THONburi

Thonburi, located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, was briefly Thailand's capital city in the 18th century, remaining an independent town and province until it was merged into Bangkok in 1971. Many of its small canals (khlongs) still exist there. Today, with the extension of the BTS to Krung Thonburi and Wongwian Yai Stations and beyond, the neighborhood has become a popular and affordable residential area for Thais and foreigners, easily accessible to the Riverside and the Silom and Sathorn business and entertainment districts. 
 

Public transport

Ambitious plans are underway to further link Thonburi via rapid rail transit to the rest of metropolitan Bangkok. The recently completed Gold Line Monorail services from BTS Krung Thonburi Station to the planned ICONSIAM complex on Charoen Nakhon Road and Khlong San Junction will be extended to Prajadhipok Road by 2023. By 2029, the SRT Dark Red Line will interchange with the Gold Line at Khlong San Station, and with the BTS at Wongwian Yai, providing direct services to downtown Bangkok and Don Muang Airport. Also planned is a southern extension of the MRT Purple Line, interchanging at BTS Wongwian Yai Station in 2024.
 

Recent Developments and Average Prices

Most new condominiums in the neighborhood average THB 100,000 – 120,000 per square meter. Noteworthy recent projects include:

• Life Sathorn Sierra, developed by AP (Thailand), units priced from THB 2.75 to 5.76 million (THB 95,000 per/sq. m.) completion planned for 2022.
• Na Reva Charoennakhon, developed by Navarang Asset, units priced from THB 2.85 to 15.9 million (THB 103,000 per/sq. m.), completion planned for 2022.
• Altitude Unicorn Sathorn-Tha Phra, developed by Altitude Development, units priced from THB 2.6 to 7.2 million (THB 112,000 per/sq. m.), completion planned in 2021.
• Niche Mono Charoen Nakorn, developed by Sena Development, units priced from THB 2.24 to 7.1 million (THB 92,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2020.
• Whizdom Stations Ratchada – Thapra, developed by Magnolia Quality Development, units priced from THB 2.2 to 11.3 million (THB 128,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2018.
   

Hospitality and Retail Venues

Many five-star hotels are located along the Chao Phraya River near BTS Krung Thonburi, owing to its riverside location and its adjacency to some of Bangkok’s most exciting attractions. Some of the most popular hotels include:

Luxury:

• The Peninsula Bangkok, 1.7 km from BTS-Wongwian Yai, rated 9.3 - the room rate is THB 9,812
• Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel, 1.8 km from BTS-Wongwian Yai, rated 9.2 – the room rate is THB 2,542
• Millennium Hilton Bangkok, 1.9 km from BTS-Wongwian Yai, rated 8.4 - the room rate is THB 1,742

Mid-Range:

• Amanah Bangkok Hotel, 0.5 km from BTS-Wongwian Yai, rated 9.2 - the room rate is THB 884

Budget:

• Zenniq, 0.6 km from BTS-Wongwian Yai, rated 8.4 - the room rate is THB 1,299
• Admire Thonburi, 0.7 km from BTS-Wongwian Yai, rated 8.0 - the room rate is THB 1,025

Sena Fest and Vue are community malls near the river that feature restaurants, shops and language schools. Platform Wongwian Yai, about 1.5 km from the BTS station, includes a Tops Supermarket and some well-known tutoring schools. A bit further north is Big C Issaraphap. The Mall Thapra near BTS Talat Phlu Station has a variety of shops and restaurants and is always busy. The charming River City Bangkok mall on the Bangkok side of the Chaopraya River is easily reached by river ferry. ICONSIAM comprises two luxury shopping complexes totaling 525,000 square meters, including Thailand's first Takashimaya department store.
 

