See our Sathorn guide.

Nearby

Sathorn is next door, the Riverside is at the end of the BTS Silom Line and Siam is two stops north.