Sathorn | Financial District, Embassy Row, Skyline Views and investment all in One Place

Sathorn is Bangkok’s original central business district (CBD), the city’s main financial and diplomatic hub, set along the BTS Silom line (stations S2 to S6) with MRT blue-line links. Bounded by Lumphini Park, Rama IV Road and the Chao Phraya River, it combines skyscraper offices, embassies, luxury condominiums and riverside living in one prime central location.

The Overall History and Background of the Sathorn District

Sathorn or Sathon has been a large business metropolis since the early 1990’s when due to an increase in foreign visitors, the BTS Skytrain and an abundance of skyscrapers were built.

Before this, Sathorn was a part of the Yan Nawa District. The History goes; a Chinese business owner in the area had a canal (Khlong) dug to transport materials for his company with ease. The khlong was later named after this man; Luang Sathon Ratcha Yut, by King Chulalongkorn as recognition for his contribution to the area. The road along the khlong later became Sathon สาธร road, although in 1999 the spelling of Sathon was corrected to Sathorn. Today, Sathorn Road is amongst the most used roads in the city.

Remnants of this history remain today, with The Sathorn Mansion, formally home to Luang Sathon Ratcha Yut remains in the center of Sathorn road. The colonial Mansion now has a history of its own. It served as the site of the Soviet embassy (later the Russian embassy) until the year 1999. Now, it has undergone extensive refurbishing and is used by the W Hotel as an entertainment venue, renamed in recognition of its past to ‘The House on Sathorn’.

Where is the Sathorn Neighborhood Located?

To see how Sathorn fits among Bangkok’s other central districts, browse our full guide to the regions of Bangkok, including neighbouring Ploenchit.

Sathorn Neighbourhood covers 3 major districts in Bangkok, Thung Wat Don, Yan Nawa and Thung Maha Mek, spanning a huge 9.326 km² (3.601 sq mi) in total.

The expansive neighborhood of Sathorn in Bangkok spans to four easily identifiable landmarks. Chan Road to the North, Lumpini Park to the west, Rama IV Road to the South and the Chao Phraya River to the East. All land in between these four markers are the Sathorn neighborhood. Sathorn road runs through the center of the district from west to east, dividing North and South Sathorn.

What are the Best Features of the Sathorn Neighborhood?

Sathorn has a lot of great features, it is home to many of the city’s favorite tourist attractions and is Bangkok’s largest financial district, as well as being riddled with history and culture, Sathorn boasts a seamless intertwine of the old and the new.

Historical landmarks like The House on Sathorn, The Jim Thompson House and St Louis Hospital offer a look into the past, whereas trendy skyscrapers like the Mahanakorn Tower (The Ritz Carlton), The Sukhothai and The Met catapult you straight into the future.

Sathorn is home to some of Bangkok’s most authentic restaurants and eateries too, many of which have been awarded Michelin stars for their sublime tastes and originality.

Central Business Hub and Financial District

When it comes to central business districts (CBD) in Bangkok, Sathorn is the Original (the OG). Home to many international companies headquarters and Thailand office; Gensler, Singapore Airlines and Turkish airlines, Nike, Bausch and Lomb, Beiersdorf and many more.

Some of the most popular office buildings in the area are Sathorn Square, AIA Tower, Empire Place, Bangkok Tower and Kronos, but there are many, many more. As Sathorn has been expanding and introducing new business offices annually to keep up with the high demands.

Sathorn district is one of the largest financial districts in Bangkok. Many International and Thai banks are based in Sathorn offices; JP Morgan, Bank of America, Bank of China and Deutsche Bank to name a few.

Sathorn is an ideal location for both those who intend to work in the area, and those looking to buy or rent office space close to home.

Sathorn Popular Landmarks

As well as being home to an abundance of offices and international businesses. Sathorn boasts some of the most iconic landmarks of the city.