Food & Beverage Options

Thonburi has a well-established reputation for excellent food. In addition to the many fine restaurants available at the hotels along the Chao Phraya River, the neighborhood is home to numerous dining options. Among them are:

• Pho Mor Fai, Vietnamese hotpot.
• Sorry I'm Hungry Burger Cafe, Soi Krung Thonburi 4, gourmet hamburgers.
• The Never Ending Summer, at Jam Factory, Thai.
• The Coffee Club - Riverside Plaza, European Cafe.
• Jack Diamond, European and Asian Bar.
• Benihana at Riverside Plaza Bangkok, Japanese. 

Tha Din Daeng Market is a wonderful place to sample the variety of Thailand's street food. Some recommended shops are Bok Kia Thadindaeng (a Thai/Chinese dessert with white, flavored noodles), Xowki (pork satay); Chua Kim Huad (braised goose) and Sor Rad Na (Thai noodles with gravy).
 

Night Life
 

Much of the neighborhood's nightlife can be found in the riverside hotels, especially the Three Sixty Lounge at the Millennium Hilton Bangkok, a rooftop bar with panoramic views of Bangkok. Some others include the Attitude rooftop bar at AVANI Riverside Bangkok, and The River Bar at The Peninsula Bangkok, offering a sunset “Cocktail Cruise”.

Other local options include the ID 4 Pub at Lat Ya Road with live music, the Save Our Souls at Charoen Nakhon Road, serving craft beers, and the Wine Connection at Sena Fest. Nearby at BTS Saphan Taksin Station is a free ferry to Asiatique The Riverfront on the Bangkok side of the river, a large waterfront dining, entertainment and retail complex. The BTS also provides easy access to other many nightlife options in the Silom and Sathorn areas.
 

Culture and Arts
 

The Jam Factory Bangkok located in Charoen Nakhon Road, is a converted factory comprising a restaurant, cafe and bookshop. LHONG 1919 located beside the river at Soi Chiang Mai is a restored complex of historic southern Chinese buildings housing quaint restaurants, art, design shops and a co-working space.

Princess Mother Memorial Park located near the Phra Pokklao Bridge is a small urban park and museum in honor of Princess Srinagarindra, mother of King Rama IX. At Wongwian Yai is a statue of King Taksin located nearby the historic Wongwian Yai commuter railway station. Baan Kudichin Museum at Soi Wat Kanlaya explores Thai-Portuguese culture, including a restaurant.
 

Places of Worship
 

Local houses of worship include The Sacred Light Baptist Church at Itsaraphap Soi 9, Itsarapap Baptist Church near Itsaraphap Soi 17, Church of Santa Cruz at Thetsaban Sai 1 Road, Bang Luang Mosque at Thetsaban Sai 1 Road, Se Fi Mosque at Somdet Chaophraya Rod and Tonson Mosque at New Arun Amarin Road.  Several Thai temples are located along the Chao Phraya River and the many canals, including Wat Sawetachat, Wat Prayurawongsawas Waraviharn, Wat Anongkharam Worawihan, Wat Suttharam, Wat Kalayanamit Woramahawihan, Wat Buppharam, Wat Pradittharam, Wat Hiranruji Worawihan, Wat Yai Srisupan, Wat Thong Thammachat, Wat Suwan and Wat Thong Pleng.
 

Education, Healthcare and Fitness
 

The main neighborhood schools are Suksanari School, Santa Cruz Convent School, Santa Cruz Suksa School, Sang Arun School, Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat and Dhonburi Rajabhat Universities. Many notable private schools in the Silom and Sathorn area are easily accessible by the BTS, including Shrewsbury International School, Assumption Suksa School, Assumption Convent Silom School, Assumption College and Bangkok Christian College.
Medical care is conveniently accessible at Samitivej Thonburi, Somdech Phra Pinklao and Taksin Hospitals. 

Chalermprakiet Forest Park, near Taksin Bridge has an outdoor exercise park. Other fitness options include Fitness First (at The Mall Thapra), Elegant Fitness, Vfitness and Jolly Fitness (near BTS Talat Phlu), and Make Friends Yoga Thonburi (Krung Thonburi Soi 6).