ladprao

This up-and-coming neighborhood benefits from being both conveniently connected to central Bangkok whilst at the same time retaining the local small city charm that so many people desire. This has put Ladprao in a unique position as it capitalizes on the emerging trend of expats being increasingly attracted to neighborhoods outside of the city center.

location

The neighborhood referred to as “Ladprao” (sometimes as “Lat Phrao”) comprises the inner section of Ladprao Road from Sois 1 - 35 and 2 – 42 Phahonyothin Road up to the Ratchayothin intersection at Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road. It is also considered one of the most well-connected neighborhoods with many public transport networks and roads running through it. The area is mainly serviced by the two major public transport networks, Phahon Yothin MRT and Ha Yeak Lad Prao BTS Station, as well as the major roads like Phahonyothin Road, Ladprao Road and Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road providing easy travel and commuting between Ladprao and Central Bangkok.
 

Mega developments

Three major projects will define this district in the coming years, the Bang Sue Central Station, the extension of the BTS Sukhumvit Line and MRT Yellow Line and The Mo Chit Complex.

The Bang Sue Central Station opened in 2021, will accommodate all long-distance rail services from Bangkok and is the largest railway station in Southeast Asia boasting 26 platforms. The extension of the various public transport lines will dramatically reduce the time that commuters will take to get to the city center and will also alleviate some of the congestion issues Bangkok faces. The Mo Chit Complex will be a large mixed-use project worth THB 26 billion comprising housing, office and retail space totaling more than 70,500 sq. m., scheduled for completion in 2023.
 

Public Transport

Ladprao is currently served by two stations on the MRT (subway) Blue Line, Lat Phrao Station near Soi 21 and Ratchadapisek Road, and Phahonyothin Station near the Union Mall and Central Plaza Ladprao. Under construction is the BTS Yellow Line Monorail, terminating at Ratchadapisek Road and heading east to Samut Prakarn province and connecting to BTS Samrong Station.

Also under construction is an extension to the BTS (Skytrain), which currently terminates at Morchit, interchanging with the MRT (separate tickets required). Nearby is the Morchit Northern Bus Terminal, which was connected with the new State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Red Line in 2020.
 

Recent Developments and Average Prices

Ladprao residents are mostly Thais and middle-income Western and Asian expatriates. Condominium projects average less than in central Bangkok at around THB 130,000-170,000 per square meter. Recent projects include:

• Nue Noble Ratchada-Lat Phrao, developed by Noble Development, units priced from THB 2.78 to 3.7 million (THB 120,000 per/sq. m.), completion planned for August 2023.
• The Origin Ratchada-Ladprao, developed by Origin Property, units priced THB 3.32 to 4.91 million (THB 126,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2021.
• The Belgravia @ Ratchada – Ladprao 15, developed by Teerakarn Estate, units priced from THB 2.24 to 2.68 million (THB 81,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2020.
• The Teak Ratchada 19, developed by Teak Development, units priced from THB 4.47 to 6.3 million (THB 163,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2020.
• Life Ladprao, developed by AP (Thailand), units priced from THB 3.1 to 11.5 (THB 148,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2020.

This largely residential area includes clusters of corporate office buildings on nearby Vibhavadi-Rangsit and Ratchadapisek Roads. These include PTT Energy Complex, Sun Tower, SJ Infinite One, Thai Airways, Thai Rath (newspaper), SCB Park Plaza and TMB.
 

Hospitality and Retail Venues
 

Being removed from central Bangkok, luxury hotels have shied away from this area, however some noteworthy accommodation options can be found in Ladprao including:
 

Luxury:

• Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, 1.8 km MRT – Lat Phrao, rated 8.6 – the room rate is THB 1,454

Mid-Range:

• V20 Boutique Hotel by Locals, 0.8 km MRT – Lat Phrao, rated 8.9 – the room rate is THB 1,697
• The Quarter Ladprao by UHG, 1.2 km MRT – Lat Phrao, rated 8.9 – the room rate is THB 840

Budget:

• Thanaree Place, 0.3 km MRT – Lat Phrao, rated 5.3 – the room rate is THB 1,000
• Tongtip Place, 0.3 km MRT – Lat Phrao – the room rate is THB 1,050

From huge shopping malls to boutique markets, Ladprao has something for everyone.

