Phrom Phong
Overview
Phrom Phong is one of Bangkok’s most popular residential districts, famed for it’s Japanese influences, rich restaurant and cafe scene, and some of the best shopping in Bangkok. It’s long been the residential area of choice for wealthy Thai families and the many Japanese expatriates in Bangkok (with other nationalities taking heed in recent years).
Phrom Phong is located on Sukhumvit road, between Asok and Thonglor. Its an expansive area encompassing Soi Sukhumvit 29-47 on the northern side and Soi 22-30 on the southern.
Central Bangkok is definitely a vibrant, fascinating place, but its charms are often on a more… rugged side. Yet in Phrom Phong you can actually find some very nice, walkable tree-lined sois. With all sorts of independent cafes, restaurants, indie cinemas and vintage book stores, the neighborhood can have a very bohemian feel to it.
Phrom Phong has some of the best high-end malls in Bangkok. BTS Phrom Phong is straddled by EM District: an ambitious multi-billion baht development comprised of 3 luxury shopping malls - Emporium, EmQuartier and upcoming EmSphere - as well as hotel and office towers. While Emporium is a fairly conventional upmarket mall, EmQuartier, which was completed later, boasts some remarkable architecture, with integrated vertical tropical garden, spiraling walkways and glass bridges. Designer boutique stores, rich selection of F&B options, IMAX cinema, frequent events and farmer markets keep the crowds coming back here.
Around 1000 m down soi 36 is K-Village - open-air, dog-friendly mall, which makes for a nice, more relaxed and family friendly alternative to swanky Emporium. Next to it is Nihomachi - a large Japanese community mall full of restaurants and grocers that sell imported Asian goods.
Right next to Emporium is Benchasiri Park - a welcome green spot in a busy urban center of Bangkok. While it’s smaller than nearby Benjakitti or Lumphini, it still offers good space for jogging, picnics and sports. There is a pond and several play areas for kids.
Speaking about kids, the neighborhood has some excellent international schools, including Anglo Singapore International School and Modern International School.
Samitivej Hospital on Soi 49 is one of the top international hospitals in Thailand.
Phrom Phong is one of the most desirable residential neighborhoods in Bangkok. As you walk further away from Sukhumvit luxury high-rises will change to boutique low-rises, eventually giving space to posh houses. However there are still affordable condos here, particularly in the northern end of the area.
Compared to Thonglor Phrom Phong has more of a residential feel. It is sometimes overlooked in tourist guides in favor of its hip neighbor, but that’s just how locals like it.
Real estate market
Phrom Phong along with its neighbor Thonglor is one of the most sough-after residential areas in Bangkok and the best areas for expats. It has convenient access to BTS and MRT (MRT Blue line crosses Sukhumvit at the neighboring Asok), plenty of high end shopping and dining. It is one of the most livable areas in Bangkok.
Phrom Phong has long been popular as an upscale neighborhood and has some of the top condominium selection in Bangkok. Prices average at around 200,000-300,000 THB/sqm.
Most of the launches close to the main road have been in luxury segment, however there has been new mid-range projects as well on more remote plots.
With massive extension to Em District - EmSphere - completed to a great success in 2023, and the plans for Grey Line - that will pass through the nearby - gathering steam, Phrom Phong still has space for further appreciation. Despite very limited supply of land close to the main road, in recent years we’ve still seen some remarkable prime plots being developed - that inventory deserves very close attention, while it lasts.