Everyone says that Bangkok is a city that never sleeps. The people of Bangkok are well accustomed to the movement of crowds, the vibrant lights, and the constant activities that characterize the city. Today, no matter where you go in Bangkok, you will encounter the lively essence of urban life.

                  But did you know that the vibrant nightlife of Bangkok actually began in the Charoen Krung area? This old district may not show much of its former nightlife vibrancy today, but its historical significance as a pioneering area has laid the foundation for the development of nearby neighborhoods like Si Phraya-Sam Yan.

'Si Phraya' is a pathway connecting the Old Town, New Time lifestyle from 'Charoen Krung' to 'Sam Yan'.

                  Nowadays, 'Charoen Krung' is seen by Bangkok residents as merely an old district or a place for a specific group of people. The name comes from 'Charoen Krung Road', which was the first road constructed in a Western style by King Rama IV in 1861 to accommodate European visitors who enjoyed strolling and observing the city. The Westerners referred to Charoen Krung as 'New Road', marking the first step towards modernity for Bangkok. Later, in 1884, the newly established Siam Electric Company illuminated Bangkok's nights, reviving the city's lively activities.

                  The remnants of nightlife activities in Charoen Krung reflect that the people of Bangkok enjoyed their evenings just as much as Westerners. This is evident from the entertainment venues that still exist today along Si Phraya and Surawong Roads, connecting lifestyles from Charoen Krung. In the 1940s, this area was truly a nightlife hub filled with entertainment, featuring dance halls, beer halls, and various entertainment venues like Rose Hall, Wembley, Moulin Rouge, Luna Hall, and the New Trocadero Hotel, which is now the only surviving structure that allows Bangkok residents to reminisce about the nightlife of the past.

Credit Pic: flickr.com

                  These areas are not only known for their nightlife but also served as commercial hubs during the day for early Bangkok residents. For instance, the old building of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the first hotel in Asia over 150 years old, and OP Place, which once housed the Flack & Beidek Store (Lion Store), a leading department store during the reign of King Rama V, still stands as a reminder of the past. Additionally, it is a center for the Roman Catholic Church in Bangkok, comprising Assumption Cathedral, Assumption Printing House, Assumption School, and the Roman Catholic Mission in Bangkok.

                  Over the past 100 years, the traces of nightlife activities in Charoen Krung have diminished, but it has served as the starting point for the connection between the Si Phraya-Sam Yan lifestyle today.

                  Today, Si Phraya-Sam Yan no longer resembles the nightlife of old Bangkok but has evolved into a thriving area alongside educational institutions, with Chulalongkorn University as the main hub. The surrounding area has transformed from a traditional trading community to a contemporary commercial space filled with restaurants, hotels, and cafes, maintaining its status as a city center just as it did in the past.

Credit Pic: entertainmentblogpictures.blogspot.com

 

Si Phraya-Sam Yan: A Location with Comprehensive Urban Facilities Comparable to the CBD

                  Si Phraya Road runs parallel to Surawong and Silom Roads and is also accessible via Rama 4 Road, similar to the CBD. As an economic area and a site for urban activities since the past, it can be said that Si Phraya-Sam Yan truly embodies the DNA of a city center, even though many people associate Bangkok's CBD solely with Silom-Sathorn.

                  The reality shows that Si Phraya-Sam Yan is a central hub for urban activities, evident from the comprehensive facilities available, some of which are shared with the Silom-Sathorn area. Within a 1 km radius from the Nares intersection (Si Phraya Road - Nares Road), which is the midpoint of Si Phraya Road, it covers the southern part of Banthat Thong Road, Rama 4 Road (up to the intersection of Rama 4 Road - Henri Dunant Road), Silom Road (up to Mahesak Intersection), and Narathiwat Road (up to the BTS Chong Nonsi Station), providing access to the following urban facilities:

  • Job Opportunities and Office Buildings – The workforce creates movement and activities in the area during the day. Within a 1 km radius from Nares intersection, there are several office buildings, such as Samyan Mitrtown, Chamchuri Square, Jewelry Center, Vanit Building, Sukul Thai Building, Paso Tower, ITF Tower, Wall Street Building, and many others, with an estimated workforce of around 46,000 people.
  • Educational Institutions – Sam Yan has grown alongside leading educational institutions, making its prominence in education more evident than in other areas, including Chulalongkorn University, Triam Udom Suksa School, Chulalongkorn Demonstration School, Mahidol University Patumwan School, and Assumption College.
  • 4-5 Star Hotels – Despite the passage of time, the popularity of accommodations among foreigners in the area remains unchanged. Within a 1 km radius, there are several 4-5 star hotels, including Mandarin Managed by Centre Point, Narai Hotel, Amara Bangkok, Le Meridien Bangkok, and Royal Orchid Sheraton, reflecting its long-standing reputation as a welcoming area for foreigners.
  • Hospitals – Being in the city center allows Si Phraya-Sam Yan to access several medical facilities, including Chulalongkorn Hospital, Bangkok Christian Hospital, Mahesak Hospital, and Lerdsin Hospital, with an estimated medical personnel of at least 600 people.

Si Phraya-Sam Yan: An Urban Living Location with Diverse Lifestyles

                  While no one knows exactly when the image of Si Phraya-Sam Yan as a nightlife hub faded, today it has transformed into a district known for its delicious, historic, and renowned restaurants, alongside a variety of urban activities. This area blends the charm of the old with the new, making Si Phraya-Sam Yan a perfect embodiment of contemporary Urban Living.