The hub for neighborhood retail shopping is Central Plaza Ladprao, Thailand’s busiest Central mall, and to a lesser degree, Union Mall, which are both located near MRT Phahonyothin Station.

Major Cineplex Ratchayothin at the Ratchayothin intersection boasts nice movie theaters, a bowling alley and many restaurants. Nearby are Big C Supercenter near Ladprao Soi 15 and Tesco Lotus Ladprao at Phahonyothin. MRT Lat Phrao Station features a Gourmet Market, with a Metro Mall at MRT Phahonyothin.

Between MRT Chatuchak and Kampaeng Phet Stations is the very popular Chatuchak Weekend Market and JJ Mall. Another outdoor market, JJ Green Night Market is located within the park near MRT Chatuchak. 

For collectors of vinyl records, recommended are Garage Records at Ladprao Soi 8, and REC Vinyl & Cafe on Ladprao Road near MRT Phahonyothin Station.
 

Food & Beverage

Several excellent Thai and foreign restaurants are located in the major malls and scattered throughout the area and some of our favorites include:

• Kobacha Sushi at Ladprao 19.
• Hachiban Ramen, Central Ladprao, Japanese noodles.
• Longdo at Ladprao Soi 2, Vietnamese cuisine.
• Don Giovanni, at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao, fine Italian food.
• The Fat Cow, Ladprao Soi 15, gourmet hamburgers and craft beer.
• Le Tao Café, Japanese Hokkaido cheesecake.

To the west of Phahonyothin, near Soi 32 and the Lat Phrao Canal, are many well-known local restaurants including Song Ped Palo, Pho 54, Roti Krob, Tomyum Kai Lava Noodle and Lert Thip Seafood.
 

Nightlife 

Although primarily a residential and commercial area, Ladprao has several popular local nightspots, mainly frequented by residents. Favorites include:

• The Third Pig, Asian fusion restaurant and bar.
• Play Yard by Studio Bar, cocktails and live music.
• Ninetails Bar & Booster, Thai food and live music.
• Jirafu Sushi & Beer Bar.
• Blue Sky Bar, Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao, rooftop bar.
• Fullmoon Terrace, Bar.
• 7th Heaven Roof Bar.
   

Leisure, Arts and Fitness

Ladprao offers multiple options for outdoor enthusiasts. Easily accessible via MRT Chatuchak Park Station or BTS Morchit Station is a cluster of three large parks that together form Suan Chatuchak Park with a variety of activities on offer:

• Chatuchak Park, alongside Phahonyothin Road, home to the famous JJ Market
• Queen Sirikit Park, including JJ Green and Children's Discovery Museum, with indoor and outdoor science exhibits
• Wachirabenjatat Park (Rod Fai Park), including Bangkok Butterfly Museum and Insectarium 

At the north end of Wachirabenjatat Park is the beautiful Suan Mokkh Bangkok, a Buddhist education and meditation center and library, dedicated to the work of Phra Buddhadasa Bikkhu.

The Thai Bank Museum at SCB Park Plaza contains documents and tools demonstrating the development of Thailand's banking system. The Court Museum of Thailand & Archives at Ratchadapisek Road contains documents dating back to the Sukhothai Era. At nearby Kasetsart University are the Soil Museum, Ant Museum and Bangkok Aquarium.

For fitness enthusiasts, Absolute You is located at Central Plaza Ladprao.
 

Education, Healthcare and Religion

Ladprao’s schools include Horwang School, St. John University, Kasetsart University, Sri Pathum University and Chandrakasem Rajabhat University.

From Ladprao, Vibhavadi Hospital is easily reached on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road at Ngamwongwan Road. Also in the area is Paolo Memorial Hospital.

Beautiful Wat Lat Phrao is nearby on Ladprao Wanghin Road. St. John's Church, at MRT Phahonyothin Station, offers an English-language Mass every Sunday at 11:00 am.