Ari

The Ari neighourhood is home to equal parts upscale residential areas and hipster hangouts. Those that call this area of ​​Bangkok home are mainly Thais and middle-income foreigners as well as a large number of medical professionals due to the many hospitals located in the area. When entering this neighborhood on the BTS, you will be struck by the “bohemian” vibe that this area is known for, with numerous small side streets filled with excellent cafés and dining options, boutique shops as well as a number of instagrammable hotspots that often draws the tech-savvy younger generation. Although Ari is off the typical Bangkok itinerary, the area has a lot to offer to visitors that are drawn to this quieter side of the city.

Location

The Ari neighbourhood is centered around the Sanam Pao, Ari and Saphan Khwai BTS stations which can be found on the Phahonyothin Road, north of the Victory Monument, making it an easily accessible and a relaxing sanctuary only a short distance away from the major traffic intersection at the Victory Monument roundabout.

Recent Developments and Average Prices

New condominium prices average THB 180,000 – 200,000 per square meter.  Some notable recent projects include:

• Noble Around Ari at 308/1 Phahonyothin Rd, developed by Noble Development, units priced from THB 5.39 to 15.2 million (THB 222,000 per/sq. m. average), completion planned for 2023.
• Malton Private Residence Sukhumvit 31, developed by Major Development Estate houses priced from THB 72 million, completed in 2020.
• Centric Ari Station at Ari Soi 1, developed by SC Asset, units priced from THB 4.5 to 14.5 million (THB 201,000 per/sq. m. average), completed in 2016.
• Noble Revolve at Ari Soi 7, developed by Noble Development, units priced from THB 3.2 to 8.5 million (THB 152,000 per/sq. m. average), completed in 2016.
• Noble RED – Ari at Ari Soi 1, developed by Noble Development, units priced from THB 6.5 to 11 million (175,000 per/sq. m. average), completed in 2014.

The neighborhood is also home to corporate and government office headquarters, including Pearl Bangkok (headquarters of Pruksa), AIS Tower, Kasikorn Bank Tower, IBM Tower, The Revenue Department of Thailand, The Ministry of Finance, The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission and Government Savings Bank.

Hospitality

Although Ari is not a neighborhood featuring many luxurious hotels, some excellent options for an inexpensive stay can be found in the area: 

Luxury:

• Pullman Bangkok King Power, 2.4 km from BTS-Ari, rated 8.9 - the room rate is THB 1,657

Mid-Range:

• Josh Hotel, 0.4 km from BTS-Ari, rated 8.1 - the room rate is THB 787
• The Quarter Ari by UHG, 0.6 km from BTS-Ari, rated 8.9 - the room rate is THB 751
• Vic 3, 0.6 km from BTS-Ari, rated 8.4 - the room rate is THB 750

Budget:

• Lost and Found Bed and Breakfast, 0.4 km from BTS-Ari – the room rate is THB 855
• Bangkok Voyage Boutique, 0.4 km from BTS-Ari – the room rate is THB 1,788
   

Retail

The most popular community shopping mall in Ari is La Villa Aree located next to BTS Station Ari, where visitors will be able to enjoy a number of restaurants as well as a foreign favorite, Villa Market. Close by there is also another Villa Market at Phahonyothin Place Building as well as a Big C Supercenter near BTS Saphan Khwai. Close to BTS Sanam Pao is The Seasons Mall, a cozy, open-air shopping mall with beauty salons, a fitness center as well as a supermarket and food court.

In addition to the bohemian vibe found around Ari, the area boasts an extensive selection of unique specialty stores. Among them is Tokyobike at Ari Soi 2 specializing in Japanese bicycles and accessories, GLOC at Ari Soi 2, a unique and hip store for women's clothing & accessories, cosmetics and home décor, and The Decorum Bangkok at Ari Samphan Soi 5 with chic men's wear on offer. For those visitors who enjoy old-fashioned classics and history, the Museum of Everything Jinglebell at Ari Soi 2 is a must-visit, reselling vintage items from different eras. The store is a museum of sorts, displaying everything from everywhere, from affordable pre-owned clothes and accessories to vintage luxury items.

