If you’re wondering: Where do expats live in Bangkok? Or what life in Bangkok is like for expats in Bangkok? This article is for you.
Are you new to Bangkok or to the parenting gig and not sure where to live in Bangkok? We’ve got the lowdown on the top kid-friendly ‘hoods to kick off your search!
Need to know the best places to live with kids or the areas in Bangkok that are the most family-friendly? Finding the perfect Bangkok home for your brood can be a daunting prospect, whether you’re a long-time local or fresh off the boat. Equally, if you’re making that transition from ‘DINKS’ (Double Income, No Kids) to first-time parents, you’ll need to move out of your cool Thonglor art deco walk-up or hip Chinatown old shophouse and move to one of the more pram-friendly family neighbourhoods.
Bangkok is massive but central Bangkok can feel cramped and tiny, however it more than makes up for it with loads of interesting, culture-packed districts, all with their own unique allure, from top kid-friendly restaurants to schools and green parks. Just make sure to take a little time out from the gruelling house or condo hunting to enjoy all the wonderful sights, sounds, food and culture that the amazing Thai capital has to offer.
But, don’t worry! With our handy list of family-friendly Bangkok neighbourhoods, you’ll be happily settled in the home of your dreams before you know it…
The best places to live in Bangkok
1. Lower Sukhumvit: Ploen Chit–Nana–Asok
Let me start by saying that I live in this part of Bangkok (Asok) so of course it’s the best (jks!), no but really, ok while Nana is known to be one of the red light districts of Bangkok and I’d recommend avoiding it at all cost, you might be able to find an actual house or a low-rise apartment complex hidden deep in the little alleys, away from the big main streets of chaos and sins. Asok is notoriously known for its bad traffic (and I don’t disagree!), but why drive when you can walk everywhere? I have about 50 coffee shops near me, there are a few good schools in the area, NIST is 10 mins walk from me and RC is walking distance from BTS Ploen Chit. There’s even a university on Asok Road. More importantly: the Benjakitti Forest Park is walking distance from me! I count it as a “luxury” to be living so close to such a big green space in the middle of the capital city. But just like Ploen Chit, Asok Road is lined with high-rise office buildings. But trust me: wherever there’s a school or an office building, there’s food and convenience. This area is also connected to the underground train, the Skytrain and the Airport Rail Link, meaning I can get to BKK Airport in just 35 minutes. (yes, I’ve timed it.).
2. Mid Sukhumvit: Phrom Phong–Thonglor–Ekkamai
So, before moving to Asok, I lived in Thonglor for almost 10 years. I loved Thonglor – when I was in my 20s. Thonglor and Ekkamai are known to be where the “cool kids” of Bangkok hang out, so if you’re a parent, you’d be one of those wearing your On sneakers, pushing the stroller while grabbing a matcha at The Commons after your spin class there at Absolute Boutique Fitness. Phrom Phong, though, is quite lovely and convenience, you get a lot of Japanese families, raising their kids, doing grocery shopping at Fuji or Villa Market, but because there are 3 big shopping malls side by side/opposite of one another, the area tends to be super crowded all the time with both local and tourists. At least in Asok, it’s dead quiet on the weekend (but super hectic during weekdays). There are plenty of good schools in this area like Raintree, Wells, Australian, Trinity, St.Andrew and more.
3. Upper Sukhumvit: Phrakanong–On Nut–Bang Chak and beyond
If you want to live on the Sukhumvit side but can’t handle the chaos, this is the place for you. These neighbourhoods are far from everything, yet still close enough. Rents are cheaper here and you can get a bigger apartment for the same price as in Phrom Phong. If you don’t want an apartment, there are also shophouses and standalone houses with gardens. Keep going further out and you’ll get literal mansions in a gated community. Of course, these won’t be right next to the Skytrain station, but they’ll still be close enough. While you might not have a fancy shopping mall nearby, you won’t run out of food as there will be plenty of local fresh markets where the locals shop. There are also a lot of good schools in this area, such as Bangkok Patana and Berkeley.