Top 5 Landmarks in Sathorn

1. 1. Mahanakorn Tower: Named after the ‘full name’ of Bangkok which is quite the mouthful; ‘Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit’. Which is why it is often referred to as just ‘Krung Thep Mahanakorn’. The Mahanakorn tower offers high end dining, rooftop bar, pool and fitness center, many eateries and shopping options, hotel rooms, and of course, offices for rent.
   2. Lebua at State Tower: Made ever more famous in the US movie ‘The Hangover’, the Lebua has high end hotel rooms, as well as an iconic rooftop bar and restaurant with panoramic views of the city and Chao Phraya river.
   3. The Robot Building: An enormous office building, shaped like no other than our mechanical friend- the robot.
   4. Wat Yannawa– A historic temple on the edge of the Chao Phraya river shaped like a boat.
   5. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple– delicately decorated Hindu Temple in the center of sathorn road.

Main roads and Transport Links in Sathorn

Located on the edge of the Chao Phraya river, Sathorn offers more original transport options than other areas in Bangkok. Boat services and connections are available at Saphan Taksin to travel to nearby hotels, malls and temples across the river. There are taxi boat services in the area for as little as 20 THB a ride.

Sathorn is well connected, with the BTS skytrain (dark green line) running along Silom Road (stations S2- S6) with links to Sukhumvit (the green line), the airport link to Suvarnabhumi (red line) and the MRT underground (blue line) rail which runs through Silom and Sala Daeng with links to Lumpini Park, Chatuchak weekend market and the outskirts of the city.

Silom Road and Sathorn Road offer easy connection to major highways out of the city, making access to the city’s major airports within easy reach. Don Muang Airport is only a 28 minute drive away and Suvarnabhumi Airport is only a 25 minute drive (approximately- due to traffic conditions on the time and day of travel).

Local Markets, Fine Dining and Rooftop Bars in Sathorn

Being one of the first popular districts amongst tourists and expatriates, Sathorn neighborhood offers some of the best dining and nightlife options in the city.

Our Top 5 Must Eats & do’s in Sathorn:

1. Icon Siam: The basement of this iconic shopping mall is fantastically decorated to represent ‘Siam’, the original Thailand. With many traditional street food options set out in the style of a floating market. The perfect place to sample many of the traditional Thai delicacies.

Upstairs in IconSiam you will find many upscale restaurants with views of the ChaoPhraya River and regular firework displays.

1. Silom Night Market: Silom soi 2 comes to life at night, with many street food vendors lining the street. It is within a stone’s throw of the notorious Patpong nightlife and Silom Soi 4’s LGBT+ bar area and Thailand’s infamous Drag scene.
2. Blue Elephant Cooking School: This traditional Thai, high end restaurant has some of the best tasting dishes in the area. It also has a cooking school if you wish to learn how to make some of the most popular dishes and a shop to buy ready-made sauces and spices to add to your cooking at home.
3. The House on Sathorn: The Dining Room at The House on Sathorn is a Michelin Plate restaurant offering a modern take on Turkish cuisine.
4. Ojo Bangkok: Eat in the sky at this 76th floor restaurant in the Mahanakorn Tower. After eating, head up to the Mahanakorn Sky Bar for cocktails and panoramic views of the city and the breathtaking Bangkok Skyline.

International Schools and Colleges in Sathorn

There are many fantastic and well reputable International schools and universities in Sathorn. The highest rated in the area are:

1. Shrewsbury International School
2. Assumption Commercial College
3. St Andrew’s International School
4. Raintree International School and Kindergarten
5. Bangkok Christian College

Hospitals and Health Centers in Sathorn

Some of the oldest and highest rated hospitals in Bangkok are located in the Sathorn neighborhood, covering all of your medical needs. In no particular order, the most popular are as follows:

1. BNH hospital
2. St Louis Hospital
3. The Bangkok Christian Hospital
4. Pulse Clinic Silom
5. Bangrak Medical Centre

Embassies and Diplomatic Mission

With Sathorn being one of Bangkok’s largest business and Financial district, it comes as no surprise that it is also where many embassies are located. Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Myanmar and Singapore are a few of many embassies and diplomatic missions residing here.

