Real estate agents operating in the Thai capital are often asked which districts of Bangkok are most suitable for expats. The thing is, there is no straight answer to this question because lifestyles and expectations are subjective. With that in mind, the short answer has to be that there is no ideal place for an expat to live in Bangkok.
Not all houses and neighborhoods are the same
Some people prefer to live in high-rise condos in busy and vibrant areas like Asoke or Nana, enjoying great views of the city from their living room windows. Others may like the more intimate feel of a low-rise condo or apartment in quieter parts of town, like On Nut.
However, for those expats working in the Bangkok CBD, the location and easy access to their office is a must. This may mean that they have to be practical perhaps more than demanding when looking for accommodation. For them, the Sathorn area is usually the preferred location, and Yenakart is a very good option.
The Yenakart/Sathorn District
Quiet, green and central, with easy access to Rama 3 Expressway, Rama 4 Road, Sathorn Road and Narathiwat Road, makes it quite difficult to find a more central location in Bangkok than Yenakart.
It is also important to note that Yenakart has three access points from the Bangkok public transport network. The first and original is the Chong Nonsi BTS (Skytrain) station, which is just a five-minute drive from the central Yenakart area. Closer still is the Lumpini MRT (Metro) station, located near the Q-House Lumpini (a 38-story office building located on the corner of Sathon and Rama 4 streets). From Q-House, residents can reach most of the condominiums mentioned in this article within a 15-minute walk. And finally, there is the more recently opened Yenakart BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) station on the Bangkok BRT line.
Now let’s take a look at the type of accommodation available on Yenakart.
The Resorta Yenakart
Fortunately, Yenakart has a full range of accommodation on offer, from low-cost studios starting at around THB13,000/month to beautiful and spacious three-bedroom condos, renting from THB100,000/month and up. However, let’s start by looking at the smaller, lower-cost units on offer at The Resorts Yenakart, located in Bangkok’s Yan Nawa district.
One-bedroom units here can be had for as little as THB15,000/month, but better furnished and more attractive rooms will be priced as high as THB18,000/month. Resorta Yenakart is a low-rise condominium housing a total of 308 condominium units. Some of the condominium facilities include:
- Big pool
- Attractive grounds and gardens
- fitness room
- sauna/steam room
- Mini market
- Reception area
- Covered parking
- 24 hour security
The Resorta represents a great value for those wishing to live in the Bangkok central business district area.
Sansiri Sathorn Plus Condominiums
Moving up in terms of price are two other excellent low-rise condominium buildings: Sathorn Plus on the Pond and Sathorn Plus by the Garden, both located on the main road in Yenakart. These condominiums are built by Sansiri (one of Thailand’s largest real estate developers) and offer practical living in the Yenakart area.
Some of the typical facilities of each of these Sathorn Plus condominiums include:
- Parking lot
- fitness room
- multipurpose room
- rooftop pool
- Shaded garden area
- 24 hour security with closed circuit television and access control with security card
The 50-square-meter one-bedroom units at these Sansiri properties rent for about THB24,000/month at the time of writing, with studios slightly cheaper at just THB17,000/month.
Baan Sirisathorn, Yenakat
Not far from the two low buildings above is Baan Sirisathorn. This is another good quality low rise building, providing upscale living for residents.
As with the other low-rise accommodation in this area, there is a nice sense of intimacy and quality to the place. Outfitted with hardwood floors, powder coated window frames, and premium fixtures and fittings throughout, these units truly are something else.
At the time of writing, the 35-square-meter studio condos here are renting for around THB20,000/month. One bedroom of 55m² costs approximately THB30,000/month, and two-bedrooms of 80m² cost THB40,000/month. The condominium facilities include:
- Reception area
- covered parking
- rooftop pool
- roof terrace
- rooftop gym
- 24 hour security
Baan Sirisathorn is a welcoming residence and is the perfect home for expats working in the CBD.
The Lanai Condo
As mentioned above, Yenakart has accommodation to suit a diverse selection of tastes, budgets and requirements. If you like traditional Southeast Asian styles and Eastern architecture, then the Lanai might be the place for you.
This exclusive condominium is an eight-story low-rise project with only 34 one- and two-bedroom units in total. The Lanai offers its tenants a highly unusual option in Bangkok living.
Unquestionably a high-end building with a true five-star quality feel to the premises, the Lanai offers residents a tranquil resort-style experience, not unlike what you might expect at a luxury retreat in a tropical location like Samui, Phuket, or even Bali in Indonesia.
The condos on the Lanai are huge, with three-bedroom units over 2,500 square feet. Even the two-bedroom units exceed 200 m2. Brimming with quality and opulence, Lanai Condominiums are light, airy and sophisticated. Facilities include:
- Covered parking (2 reserved spaces)
- Gym
- Reception
- roof garden
- Sauna / steam
- pool and deck
- 24 hour security with closed circuit television
The moment you enter the lobby, it is as if you have been transported away from Bangkok and miraculously placed in a beautiful five-star resort along the Andaman Sea or the Gulf of Thailand. It is fair to say that this quality residence offers something that no other condominium building in Bangkok can offer.
Obviously, all this space, luxury, and high-quality lifestyle comes at a price. With rents in the neighborhood around THB100,000/month for a three-bedroom unit, only Bangkok’s high-income earners will be able to reside in the exclusive Lanai condominium.
The conclusion
As you can see, this little-known and often-forgotten corner of Bangkok known as Yenakart actually offers expats a wealth of choice and convenience. With easy access to the BTS Skytrain, MRT subway, and Bangkok’s BRT system, it’s surprising that this part of the city remains a hidden gem. Furthermore, those expats who own a car can also easily access Rama 4 Highway, Rama 3 Highway, Narathiwat Highway, Sathorn Highway and Rama 3 Highway.
Going back to our opening paragraph, where we said that there are no districts in Bangkok that are more suitable for expats, maybe there is after all, and maybe it’s Yenakart!
