Lots of choice at varying price points, starting from B20,000 to rent and going well into the six figures. Interestingly, some of the cheaper condos to buy are more expensive to rent, and vice versa. If you’re looking to buy at rates of less than B100,000/sqm, check out  (1) Noble 09 (Soi Ruamrudee, 02-291-9955),  (2) O2 Hip (Wireless Rd., 02-655-2511) and (3) The Crest Ruamrudee (Soi Ruamrudee, 02-949-2333 ext. 31). Renting rooms in any of these condos can cost you anywhere from B20,000 to B60,000 a month. For those looking for more high-end options, there’s (4) Maestro 02 (Soi Ruamrudee, 02-254-4777),  (5) The Nest Phloen Chit (Wireless Rd., 089-999-5181) and (6) Happy Park Phloen Chit (Sukhumvit Rd., 02-789-1900), with rental prices at B20,000 to B40,000.

Connected to popular hangout spots like Chit Lom and Siam, Phloen Chit is relatively busy all day, meaning residents generally have to deal with traffic jams at rush hour. That said, the footpaths around the area are actually quite nicely constructed, being slightly wider and cleaner than many parts of Bangkok. There are also plenty of cafés, restaurants and shopping centers lining either side of the road, making walking around less of a tedious task. (7) Lumpini Park, one of Bangkok’s largest green areas, is also located relatively nearby.

Though light on street stalls, Phloen Chit is a real haven for everything else. (8) Central Chidlom is home to one of the nicest food courts in town, Central Food Loft, with a solid and affordable range of international dishes. Its neighbor, (9) Central Embassy takes luxury to a whole new level, with edgy brunch and coffee spot  (10) Siwilai Rocket Coffeebar (5/F, Central Embassy, 02-635-0404), French bistro Water Library and the beloved Minibar Café. Our recommendation: get a table close to the windows for a view of the British Embassy’s gardens to go with your coffee. For a light lunch, drop by (11) Café Tartine (Athenee Residence, Soi Ruamrudee, 02-168-5464), best known for their French-style sandwiches, soups, and serious desserts. Come nightfall, big spenders can visit luxury hotels for places such as (12) Le Beaulieu (G/F, Athenee Office Tower, 02-168-8220-3), the French restaurant that placed first in our Top Tables 2014 fine-dining guide. On Langsuan, (13) Gaggan is another Top Table doing modern Indian cuisine. On a more casual tip, (14) La Monita Tacqueria (Mahutan Plaza, 888/25-26 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-650-9581) does arguably the best burritos in town, as well as potent margaritas. 

Home to a long list of high-end luxury hotels, Phloen Chit has no shortage of classy bars, but they can be quite soulless. Unlike the excellent (15) Hyde & Seek Gastro Bar (Athenee Residence, Soi Ruamrudee, 02-168-5152) with its quality cocktails and traditional bar food done with flair. For an oriental twist, try (16) Ogu Ogu (G/F, Park Ventures Ecoplex, 02-108-2255), a New York-evoking Japanese sake bar. While the food offered here isn’t anything to write home about, they do offer some great sake tasting flights during happy hour (5-7pm).

Phloen Chit is no doubt one of the busiest areas in Bangkok. As such, driving is a less-than-ideal means of quick transportation—though you can expect to see Ferrari or Audi sports cars inching along the street at any time of day. The BTS station is the best choice. However, for those who prefer to walk, there are also plenty of skywalks and footbridges to help avoid the traffic, although most lead directly to malls.

This is not your mom-and-pop-store neighborhood. The people here live the high life, shopping in lavish malls and residing in luxury condos. Most are either students from incredibly wealthy families or business executives, both foreign and local. But community spirit can also be found, like on Soi Tonson 

 

 

Chulalongkorn Hospital is located just a few blocks away on Ratchadamri Road.

 

8 Central Chidlom houses a Food Hall Supermarket in its basement floor, which is quite amazing: walk-in cheese cellar, butcher, and a huge range of cooked food.