Silom (Thai: สีลม) is the closest Bangkok gets to Wall Street, with glistening skyscrapers all boasting the names of financial institutions. However, the character of the area changes after nightfall: the small sois between Silom Road and Surawong Road come alive with people who are out for a good time and Patpong's well-known "red light" district is often a sought-out location. The former trade quarter Bang Rak (บางรัก) is also included here and is home to many of Bangkok's top luxury hotels, such as the Oriental.

Introduction to Bangkok/Silom

In the 19th century, daily life in Bangkok mostly took place on and around the canals. Silom was rural farmland with rice fields, orchards and windmills criss-crossed by canals. During this era, most urban life happened on the riverside, which was a busy trading quarter welcoming European merchant ships and envoys. This area, known as Bang Rak, still has a kind of European atmosphere with many exclusive colonial-style hotels and old abandoned warehouses. Silom ("windmills" in Thai) has changed immensely with in modern times. Charoen Krung Road (New Road) was the first paved road in Bangkok, built in 1861 during the reign of King Rama IV at the request of foreign consuls who wanted to ride their horses and carriages. Over time, most of the canals have disappeared and turned into roads.

With the rise of Thailand as a newly industrialised economy, Silom turned into Thailand's major financial centre filled with banking institutions, corporate high-rises and condominiums. Many banks, insurance companies, audit and law firms have congregated along Sathorn Rd (ถนนสาทร) as well. The district's importance as a business centre has been acknowledged by the recent construction of the Skytrain and the metro line right through the district. Their construction has not helped much as traffic congestion continues to be a serious problem in the area. Days, there's not that much to do here, except when white collar workers flock onto the streets for lunch. The fusion of peoples make this a great place for people-watching. Cigar-smoking Thai business men walk through masses of well-dressed secretaries, office workers and Western expatriates. Recently, many Indians and Muslims have taken up residence around the intersection with Charoen Krung Road.

Orientation is fairly easy as most of the magic happens at Silom Road, especially where it intersects with Rama IV Road. The area starts to liven up again when you get closer to the river in the area known as Bang Rak. Parallel to Silom Road lies Sathorn Road to the south and Surawong Road to the north. With the reinvigoration of Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road as creative and tourism hub with the addition of Mahankorn Pavilion and Cube, W Hotel , the reinvention of Empire Tower, the area around the Chong Nonsi BTS and BRT Station is increasingly known as SOLU, abbreviated from South of Lumphini.

How to travel to Bangkok/Silom

How to take public transportation in Bangkok/Silom

Skytrain

Silom Road and Sathorn Road can handily be reached using the BTS Skytrain's Silom Line. BTS station Sala Daeng is right in the middle of the action, close to pretty much all party venues. At the other side is Saphan Taksin station, which is close to Bang Rak's riverside hotels. Surasak and Chong Nonsi fill up the area in between.

There is a direct connection with Siam Square, which takes about five minutes, but if you're coming from another district, traveling will be more complex. From Sukhumvit, you'll need to take the Skytrain to Siam station and transfer onto the Silom Line. The same goes if you're coming from Phahonyothin.

Metro

The MRT metro system is a good way to reach Silom from Yaowarat and Phahurat, Sukhumvit and Ratchadaphisek. The central stop is MRT station Si Lom, that lies at the entrance of Lumphini Park. It can be used as an interchange station with Sala Daeng BTS station. Other stops include Lumphini, Sam Yan and Hua Lamphong. The metro ride from Sukhumvit or Hualamphong Train Station takes about five minutes, while the ride from Ratchadaphisek takes about ten to fifteen minutes. Trains leave every five to ten minutes for a fare of about 16 to 41 Baht.

Travel by boat to Bangkok/Silom

If you're coming from Rattanakosin, Khao San Road or some areas of Yaowarat and Phahurat, the quickest way to reach Silom is by Chao Phraya Express Boat. A single trip from Chang Pier in Rattanakosin to Sathorn takes about 25 minutes and costs around 18 Baht. From here, you can transfer onto the Skytrain's Silom Line and get to many destinations in Silom.

