Sukhumvit Road Explained

Country:THA
Type:R
Route:3
Map Custom:yes
Alternate Name:ถนนสุขุมวิท
Thanon Sukhumwit
Length Km:488.387
Direction A:West
Direction B:Southeast
Terminus A: Phloen Chit Road in Pathum Wan, Bangkok
Junction:/ in Bang Na, Bangkok
in Mueang Samut Prakan, Samut Prakan
/ in Bang Pakong, Chachoengsao
/ in Mueang Chonburi, Chonburi
in Mueang Chonburi, Chonburi
in Mueang Chonburi, Chonburi
in Mueang Chonburi, Chonburi
// in Si Racha, Chonburi
in Bang Lamung, Chonburi
in Pattaya, Bang Lamung, Chonburi
in Sattahip, Chonburi
in Sattahip, Chonburi
/ in Sattahip, Chonburi
in Ban Chang, Rayong
in Ban Chang, Rayong
in Mueang Rayong, Rayong
in Mueang Rayong, Rayong
in Mueang Rayong, Rayong
in Klaeng, Rayong
/ in Mueang Chanthaburi, Chanthaburi
in Mueang Chanthaburi, Chanthaburi
Terminus B: NH48
in Khlong Yai District, Trat,
border to
Formed:1936
Provinces:Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat
Ahn: (Rayong to Border to)

Sukhumvit Road (Thai: ถนนสุขุมวิท,, in Thai pronounced as /tʰā.nǒn sùʔ.kʰǔm.wít/), or Highway 3 (Thai: ทางหลวงแผ่นดินหมายเลข 3), is a major road in Thailand, and a major surface road of Bangkok and other cities. It follows a coastal route from Bangkok to Khlong Yai District, Trat border to Koh Kong, Cambodia.

Sukhumvit Road is named after the fifth chief of the Department of Highways, Phra Bisal Sukhumvit. It is one of the four major highways of Thailand, along with Phahonyothin Road (Highway 1), Mittraphap Road (Highway 2) and Phetkasem Road (Highway 4).

Route

Sukhumvit Road begins in Bangkok, as a continuation of Rama I and Phloen Chit Roads which span Pathum Wan District. Starting from where the boundaries of the districts of Khlong Toei, Pathum Wan and Watthana meet, it runs the entire length of the border between Khlong Toei and Watthana, then passes through Phra Khanong and Bang Na districts.

It then crosses the border between Bangkok and Samut Prakan Province and subsequently continues east through Chachoengsao Province, south through Chonburi Province skirting the Khao Khiao Massif, east through Rayong Province, south-east through Chanthaburi Province, and ends at Ban Hat Lek village in Trat Province.

In Chonburi Province it passes through the towns of Chonburi, Laem Chabang, Bang Lamung township, Si Racha, and Pattaya.

In the Bangkok Metropolitan Area

In the capital, Sukhumvit Road serves as a main commercial street, and this section is often congested, even at late evening or early morning hours. The Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway has an exit at Soi 1. Ratchadaphisek Road crosses Sukhumvit at the Asok (Asoke) intersection.

The Sukhumvit area of Bangkok is easily accessible on the Sukhumvit line of the BTS Skytrain, which runs from Khu Khot in Lam Luk Ka, Pathum Thani through the Silom Line interchange at Siam up to Kheha in the centre of Samut Prakan province. The MRT's Sukhumvit Station interchanges with the Skytrain at Asok. The Eastern portion of the Sukhumvit Line is built on top of Sukhumvit Road (including Rama I and Phloen Chit Roads) from Siam to Kheha station.

The Sois are numbered from west to east, with odd numbers branching off north-east of Sukhumvit, and even numbers branching off south-west.

