Ekkamai is a creative, family-friendly residential district along Sukhumvit Soi 63 in eastern central Bangkok, served by Ekkamai BTS station on the Sukhumvit line. Often dubbed Bangkok’s “hipster” area, it is known for its cafe culture, hidden-gem restaurants, vintage shopping and community malls such as Gateway Ekamai, and sits next to the Thong Lor neighbourhood.
The History of Bangkok’s Ekkamai Neighbourhood:
The history of Ekkamai Neighbourhood can be traced back almost 100 years. Before this, it was rural land on the outskirts of Thailand’s capital city.
The introduction of Saen Saep Canal by King Rama III in 1837-1840, allowed the neighborhood to trade agricultural products of rice and sugar. Thus enabling the area to grow in prosperity. The area continued to grow and develop steadily for the next 100 years.
On the 1st January 1960, Bangkok (Eastern) Bus terminal was introduced at the top of Ekkamai road. This gave Ekkamai its new title as the cities ‘Transportation Hub’.
On 25 February 1977, one of the first private hospitals in Thailand was built on Sukhumvit road (in Ekkamai neighborhood). Originally named ‘Fifth Field Hospital’ during the Vietnamese war. The hospital boasted modern facilities and technology taken from American soldiers. Today the hospital is named Sukhumvit Hospital and is still one of the city’s best International/ private hospitals.
Other remnants of the past can be found around Ekkamai area today:
- Wattana Panich: A Michelin star restaurant, on Ekkamai soi 18, opened around 1977 has been brewing the same Beef Broth for almost 50 years.
- Gardens of Dinsor Palace: This once royal residence, double-story teak palace was built in the 1930’s for Princess Ramphai Prapa. Today it is a beautifully restored restaurant home to swans, koi fish and rabbits in its calming garden landscape.
Where is Ekkamai Located?
Ekkamai sits directly next to Thong Lor on the Sukhumvit corridor. To see how it fits among the city’s other central districts, browse our full guide to the regions of Bangkok.
Ekkamai is a part of both the Wattana and Khlong Toei Districts of Bangkok. It spans from Rama IV Road, all the way to Petchaburi Road and covers Sukhumvit Soi’s 61 to 67 and Soi’s 40- 44.
Ekkamai Road, now Sukhumvit Soi 63 is also known as Thanon “Ekkamai”. This is the main street running through the neighborhood with many sub-soi’s featuring different amenities and housing options.
What are the Main Characteristics of Ekkamai Neighbourhood?
The main characteristics of Ekkamai area is its abundance of quirky boutiques, hip cafes and hidden gem restaurants, in fact, it is often dubbed as Bangkok’s ‘Hipster’ area because of this. Ekkamai adopts a creative take on your typical Thai neighborhood yet still possesses that local, community and neighborhood charm. This is well represented in the local lifestyle malls and the highly sought after schools and hospitals in the area.
The neighborhood effortlessly marries together traditional and modernity and this is reflected in its real-estate offerings. With low rise sustainable apartments, high floored & ultra modern condominiums, unique privacy in detached houses, or sleek and chic ‘moobaans’ [houses in gated communities], Ekkamai caters to all.
Transportation Hub and Roads
Being the cities hub of transport, Ekkamai offers many travel options:
Bus: Ekkamai is home to Bangkok (Eastern) Bus Terminal. It has routes to most popular southern destinations, however, for travel to Northern cities it is required to go to Mo Chit Bus Terminal. The most popular routes available from Ekkamai and the approximate prices are:
- Pattaya (163 THB)
- Hua Hin (144 THB)
- Koh Chang (800 THB)
- Trat (362 THB)
- Chanthaburi (270 THB)
- Koh Samet (350 THB)
Train: BTS Skytrain station ‘Ekkamai’ on Sukhumvit Road (Sukhumvit Line E7) and MRT Underground train station ‘Khlong Tan’ on Rama IV road are the neighborhoods closest stations.
Boat: Charn Issara Pier which is accessed via Petchaburi Road behind the Charn Issara tower offers taxi boats for commuters heading to the city’s business districts. As well as for tourists traveling to the city’s iconic landmarks; The Grand Palace, ChinaTown and the Chao Phraya river. The boat ride offers views of local street art along the way as well as some interesting wildlife- with monitor lizards and turtles commonly spotted.
Car: Ekkamai Road offers direct access to both Chalong Rat Expressway and Sirat Expressway. The journey from Ekkamai to any of the city’s airports (Don Muang Airport or Suvarnabhumi Airport) takes approximately 40 minutes by car.
Motorbike Taxi: For those in a rush or just looking to beat the city’s traffic congestion, there are many Motorbike Taxi stands located on both sides of Ekkamai Sk 63. They are located at regular intervals from Sukhumvit road all the way down to Petchaburi road but can also be stopped with a wave of the hand if you see one passing by. The motorbike taxis are easily identified by their riders’ hi-visibility orange vests.
Community Malls & Vintage Shopping
Ekkamai has lots of fantastic community malls dotted around the neighborhood.
- Ekkamai Gateway is the largest, with a direct skywalk to the BTS station. The mall has stores that cater to all needs; Watsons, OfficeMate, Max Value Supermarket, Japanese dollar stores, electronics, fashion brands, kids play areas; Harbourland, restaurants and fast food vendors, banks, beauty and dental providers and an extensive food and fashion market.
- EKM6: Located on Ekkamai Soi 6 and a more recent edition, this plant-based market space has Vegan restaurants, a nail salon, children’s activities at Nest By The Little Treehouse Nursery, a Plant Market and sustainable fashion stores.