The river boat is the best way to get to and around the Bang Rak area. Si Phraya in the north of Bang Rak and Sathorn in the south are served by fast yellow flag boats. Oriental is the most centrally located, but is only served by orange-flag and no-flag lines. Wat Muang Kae is slightly north of Oriental, but is kind of a sleepy pier only served by no-flag lines.

If you happen to be in Thonburi (the area around Khlong San), you can easily take a ferry across the river. There are ferries from Klongsan to Si Phraya, from Wat Suwan to Oriental and from Sathorn across the river to the pier of the same name. Every 15 minutes a ferry leaves and won't cost you more than a mere 3 Baht.

Travel by Bus to Bangkok/Silom

Due to heavy congestion and the complexity of the bus system, getting to Silom by bus can only be advised if you have a lot of time or are on a stringent budget. Being a part of Bangkok's downtown, many lines run through Silom, but finding the right one is a challenge. Ordinary and air-conditioned bus 15 comes from Phra Athit Road and then passes Ratchadamnoen Klang Road (for Khao San Road), moves along Lan Luang Road, Chakkaphatdi Phong Road and Bamrung Muang to Siam Square. From there, it continues along Ratchadamri Road and then goes all the way over Silom Road to Charoen Krung Road, the Krung Thep Bridge and The Mall Tha Phra in Thonburi.

From Yaowarat, catch bus 4 from Charoen Krung Road which goes along Rama IV Road, passing Hualamphong Train Station and the Queen Saovabha Institute Snake Farm before reaching the intersection with Silom Road. In the opposite direction, this bus will skip Charoen Krung Road, passing Yaowarat Road instead (which is a one-way traffic road).

The first line of the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system starts at the intersection of Sathorn Road and Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road. There is a pedestrian walkway from Chong Nonsi BTS station to Sathorn BRT station, the first stop. From there, the line heads south along Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road, then follows Rama III Road along the Chao Phraya River, with Ratchaphruek in Thonburi its final destination. As a commuter line, it is not of much use for foreign visitors, unless you're going to Mambo Cabaret, Tawandang Microbrewery or a distant hotel.

Travel by train to Bangkok/Silom

Hualamphong Train Station, whilst over the edge in Yaowarat and Phahurat, is very easy to reach from elsewhere in the district. Just take the metro to Hua Lamphong station and the station will be in front of you. From there you can get a train to Ayutthaya or Chiang Mai.

What to see in Bangkok/Silom

Traditional sightseeing attractions are rather rare on the ground in Silom. A popular attraction is to have a drink on one of the rooftop bars with an amazing view over Bangkok's skyline. You could also head for Lumphini Park or visit one of the twice-daily shows at the Queen Saovabha Institute Snake Farm.

Skyline

While Silom's skyline doesn't match Hong Kong's or New York's, the views are still worth it. A part of Bangkok's skyline, most of Silom's towers are financial institutions and office buildings. The best way to enjoy it is by taking a trip up the Banyan Tree Hotel or the State Tower. The 61st floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel has the Vertigo and Moon Bar, where you can dine or have a beer with one of the most stunning views of Southeast Asia. Sirocco and Moon Bar on the State Tower is even a few metres higher up than Vertigo—making it the world's tallest rooftop bar/restaurant. Due to its slightly off-centre location, the views are arguably not quite as stunning, although it gives a great view of the Chao Phraya River. See the Drink section for more information about these rooftop bars.

Most of Silom's buildings are office buildings not meant to be visited. Heading out to take a look at these office buildings can only be recommended for those having a deeper interest in modern architecture and/or the financial sector. Some notable office buildings that dominate the skyline include the CP Tower, Empire Tower, ITF Tower and the United Center Building, but the Robot Building has to be the quirkiest of them all.