The area between Sukhumvit Soi 1 and Sukhumvit Soi 63 is popular as residential area for western expatriates. Japanese nationals tend to prefer from Soi 21 Asok intersection upwards, especially Soi Thong Lo. Rentals tend to be higher in the even numbered streets between Soi 8 and Soi 28 and in the odd numbered streets between Soi 15 and Soi 39. Soi 12 is occupied mainly by Indian expatriates. The beginning of Soi 12 also has a Koreatown with several Korean restaurants and grocery stores. Koreatown is across the road from the Korean Cultural Centre.

The areas of Soi Cowboy (between Soi 21, also known as Asok Montri Road, and Soi 23) and Nana Entertainment Plaza (Soi 4) are packed full of gogo bars and other places of prostitution. Restaurants of various levels of luxury exist all along the road, as well as hotels including famous names such as The Westin, JW Marriott, Sheraton, Ramada Hotel and Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit, and Four Points by Sheraton. Also several shopping malls are found, like the upscale The Emporium shopping center. It also harbours the eastern bus station at Soi 63, also known as Ekkamai Road.

Major sois off Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok and other parts:

Soi numberSoi nameRemarks
3Nana Nuea (North Nana)Opposite to Soi 4 Nana Tai (South Nana). Has a popular nightlife and red light district, Arab neighborhood, and a major international hospital (Bumrungrad International Hospital)
11Chai YotRed-light district as the extension of Nana entertainment complex, also shortcut to neighbouring Sukhumvit Soi 13 (Saeng Chan)
21AsokPart of the Ratchadaphisek (Silver Jubilee) inner ring road. Has both BTS (skytrain) and MRT stations (subway stations). Terminal 21 mall is a major highlight. Close to Benjakitti Park and home to many corporate offices. Asoke is also infamous for its traffic during rush hour
22Sai Nam ThipLocation of the girls' secondary academy Sai Nam Peung School
23Prasan MitSrinakharinwirot University campus at the end of the soi
24KasemStarts at The Emporium shopping center and Phrom Phong BTS station
26AriNamesake of Soi Ari (Phahonyothin Soi 7) near Saphan Kwai, the hangout place for youngster where the many restaurants and chic cafés are located. Also the location of Ari BTS station
31SawatdiThe location of residence of Abhisit Vejjajiva, the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand
36Napha SapPart of Sukhumvit Road networks of sub-sois & shortcut systems; provides easy access to Rama IV by connecting with Soi San Sabai after Soi Napha Sap 5, Landmarks: Baan Sukhumvit, SakulThai Magazine
39Phrom PhongAn extension of Sukhumvit Soi 24 or Soi Kasem, the two are often referred to collectively as Soi Phrom Phong. Close to the malls EmQuartier, EmSphere, and Emporium, and Benjasiri Park
40Ban Kluai TaiShortcut to Rama IV Road and location of Bangkok University, City Campus
42Kluai Nam ThaiShortcut to Rama IV Road
49KlangLocation of Samitivej Hospital
50Exit from and access to Chalong Rat Expressway towards Kanchanaphisek Eastern Outer Ring Road via Rama IX and Raminthra Roads
53Padi MadiIts name has an auspicious meaning "Bon voyage"
55Thong LoBooming up-market residential and commercial strip; location of Pridi Banomyong Institute. Historically been a Japanese neighborhood, which extends into Phrom Phong.
62Exit from and access to Chaloem Mahanakhon Expressway towards Din Daeng or Dao Khanong via Tha Ruea
63EkkamaiOpposite to Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal and Science Centre for Education with Bangkok Planetarium, shortcut to Khlong Tan the most convenient route leading to Ramkhamhaeng zone
71Pridi PhanomyongNamed after Statesman Pridi Banomyong, who ordered the road to be built
77On NutMajor road linking the city with its eastern suburb of Suan Luang, Prawet, Lat Krabang and Suvarnabhumi Airport
101Punna WithiResidential neighborhood
101/1Wachiratham Sathit
103Udom SukShortcut to Rama IX Park and leading to Seacon Square and Paradise Park on Srinakarin Road
105La Salle
107Bearing
113Wat Dan Samrong
167Wat Chachoengsao

See also

External links

13.7428°N 100.5504°W