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THE SIAM AREA - THE CENTER OF THE CENTER IN BANGKOK
Siam is the central area of Bangkok and is mainly known for its many (luxury) shopping malls. Not for nothing because there are already six shopping malls within a short walking distance from each other and they all are huge! But Siam has much more to offer than just shopping. For families with children there are plenty of fun family outings to consider, such as to Madame Tussauds or Sea Life Bangkok!
Culture lovers probably cannot get enough of the various museums in Siam, including the Bangkok Art Center, the world famous Jim Thompson House or the much lesser known Queen Savang Vadhana Museum. Good food and drink can be found at the many (theme) restaurants and (sky) bars in the area. Whatever you’re going to do, in the center of Bangkok you won’t believe your eyes!
Easily navigate through Siam:
- Sky Walks in Siam
- Public transport in Siam
- Sky Bars in Siam
- Nice attractions for the entire family in Siam
- Sea Life Bangkok
- Madame Tussauds Bangkok
- KidZania (Update January 2022 – Closed)
- LINE Village (Update January 2022 – Closed)
- Culture in Siam
- Shopping malls in Siam
- Theme restaurants in Siam
- Hello Kitty House (Update January 2022 – Closed)
- Maidcafe Maidreemin
- Caturday Cat Cafe
- Mango Tango
- Hotels and restaurants in Siam
Siam area map
Sky Walks in Siam
Siam has a number of convenient Sky Walks. Sky Walks are long walkways that serve as a second floor above the ground floor and hectic traffic below. Only pedestrians are allowed on them. Sky Walks are almost always covered, but open on the sides. Convenient when it’s raining and super fun to shoot great photos of Bangkok! They often connect BTS (Sky Train) stations, shopping malls and even luxury hotels. This way you won’t set foot into lower ground!
From BTS Siam station, where you can find Siam Paragon, among other locations, you walk to CentralWorld in 10 minutes via a Sky Walk and then walk again via a Sky Walk to Platinum Fashion Mall. Sometimes it takes a while to figure out where all the Sky Walks lead, so pay close attention to the signposts. After some detective work and a few wrong turns, we find the walkways above the busy motorized traffic of Bangkok very efficient in any case!
(Public) transportation in Siam
If you’re smart, during your visit to Siam, make use of the Sky Train as much as possible. Especially during rush hour, this mode of transportation is the fastest in Bangkok. In the Siam area of Bangkok there are four main BTS stations. The BTS Station National Stadium, BTS Station Siam, BTS Station Chit Lom and BTS Station Ploen Chit. In a few minutes you can be at Ploen Chit Station from Siam Station for less than a euro/dollar.
A taxi is often cheaper outside of rush hour if you are traveling with more than two people. During rush hour a cab is not recommended, you are guaranteed to get stuck, and for a long time too! If you want to take a cab in Siam, always ask for a meter taxi. You can read more about this in our article on using a taxi in Bangkok.
Then there are the tuk tuks. Often the most expensive means of transport, but a fun experience if you like a little adventure! Nowadays there are also many electric Tuks driving around the Siam area and Bangkok. Since our visit in 2021 we have fallen in love with the service of MuvMi! MuvMi’s tuk tuks are silent, good for the environment and stop at almost every street corner in Siam.
For the really daring, there is also the motor taxi, which races through everything. This makes it not the safest means of transport in Bangkok but you are quickly at your destination. Important tip, wear a helmet… We regularly see people riding without helmets and you know an accident is in a small corner, also in Bangkok.
Want to know more about the public transport in Bangkok? Read our articles with handy tips and tricks about public transport in Bangkok.
Sky Bars & Rooftop Bars in Siam
The Speakeasy Rooftop Bar
The Speakeasy Rooftop Bar is a beautiful classic sky bar with a special meaning behind its name. The cocktails are prepared by a professional mixologist. The beautiful cocktails consist of a selection of classic and special new cocktails with surprising flavors! The menu consists of a mix of international dishes with Asian influences. Speakeasy Rooftop Bar is located on the 24th and 25th floors of Hotel Muse Bangkok. This means you are literally surrounded by the tall buildings in the center of Bangkok!