• Robot Building - โรบอท บิวดิ้ง | Probably one of the few buildings that puts a smile on your face, the Robot Building, well, looks like a giant robot. It was designed by Sumet Jumsai in the mid-1980s and is meant to reflect the computerization of banking. It is an odd building and Jumsai has stated that it could be regarded as a reaction against high-tech postmodern buildings common in that time. The antennas and eyes of the robot are not just for the looks, but all have practical functions. Now the building has a kind of retro feel. It is closed to the public, but you can best see it riding the Skytrain between Chong Nonsi and Sala Daeng BTS stations. So take a look from the window!

Parks and monuments

• King Rama VI Statue - พระบรมราชานุสาวรีย์พระบาทสมเด็จพระมงกุฏเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว | Located in front of Lumphini Park, the statue was sculpted by Professor Corado Feroci, an Italian sculptor that in Thailand is better known as Silpa Bhirasri. He and four Thai artists gave it the final touch on 7 June 1941, so it could be revealed on 27 March 1942. It is devoted to King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), who asked the Italian government for an artist to teach and promote art in Thailand (which at that time was seen as not able to cope with GCC standards). King Vajiravudh is displayed as standing in his ceremonial uniform and holding a sword. It's not a coincidence that Lumphini Park is its location: King Vajiravudh donated this large plot of land to the city's citizens by turning it into a public park.

• Lumphini Park - สวนลุมพินี | A rare expanse of public greenery in the heart of the city, it was once property of King Rama VI, who issued a royal command to turn the area into a public park as a gift to Bangkok's residents. The park's symbol, a statue of its creator King Rama VI, stands at the main entrance at the southwestern corner, right opposite MRT Si Lom station. The park has a lake with boats for rent and with a cycle track around it and is popular among early-morning fitness enthusiasts, but there's little reason to wander in during the daytime heat. The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra does, however, put on occasional performances in the winter. There are rather large lizards in the park — they are well worth a look. They tend to spend most of their time in the water of the lake. Do not get too close to one, as they can bite.

• Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute Snake Farm - สถานเสาวภาสภากาชาดไทย | This institute contains a collection of poisonous snakes which are "milked" daily for their venom in order to produce invaluable anti-snakebite serum. Twice a day a venom extraction show is held, in which the announcer explains about the dangerous kinds of snakes living in Thailand and what to do when you run into one. The animals are treated professionally and the whole show is safe. If you want a picture with a dangerous snake curling around you — this is your chance.

Houses of worship

The current Hindu and Muslim population has chipped in with the most important Hindu temple of Thailand on Silom Road and several mosques.

Museums and art galleries

• Bangkokian Museum - พิพิธภัณฑ์ชาวบางกอก | This typical wooden Thai-style family house was built in 1937 and originally was the home of the Suravadee family. It was converted into a museum that gives an insight into the lifestyles of middle-class Bangkokians during World War II and the 1950s. On display are antiques, household items, a kitchen, sanitation and toilet facilities used during the war. Part of museum is devoted to maintaining the history of Bang Rak and Silom, showing the farms, canals and windmills that used to be characteristic for this area.

• Kathmandu Photo Gallery | Housed in an old (but beautifully restored) Portuguese shophouse, this is probably the only gallery in Bangkok totally devoted to the art of photography. Its owner, photographer Manit Sriwanichpoom, tried to resemble the photographers' shops of old, where visitors walked in and carefully chose one of the prints on sale. The gallery on the ground floor is all about the work of the owner, while the (tiny) upper floor has changing exhibitions. There's also a book corner for those more interested in photography.

• M.R. Kukrit's Heritage Home - บ้านซอยสวนพลู | M.R. Kukrit Pramoj (1911-1995) was an important writer, lecturer and statesman and served as the prime minister of Thailand. His legacy is this complex of five teak houses that used to be his home. They are an astonishing example of traditional Thai architecture, with the oldest teak home more than one hundred years old. The surrounding garden plays an important role in the design of the property, as that's the glue holding the different houses together.

