asoke - rama 9

Asoke – Rama 9 is a flourishing neighbourhood that has bridged cultural traditions with contemporary developments and has emerged as both a commercial and financial center. From upscale shopping complexes to open-air night markets and a wealth of dining options, Asoke - Rama 9 is a popular and vibrant district. This is a major factor why it has increasingly become a residential and commercial hub, home to many middle to high-income Thais as well as Chinese and Korean expatriates. 
 

location

This area, north of the Sukhumvit-Asoke neighborhood, is defined by the MRT (subway) Petchaburi Road, Rama 9, Thailand Cultural Center (TCC) Stations, and the Airport Rail Link interchange at Asoke. Infrastructure developments are currently in the pipeline for this district, with the Eastern-half of the MRT orange line, a 21 km connection, comprising 17 stations that will be operational as of 2023, linking the MRT Thailand Cultural Centre to Minburi. Additionally, the neighbourhood is connected to the Phetchaburi-Asoke Intersection leading to Sukhumvit Road, with a road linkage to Lat Phrao and Rama IX Expressway. 

Asoke - Rama 9 is fast becoming a business ecosystem with high number of commercial developments and expected to become one of the busiest areas in Bangkok in the upcoming years in line with its growing reputation as the city’s New CBD. 
 

Recent Developments and Average Prices

Several condominiums in this area are targeted at local and city center workers and are priced at an average of THB 130,000 – 180,000 per square meter. Recent projects include:
 

• Life Asoke Hype, developed by AP (Thailand), units priced from THB 4.27 to 10.59 million (THB 137,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2021.
• Noble BE19, developed by Noble Development, units priced from THB 5.7 to 33 million (THB 193,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2020.
• Aspire Asoke-Ratchada, developed by AP (Thailand), units priced from THB 2.26 to 5.28 million (THB 96,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2020.
• One 9 Five Asoke – Rama 9, developed by TC Development, units priced from THB 3.35 to 61 million (THB 157,000 per/sq. m.), completion planned for 2022. 

Other recent projects include Singha Complex, located by MRT Petchaburi Station, a mixed-use project comprising premium Grade-A offices, a retail podium and luxury residences (The Esse at Singha Complex) which was completed in 2020.

Hospitality and Retail Venues

Notable neighborhood hotels include:

Luxury:

• Lancaster Bangkok, 1 km from Central Rama 9, rated 9.1 – the room rate is THB 1,610
• Avani Atrium Bangkok Hotel, 1.2 km from Central Rama 9, rated 8.4 – the room rate is THB 1,766

Mid-Range:

• Grand Mercure Bangkok Fortune, 0.1 km from Central Rama 9, rated 8.4– the room rate is THB 1,445
• Liberate Dragon Eyes 789, 0.4 km from Central Rama 9 – the room rate is THB 1,411

Budget:

• Praso Residence, 0.2 km from Central Rama 9, rated 7.8 – the room rate is THB 1,125
• Centric Place Hotel, 0.2 km from Central Rama 9, rated 7.1 – the room rate is THB 666 

The main shopping complex in the Asoke - Rama 9 area is Central Plaza Grand Rama 9 at MRT Rama 9 Station. Across the road is Fortune Tower, a popular IT mall with computer, camera and phone shops, musical instruments, high-end stereo gear and vinyl records. The Shoppes at Belle Grand Rama 9 is a 35,000 square-meter shopping arcade that includes a Villa Supermarket. The Street Ratchada, north of MRT Thailand Cultural Centre Station on Rachadapisek Road, is a multi-storey mall open 24 hours a day. The Esplanade Ratchada is also located near MRT TCC Station. Large supermarkets in the area include Tesco Lotus at Fortune Tower, and a Big C Extra on Ratchadapisek Road.