  • Heritage Reflected in Restaurants

Si Phraya - Sam Yan is a famous food destination for Bangkok residents, with its long-standing community that has been in the food business for years, growing alongside the Campus District. The heritage is reflected in the well-known restaurants that continue to be popular, mostly located in Chula Soi, such as Ploenchai Ancient Toast, Hee Chai Shrimp Dumplings, New Heng Kee Chinese Restaurant, Sawang Crab Noodles, Moo Num Rad Na at Sam Yan Intersection, Pad Thai at Wat Hua Lamphong, Don't Forget Me Chula 50, Sam Yan Congee, Sam Yan Steak, Hokkie Restaurant, Moo Satay Nai Song, Je O's Duck Soup, Je Waan Dessert Shop, Rod Dee Det, and Duck Noodles at Tang Sui Heng Restaurant, among many others.

  • Contemporary Reflections in Attractions

From the vibrant lights of the old city, it has transformed into a trendy contemporary area open for everyone to stroll and admire the charm of Bangkok, including Chula Art Town, featuring street art on buildings and walls in the community around Chulalongkorn University, created by over 50 renowned street artists from both Thailand and abroad, the Central Post Office in Bang Rak, House No. 1, an old neoclassical architectural building from the reign of King Rama V, and Warehouse 30, an old warehouse transformed into a Creative Community Complex.

  • Modernity and Urban Living Activities

From the past to the present, Si Phraya - Sam Yan has become a blend of the old as a traditional community, the modernity of preserved activities, and the new urban lifestyle that caters to city dwellers around the clock, whether at Samyan Mitrtown, Chamchuri Square, Siam, Siam Paragon, Central World, or the upcoming mega-projects like Dusit Central Park and One Bangkok.

                  All of this illustrates the interconnected journey from the past to the present of Charoen Krung - Si Phraya - Sam Yan, which continues to reflect the urban lifestyle of Bangkok residents through the ages.

Source:

Notes on Bangkok Nightlife: The Beginning of Nightlife for Bangkok Residents with the Construction of Roads, Trams, Electricity, and Automobiles – The Cloud https://readthecloud.co/notenation-4/

 

When looking at the condominium market in the “Si Phraya-Sam Yan” area, although it is a city-adjacent location, the supply is not very dense. Each year, only 1-2 projects are launched, or in some years, there may be none at all. This is because vacant land in this area is quite rare, with some being owned by the Crown Property Bureau, resulting in fewer condominiums in this area. Currently, there are fewer than 10 condominium projects still available for sale in Si Phraya-Sam Yan, with over 80% of sales already completed. The growth rate of prices (Capital Gain) for new condominiums in Si Phraya-Sam Yan has increased by an average of 7-15% per year. In 2019, it was noted that the Si Phraya-Sam Yan area was very hot, with 5 new condominium projects launched simultaneously, totaling over 2,300 units, with prices soaring to 160,000 baht per square meter. It can be said that finding a project priced below 120,000-130,000 baht in this area is nearly impossible.

“Si Phraya-Sam Yan” is a Vibrant Rental Market with Leading Educational Institutions

                  When discussing the customer base in the Si Phraya-Sam Yan area, a survey by the Terra Research team found that the buyers include both Real-Demand individuals, who are actually living there, typically working in Sam Yan and Silom, and investors. This area has an advantage due to its proximity to leading educational institutions like Chulalongkorn University, making the rental market particularly vibrant and attractive.

                  An interesting statistic about Chulalongkorn students is that approximately 26,000 new students enroll each year, while the student dormitories can only accommodate about 4,000 (including returning students in years 2-4). Besides the issue of insufficient dormitory space, some parents with higher budgets prefer their children to stay in condominiums with complete facilities, offering more flexibility than dormitory life, resulting in nearly half of the condominiums in this area being occupied by Chulalongkorn students.

                  The rental prices in this zone are around 500-650 baht per square meter. For the popular rental unit size of approximately 30-35 square meters, the rental price ranges from 15,000-25,000 baht per month, yielding an estimated rental return of about 5% per year.

Why Live in Si Phraya-Sam Yan?

  1. Students Prefer It for Proximity to Educational Institutions

                  The Terra Research team found that this area is predominantly inhabited by students. The advantage of being a student community makes the Si Phraya-Sam Yan zone a Safety Zone, ensuring a secure living environment.

  1. Complete Facilities Without Crowds

                  One of the advantages of Si Phraya-Sam Yan is that it has various facilities that meet “every need,” as mentioned earlier, including hospitals, leading educational institutions, shopping areas, markets, and office buildings, but it is not as crowded as Silom, which tends to be busier. These two locations, despite their differences, are only one street apart.

  1. Affordable Prices with Various Segments to Choose From

                  When discussing the prices of condominiums in Si Phraya-Sam Yan, each location varies significantly. Projects along Rama 4 Road or around Sam Yan can reach prices as high as 200,000 baht per square meter, while projects on Si Phraya Road average around 140,000-170,000 baht per square meter. However, condominiums on Si Phraya Road are generally sufficient for living, as most projects are located near MRT stations.

Currently, finding a project priced below 120,000-130,000 baht per square meter in this area is nearly impossible in new projects. There may be some older units over 5 years old, but the latest project from Supalai, which previously launched on Nares Road 5 years ago, is returning under the brand “Supalai Premier” on a nearby plot at the corner of Nares intersection, with TerraBKK reporting that this return is priced below 100,000 baht per square meter.

With its proximity to the city, convenient transportation, and relative tranquility, especially the student community aspect, this location is ideal for investment, as it almost guarantees rental rates throughout the lease term **(depending on the project's location, room position, and size). If you are looking for a condominium in the city, “Si Phraya-Sam Yan” is a location worth considering for both living and investment.