• Neilson Hays Library and Galleries - ห้องสมุดเนียลสัน เฮส์ | A beautiful European-style building from the late 19th century with a library, two art galleries, creative workshops and a café. The library has the largest collection of English language books in Bangkok, catering to the many English-speaking expats in the area. The art galleries have paintings, photos, textiles and ceramics on show depending on the exhibition and many artworks are available for sale. The café (09:00-18:00 daily) has free Wi-Fi.

Historic buildings

• East Asiatic Company Building - อาคาร บริษัท อีสท์ เอเชียติก เก่า | Right at the banks of the Chao Phraya River is this classical Venetian-style building from the Danish East Asiatic Company. It was built in 1901. A large share of foreign trade that came from the warehouses had to go through this building before heading for Europe. No public entry allowed.

• Old Customs House - ศุลกสถาน | This is where the 19th-century port of Bangkok used to be. Now it is a crumbling building that needs a lot of renovation to get back into a useful state, but its obvious that this grand colonial-style home was once the pride of the area. It was built in the 1880s and used to levy taxes on traders that moved in and out of Siam. It's not open to the public, but you can walk around and try to grasp the atmosphere of Bangkok in earlier times. It was used in Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love, a great film worth the watch.

Top Muslim Travel Tips in Bangkok/Silom

Due to many rich business travellers visiting Silom, it is an excellent destination for high-class spas. Particularly well-regarded spas include Devarana Spa (at the Dusit Thani Hotel) and the eponymous operations at Banyan Tree and the legendary Oriental — the last of these probably being the most expensive in town, offering (among other things) a six-hour Oriental Romance package for two costing a whopping 16,000 Baht.

• Calypso Cabaret - คาลิปโซ่ คาบาเรต์ | The famous ladyboy show of the Calypso Cabaret. The performances takes place in two sessions every evening. The show consists of singing, dancing and remarkable costumes. At least make a reservation at their website three days before you want to attend the show.

• Joe Louis Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre - นาฏยศาลา หุ่นละครเล็ | The establishment of this theatre was inspired by Sakhon Yangkhieosot, or Joe Louis, who wished to preserve the art of operating Hun Lakhon Lek puppets. In operating the puppets, the puppeteers require basic skills of Khon performance as they will have to move their footsteps and hand gestures to coincide with those of the puppets. Each puppet is operated by three puppeteers, lending it lifelike movements. Hun Lakhon Lek usually performs the story of Ramakian, the Thai version of the Ramayana epic. Sakhon Nattasin is currently the only performing troupe of Hun Lakhon Lek in Thailand. The show is in Thai with translations into English and there is a segment where the puppets interact with audience members that is popular with children. There is also a corner inside the theatre where Khon mask making is demonstrated, with a gallery of the Hun Lakhon Lek puppets and their background.

• Mambo Cabaret - แมมโบ้ คาบาเร่ต์ โชว์ | Touted as the "queen" of drag shows, this ladyboy show has three performances daily. A show takes one hour and has all the glitz and glamour you would expect. Before it was located at Washington Square along Sukhumvit Road, but now it has moved far off to the area around Rama III Road. You can take a picture with the performers when the show ends, but you will have to pay extra for it. Booking beforehand is recommended.

• Ruen Thep - In the evenings you can catch this authentic performance of various forms of traditional Thai danceand is part of the Silom Village Trade Center complex. It might be a good idea to make a reservation by phone beforehand.

Study as a Muslim in Bangkok/Silom

• Blue Elephant Cooking School and Restaurant - Take classes from one of the most famous chains of Thai restaurants in the world. While the price is substantially higher than others in Bangkok, class takes place in the historic Blue Elephant restaurant and while dining on your creations, extra dishes and dessert are served. And they give you a Blue Elephant apron as well.