- Park Lane Ekkamai: This European designed mall offers Upscale cafes, restaurants & bars, Let’s Relax massage and Spa, many beauty providers, as well as a large Max Value Supermarket.
- Market Place Ekkamai: Offering the neighborhoods largest Supermarket: Big C Supercenter, Starbucks Coffee, Index Living Mall, Bangkok Smile dental service, Mr DIY, S&P Bakery, a variety of Banks, a Pharmacy and an Indoor Golf Simulator.
- At Ekkamai: home to Carrots Vegan Bistro, a huge supermarket with many imported products; Tops Market, Starbucks Coffee, KFC and other various restaurants and bars.
- Ekkamai Mall: Also located on Sukhumvit Road with a Skywalk from Ekkamai BTS station, this mall is home to WeFitness, Blue-O-bowl bowling and karaoke as well Sub-Zero Ice Rink amongst others.
- Major Cineplex: Home to a Large Starbucks coffee, boots pharmacy, Major Cinema and various arcade games on the upper floors.
If you are looking for something more unique and one of a kind, visit one of the neighborhood’s many Vintage stores.
- Unfashion: 3 Ekkamai 10 Alley. Has a wide variety of pre-loved fashion items, mainly specializing in leather goods, cowboy boots. Although they do also have a small selection of clothing and accessories.
- Tara Home Decor: Sukhumvit 61. Unique home goods sourced from around the globe. Boho chic soft furnishings, rare wooden furniture and other beautifully peculiar decorative items.
- Tuba: At the entrance to Ekkamai Soi 21. This funky decorated bar and restaurant is heavily decorated in retro memorabilia, and what’s more? Most decor is up for sale. The owners also have a warehouse next door filled with more collectible items for sale. Truly a unique shopping experience.
- Y50: Ekkamai 21 next door to Tuba. This quirky market place is filled with preloved furniture. Offering various mid-century, Scandinavian and vintage pieces.
Education Institutions:
Ekkamai being such an attractive neighborhood for families, has a lot of private and international schools and nurseries. The best rated in the area include:
- Kids’ Academy International School: This Early Years school has two campuses on Ekkamai soi 2 and offers both the British curriculum and Japanese Bilingual education. The setting boasts play-based learning, ample garden space for exploring and a fantastic reputation in the neighborhood.
- Annabel’s Early Years International Kindergarten: Reggio- Emilia inspired and British curriculum kindergarten setting for young children.
- Curious Kind Early Childhood Centre: British EYFS curriculum and Curiosity approach. Beautiful designed spaces focused on the child and their learning experience.
- Ekkamai International School: Large International school opened by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
- Astra Academy: Offering International/ British curriculum primary and high school education.
- Singapore International School: A mix of Singapore and British education styles. Offering education at primary and high school age.
- London Institute of Business and Technology: providers of internationally recognised undergraduate, postgraduate and further training degrees.
- Bangkok University City Campus: This creative university is the Oldest and largest university in Thailand, operating since 1962.
Health and Fitness Facilities:
Ekkamai neighborhood is home to some of the city’s top medical service providers and what’s more? They are located right in the heart of the neighborhood. This means that regardless of where you choose to live in Ekkamai, that you will have all the care you require, right on your doorstep.
- Sukhumvit Hospital: Well located on Sukhumvit road, this huge international hospital offers services for all medical needs.
- Bangkok Mediplex: Home to a variety of medical and beauty service providers all under one roof. Ideally located right next to Ekkamai BTS.
- Dermaster Clinic: One of the highest rated beauty and cosmetology clinics in Bangkok.
- Bangkok Smile Dentist: Fantastic dentist with internationally qualified dental nurses. They also speak great English and are very professional.
Ekkamai neighborhood offers a wide range of fantastic fitness and exercise studios, those most frequented amongst locals include:
- WE fitness: Huge gym with private classes for members. It has a skywalk connection directly to Ekkamai BTS.
- Fitfac Muay Thai: Offering Muay Thai training and sparring for fitness.
- Cheeks Boxing: Authentic Thai boxing classes for all levels.
- Bird of Yoga: A calm and serene space to practice yoga in the heart of Ekkamai neighborhood.
Restaurants
Ekkamai offers a wide array of cuisine options. This is due to the diverse community of expats residing there. Taste the world in these fantastic restaurants:
- Thai: Sabaijai is a simple Thai restaurant with an extensive menu of country favorites. Low cost and high quality dishes.
- Korean: Haru Ekkamai. This BBQ restaurant brings the spice and the sizzle of Korean comfort food.
- Japanese: Hangetsu Omakase: This fine dining restaurant offers a small plate tasting menu of Kyoto style Japanese food.
- Italian: Pizzeria Délices de Capoue: This pizzeria serves up authentic Italian pizza in a cozy and traditional setting.
- French: Le Paris: French Bakery and coffee Shop in the heart of Ekkamai.
Nightlife
The nightlife scene in Ekkamai has boomed in recent years with new bars and nightclubs regularly popping up. The main area for a night on the town is the roads surrounding Ekkamai soi 10 where ‘Dope and Dirty’ (DND), ‘Thay Ekkamai’ and ‘Dusk til Dawn’ Bar and Social Club reside.
For a quieter evening catching up over cocktails or beers, check out Ekkamai Beer House, The Cassette, Iron Balls Distillery or The Melting Clock.
What makes Ekkamai an attractive location for real-estate investors?
Ekkamai is a well established family-friendly neighborhood in the heart of downtown Bangkok. Not only is it home to many top-tier education and health providers, it also has great connectivity to outer areas of the city and a wider variety of housing options for sale.