Additionally, two BTS stops away is the world-famous Chatuchak Market, with over 10,000 shops and stalls offering a plethora of products from Thai handicrafts, clothing, souvenirs, gifts and much more, making it a paradise for shopaholics, tourists or locals who are looking for entertainment. The market is Asia’s biggest market making it a must-visit attraction. 
 

Food & Beverage
 

Many fantastic food and beverage options can be found in this diverse neighbourhood, both in the malls and in the numerous street-side stalls, especially around Phahonyothin Sois 5 and 7. A small sample of the dining choices available include:

• Yoong Chang, describing itself as “Neo-Chinese”, specializes in combining various culinary traditions into a single dish. The chef, who has worked at various Michelin-starred restaurants, is the owner famous for handmade biang biang noodles.
• Vela, a rooftop eatery serving French-influenced fusion dishes as well as creative cocktails.
• Landhaus, a Bavarian restaurant offering authentic Austrian-Bavarian cuisine with a homey and Germanic vibe.
• Wagyuism, one of the few Kobe beef-certified restaurants in Bangkok offering a wide array of high-quality meat options. This cozy eatery boasts lifestyle interiors decorated with wood furnishings and Japanese art.
• Ong Tong Khao Soi, a humble shophouse serving up northern Thai food with the main focus on the Khao soi dish.
• Bar Storia del Caffe, a photogenic café surrounded by leafy trees and European inspired décor.
• Onedee Café, serving creative and delicious frozen delights infusing Thai cuisine in a way not seen before.
   

nightlife
 

While not being the most happening neighborhood when it comes to Bangkok nightlife, there are some acclaimed and exciting venues on offer ranging from bars with an emphasis on specialty craft beer, to cocktail venues with mouth-watering concoctions:

• The locally famous Saxophone pub at BTS Victory Monument Station has been presenting the best of Bangkok's blues and jazz scene for decades.
• Hobs, at Ari Samphan Soi 11, has excellent choices of beers from around the world.
• Schneider Haus at Ari Samphan Soi 4 is a lively pub with its own in-house brew.
• O'Glee, a craft beer pub serving an extensive variety of craft beers.
• The Key Room No. 72, a cocktail bar boasting spirit-forward concoctions.
• Frank Mansion, similar to the Key Room and is one of the few well-known cocktail bars in Ari.
   

Arts, Leisure and Religion
 

This area has something to offer for everyone, from pristine public parks, all-consuming museums to excellent fitness facilities.

Numthong Gallery at Aree, Soi Ari 5 Fang Nuea is a cosy art gallery providing space for some of Thailand’s most highly acclaimed visual artists hosting new exhibitions every year featuring Thai and International artists focusing on contemporary art. Nearby is Phayathai Palace, a former Royal complex with lavish gardens. Also within easy reach are Chatuchak Park, Wachira Benjatat (Rod Fai) Park and Queen Sirikit Park, perfect places for families and those who are looking to reconnect with nature.

Ari School of Fitness at Ari Soi 3 is an excellent community-oriented gym and is one of the two CrossFit gyms in Bangkok, another being DD Fitness Ari located in Soi Ari 1. Near BTS Sanam Pao Station is The Royal Horse Guard Riding Club, which offers horseback riding lessons. When looking for a relaxing recovery after a hard workout or simply looking for a way to decompress, Calm Spa at Ari Soi 4 is the place to go, combining luxurious massages with organic spa products. Another way to release stress is to visit the shooting range just 2km east of BTS Ari.

For churchgoers, you can find the Jaisamarn Full Gospel Church near BTS Saphan Khwai as well as Xavier Hall Catholic Church south of BTS Sanam Pao and Wat Phai Tan located north of BTS Saphan Khwai Station alongside the Bang Sue Canal.
 

Education and Healthcare
 

Local schools include Samsen Wittayalai School, Rasami British International School (RBIS), Bangkok School for the Blind, and Phramongkutklao College of Medicine. Nearby are Siam Durakit Technology College and Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University.

There's a good choice of hospitals and other medical facilities in the Ari area. Most notable are Phyathai 2 Hospital, Paolo Memorial Hospital Phaholyothin, Prasarnmitr Hospital, Vichaiyut Hospital, Vichaiyut Medical Center, Phra Mongkutklao Hospital, Rajavithi Hospital, Ramathibodi Hospital, We Care and Up To Date Dental Clinics, and Aree Animal Hospital.