Sukhumvit Soi 1

Marking the start of the Sukhumvit area, Sukhumvit Soi 1 lies in between the expressway and the mighty Bumrungrad International Hospital.

It’s a relatively quiet street and not known for the nightlife and sleaze that some of the Nana neighbourhood is so notorious for.

There are still a few points of interest, however – let’s take a look…

Sombat Permpoon Gallery

Art Gallery

This contemporary art gallery holds the most extensive private collection of Thai art, exhibiting both established and emerging local artists. There are thought to be over 10,000 works of art on site.

The collection was founded in 1979 by Sombat Wattananthai, a well known figure in the art collection world, and moved into the current Soi 1 site in 1995 from six other, smaller galleries she had opened around town.

Ariyasom Villa

Hotel

Towards the end of Soi 1 is the wonderful Ariyasom Villa — a luxury, boutique hotel with just 24 guest rooms.

Set in a traditional 1940s Thai house and decorated accordingly, this is a lovely escape from the other, less authentic guest houses of the Nana neighbourhood. It also has a garden, spa, swimming pool, library and restaurant.

Na Aroon

Restaurant

Located within Ariyasom is acclaimed Thai Vegetarian restaurant, Na Aroon (plus the occasional fish and seafood dish!).

Their cuisine is always healthy, tasty and organic, and boasts a wine and drinks list. It’s very highly rated for vegetarian cuisine in Sukhumvit and Bangkok at large.

Som Sen

Spa

Also within the Ariyasom Villa is the Som Sen Spa, which offers a full spa menu of treatments as well as an open-sided sala for Thai massage.

There are 3 private rooms for other massage, and beauty treatments are also available.

Best Western Premier Sukhumvit

Hotel

International chain Best Western have a premier branch down Sukhumvit Soi 1 with 145 non-smoking guest rooms and suites.

There’s a pool and gym, as well as complimentary breakfast and high speed internet on offer.

Ad Lib Bangkok

Hotel

Ad Lib is a contemporary 4* hotel tucked down a subsoi of Soi 1, next to Bumrungrad Hospital. There are 48 rooms with free, unlimited WiFi, hypoallergenic pillows and a free minibar in the ‘Extra Plush’ rooms.

Facilities include a pool, gym, all-day breakfast and concierge. There’s also a regular shuttle service up to the Sukhumvit Road.

FuramaXclusive Sukhumvit

Hotel

Another hotel on Soi 1 is the Sukhumvit branch of the Southeast Asian FuramaXclusive chain. It’s a midrange hotel, often used by people visiting and using outpatient facilities at nearby Bumrungrad International.

It offers a small swimming pool, sauna, gym and meeting rooms.

La Buca

Restaurant

A small Italian restaurant on Soi 1 whose nondescript appearance belies the quality of its food.

Oxbridge Institute

Language School

An English language school that prepares students for the IELTS while providing supplementary courses in grammar and academic writing.