Ratchadaphisek Road

Understand

Ratchadaphisek, generally shortened to just Ratchada, breathes entertainment. While Sukhumvit's clubbing scene is probably the more impressive, it is totally overrun by expats. Ratchada's clubs, bars, cinemas, massage parlours, and shopping malls almost exclusively cater to a local Thai audience (foreigners are welcome though). Saturday nights are busiest, with Thai students in their late teens and early 20s flocking in great numbers to "RCA", a pedestrian-only road that stands for Royal City Avenue. Being a government-designated entertainment zone, clubs here stay open till 02:00, one hour longer than elsewhere in Bangkok. The bars and clubs have spilled over beyond RCA onto the many sois off Ratchadaphisek. Chinese and Japanese tourists have discovered Ratchadaphisek, and there are many hotels and seafood restaurants catering to this demand. Western tourists come in surprisingly few numbers. Besides clubbing and fine dining, don't expect to see anything particularly interesting on this long, rather soulless road. Pracha Rat Bamphen in Hwai Khwang is known as Bangkok's "New Chinatown", and is home to many Chinese immigrants and expatriates who have moved to Thailand for business opportunities; it is home to many businesses catering to that demographic. Orientation is quite straightforward. Ratchdaphisek Road is the main road that crosses right through the district from north to south. It is the transportation hub of the district as the MRT metro runs right beneath it. Many of Ratchadaphisek's sois intersect with the main road, with the odd numbers at the west side and the even numbers on the east side.

Getting there

By public transit Since 2004, Ratchadaphisek has been served by the MRT metro system. The line exactly follows Ratchadaphisek Road with plenty of stops on it. If you are coming from Silom, Sukhumvit, Siam Square, or Yaowarat and Phahurat, the metro is definitely the most convenient way to get in. The stations are, from south to north, Phetchaburi, Phra Ram 9, Thailand Cultural Centre, Huai Khwang, Sutthisan and Ratchadaphisek. The metro ride from Sukhumvit station takes about five to ten minutes, while the ride from Si Lom station takes about ten to fifteen minutes. Trains leave every five to ten minutes for a fare of about 16-41 baht.

By boat Ratchadaphisek is not easy to reach by boat, but the Saen Saep Express Boat service does have some stops on the south side of the district. It generally is the fastest way to get into Ratchadaphisek if coming from Rattanakosin, Khao San Road or Dusit. A single trip from Rattanakosin to the district takes about 30 minutes (including a transfer at Pratunam pier) and costs around 8-20 baht. The most important pier is Asoke-Petchaburi, which is at walking distance of Ratchadaphisek Road. From there it is possible to transfer to the metro at nearby Phetchaburi MRT station. If you're heading for Royal City Avenue (RCA), you can get out at Wat Mai Chonglom pier. Other piers that border the district are Prasanmit, Italthai, Soi Thonglor and Charn Issara. All of these piers are served by the NIDA Line, which starts at Pratunam pier and runs all the way northeast to Ramkhamhaeng.

By bus There are about 20 bus lines covering Ratchadaphisek Road. Ordinary and air-conditioned Bus 136 starts at the Khlong Toei Market (near Sukhumvit) and then follows the MRT northwards, along the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Asoke Road, and Ratchadaphisek Road. It passes Sutthisan, Lat Phrao and Phahon Yothin MRT stations before heading for Chatuchak Weekend Market and the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit). Ordinary and air-conditioned Bu

See

1 Thai Life Permanent Exhibition Hall (หอไทยนิทัศน์), Thailand Cultural Centre, Walthana Tham Rd (MRT Thailand Cultural Centre exit 1), ☏ +66 2 247-0028. M-F 09:30-16:30. Displays the history of the Thai people and aspects of Thai culture, evolving from pre-history up to the present day. It mostly focuses on the struggles of the Thai people to stay independent. The exhibition is divided into five topics covering the history of Thai culture, important archaeological sites in Thailand, world civilization, the origins of the Thais, and Thai language and literature. The information is told in a presentation using computer generated imagery, photography, slide-presentations and even puppets. Free.

Do

Entertainment

Ratchadaphisek is Bangkok's entertainment mecca, offering all the modern entertainment facilities you could expect from a large metropolis, including theatres, bowling, karaoke, go-karts and an ice-skating rink. Most facilities are new, as they opened after the MRT line was completed in 2002.

Blu-O Rhythm and Bowl, 4F, Esplanade, 99 Ratchadaphisek Rd (MRT Thailand Cultural Centre), ☏ +66 2 5115-5443. 10:00-23:00 daily. Kind of a weird entertainment venue as this complex combines karaoke rooms with bowling facilities, aimed at upper-middle class Thai ladies. The entrance is professional and neat in a glamorous blue, gold and white style. The karaoke rooms look like living rooms with a DVD player and touch-screens. The 22-lane bowling alleys are world-class. After 17:00, bowlers play with a glow-in-the-dark ball in a dimly-lit environment. There are also DJs, lounge seats, and you can have cocktails. 80-190 baht. BSC Bowl, 3F, RCA Plaza, 31/6-9 Royal City Ave, ☏ +66 2 641-5870(-3). 10:00-01:00 daily. This is a bowling centre that does a fine job if you're looking for a night out with friends. It is huge, with dozens of bowling alleys. Muangthai Ratchadalai Theatre, 4F, Esplanade, 99 Ratchadaphisek Rd (MRT Thailand Cultural Centre), ☏ +66 2 669-8288. Opened in 2007, this 1,500-seat musical theatre has an extensive schedule of theatre productions and live shows. Most of them cater to the locals, so check before booking. PTT Speed Way, 2F, RCA Plaza, 31/11 Soi Soonvijai, ☏ +66 2 203-1205(-7). M-Tu, Th 16:00-00:00, F 16:00-03:00, Sa-Su, holidays 13:00-00:00. At 7,000 sq m this is the largest indoor go-kart track in Asia. It receives more than 100,000 visitors every year, most of them karting on the weekends. Formula 1 racer Nico Rosberg is understood to have a membership. But you don't have to be a good racer to do it as anyone can. 390 baht/8 min. Spark Entertainment Center, BF, The Emerald Hotel, 99/1 Ratchadaphisek Rd (MRT Huai Khwang), ☏ +66

Buy

1 Big C Extra, 125 Ratchadaphisek Rd (MRT Thailand Cultural Centre), ☏ +66 2 354-0570. 09:00-24:00 daily. 2 Central Plaza Grand Rama 9 (ศูนย์การค้าเซ็นทรัลพระราม 9), 9/9 Rama IX Rd (MRT Phra Ram 9 exit 2), ☏ +66 2 103-5999. 10:00-22:00 daily. A massive shopping mall built on top of the MRT station with 9 floors of shopping topped with 3 floors of beauticians and 2 floors of schools teaching subjects ranging from languages to yoga to music to taekwondo. In addition to shops and dining offers a branch of SFX Cinema, a gym and an ice skating rink.

3 Esplanade (ดิเอสพลานาด), 99 Ratchadaphisek Rd (MRT Thailand Cultural Centre exit 3), ☏ +66 2 642-2000. 10:00-23: