Thanks to a slew of construction projects over the last year, the Asoke-Phetchaburi intersection has seemingly offered little more than endless traffic jams and noise pollution. Now, though, its hidden gems have been bolstered by a wave of new openings, making Bangkok’s office-central a whole lot more livable.

 

 

 

 

 

For grab-and-go starts, drop by French boulangerie Gontran Cherrier (G/F, Singha Complex, New Petchaburi Rd., 090-991-8999) for an almond croissant (B115) and iced cappuccino (B125), or CFE Jerney (255 Sukhumvit Soi 21 [Asoke], 081-842-6898) for a caramel macchiato (B75). Leisurely mornings can be savored with a Thai-style coffee (B90) in the garden at Artisan (The Garden, 68/2-3 Soi Chulin, Sukhumvit Soi 21, 061-963-5364), or perusing the bookshelves with a latte (B75) at tucked-away Case Study (235/19 Sukhumvit Soi 21, 086-001-7000). Kuppadeli (219/1A Asoke Towers, Sukhumvit Soi 21, 02-664-2350) offers jazzed up brunch staples.

 

 

Offices guarantee cheap food courts like Hidden Asok Flea Market (114 Sukhumvit Soi 21) and Ruam Sab Market (205 Sukhumvit Soi 21), while beneath Midtown, Sabsaded (B/F, Midtown Asoke, 189/1 Sukhumvit Soi 21, 02-664-0606) serves pocket-friendly somtam (B40) and grilled chicken (B45). New mini-mall Baan Kampu@Asoke (68 Sukhumvit Soi 21) has brought reliable chains like Ros’niyom and Bonchon. Kiew Kai Ka (The Garden, 68/2-3 Soi Chulin, Sukhumvit 21) serves delicious soft-shell crab pad pongaree (B280) and miang kham (B140) in a lush setting—top tip: you can BYOB with no corkage charge. Phetchaburi’s new Singha Complex (1788 New Petchaburi Rd.) offers more big names like Bangkok Bold Kitchen and Phuket Town. For comforting Napoletana pizza and fresh pasta (from B260), it’s worth the 10-minute walk to Sfizio (44/4 Sukhumvit Soi 21, 02-262-0405).

 

 

 

 

Tucked away gems include weekdays-only XCQ (44/10 Sukhumvit Soi 21, 063-043-5484), where live music and cheap drinks (large Leo, B90; 700ml Sangsom, B420) fill the fourth-floor rooftop, and natural wine bar About Eatery (G/F, Ocean Tower 2, Asoke Soi 3, 02-665-2772). Speakeasy-style Q&A (235/13 Sukhumvit Soi 21, 02-664-1445) serves cocktails (around B400) in a ‘20s-style “railway carriage.” For craft beer and Korean fried chicken (B220 half/B400 full), hop over the junction to vibrant yellow Changwon Express (37 Asoke Din Daeng Rd., 092-251-8661)—it doesn’t get more local than their Asoke Pale Ale (B200).

 

This is possibly Bangkok’s best connected neighborhood, with MRT Phetchaburi; ARL Makkasan (B35 trips direct to Suvarnabhumi); Asoke Pier (sub-B20 canal boats run east past Bang Kapi or west to Pratunam and beyond); and BTS Asoke (five minutes by bike).

 

 

NL Residence’s old-school interior can be forgiven when 130-sq-meter two-bedrooms start at B25,000. Supalai Premier Asoke costs from B16,000-B180,000 per month; Life Asoke from B12,000-45,000; and Q Asoke from B20,000-B150,000. Currently nearing completion, a one-bedroom at The Lofts Asoke will set you back B8 million.

 

 

 

Srinakharinwirot University offers a Tue/Thu market and a public sports field. Find the free running track on the roof of the Singha Complex or sweat it out at CrossFit Arena (1624/2 Petchaburi Rd., 099-403-4968). Shop at Japanese second-hand store Treasure Factory or luxury multi-brand womenswear store Cocoon (both at 2/F, Baan Kampu@Asoke, 68 Sukhumvit Soi 21). Coworkers can utilize Glowfish (Asoke Towers, 219 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-120-9600). 

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What are your top spots in Asoke-Phetchaburi?

Ted Ahn, owner of Changwon Express
“I go to Case Study for caffeine and to get work done. Srinakharinwirot University is a little oasis, I take my son there for football. For malls, there’s the recently built Singha Complex. This area just keeps getting better.”

 

Nattapon Tantayapong, co-owner of Case Study
“This area is so convenient with the pier, airport link, MRT and BTS. When my friends visit from abroad, I like to take them to the secret bar Q&A—they have the best mojitos!”

 

Jaruwat Piyussapan, owner of CFE Jerney
“This area is becoming the new CBD. With its convenient public transport links and many new offices and condominiums coming up, there is a lot of potential and opportunity here.”

 

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