• Silom Thai Cooking School | A quaint cooking school in an air-conditioned environment. It is very clean and the instructor will have you frequently washing your hands before preparing each dish. Cooking classes are given in the morning and afternoon. The setting is more like a dinner party rather than a classroom cooking school. Definitely worth a try.

Shopping in Bangkok/Silom

At first, shopping around Silom might feel a little lacklustre compared to Siam Square. Its department stores and malls are bland at best, but if you're in need of something, they are not short on supply. If you're looking for antiques, arts, handicrafts, silk and suits, however, Silom is the place to be. Especially the Bang Rak area is good, as that's where the rich potential buyers stay in expensive riverside hotels. Hundreds of jewellery and silver stores are lined up along Charoen Krung Road.

Antiques

Don't forget the Export Licence - Antique shopping is fun and statues, fabrics, woodcarvings and furniture are some of the products that might interest you. Be careful that some cultural objects need an export licence if you want to take them out of the country. This is especially the case for Buddha images, Bodhisattva images or parts of ancient monuments and prehistoric objects. Any reputable dealer should be able to give advice and get the paperwork in order. You can also contact the Office of Archaeology and National Museums (81/1 Si Ayutthaya Rd, Dusit, ☎ +66 2 628-5032) for more information.

• House of Chao | This mall is filled with dusty antique shops. Many of the items on sale are junk, but maybe you'll find an odd interesting teak treasure.

• Jim Thompson Store | The flagship store of the famous Thai silk brand, offering well-designed pieces of high quality silk at equally high prices. Spread out over four floors, this store offers the full range of Thompson's products, including lengths of raw silk.

• O.P. Place | This luxury neo-classical building is a great starting point for your antiques hunt through Silom. There are many floors with different shops selling antiques, carpets, decorations, handicrafts, jewellery, paintings, silk and many other cultural objects. The third floor is an arts and crafts gallery. The whole mall has a high-class atmosphere, so expect truly expensive objects on sale.

• River City - ศูนย์การค้าริเวอร์ซิตี้ | River City has Bangkok's best collection of antiques, arts, crafts, pottery, ornaments, sculptures and wood carvings. These are the real thing and priced to match. Real antiques and religious images will require export licences, though the shops can arrange them for you (for a fee). Every first Saturday of the month, a monthly auction of crafts is held at the River City auditorium. One of its interesting stores is Old Maps & Prints on the fourth floor with a fascinating collection of old maps on Thailand and Southeast Asia. Anything over a century old will cost several thousand Baht.

• Silom Galleria | This mall has more than one hundred art, antique and gem stores, but it all feels a bit deserted and empty. There are plenty of art exhibitions held, Thavibu and Tang are the most interesting ones on contemporary Asian art.

• Silom Village Trade Center Supposedly the last traditional Thai village on Silom Road, Silom Village is comprised of 15 teak houses as well as three buildings that were constructed in 1908. The compound has been converted into Thai handicraft shops, a restaurant and a hotel. It is a touristy theme market, but still a good place to look for souvenirs, handbags, handicrafts and furniture. However, many items are fakes or reproductions. The hotel costs 1,100-3,500 Baht per night. Expect simple rooms for visitors on a budget. There is no breakfast or Wi-Fi included and the smell can be bad in some rooms.

Tailor-made clothes

• Excelsior - A tailor who has been in business since the 1920s. Armani-style suits for around 10,000 Baht. You can even call them and ask for a free pick-up. One of the better places for suits in Bangkok.

• Savile Row Company | A tailor for men and women. It has been in the business for 40 years. The staff are professional and the quality of clothing is very good. Expect to pay around 9,000-13,000 Baht for a suit.

• Universal Tailors - Bespoke and hand-made suits.

Markets

• Asiatique The Riverfront - A night market and shopping mall. Already among the best areas in Bangkok to go shopping, as it's not too crowded, there is a lot of variety and it has a good mix of foreign visitors and locals. The area is huge and divided in four "districts": the Chareonkrung district for over 1000 small boutiques, the Factory district for upscale clothing and gadgets, the Waterfront district for restaurants and the Town district for bars and outdoor events. It also hosts the Calypso Cabaret and the Joe Louis Theatre. Once this area was an international trading quarter and Asiatique takes pride in it by having an overdone 1900s theme.

• Bang Rak Market - ตลาดบางรัก | A beacon of cheapness among the luxurious hotels in Bang Rak, this is essentially a flower market. There are flowers on sale for all occasions and for every budget, including wholesale prices. There's especially a large supply of orchids and cut flowers. If you're hungry, there's an ample supply of meat, seafood and fruit. Also the usual clothing stalls available.

• Lalai Sap Market - ตลาดละลายทรัพย์ | This street market caters to the many secretaries and banking employees from the surrounding office buildings in Silom. Its name literally means "vanishing money". There are plenty of goods for sale, including garments and personal hygiene products. Small accessories cost only around 50-100 Baht. It's at its busiest around 13:00, when white-collar workers have lunch, so it's best to visit it around that time. It's a good food market too. In the afternoon, you can try the fruits and snacks at the hawker stalls and in the evening there is ample seafood.

• Patpong Night Market - ตลาดกลางคืนพัฒน์พงษ์ | Between the strip clubs and bars along Soi Patpong is the Patpong Night Market, arguably the mostly touristy market in all of Bangkok. It was designed in the 1980s as a modest flea market, nowadays it is probably the most visited (and least interesting) market of Bangkok. It is home to a variety of counterfeit merchandise including watches, clothing, bags and cosmetics as well as Thai tourist products such as model tuk-tuks and kick-boxing shorts. The prices at this market are exorbitant and anyone brave enough to buy anything here should bargain extensively. Most items available at the Patpong Night Market are available for less than half the price at other locations in Bangkok.

Malls, department stores and supermarkets

• Chamchuri Square | This shopping mall still feels quite empty and spacious. Clean, modern with many chain stores. Some shops particularly cater for students from the nearby Chulalongkorn University and so there are many bookshops, ice cream parlours and restaurants.

• Silom Complex | Silom's largest mall is a bit quiet, but the restaurants and TOPS Supermarket in the basement aren't bad. Central is at the rear of the complex and is accessible at every level of the complex. The top floor of Silom Complex has a large electrical goods retailer and a well-stocked office supplies retailer.

• Thaniya Plaza | Two connected malls which run along Soi Thaniya, a street which is populated predominantly by Japanese restaurants and hostess bars. The Thaniya Plaza consists almost exclusively of golf equipment shops apart from a few Japanese restaurants.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Bangkok/Silom

Fancy restaurants, cafés, noodle shops and international chain stores line the streets around Silom Road.

As Silom is a popular neighborhood with the locals, there are enough places for affordable meals. For authentic Japanese food at reasonable prices, pop into one of the many eateries on Soi Thaniya. The Lalai Sap Market has some affordable seafood stalls (see Buy).

Bang Rak defines the melting pot of Bangkok's cuisine. There are various ethnic eateries in that area, including Thai, Chinese, Indian and Muslim cuisines. But you can also find plenty of noodle shops, stewed Beef with rice (ข้าวขาหมู) stalls and roasted duck with rice (ข้าวหน้าเป็ด) eateries. As this is a poorer neighborhood, dishes are served for no more than 80 Baht.

• Tien Sin Vegetarian Food / Great Thai/Chinese inspired vegetarian dishes. About ten different dishes, each cooked fresh every morning. Two mains and rice for 30 Baht. You can also try their different imitation meats.

Muslim Friendly Hotels in Bangkok/Silom

Most of the hotels in Silom are four or five-star hotels catering to business travellers. Most splurge hotels can be found along Silom Road and Sathorn Road. The Bang Rak area at the Chao Phraya River has some of the world's best hotels, including Mandarin Oriental and Shangri-La (another contender for this title is The Peninsula, right at the other side of the river in Thonburi).