Is Sathorn a Good Neighborhood to Live in?

Yes, Sathorn neighborhood has a good combination of luxury condominiums, financial institutions, and multinational corporations that make it an appealing location for professionals and expatriates to reside.

The area is incredibly popular and has developed with the times. There are many shoppings malls, supermarkets, cafes and fitness studios around to ensure that.

On the edge of Sathorn to the East, you will find Lumpini Park. This is the city’s largest outdoor green space where many people come together for picnics by the lake, communal exercises and space to run or walk off the day’s work.

What Makes Sathorn a Prime Location for Property Investment?

Sathorn is a prime location for property investment because of its prevalence. The neighborhood caters to a wide range of lifestyle choices and is popular amongst business people, fitness fanatics, teachers, remote workers and creatives. This is partly due to its connectivity and vast employment opportunities.

It is a fantastic location for rental income and capital growth because of this. Currently there is also a massive upcoming project in the area ‘One Bangkok’ on Rama 4 Road, which is expected to raise rental prices in the surrounding areas and draw in many more expatriate employees and tourists.

What are the advantages of buying a condo in Sathorn, Bangkok?

For the bigger picture on returns across the capital, see our guide to property investment in Bangkok.

There are many advantages to buying a condo in the Sathorn district. Its prime location and great connectivity within the city makes it a popular choice amongst a wide range of working professionals and tourists alike. Sathorn is home to numerous International businesses and job opportunities, which in turn, has turned it into a melting pot of different cultures.

There are many upscale and luxurious living options available in the area too, making it a key contender in the real-estate market. And with it being one the biggest Central Business Districts the city has to offer, enhanced security measures are in place, making it a very safe place to live.

As you can see there are many advantages of real estate investment in Thailand, and the advantages for Sathorn neighborhood in particular, keep piling up.

What Luxury Residential Projects Sathorn Neighborhood Has to Offer?

There are many upscale project in Sathorn to choose from, based on great location and fantastic facilities, here are a few we have selected for you:

1. The Ritz Carlton Residences: Potentially one of the most luxurious places to stay in the entire city. Spread over 78 floors, and an iconic element of the Bangkok skyline, the Ritz is a highly sought after address.
2. Four Seasons: Accurately described on their website as ‘A Hidden Oasis’. This deluxe riverside resort is located close to many art galleries and creative venues.
3. The Met: Offers elegant and distinguished decor throughout, large rooms and a key contributing landmark on the Bangkok Skyline.
4. The reserve Sathorn: This project boasts a European and Modern Colonial design that cannot be found elsewhere in the city.
5. The Lofts Silom: This ultra-Luxurious residential condominium project boasting high ceilings and ‘loft style’ rooms. The building has an infinity pool overlooking the Chao Phraya River, gym, movie theater, workspace and garden for residents to use.
6. The Bangkok Sathorn: Conveniently located right next to Surasak BTS station, the Bangkok Sathorn boasts sky lounges and a boutique Sky pool as well as a sauna and gym. Incredibly elegant and stylish project from top to bottom.
7. M Silom: This is an upmarket and luxuriously designed project with incredible facilities. A breathtaking pool, well equipped gym and even a lounge with a full size pool table and karaoke room- M Silom knows how to combine fun and living!
8. Ashton Silom: A fantastic location next to Saladaeng BTS, Ashton Silom has beautiful interior design and fantastic facilities. With a gymnasium, a library, a lounge, pool, steam bath and a jacuzzi, Ashton offers the perfect facilities to work from home or relax at home.

How does PropertySights Real Estate Consult those Looking to Purchase Property in the Sathorn District?

With many years experience working in Sathorn, PropertySights Real Estate can offer local insight of the area and share knowledge on the current trends and popular listings.

PropertySights Real Estate have developed a comprehensive plan that takes you from A-Z in finding the right property. From deciding on the right neighborhood, finding the perfect property, negotiating prices to match your budget and providing quality due diligence. We’ve got you covered.