Sukhumvit Road

Coordinates: 13°44′34.09″N 100°33′1.46″E / 13.7428028°N 100.5504056°E / 13.7428028; 100.5504056
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National Highway 3 shield}}
National Highway 3
ทางหลวงแผ่นดินหมายเลข 3
ถนนสุขุมวิท
Thanon Sukhumwit
Route information
Part of AH123 (Rayong to Border to  Cambodia)
Length488.387 km (303.470 mi)
Existed1936–present
Major junctions
West endBangkok, Phloen Chit
Southeast endKhlong Yai District, Trat,
border to  Cambodia
Location
CountryThailand
Highway system
Street sign depicting the name of Sukhumvit Road (Thanon Sukhumvit) in Thai and Latin letters

Sukhumvit Road (Thai: ถนนสุขุมวิท, RTGSThanon Sukhumwit, pronounced [tʰā.nǒn sùʔ.kʰǔm.wít]), or Highway 3 (Thai: ทางหลวงแผ่นดินหมายเลข 3), is a major road in Thailand, and a major surface road of Bangkok and other cities. It follows a coastal route from Bangkok to Khlong Yai District, Trat border to Koh Kong, Cambodia.

Sukhumvit Road is named after the fifth chief of the Department of Highways, Phra Bisal Sukhumvit. It is one of the four major highways of Thailand, along with Phahonyothin Road (Highway 1), Mittraphap Road (Highway 2) and Phetkasem Road (Highway 4).

Route[edit]

Sukhumvit Road begins in Bangkok, as a continuation of Rama I and Phloen Chit Roads which span Pathum Wan District. Starting from where the boundaries of the districts of Khlong Toei, Pathum Wan and Watthana meet, it runs the entire length of the border between Khlong Toei and Watthana, then passes through Phra Khanong and Bang Na districts.

It then crosses the border between Bangkok and Samut Prakan Province and subsequently continues east through Chachoengsao Province, south through Chonburi Province skirting the Khao Khiao Massif, east through Rayong Province, south-east through Chanthaburi Province, and ends at Ban Hat Lek village in Trat Province.

In Chonburi Province it passes through the towns of Chonburi, Laem Chabang, Bang Lamung township, Si Racha, and Pattaya.

In the Bangkok Metropolitan Area[edit]

Street signs next to Phrom Phong BTS Station, on Sukhumvit Soi 24

In the capital, Sukhumvit Road serves as a main commercial street, and this section is often congested, even at late evening or early morning hours. The Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway has an exit at Soi 1. Ratchadaphisek Road crosses Sukhumvit at the Asok (Asoke) intersection.

The Sukhumvit area of Bangkok is easily accessible on the Sukhumvit line of the BTS Skytrain, which runs from Khu Khot in Lam Luk Ka, Pathum Thani through the Silom Line interchange at Siam up to Kheha in the centre of Samut Prakan province. The MRT's Sukhumvit Station interchanges with the Skytrain at Asok. The Eastern portion of the Sukhumvit Line is built on top of Sukhumvit Road (including Rama I and Phloen Chit Roads) from Siam to Kheha station.

The Sois are numbered from west to east, with odd numbers branching off north-east of Sukhumvit, and even numbers branching off south-west.

The area between Sukhumvit Soi 1 and Sukhumvit Soi 63 is popular as residential area for western expatriates. Japanese nationals tend to prefer from Soi 21 Asok intersection upwards, especially Soi Thong Lo. Rentals tend to be higher in the even numbered streets between Soi 8 and Soi 28 and in the odd numbered streets between Soi 15 and Soi 39. Soi 12 is occupied mainly by Indian expatriates. The beginning of Soi 12 also has a Koreatown with several Korean restaurants and grocery stores. Koreatown is across the road from the Korean Cultural Centre.

Soi Cowboy entrance on the side of Soi Sukhumvit 21

The areas of Soi Cowboy (between Soi 21, also known as Asok Montri Road, and Soi 23) and Nana Entertainment Plaza (Soi 4) are packed full of gogo bars and other places of prostitution. Restaurants of various levels of luxury exist all along the road, as well as hotels including famous names such as The Westin, JW Marriott, Sheraton, Ramada Hotel and Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit, and Four Points by Sheraton. Also several shopping malls are found, like the upscale The Emporium shopping center. It also harbours the eastern bus station at Soi 63, also known as Ekkamai Road.

Major sois off Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok and other parts:

Soi number Soi name Remarks
3 Nana Nuea (North Nana) Opposite to Soi 4 Nana Tai (South Nana)
11 Chai Yot Red-light district as the extension of Nana entertainment complex, also shortcut to neighbouring Sukhumvit Soi 13 (Saeng Chan)
21 Asok Part of the Ratchadaphisek (Silver Jubilee) inner ring road
22 Sai Nam Thip Location of the girls' secondary academy Sai Nam Peung School
23 Prasan Mit Srinakharinwirot University campus at the end of the soi
24 Kasem Starts at The Emporium shopping center and Phrom Phong BTS station
26 Ari Namesake of Soi Ari (Phahonyothin Soi 7) near Saphan Kwai, the hangout place for youngster where the many restaurants and chic cafés are located. Also the location of Ari BTS station
31 Sawatdi The location of residence of Abhisit Vejjajiva, the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand
36 Napha Sap Part of Sukhumvit Road networks of sub-sois & shortcut systems; provides easy access to Rama IV by connecting with Soi San Sabai after Soi Napha Sap 5, Landmarks: Baan Sukhumvit, SakulThai Magazine
39 Phrom Phong An extension of Sukhumvit Soi 24 or Soi Kasem, the two are often referred to collectively as Soi Phrom Phong
40 Ban Kluai Tai Shortcut to Rama IV Road and location of Bangkok University, City Campus
42 Kluai Nam Thai Shortcut to Rama IV Road
49 Klang Location of Samitivej Hospital
50 Exit from and access to Chalong Rat Expressway towards Kanchanaphisek Eastern Outer Ring Road via Rama IX and Raminthra Roads
53 Padi Madi Its name has an auspicious meaning "Bon voyage"
55 Thong Lo Booming up-market residential and commercial strip; location of Pridi Banomyong Institute
62 Exit from and access to Chaloem Mahanakhon Expressway towards Din Daeng or Dao Khanong via Tha Ruea
63 Ekkamai Opposite to Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal and Science Centre for Education with Bangkok Planetarium, shortcut to Khlong Tan the most convenient route leading to Ramkhamhaeng zone
71 Pridi Phanomyong Named after Statesman Pridi Banomyong, who ordered the road to be built
77 On Nut Major road linking the city with its eastern suburb of Suan Luang, Prawet, Lat Krabang and Suvarnabhumi Airport
101 Punna Withi
101/1 Wachiratham Sathit
103 Udom Suk Shortcut to Rama IX Park and leading to Seacon Square and Paradise Park on Srinakarin Road
105 La Salle
107 Bearing
113 Wat Dan Samrong
167 Wat Chachoengsao

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

13°44′34.09″N 100°33′1.46″E / 13.7428028°N 100.5504056°E / 13.7428028; 100.5504056