Bangrak: Bangkok

It might be ironic that Bangrak means "Village of Love" as the city's most renowned red light district, Patpong, lies within. While that might raise some eyebrows, Bangrak's notoriety leans much more toward the delightful blend of restaurants, hotels and galleries that run the gamut from budget to upscale.

Silom Road starts from the Dusit Thani Hotel at Rama IV Road and stops just short of the river. Lined with office buildings, restaurants and hotels, it is home to Silom Village, a restaurant and cultural center featuring 15 teak houses. Sathorn Road runs parallel and is less pedestrian but offers some hotels and restaurants with a bit more breathing room, and the network of side streets in between the two roads hides fine galleries and a more relaxed and classy nightlife.

The Oriental, one of Bangkok's classiest hotels sits on the bank of the Chao Phraya River along with the Shangri-La. Sirocco, the restaurant with one of the finest views of the city, perches out in the open air 63 floors above Bangrak. The BTS Skytrain passes through Bangrak and connects to the Central Pier on the river under the bridge Saphan Taksin making its varied offering easily accessible and well suited for a night out.

© NileGuide