Silom is the main business and financial area of Bangkok, full of modern architecture and prestigious buildings such as the Four Seasons and Banyan Tree Hotels. Silom stretches from the infamous red light district of Patpong to the prime real estate areas of riverside Sathorn Rd.
Silom is easily accessible by the BTS and MRT and as an added bonus you can travel by boat ferry from the BTS station Saphan Taksin, down the Chao Phraya River and see the glorious Wat Arun and travel onwards to visit the floating market, flower market, Grand Palace, and Royal barge museum.
Amongst the mirror glassed skyscrapers of Silom lies Lumpini park, a welcome escape from the busy concrete jungle surrounding it where you can get a relaxing massage, jog, take out a pedal boat, join in with the Tai Chi exercises are simply lay back on the grass and take a deep breath away from the sometimes claustrophobic Bangkok.
Shopping - Silom
Shopping in Silom is best along the main stretch of Silom road near Patpong, with plenty of small shopping centres and brand shops. On the streets being a major tourist area there are lots of the usual counterfeit goods and handicrafts, often low quality and overpriced especially in the Patpong market where stall rental price is high for the vendors.
You need to haggle hard in these areas to get a fair price and be prepared to walk away if they do not give you the price you want or know its worth. It’s often worth shopping elsewhere in Bangkok for most of the goods as you can generally find anything cheaper elsewhere.