The Rot Fai (Train) Market on Ratchadapisek Road behind The Esplanade is a lively open-air market selling a variety of goods and foods. Further north is the Ratchada Night Bazaar, a laid-back market especially noted for used goods. The area has easy access via MRT to Terminal 21 at Asoke. The Emporium, EmQuartier and Shinsen Fish Market at Sukhumvit Soi 39 are close by.
 

Food & Beverage

Among the many restaurants in the area are:

• Big Mama Pizzeria, an Italian staple of Asoke, this venue is popular among both Thais and expats and serves authentic Italian flavored food. 
• Madcow Burger, starting out as a food truck, this homemade-style burger joint can be found in Sukhumvit 21 Soi 1, serving options from burgers to chicken sandwiches to chicken wings and many other meat staples.
• Ruen Petch Suki, a legendary hotpot restaurant located around Phetchaburi Road for over half a century, the restaurant serves hotpots influenced by the cuisine of southern China as well as many other items like Thai and fresh seafood dishes. 
• Moomin Pop Bubble Tea, has become a favorite among boba lovers serving amazing bubble tea as well as an array of healthier options like their Pop Juice.
• Size S Coffee & Bakery, catering to minimalists by offering petite versions of your favorite desserts, this venue balances the desire for a delicious sugary dish and the more health-conscious mindset of many consumers.
• King Kong Sweets, the Japanese-inspired venue uses premium ingredients imported from Japan to serve desserts, ice cream and drinks, standing out in terms of flavor profile and originality.
   

NightLife
 

The center for local nightlife is Royal City Avenue (RCA) on Phetchaburi Road, a very popular nightclub destination for Thais and foreigners. Among the many clubs here are Onyx, Route 66, Taksura and The Beat Lounge.  More clubs may be found at Ratchadapisek Soi 4, including Zaleng, Hollywood, Pure Bar, Fake Club, The Next Gen and Snop. Also recommended is Fatty's Bar & Diner, an American bar on Rama 9 Road. Further north on Ratchada Road, between MRT Huay Kwang and Sutthisan Stations are several exotic massage parlors, including Poseidon, Emmanuelle and Caesar's Palace. You will also be treated to unique panoramic views at ZOOK rooftop bar, a perfect setting to wine and dine with a DJ every Thursday and Friday night.
 

Culture and Fitness
 

From fitness and relaxation to culture and the arts, this increasingly popular area has activities for all persuasions.

The Thailand Cultural Center, a 5-minute walk from MRT TCC Station, presents a variety of programs, including Western operas and The Siam Sinfonietta. Siam Niramit Theatre (near Thailand Cultural Center) is a 2000-seat performing arts venue and exhibition featuring the culture and history of each region of Thailand. Art In Paradise Bangkok, at The Esplanade, is a 3D art museum with 150 3D paintings by professional artists from South Korea. Also at The Esplanade is Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre, a 1500-seat theater presenting Western musical productions.

If you're seeking more physical activities, try Sub Zero Ice Skate Club at The Esplanade, or Bounce Thailand at The Street Ratchada, a trampoline park from Australia. There's a Fitness First at Central Plaza Grand Rama 9, Fitness First Platinum at AIA Capital Center on Ratchadapisek Road, Absolute You at G Tower and Agaligo Yoga at The Shoppes at Belle Grand Rama 9.
 

Education, Healthcare and Religion
 

Local or nearby schools include St. Dominic School, Wattana Wittaya Academy, KIS International School, SISB International School, The Regent’s International School Bangkok, Don Bosco Institute of Technology and University of Thai Chamber of Commerce.
For medical care, Rama 9 Hospital and Bangkok Hospital offer primary care. Also nearby are Rutnin Eye Hospital and Asoke Skin Hospital.

Churches in the neighborhood include St. Don Bosco Catholic Church near Makkasan Airport Rail Link Station, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church at Din Daeng Soi 1, and Nexus Christian Church on Rama 9 Road. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is nearby on Petchaburi Road near Petchaburi MRT. Darulmuhayirin Mosque is near Ratchadapisek Road at Chan Meuang Soi 10.