After years and years of delays, Aug 12 finally sees the opening of the extension to the BTS line from On Nut all the way out to the Samut Prakan ‘burb of Bang Na. So do the locals really have webbed feet, and is there any place to eat? We sent our intrepid reporters out into the wilds to find the best shopping, bars, cultural activities and hottest property around the five new stations that run from Sukhumvit 79 out to Soi Bearing on Sukhumvit 107.

Bang Chak Station

Thai Guitar Society

1930/1 Sukhumvit Soi 60, 02-741-4943, 081-444-9804. By appointment. www.thailandguitarsociety.com
The Thai Guitar Society offers everything related to the instrument, from workshops to concerts, even field trips, to out of town guitar festivals. Private and group lessons are offered for all levels, and they often organize mini-concerts at Kohno, the restaurant next door.

Kohno

1930/1 Sukhumvit Soi 60, 02-741-4941-3, 081-444-9804. Open daily 11:30am-2pm, 6-11pm
With its contemporary gray décor and minimal finish, this Japanese restaurant stands out from the surrounding shophouses. Japanese fusion dishes are their selling point, like their recommended somtam yam sarai salmon (Japanese seaweed and salmon in somtam dressing, B180), and their intriguing sushi buffet deal of B189, which lets you enjoy as much sushi as you can eat in one hour. It’s also a good spot for those who like a varied musical selection, with tunes ranging from Four-Mod to traditional Japanese classics. Members and students of the Thai Guitar Society next door show off their skills on Sat and Sun, 9–10pm.

Siri Giriya Spa

4 Sukhumvit Soi 60, 02-741-5199. Open daily 10am-10pm. www.sirigiriyaspa.com
The highlight treatment of this slimming and health spa has to be the herbal hydro therapy (B850). The 25-minute treatment lets you soak in their specially prepared mix of natural Thai herbs while being massaged by the therapist to firm, heal and detoxify your skin. Other treatments include their hair spa (B550), facial treatments for men and women (B1,450) and Thai massage (120min, B750). Or you can just opt for a simple manicure (B150). They have five single and three double treatment rooms and they take reservations up to 8pm.

Kidtueng Bakery

2353-5 Sukhumvit Soi 95, 02-331-1379, 02-742-5006. Open Mon-Sat 6.30am-8.30pm, Sun 7am-8:30pm
Kidtueng Bakery is famous for its rich and creamy éclairs which they’ve been making since 1985. The best bit is they’ll make them to order, with no minimum, and they cost just B5 for two pieces. While the place looks old, and is in a really rather crappy-looking hood, their daily-baked treats make it more than worth a visit. There are only 15 tables in the shop but they’re usually empty as most clients don’t hang around: go for the takeaway option and enjoy your éclairs at home.

Symphony

Sukhumvit Soi 62, www.symphonythecondo.com
Situated right next to the BTS station this 8-story condominium offers a total of 79 units and three room types: studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom. The studios start from 35 sq meters with starting price at B1.9 million, which works out to B50,000-B55,000 per sq meter, but there are also lots of rental options available.

Punnawithee Station

Udom Suk Station

Bang Na Station

Bearing Station

Beyond the BTS

BK Asks: What does it take for you to make the journey out to Bang Na?