Open: 17.30 – 01.00 | Location: Hotel Muse Bangkok Langsuan, 55/555 Langsuan Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan | How to get there: 500 meter walk from BTS Chit Lom.
Red Sky Restaurant & Sky Bar
On top of CentralWorld and also part of the Centara Grand Hotel in the middle of the Siam shopping area towers the famous Red Sky above the many buildings in the area. If you are not careful you can easily miss this sky bar because you are busy shopping, because this sky bar is located on top of the shopping mall CentralWorld! Red Sky is therefore easy to combine with a day of shopping!
Want to know more about this super good restaurant and cool Sky Bar? Read our full article about Red Sky!
Attractions for the entire family in Siam
Sea Life Bangkok
Down in Siam Paragon’s basement you will find one of the largest aquariums in Asia! Big sharks, colorful anemone fish (Nemo’s), turtles and even penguins can be admired here in the various and very well maintained aquariums. There is also a 4D Cinema and you can take a boat trip in a glass bottom boat above sharks and giant manta rays. A fun outing for the whole family!
Open: 10.00 – 21.00 | Entrance: child / adult = 801 / 981 baht | Location: basement of Siam Paragon | How to get there: Siam Paragon is directly connected to BTS Station Siam.
Want to know more about this attraction for the entire family? Then read our full article about Sea Life Bangkok!
Madame Tussauds Bangkok
Madame Tussauds in Siam is the Thai translation of our own Madame Tussauds in Amsterdam. Of course the superstars of our planet such as Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Einstein and Lady Gaga can also be seen here. In addition, in Madame Tussauds Bangkok you will also see celebrities you won’t soon see in Amsterdam, such as Buddhadasa, a Thai Buddhist monk who is considered to be the most respected monk in the world.
Open: 10.00 – 21.00 | Entrance: child / adult = 630 / 790 baht | Location: Siam Discovery, 4th floor, 989 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan | How to get there: 230 meters from BTS station Siam
Want to know more about this attraction? Then read our full article about Madame Tussauds Bangkok!
SAVE MONEY
Cheap (combined) tickets are often available for SEA LIFE Bangkok and Madame Tussauds. Check the website for current offers!
KidZania in Siam Paragon
Update January 2022 – KidZania closed its doors
KidZania is a paradise for children between 4 and 14 years old. It is a recreated city where the child is central. With its own airport, bank, hospital, theater, shops and buildings complete with accompanying vehicles. There is even a mini McDonalds and a mini sushi restaurant. KidZania has not only fun but also an educational character. For parents there is the Parent Lounge.
Open: Monday till Friday from 10.00 till 17.00 / weekend and holidays 10.30 till 15.00 and 16.00 till 20.30 | Entrance: Weekdays / weekends and holidays: Toddlers = 700 / 875 baht, Kids, 1,100 / 1350 baht, Adult 640 / 800 baht, babies always free | Location: 5th floor of Siam Paragon | How to get there: BTS Siam Station, exit 5 | More information: KidZania website
LINE Village Bangkok
Update January 2022 – LINE Village closed its doors
Line Village is great for small children, but you’ll be surprised how many adults you meet here. You might recognize the cute little critters and animals from the savings stamps you get at the 7-Eleven. LINE Village is super hip! LINE Village is where Brown (the bear) and his friends live. The house has all kinds of rooms to discover and everything is very colorful and down to the last detail. There is also a shop full of LINE Village cuddles, clothes and other gadgets!
Open: 10.00 – 22.00 | Entrance: Larger than 1.40 m: 990 baht / Length between 0.90 m – 1.40 m: 790 baht / Smaller than 0.90 m: Free / Seniors, older than 65 years: 790 baht | Location: Shopping mall Siam Square One on the first floor. Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan | How to get there: 100 meters from BTS station Siam
Culture in Siam
Queen Savang Vadhana Museum
Hidden among the many shopping malls in the Siam Square area you find the Queen Savang Vadhana Museum. This museum is located in a beautiful tropical garden and gives an intimate picture of how the mother and grandmother of the former King Bhumibol and the current King Maha Vajiralongkorn lived. You can see a large part of the house which is decorated with the original furniture, photos and personal belongings. This museum is a must for culture lovers!
