Bangkok is a huge and modern city humming with nightlife and fervour. Administratively, it is split up into 50 khet (districts), which are further split into 154 khwaeng (แขวง), but these are more often used in official business and for addresses. Visitors will find the conceptual division below of the main areas more useful for getting around.
Siam Square
The area around Siam Square, including Ratchaprasong and Ploenchit Road, is Bangkok's modern commercial core, full of glitzy malls and hotels. The Skytrain intersection at Siam Square is the closest thing Bangkok has to a centre.
Sukhumvit
The long Sukhumvit Road is Bangkok's nightlife district filled with quality hotels, restaurants and clubs. Part of its nightlife represents Bangkok's naughty image, particularly Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza.
Silom
To the south of Sukhumvit, the area around Silom Road and Sathorn Road is Thailand's sober financial center by day, but Bangkok's primary party district by night when quarters like the infamous Patpong come alive.
Rattanakosin
Between the river and Sukhumvit lies the densely packed "Old Bangkok", home to Bangkok's best-known sights, such as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.
Khao San Road
On the northern part of Rattanakosin, Bangkok's backpacker mecca Khao San Road and the surrounding district of Banglamphu have everything a budget traveler could possibly want.
Yaowarat and Pahurat
Along Yaowarat Road you will find Bangkok's Chinatown, while Pahurat Road is the home of the sizable Indian community. This multicultural district is filled with a Sikh Temple (Sri Guru Singh Sabha) and markets selling food, gold, fabrics, and Bollywood movies.
Dusit
This leafy, European-style area is the political center of Thailand, home to numerous political institutions and the monarchy. Its breezy palaces, lush gardens and broad avenues give the district its distinct character.
Thonburi
The quieter west bank of the Chao Phraya River. Most visitors explore this district with a canal tour, at least taking in Wat Arun, the Royal Barges National Museum and one of the floating markets.
Phahonyothin
The area around Phahonyothin Road and Viphavadi Rangsit Road is best known for Pratunam, Chatuchak Weekend Market and Baiyoke Tower II. The sois around Ari offer some excellent cuisine.
Ratchadaphisek
The district north of Sukhumvit centered around Ratchadaphisek Road. The sois of "Ratchada" are popular nightlife spots with the locals, as is the area around Royal City Avenue (RCA).
Ramkhamhaeng
Along Ramkhamhaeng Road lies a vast residential area with big shopping malls and amusement parks (like Safari World). Each neighborhood has its own distinct character, the most important ones being Bang Kapi and Min Buri.
Around Bangkok are the provinces of Pathum Thani to the north, Nonthaburi to the northwest, Chachoengsao to the east, Samut Sakhon to the southwest, and Samut Prakan to the southeast.
