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Ratchadaphisek (Thai: รัชดาภิเษก) is the district that follows the northeastern portion of Ratchadaphisek Road. It is north of Sukhumvit, east of Phahonyothin and west of Ramkhamhaeng. Since the completion of the metro line, Ratchadaphisek has developed into an entertainment resort for locals, with dozens of clubs, theatres, karaoke bars, bowling alleys, and even an ice skating rink. Foreign visitors (mostly Japanese and Chinese) are drawn to its seafood restaurants, cultural performances and "massage parlours" (brothels). The part of Ratchadaphisek Road that runs along the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre is covered in Sukhumvit.
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หอไทยนิทัศน์
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Another one of Ratchada's entertainment meccas. This self-proclaimed "entertainment centre" has a game room, karaoke rooms and a snooker table. Also included in the complex is the Carnival Pub with a live band and the Sparks Discotheque dance floor.
Formerly boasting five screens, now two of them on the third floor have been remodelled into the House RCA art cinema. Three screens remain with about 1,000 seats. It features recently released Hollywood and Thai mainstream films.
Just skate around or take lessons. At night, this turns into a swanky club complete with strobe lights, live DJs, and bars made from ice. Just don't forget to bring jackets.
Another one of Bangkok's typical ladyboy shows.
สยามนิรมิต
A state-of-the-art cultural performances centre, which uses modern technology integrated with old fashioned drama to depict the history of each region of Thailand. The story also includes depictions of hells, the forest of Himmaphan, heavens and lands beyond imagination from Thai literature, all of which are influenced by Thai common beliefs. There is also a spectacular performance of Thailand's arts and cultural heritage. The show is staged by more than 150 performers.
ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมแห่งประเทศไทย
A fully integrated venue for social education and cultural activities. There aren't many foreigners in this area, so most of the shows are aimed at locals. It is a world-class centre that has room for more than 2,000 visitors. There's always something on, most of the time (inter)national symphony orchestra performances, but most foreigners come over to see a traditional Thai cultural show. You might want to call in first and find out about the current programme before heading out.
Combined cafe and restaurant. Cute decor -- wooden puppets, collection of Garfield bears, old televisions, strange clocks. Food is individually prepared from scratch -- probably the best intersection of low cost "street food" with high-quality preparation in the Sutthisan area.
This Thai restaurant is featured in the movie Bangkok Dangerous, where Nicolas Cage takes the deaf girl to dinner. It is not high class by any means, but the seating area surrounding the pond looks nice. Large menu.
สมบูรณ์โภชนา
This place offers good Chinese and Thai-style seafood. Curry crab is one of their specialties.
Enjoy views from your table on the 12th floor of the Lancaster Hotel at the High Bar.
Lots of electronic dance music, strobe lights, lasers, that kind of thing.
One of the largest and most well-known clubs on RCA. It is terribly crowded with young, trendy Thais, especially on weekends. There are different wings, each having a different music genre or live band. All this is combined with beautiful light effects and animations on the walls and ceiling..
Instead of a general nightclub, all the chairs here are aimed towards the stage, so visitors actually listen and watch the bands perform. The focus is not on drinking, but on listening; usually with jazz, rock, or blues bands. A Singha or Corona costs 100 baht, a cocktail costs around 150 baht.
Dining and dancing with mainly rap and hip hop type music.
The most popular of the Soi 4 clubs. It stands out from the rest with its cool light effects outside. With two floors, connected by an escalator, it is certainly large and impressive. The interior is trendy and stylish with the tables neatly lined up. A great place to see local nightlife and hear Thai bands.
Gay bar with live music, pumping base, scintillating lights, that kind of thing.
A 14-storey basic hotel offering clean, basic rooms with air conditioning. Wattana Mansion has a small swimming pool, 24 hour room service, and an Internet café with four computers and wireless access (if you have your laptop with you) for 20 baht/30 minutes. The staff do not seem to care much, and the restaurant is not worth it.
Low-key hostel with high-quality, clean facilities. Free breakfast 07:15-11:00. Free DIY barbecue on Friday evenings. Coin-operated washing machine available.
formerly Siam Beverly Hotel
This 14-storey hotel has recently been refurbished (and renamed). Rooms are clean and spacious, and look new and modern. The size of the pool is a tad small, and the restaurant's dishes are bland and uninspired. And don't change money here as the rates are awful.
โรงแรมมายเทรียณ์ พระราม 9 กรุงเทพฯ - เอ ชาเทรียม คอลเลคชั่น
Hotel with 230 rooms with an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and one restaurant, Coffee & Crumble Eatery (international cuisine, open 6AM - 10PM).
This is a decent hotel with a pool. It's quite far off from any public transportation networks, so you'll have to get by taxi. Many people stay here for its location near Bangkok Hospital. Free Wi-Fi in the lobby.
This is a good hotel with big, spacious and clean rooms. The rooms might be a little old, but still good. The area is very quiet, there are no shops, but also no "massage parlours". It is close to the MRT, so you're can quickly get to Chatuchak Weekend Market.
The Emerald is centrally located in the Ratchadaphisek area, with just a five-minute walk to the nearest metro station. It also has very good Chinese food. Rooms are a little worn, though, but the beds are large and comfy and the bathrooms are good.
Old Fortune Hotel
Luxury hotel in the southern part of the Fortune Town Building, which is home to the IT Mall and the Tesco Lotus supermarket. The hotel is at the Rama IX Rd and Ratchadaphisek Rd intersection.
Modern serviced apartments with studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Pool, gym, café and a convenience store.
Luxury hotel with spacious rooms. It starts with the lobby, which is huge and has an impressive chandelier. The furniture does feel a little old and dull, but it's still good.
ศูนย์การค้าเซ็นทรัลพระราม 9
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.
ดิเอสพลานาด
Seven storeys of phone shops and beauty stores with some cinemas, restaurants (mostly Japanese), cafés and gyms added in-between. The most stunning features here are the ice skating rink and the bowling alley, the only features that differentiate this mall from the others. It is quite unorganised and feels a bit chaotic (in that way, the atmosphere has some in common with Pantip Plaza). All in all, it lacks personality and the only real reason to visit is if you happen to be in the area.
ฟอร์จูนทาวน์
Just like Pantip Plaza in Pratunam, but much less touristy with better prices and fewer scams, this is one of the best places in Bangkok to buy computer gear. It has an extensive mobile phone section on the second floor and computer sections on the third and fourth floors. Also has computer and phone repair shops. The supermarket Tesco Lotus is here, as are many barbers, restaurants and a food court.
โรบินสัน
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.
By bus
There are about 20 bus lines covering Ratchadaphisek Road.
By taxi
You can also hail a taxi — it's OK to say Ratchada ("RAHT-cha-dah" รัชดา), as everybody abbreviates it.
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