Sukhumvit Road can be considered the “main drag” in Bangkok. A six-lane road, with a fenced divider and an overhead train, it is a tourist’s dream or a tourist’s nightmare. The street is wall-to-wall vendors, morning and night. You can buy almost anything from clothes to souvenirs, to food and drink.

There are many decent restaurants along the road featuring Thai, Italian, American, and many other nations’ food. And, of course, there are oodles of food vendors hawking their rice, noodles, and soups.

The main touristy area of Sukhumvit runs from Soi 1 to Soi 33. You can visit beer bars on Soi 1, go-go bars on Soi 4, and a variety bars on Soi Cowboy or Soi 33. There are a few expatriate hang-outs in and around Soi 22.

Sukhumvit Road bangkok - travel treasures

You will also run into the ladies of the night peddling their wares and you may even run into some third generates that maybe after your wallet. Be careful. Venturing down some of the side Sois, you can find tailor shops, sports bars, numerous hotels, massage and beauty parlours, and shops of all shapes and sizes.

Getting a haircut, manicure, facial and massage for about USD 20 is a real bargain. Italian dinner at Pomodoro’s and then off for some adult beverages. Sukhumvit Road has it all. You can shop, eat, drink and be entertained and do it all just walking around.

And just off of Sukhumvit Road are two of the most popular entertainment venues for tourists in Bangkok. On Sukhumvit and Soi 4 is Nana Entertainment Plaza (NEP), three stories of bars in a U-shaped arena. Everything from beer bars to go-go’s and one on the 2nd floor that is for the gender challenged.

Further up Sukhumvit, between Soi 21 and Soi 23 is Soi Cowboy. This street has been around since the 1970s and serves primarily the expats in the area, but more and more tourists have found it. There are many small go-go bars and lots of cute girls on the street trying to entice you to come inside their bar.

Some of the bars have shows that have to be seen to be believed. Written descriptions will not do them justice. Sukhumvit Road is not for the tame. It is a unique experience but caution must be taken as it would in any big city. You will not be bored walking around Sukhumvit Road. But, be careful. With a large number of tourists, the crowded street is notorious for pickpockets.