Due to high property values, dorm rooms, which are pretty much unheard of elsewhere in Thailand, are becoming the norm here for budget travellers. Ngam Duphli Road used to be the heart of Bangkok's backpacker scene and was a lively area with dozens of guest houses. As Khao San Road took over, this road has gone significantly downhill and most guest houses there have turned creaky and dusty.

• Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok - ชาเทรียม เรสซิเดนซ์ สาทร | Facilities for short and long stays. Three restaurants, kids' play area, spa, lagoon swimming pool and event venues. Studios and suites have bathrooms, kitchenettes, separate dining areas, flat screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and eco-friendly amenities.

• Montien Hotel / Built at the same time as the Dusit Thani Hotel and looks like it. Some rooms offer a clear view (and muffled noise) of Patpong, instantly opposite, a fact which seems to account for much of the clientele. While in a nice traditional style, the rooms are somewhat overpriced though.

• Banyan Tree / A spa resort in the middle of the city, worth visiting even if only for the Vertigo and Moon Bar up top. It has a reputation for being one of the most luxurious hotels in Bangkok.

• Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok - โรงแรมชาเทรียม ริเวอร์ไซด์ | The hotel is on the Chao Phraya River, room and suites are spacious and equipped with high speed Wi-Fi, satellite television, a kitchenette and a separate dining area. All rooms and suites have city or river views and the hotel has a spa, six restaurants, a fitness centre, event facilities and a 35-metre infinity pool.

• Holiday Inn Silom - คราวน์ พลาซ่า แบงคอก ลุมพินีพาร์ค | For the price it costs, you get an incredible hotel and the service is better than some of the more expensive hotels. Breakfast is large and varied. Also, there's a gym on the 24th floor.

• Lebua at State Tower - เลอ บัว แอท สเตท ทาวเวอร์ | This all-suite luxury accommodation gives you a glimpse of the most dramatic views of Bangkok. Rooms range from large (66 sq m) to huge (266 sq. m.). The Lebua Tower Club suites provide free in-room movies on demand, access to the Tower Club lounge (free drinks and snacks) and a free Minibar with alcohol removed (sodas only). This hotel also has free Wi-Fi. The Sky Bar, with a stunning Dome rooftop, is the world's highest outdoor bar/restaurant, overlooking a panoramic view of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River.

• Mandarin Oriental - โรงแรมแมนดาริน โอเรียนเต็ล | Ranked highly amongst the finest hotels in the world, it is known particularly for its superlative service. Prices are consequently on the steep side; even the cheapest online rates are rarely below 8,000 Baht a night. Sumptuously decorated in old-school Colonial style. The hotel is on the east side of the river with Oriental Pier, its own Express Boat stop.

• Royal Orchid Sheraton / This is a luxurious hotel on the banks of the mighty Chao Phraya River. It is close to River City shopping mall and the express boat.

• Shangri-La - Not quite as superlative as The Oriental or The Peninsula (across the river in Thonburi). The Shangri-La partly makes up for it with its excellent location next to both the Skytrain and the express boat.

• Ascott Sathorn Bangkok / The serviced apartments offer studio, one and two bedroom apartments with an outdoor pool, gymnasium and on-site spa. There is an indoor playroom for children.

Telecommunications

Finding Wi-Fi in Silom is just as easy as finding a girl in Patpong. Nearly every hotel has free Wi-Fi for their customers (except, perversely, some of the more expensive ones, where you have to pay extra), or available for everyone in the lobby. Many of them also have Internet terminals available. If you're just visiting, many cafés and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi, such as the Bonita Cafe or Molly Malone's.

• Bangkok General Post Office / Mail can be collected here. Letters and parcels are at least kept for two months.

Explore more Halal Friendly Destinations from Bangkok/Silom

• Sukhumvit with Halal restaurants available