Sukhumvit Road (Thai: ถนนสุขุมวิท, RTGS: Thanon Sukhumwit, pronounced [tʰā.nǒn sùʔ.kʰǔm.wít]), or Highway 3 (Thai: ทางหลวงแผ่นดินหมายเลข 3), is a major road in Thailand, and a major surface road of Bangkok and other cities. It follows a coastal route from Bangkok to Khlong Yai District, Trat border to Koh Kong, Cambodia.
Sukhumvit Road is named after the fifth chief of the Department of Highways, Phra Bisal Sukhumvit. It is one of the four major highways of Thailand, along with Phahonyothin Road (Highway 1), Mittraphap Road (Highway 2) and Phetkasem Road (Highway 4).
Route
Sukhumvit Road begins in Bangkok, as a continuation of Rama I and Phloen Chit Roads which span Pathum Wan District. Starting from where the boundaries of the districts of Khlong Toei, Pathum Wan and Watthana meet, it runs the entire length of the border between Khlong Toei and Watthana, then passes through Phra Khanong and Bang Na districts.
It then crosses the border between Bangkok and Samut Prakan Province and subsequently continues east through Chachoengsao Province, south through Chonburi Province skirting the Khao Khiao Massif, east through Rayong Province, south-east through Chanthaburi Province, and ends at Ban Hat Lek village in Trat Province.
In Chonburi Province it passes through the towns of Chonburi, Laem Chabang, Bang Lamung township, Si Racha, and Pattaya.
In the Bangkok Metropolitan Area
In the capital, Sukhumvit Road serves as a main commercial street, and this section is often congested, even at late evening or early morning hours. The Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway has an exit at Soi 1. Ratchadaphisek Road crosses Sukhumvit at the Asok (Asoke) intersection.
The Sukhumvit area of Bangkok is easily accessible on the Sukhumvit line of the BTS Skytrain, which runs from Khu Khot in Lam Luk Ka, Pathum Thani through the Silom Line interchange at Siam up to Kheha in the centre of Samut Prakan province. The MRT's Sukhumvit Station interchanges with the Skytrain at Asok. The Eastern portion of the Sukhumvit Line is built on top of Sukhumvit Road (including Rama I and Phloen Chit Roads) from Siam to Kheha station.
The Sois are numbered from west to east, with odd numbers branching off north-east of Sukhumvit, and even numbers branching off south-west.
The area between Sukhumvit Soi 1 and Sukhumvit Soi 63 is popular as residential area for western expatriates. Japanese nationals tend to prefer from Soi 21 Asok intersection upwards, especially Soi Thong Lo. Rentals tend to be higher in the even numbered streets between Soi 8 and Soi 28 and in the odd numbered streets between Soi 15 and Soi 39. Soi 12 is occupied mainly by Indian expatriates. The beginning of Soi 12 also has a Koreatown with several Korean restaurants and grocery stores. Koreatown is across the road from the Korean Cultural Centre.
The areas of Soi Cowboy (between Soi 21, also known as Asok Montri Road, and Soi 23) and Nana Entertainment Plaza (Soi 4) are packed full of gogo bars and other places of prostitution. Restaurants of various levels of luxury exist all along the road, as well as hotels including famous names such as The Westin, JW Marriott, Sheraton, Ramada Hotel and Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit, and Four Points by Sheraton. Also several shopping malls are found, like the upscale The Emporium shopping center. It also harbours the eastern bus station at Soi 63, also known as Ekkamai Road.
Major sois off Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok and other parts:
This article contains a bulleted list or table of intersections which should be presented in a properly formatted junction table. Please consult this guideline for information on how to create one. Please improve this article if you can. (November 2021) |
Soi number | Soi name | Remarks | |
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3 | Nana Nuea (North Nana) | Opposite to Soi 4 Nana Tai (South Nana). Has a popular nightlife and red light district, Arab neighborhood, and a major international hospital (Bumrungrad International Hospital) | |
11 | Chai Yot | Red-light district as the extension of Nana entertainment complex, also shortcut to neighbouring Sukhumvit Soi 13 (Saeng Chan) | |
21 | Asok | Part of the Ratchadaphisek (Silver Jubilee) inner ring road. Has both BTS (skytrain) and MRT stations (subway stations). Terminal 21 mall is a major highlight. Close to Benjakitti Park and home to many corporate offices. Asoke is also infamous for its traffic during rush hour | |
22 | Sai Nam Thip | Location of the girls' secondary academy Sai Nam Peung School | |
23 | Prasan Mit | Srinakharinwirot University campus at the end of the soi | |
24 | Kasem | Starts at The Emporium shopping center and Phrom Phong BTS station | |
26 | Ari | Namesake of Soi Ari (Phahonyothin Soi 7) near Saphan Kwai, the hangout place for youngster where the many restaurants and chic cafés are located. Also the location of Ari BTS station | |
31 | Sawatdi | The location of residence of Abhisit Vejjajiva, the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand | |
36 | Napha Sap | Part of Sukhumvit Road networks of sub-sois & shortcut systems; provides easy access to Rama IV by connecting with Soi San Sabai after Soi Napha Sap 5, Landmarks: Baan Sukhumvit, SakulThai Magazine | |
39 | Phrom Phong | An extension of Sukhumvit Soi 24 or Soi Kasem, the two are often referred to collectively as Soi Phrom Phong. Close to the malls EmQuartier, EmSphere, and Emporium, and Benjasiri Park | |
40 | Ban Kluai Tai | Shortcut to Rama IV Road and location of Bangkok University, City Campus | |
42 | Kluai Nam Thai | Shortcut to Rama IV Road | |
49 | Klang | Location of Samitivej Hospital | |
50 | Exit from and access to Chalong Rat Expressway towards Kanchanaphisek Eastern Outer Ring Road via Rama IX and Raminthra Roads | ||
53 | Padi Madi | Its name has an auspicious meaning "Bon voyage" | |
55 | Thong Lo | Booming up-market residential and commercial strip; location of Pridi Banomyong Institute. Historically been a Japanese neighborhood, which extends into Phrom Phong. | |
62 | Exit from and access to Chaloem Mahanakhon Expressway towards Din Daeng or Dao Khanong via Tha Ruea | ||
63 | Ekkamai | Opposite to Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal and Science Centre for Education with Bangkok Planetarium, shortcut to Khlong Tan the most convenient route leading to Ramkhamhaeng zone | |
71 | Pridi Phanomyong | Named after Statesman Pridi Banomyong, who ordered the road to be built | |
77 | On Nut | Major road linking the city with its eastern suburb of Suan Luang, Prawet, Lat Krabang and Suvarnabhumi Airport | |
101 | Punna Withi | Residential neighborhood | |
101/1 | Wachiratham Sathit | ||
103 | Udom Suk | Shortcut to Rama IX Park and leading to Seacon Square and Paradise Park on Srinakarin Road | |
105 | La Salle | ||
107 | Bearing | ||
113 | Wat Dan Samrong | ||
167 | Wat Chachoengsao |
See also
External links
- Video guide to Sukhumvit Road
- Bangkok/Sukhumvit travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Beginners Guide for Sukhumvit Road Bangkok
13°44′34.09″N 100°33′1.46″E / 13.7428028°N 100.5504056°E / 13.7428028; 100.5504056
Road infrastructure in Thailand | |||||||||
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Controlled-access highways |
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Highways |
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Italics indicate routes under construction. Bold text indicate routes is no longer exists |