Thong Lo

Thong Lo (or Thong Lor or Thonglor, Thai: ทองหล่อ) a.k.a. Sukhumvit Soi 55, is a road in Watthana district, Bangkok, Thailand, on the Sukhumvit Road with Bangkok Transit System BTS Thong Lo station.

It is known for having varieties of multi-national restaurants as well as a various shopping malls, international shops, bars and night spots. From the small dead end road of the residential area with canals on both sides in the 1960s, development and road enlargement to six lanes occurred in the early 1980s, and attracted residences for expatriates. The road became a popular international gourmet area in the 1990s, with mainly Italian, Japanese and upscale Thai restaurants.

Thonglor considers itself as a place for a residential, commercial / artistic zone with eclectic neighborhood, creative designer, fashionable retailer, conceptual boutique mall, prime residential and entertainment district, surrounded by shopping venues, supermarkets, entertainment spots, restaurants and hospitals.

Thonglor demographic in term of income, power of purchase, and life style should not be impossible to be targeted. Many short cut streets can reach to Thonglor area, from main Sukhumvit Road, started on Soi 19 (Asoke), Soi 31 (Sawasdee), Soi 39 (Phrompong), and Soi 49 (Klang) until Soi 55 (Thonglor) thru Petchaburi Road, and Soi 63 (Ekamai), and then /Airport Rail link

Shopping, spas, massage and hospitals

Shopping malls on Thong Lo include:

• Marketplace – Anchored by a Tops Supermarket, with a Starbucks outlet and Burger King.
• J Avenue – Thong Lo Soi 15. Has a Villa Market branch, Au Bon Pain and bowling alley.
• H1 – An upscale boutique mall.
• Thonglor Midtown, formerly Playground – A Conceptual boutique mall.
• Penny's Balcony
• The 3rd Place
• Arena 10

Highstreet stores on Thong Lo include:

• Decor Mart Design Center - Thonglor 19
• Niche Nation Eyewear btw Soi 17-19
• Shades Of Retro
• Euro Furniture
• Modernform

Spas in Thong Lo include:

• CT Spar Life - Thonglor Soi 8
• Leyana Spa
• Palm Herbal Retreat

Massage in Thong Lo include:

• PraiPhana - Thongor opposite Soi 8, Massage Nailcare & Waxing

Hospitals

• Samitivej hospital
• Camillian hospitals
• The Thonglor Pet hospital
• Thonglor Dental Hospital

Restaurants, bars and cafes

Restaurants, bars and cafes on Thong Lo include:

• HOBS (House of Beers)
• Big John's
• Delicatessa
• Escudo
• Greyhound Cafe
• Hog's Breath Cafe Australian Steakhouse EightThonglor
• Whiskey Mist (formerly Maya)
• Muse
• Embassy
• Play
• Funky Villa(400 Baths Cover Charge for FORIEGNERS)
• Demo
• Nangkwak Cityscape Bar & Bistro
• Oishi
• Pola Pola
• Shades of Retro
• Starbucks (3)
• Third Place Club & Cafe
• To Die For
• Ton Khrueng
• True Life
• Woodstock Pub

Accommodation

Hostels and hotels in Thonglor include:

• Oakwood Residence Sukhumvit Thonglor Bangkok [1]
• Big John's Backpacker Hostel
• Burri
• Centerpoint Thonglor
• Grand Tower Inn
• Sawasdee Sukhumvit Inn

Transportation

• Bangkok Skytrain Sukhumvit Line– Thong Lo Station is at the intersection with Sukhumvit Road.
• Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat – Thong Lo pier is at the bridge crossing Khlong Saen Saep, at the opposite end of the street, near New Phetchaburi Road intersection.

References

External links

• "To Be Young and Hip in Bangkok" — November, 2005, comprehensive travel article in the New York Times covering the zeitgeist of Thong Lo in particular and Bangkok in general. Includes "Youth Culture in Bangkok" slideshow, and a sidebar containing practical travel information.
• "Bangkok's Chic Street" — August, 2005, brief article in the Time covering the basics of Thong Lo.
• "Bangkok's Trendy Thong Lo" — A 2007 review of "one of Asia's hippest districts" from the Four Seasons Magazine.
• Google Map of Thong Lo — Map showing Thong Lo shops and nearby Bangkok Skytrain stations (BTS).