4. Lumphini, Yen Akart, Lower Sathorn, Silom
If Sukhumvit feels a little too chaotic, or too flashy, this area is for you. To me, this area feels like the more grounded version of central Bangkok living. You still get the convenience and the city lifestyle, but the energy is calmer and more residential. Lumphini is probably one of the best-connected neighbourhoods in Bangkok while still managing to feel relatively peaceful. You’re close to Lumphini Park, which is one of the best things about living in this part of the city. The biggest con of living here though is during Songkran, it becomes one of the most hectic with street parties, this year attracting about 650,000 people in three days. Then there’s Yen Akart, which is quietly one of the coolest residential areas in Bangkok without trying too hard. It’s full of hidden cafes, low-rise condos, actual houses, little restaurants and a mix of locals, expats and long-term residents who are kind of over the Thonglor scene already. It feels more neighbourhood-y here. Lower Sathorn sits somewhere in between. You still have office towers and traffic, but also some great residential pockets tucked behind the main roads. There’s a good, small school in the British curriculum there, Garden International School.
5. Greater Sathorn: Yan Nawa, Rama 3
Rama 3 is one of the most underrated areas in Bangkok for expat families. There are plenty of (rich) Thai families who live out here, but lately, it has been on the expats’ radar more and more. A lot of people moving to Bangkok immediately focus on Sukhumvit or Sathorn (around BTS Chong Nonsi) because that’s the “expat area,” but once you have kids, priorities change very quickly. You’ll find bigger condos, family-sized apartments and actual houses at prices that would feel almost impossible in Thonglor or Phrom Phong. A lot of the newer developments here are built for long-term family living too, so facilities tend to be excellent: pools, playgrounds, gardens, gyms, all of that. And despite what people think, you’re not disconnected from the city at all. Sathorn, Silom and even Asok are still accessible enough, especially if you’re not commuting during absolute peak Bangkok suffering hours. St. Paul Girls School from London just opened in the area as well, on top of others like St. Andrew and Aster.
6. Bangkok Old Town
Let’s be honest: almost no expat moves to Bangkok and immediately says, “You know what? I want to live near the Grand Palace.” Bangkok Old Town is still mostly associated with temples, backpackers, tourists in elephant pants and people melting under the sun while trying to find Wat Pho on Google Maps. It’s not the typical expat neighbourhood at all. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to live here. And if you do, it can actually be kind of magical. This part of Bangkok has something that newer neighbourhoods simply cannot replicate: character. Real character. Old shophouses, historic architecture, tiny alleyways, local coffee shops hidden behind temples, aunties selling snacks that have probably existed longer than half the condos in Sukhumvit. And then there’s the river. Some of the apartments and residences along the Chao Phraya River around areas like Tha Tien, Pak Khlong Talat or further towards Dusit are absolutely stunning. You wake up to river views, temple bells, long-tail boats passing by and some of the most beautiful light in Bangkok.
7. Northern Bangkok: MRT Rama 9–Chatuchak and beyond
This part of Bangkok feels very different from Sukhumvit even though it’s a couple of stops on the MRT line from Asok/Sukhumvit. Areas stretching from Rama 9 up towards Ratchada, Sutthisan, Ladprao, Chatuchak and beyond feel slower, more local and a little less dominated by the typical expat bubble. You’ll definitely notice fewer Western expats here compared to Sukhumvit or Sathorn, but there’s a growing mix of Asian expats, especially from China and South Korea alongside local Bangkok families. The Blue Line makes commuting super convenient, connecting huge parts of northern Bangkok directly to central areas without having to deal with Sukhumvit traffic nightmares. Rama 9 especially has grown massively over the past few years. It’s basically becoming Bangkok’s second CBD at this point, with office towers, condos, malls and endless new developments going up constantly. But once you move slightly further north towards Ladprao or Chatuchak, the city starts feeling more residential and local again. There are plenty of good schools in this area such as: Regent’s, Brighton, Shrewsbury, Harrow and KIS.
Good news for families in Thailand! Bangkok Education & Lifestyle Fair debuts in Thailand this September
This is the first time the long-awaited fair is going to take place in Thailand! Location TBA!
This is your chance to speak to some of the best international schools and businesses in Bangkok and Thailand. More juicy details on this to come soon. Consider your weekend plans sorted!
Mark it in your diaries: 12 September 2026, Saturday, 10AM to 4PM
Location: TBA
If you’re a school or family and lifestyle brand keen on joining our upcoming Bangkok Education & Lifestyle Fair, we welcome you to drop us a note at hello@bangkokbeat.co for more info on how you can join us.
Leave feedback about this