| Bangkok's Skytrain is a fast, economical and efficient | | | | between the Silom and Sukhumvit lines. It is also your |
| way to zip around Bangkok above the congested | | | | station if you are in the mood for some serious |
| traffic of Thailand's capital city. This guide will let you | | | | shopping. |
| know where to get off the Skytrain for some of the | | | | Siam Paragon, Thailand's most luxurious shopping |
| major attractions in Bangkok. | | | | complex opened in December 2005 and covers more |
| The Sukhumvit line is one of two lines on Bangkok's | | | | than 400,000 square meters. Just about every luxury |
| elevated mass transit system, the BTS Skytrain, which | | | | brand that you can think of has their flagship store |
| covers many of the areas of the capital that are of | | | | here amongst the 250 establishments housed here. |
| interest to tourists. The Sukhumvit line intersects with | | | | On the 5th and 6th floors of Siam Paragon, the 21 |
| the Silom line at Siam station, which is one of the major | | | | screen Siam Paragon Cineplex, including an IMAX |
| stations on the network. | | | | theater offer the latest Hollywood and Thai movies. |
| The Sukhumvit line runs from Mo Chit station, | | | | In the basement of Siam Paragon you will find Siam |
| interchanges with the Silom line at Siam station, then | | | | Ocean World- the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, |
| runs along Sukhumvit road with stations every few | | | | covering 10,000 square meters. The aquarium is home |
| hundred meters until it terminates at On Nut station. | | | | to 30,000 marine animals of 400 species. |
| Below is a brief rundown of things to do near some of | | | | Across the street from Siam Paragon is the lively |
| the main stations along the Sukhumvit line. | | | | district of Siam Square, a trendy area of shops and |
| Mo Chit | | | | restaurants popular with the youth of Bangkok. This |
| This is the first station on the line and home to the | | | | area is always lively and it is a great place to see |
| famous Chatuchak Weekend markets, also known as | | | | emerging trends. You will also find Siam Discovery |
| JJ Weekend markets, probably because it's easier to | | | | Center here as well as a Hard Rock Café. |
| say. It is the largest market in Bangkok and is popular | | | | Chit Lom |
| with both locals and tourists alike. | | | | Chit Lom is connected to Siam station by a covered |
| Spreading over 35 acres (the size of several football | | | | overhead walkway and is close to several malls. |
| fields) and absolutely vibrant with life, the Chatuchak | | | | Central World is the biggest shopping mall in Thailand |
| Markets house anywhere between 9000 and 15000 | | | | and it incorporates Zen mall as well as Centara Grand |
| stalls depending on the day. It is home to everything | | | | Central World Hotel. Gaysorn department store is also |
| from bargain value clothing and household accessories, | | | | nearby. |
| handicrafts, art, antiques, religious artifacts, fruit, | | | | You will also find Erawan Shrine, located on the corner |
| vegetables, flowers and exotic plants, to Thai silk and | | | | by the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. The Erawan Shrine |
| plenty of souvenirs to take home. | | | | is a popular Hindu shrine that houses a statue of Phra |
| This area is also where the Mo Chit bus terminal, | | | | Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu god |
| serving North and Northeastern Thailand is located. | | | | Brahma. |
| Catch buses from here to all points of central, Northern | | | | Nana |
| and Northeastern Thailand including Chiang Mai, | | | | Get off at Nana station if you are heading to NEP, or |
| Ayutthaya, all of Isaan and Aranyaprathet for | | | | Nana Entertainment Plaza, a complex of beer bars |
| Cambodia. | | | | and gogo bars, open later every night except on |
| To get to the bus station from Mo Chit skytrain station | | | | religious holidays. |
| either walk across Chatuchak park, take a motorbike | | | | Phrom Phong |
| taxi or the number 77 bus (7 Baht flat fare- 22 US | | | | Phrom Phong station is connected by skybridge to |
| cents). | | | | Emporium department store, an upscale store with |
| Victory Monument | | | | cinemas, a food court and many luxury brand stores, |
| This is a major intersection in Bangkok where a | | | | though not as many as Siam Paragon. |
| number of major roads meet. There is a large | | | | Benjasiri Park is located next to Emporium and Soi 24 |
| monument erected in 1941 to commemorate a victory | | | | runs up the other side, all the way to Rama IV, another |
| against French colonial authorities in the Franco-Thai | | | | major thoroughfare in Bangkok. |
| war. | | | | Ekkamai |
| Many Bangkok BMTA buses stop around the | | | | If you are looking to catch the bus down to Pattaya or |
| monument's traffic circle, including lines no.8, 12, 14, 18, | | | | other destinations on the eastern seaboard such as |
| 92, 96, 97, 108, 112, 26, 27, 28, 29, 34, 38, 39, 54, 59, 63, | | | | Rayong, Ban Phe, Chanthaburi or Trat, get off at |
| 74, 77 and 515. Many private commuter and regional | | | | Ekkamai station for the Eastern Bus Terminal. |
| mini vans leave from this area as well, which can be a | | | | With fares ranging from 15 Baht (around 45 US cents), |
| very cheap way to travel throughout Thailand, | | | | to a maximum of 40 Baht (USD1.20), the Skytrain is a |
| however at least rudimentary Thai language skills and | | | | very inexpensive and efficient way to travel around |
| a sense of adventure are required. | | | | Bangkok. All stations in the network are clearly |
| Rajvithi Hospital and Robinson Department Store are | | | | signposted in English and there are also |
| located at this intersection and there is also a large | | | | announcements inside the carriages in English. |
| King Power duty free mall located here. | | | | With the streets of Bangkok being notoriously clogged |
| Siam | | | | most of the day with seemingly endless traffic, the |
| Siam station is one of the busiest stations on the | | | | Skytrain is a smart way to move around Thailand's |
| Skytrain network and also serves as an interchange | | | | largest city. |