The museum is only open a few months a year (mid December to late March) and can only be visited by appointment. On the website of the Queen Savang Vadhana Museum you will find all the information you need.
Jim Thompson House & Museum
The famous house and museum of the American architect and businessman who made Thai silk world famous. Because Thompson made good money with the silk, he was able to build a number of special (attached) teak houses in 1959 that also partly serve as a museum. The museum is located in a beautiful shady tropical garden which makes it easy to forget that you are in the center of Bangkok. Special detail: Jim Thompson disappeared mysteriously and was never seen again.
Read more about this unique place in Bangkok via our article: Jim Thompson House & Museum.
Open: Daily from 09:00 to 18:00 PM | Entrance: Children under ten years old free, under 22 years old 100 baht, regular price 200 baht | Location: 6 Rama Rd, Khwaeng Wang Mai | How to get there: 300 m walk from BTS station National Stadium
YELO House
Near Jim Thompson House, an old warehouse has been transformed into a beautiful creative space called YELO House. Intended as a stage to show and sell arts to the public. The exhibitions, artifacts and artists are very diverse. At the back of the warehouse you sit directly at the canal (klong). On the first floor is Hungry Me. where you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner. On the ground floor you can quench your thirst at Thirsty You, where they serve smoothies, coffee or a cold beer.
Open: 11.00 – 20.00 Tuesday closed | Location: 20/2 Kasem San 1 Alley, opposite MBK shopping mall | Entrance: Free | How to get there: 150 meters from the Jim Thompson House and 450 meters from BTS station National Stadium.
Human Body Museum Bangkok
Update January 2022 – Human Body Museum Bangkok closed its doors
The Human Body Museum is probably not something you immediately have to think about when you are on holiday in Thailand. We fully understand that, but this museum is special! For the future enthusiasts and surgeons: In the Human Body Museum different (real!) body parts and sections of the human body can be seen. The museum is part of the medical university Chulalongkorn in Bangkok and has therefore mainly an educational character.
Open: Mon to Fri from 10.00 to 16.00, public holidays closed | Entrance: students 100 baht, adults 300 baht | Location: 9th floor of the Dental Faculty Building at Chulalongkorn University | Location: 34 Wang Mai, Khet Pathum Wan. | How to get there: Route from BTS station Siam, the Human Body Museum is near the Hello Kitty Cafe of shopping mall Siam Square One.
Erawan Shrine
The Erawan Shrine is a small but very crowded shrine in the middle of the busy center of Bangkok. Despite the hustle and bustle of Siam, at this location the god Phra Prom is worshipped in peace. Phra Prom is the god of creation and in Thai culture stands for happiness and protection. Throughout the day at the Erawan Shrine offerings are made. Often a song is bought to thank Mr. Brahma (Phra Phrom) for the fulfilled wish. A short traditional Thai dance is then performed, very special and beautiful to watch!
Would you like to know more about this special little shrine in the center of Bangkok? Then read our full article about the Erawan Shrine.
Wat Pathum Wanaram
The Pathum Wanaram Temple is a quiet temple next to the shopping mall Siam Paragon. It might seem a strange place for a temple so right in the center of Bangkok and the many shopping malls, but not if you know that this temple was opened in 1857, long before the shopping malls were there and the area still consisted of rice fields! Despite the central place it is often quiet and has a serene atmosphere, there is also a small park with nice shady spots.
The Pathum Wanaram Temple is a few minutes walk from BTS Siam, visit Facebook page for more information.
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)
The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is a beautifully designed art and culture centre with ever-changing exhibitions. There are 9 floors interspersed with exhibitions and nice little shops/restaurants with lots of space for local crafts. This makes it a welcome change from the many “same but different” shopping malls in the area. Sometimes you can see the artists at work on the spot and for example you can have a self-portrait made. On the website of BACC you can read the latest news about the (upcoming) exhibitions and events.
Open: 10.00 to 21.00 (closed on Mondays) | Entrance: Free | Location: The BACC is on the third floor | How to get there: Connected to BTS National Stadium
Shopping Malls in Siam
CentralWorld
CentralWorld is one of the largest shopping malls in the middle of downtown Bangkok, the shopping mall has a beautiful luxurious look. The shopping mall also has a luxurious cinema with the latest movies and all kinds of different types of seats to choose from. On the square near CentralWorld there are regular fun activities and restaurants where you can recharge your batteries to explore the rest of the Siam area.
