Patpong: Bangkok's Original Nightlife Strip
Patpong is Bangkok's original nightlife district and the most complete - you'll find everything from street food and night market shopping to go-go bars, regular bars, and nearby gay venues all within walking distance.
Quick Info
- Location: Between Silom Road and Suriwong Road
- Transport: 3min from Sala Daeng BTS, 10min from Silom MRT
- Hours: Night market 6pm-1am, go-go bars 8pm-3:30am
- Price Range: ฿฿-฿฿฿ (budget to mid-range)
The Layout
Patpong connects Silom Road to Suriwong Road along a compact strip. The famous night market occupies the center of the main street, with bars and entertainment venues lining both sides. It's compact enough that you can walk the entire area in 10 minutes, but dense enough that you could spend hours exploring.
The Night Market
The Patpong Night Market sets up every evening along the main walking street. It's your standard Bangkok night market fare - fake designer goods, tourist t-shirts, questionable electronics. The vendors are aggressive but not hostile, and haggling is expected.
The market teardown around 1am can be chaotic. Metal stalls getting collapsed, forklifts weaving through, vendors hauling equipment. If you're leaving around this time and had a few drinks, pay extra attention to what's happening around you.
You might encounter touts throughout Patpong offering various services - from soapy massages to ping pong shows. They're persistent but not aggressive. A simple "no thanks" usually works, though expect multiple approaches as you walk through the area.
The Bar Scene
The go-go bars here cater heavily to tourists, with the larger venues like King Castle 1, King's Corner drawing a good mix of Asian, Western, and other international customers. Smaller places like Bada Bing tend to appeal more to the Western crowd.
The regular bars offer a different vibe entirely - some have decent live music and attract a mix of expats and locals. These can be good spots to decompress if the go-go scene feels too intense.
Nearby Additions
Soi Thaniya: Just around the corner, this Japanese-style hostess bar strip used to be exclusively for Japanese businessmen but now welcomes all customers. You'll see hostesses in various costumes - school uniforms, kimonos, air hostess outfits - seated in front of stores with mamasans touting for customers.
Silom Edge: Modern shopping mall with restaurants and lifestyle options. Useful for dinner before hitting the bars or late-night food after.
Don Don Donki: The Japanese convenience store chain. Open late and stocked with everything you might need.
Final Thoughts
Patpong is ideal if you want options without commitment. You can bar-hop easily, duck into the market between drinks, grab street food, or even pivot to completely different scenes nearby. Great choice for folks looking for a no-stress night out.
Last updated: August 2025