Want to read more about this shopping mall in Siam? Then read our full article about CentralWorld.
MBK Center
MBK Center is a very large shopping center with over 2,000 shops spread over 7 floors. In the mall there is everything in the field of electronics, (fake) clothing, accessories, souvenirs and much more! A lot of shops expect you to negotiate prices, so put on your best poker face and say you’ve seen it cheaper down the street! Besides that, MBK is known for its good and tasty food court, not only with tourists but also with the local Thai. In addition, a Don Donki branch can also be found today. This is a Japanese supermarket including store with various Japanese trinkets.
Want to read more about this mall in the Siam area? Then read our full article about MBK Center.
Siam Paragon
Siam Paragon is a fabulous shopping mall where time is short! So many impressions! Think of it and they’ve got it! All super luxury (clothing) brands can be found in this mall for the rich. The newest Maserati you just buy here as if it’s nothing! This is also the place where you will find the mega aquarium Sea Life Bangkok. There is also the Paragon Cineplex for the latest cinema films. A visit to Siam Paragon is therefore much more than just a day of shopping! Time flies when you are having fun, right?!
Open: Daily from 10.00 to 22.00 | Location: 991 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan | How to get there: Directly connected to BTS Siam
More about this amazingly cool shopping mall can be read in our article Siam Paragon.
Siam Discovery
Siam Discovery is a beautiful and special shopping mall. Whereas in most shopping malls the floors are divided into small and larger shops, the floors in Siam Discovery are mostly open without any real partitions between the different shops. As a result, you walk almost imperceptibly from one store to another. In the shopping mall there are many nice trendy cafes, with delicious coffee shakes and cakes like Brave Roasters (don’t miss them!). The products sold in Siam Discovery are original and often from well-known and/or upcoming designers. The interior of this shop is very beautiful, so just looking at the special stuff is great fun! We loved it here!!
Open: Daily from 10.00 to 22.00 | Location: 989 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, | How to get there: 250 meters from BTS Siam.
Siam Square One
In the centre of Bangkok, Siam Square One is the gathering place for the young Thai. The shopping mall has seven floors and all kinds of walkways connecting the floors and shops. The lower floors consist mainly of affordable clothing shops, which are also popular with the local Thai. There is a regular market at Siam Square One with fun promotions and affordable prices. The upper floors are mainly popular restaurants, bakeries and cafes. In the central hall and on the footbridges there is no air conditioning in the shops.
Open: Daily from 10.00 to 22.00 | Location: 388 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan | How to get there: 50 meters from BTS Siam.
Gaysorn Village
With its shiny floors and spacious layout, Gaysorn Village is clearly a shopping mall that can be counted among the higher segment. Besides the well-known high-end brands such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci, precious (Thai) art objects are also sold. Need some relaxation and pampering? In the shopping mall you will find various beauty salons. On the second floor, for example, is an ultra luxurious beauty salon with special products such as a face mask with gold. No bags full of money with you? Gaysorn Village is connected to the affordable The Platinum Fashion Mall by means of a sky walk.
Open: Daily from 10.00 – 20.00 | Location: 999 Phloen Chit Rd, Gaysorn Village | How to get there: Connected to BTS Chit Lom.
Theme restaurants in Siam
Hello Kitty House
Update January 2022 – Hello Kitty House closed its doors
Do you travel with children or do you love pink? Then Hello Kitty House is the place! In this café everything revolves around the cute Hello Kitty character (who doesn’t know her?). Everything in this restaurant has been given a big dose of Hello Kitty and pink. You can see this not only in the decor but also in the beautiful dishes and drinks. In the cafe they sell not only delicious Hello Kitty cakes and other sweets but also savory dishes. There is also a shop where you can buy everything from Hello Kitty. In the Hello Kitty House dreams of (little) girls come true!
Open: Daily from 10.00 – 22.00 | Location: 388, Rama 1 Road, 1st and 2nd floors of Siam Square One | How to get there: 200 meters from BTS Siam
Maidcafe Maidreamin
This is probably the most strange themed restaurant we’ve ever seen! The waitresses in this restaurant are dressed as maids. When you press a button you are their master and/or mistress (?). Would you like to order something? Then you have to imitate a cat to call the waitress! In between, the maids will perform short dances at your table complete with spells to make your food even tastier. You can also pay for an extensive dance with the lights off and the disco lights on! And if you want, you can wear a maid’s outfit or rabbit hats as well. You’d almost forget you came to eat! Even though it looks super sweet it’s not really clear to us if all this is meant for small children (who will probably like it) or for men who do like a dress-up party?
Open: Daily from 10:00 – 22:00 | Location: MBK shopping mall, 7th floor | How to get there: 200 meters from BTS National Stadium
Caturday Cat Cafe
This is all about cats, because every day it’s Caturday! Everywhere in the nicely decorated cafe you can see lazy, well cared for cats. They will come to you when they feel like leaving their comfortable hanging place/ shelf/ box or pillow. The most chance to pet and cuddle the cats is when you buy them cat treats (40/55 baht) they love it and want to make an effort. Do you want to eat something yourself? On the menu are not only cakes, smoothies and coffees but also pasta, fries and rice dishes. Of course you can also keep the cat treats for yourself…
Open: Tuesday till Friday from 12.00 – 21.00, Saturday & Sunday from 11.00 – 21.00 (Monday closed) | Location: 89/70 Phayathai Rd, Khwaeng Thanon | How to get there: 30 meter walk from BTS Ratchathewi Exit 2
Mango Tango
Outside Mister Mango Tango is already waiting for you, because this is the place for mango lovers. All dishes are prepared with…mango! Of course there is mango sticky rice, Thailand’s most popular dessert! But there is also dried mango, mango candy, mango pudding, mango parfait and much more! Inside you can see a lot of mango’s as well as the lyrics; A Mango a day keeps the doc away, don’t profit from it then don’t harm it!
Open: Daily from 10.00 – 20.00 | Location: Siam Square Soi 3, Khwaeng Pathum Wan | How to get there: 100 meters from BTS Siam
Accommodations and restaurants in the Siam area
In the InfoBox below you will find a number of good hotels and restaurants. You can also find more information about public transport. Have fun in Bangkok!
Accommodations in Siam Bangkok with a short walk from a BTS Station
Restaurants en cafés in Siam Square
- Crab & Claw (Siam Paragon) TIP
Crab people reunited, bet this crab feast is running out of its claws?! - Buddhi Belly (Siam Paragon)
Started as an art project and now it has become a favorite place for yogurt ice cream lovers. - After You (Siam Square One of Siam Paragon) TIP
Bangkok’s most famous dessert cafe can be found in two places in this area, a must try! - Clinton Street Baking Company (Siam Paragon) CLOSED
Looking for the typical American “friend chicken with waffles”? Then you really should be here! - Milkcow (Siam Paragon)
All the goodness of the cow like shakes, ice cream and even ice cream sandwiches can be found here… - Vanilla (Siam Paragon)
Vanilla offers you excellent and quality (international) food in a trendy setting! Enjoy the Vanilla experience! - Mandarin Oriental Shop
Bake Love, Not War is the pastry chef’s slogan, “We’d kill for those ultra tasty bites! - Garrett Popcorn (Siam Paragon)
Crazy for popcorn and if you still want to snack at the hotel, on the road or during your cinema visit in Siam Square.
In Siam Square are 4 BTS stations, BTS Ratchathewi located in front of the Caturday Cat Cafe is “officially” located just a few meters outside Siam Square / center of Bangkok.
- BTS National Stadium
- BTS Siam
- BTS Chit Lom
- BTS Ploen Chit
More information about the use of the BTS sky train in Bangkok can be found in our full article.
- The Speakeasy Rooftop Bar
Imagine yourself in the time of Al Capone and other old American celebrities…with special cocktails in a special atmosphere! - Red Sky
Located on the roof of shopping center Central World. Cocktails drink at high altitude in between shopping.
Shopping Malls in Siam Square, center van Bangkok
- Central World
- Siam Paragon
- MBK Center
- Siam Discovery
- Siam Square One
- Gaysorn Village
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