In a return to our Neighborhood Focus series, Greg and Ed check out Soi Suan Phlu and some of the surrounding area, broadly known as either Sathorn or Yen Akat. We start with a discussion about Suan Phlu of yesteryear, when almost all foreigners had to go there for a miserable immigration ritual. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Suan Phlu seemed dreary and certainly not a place you would hang out once you were done wrestling with the Thai bureaucracy.

However, over the years, Soi Suan Phlu has slowly changed. Although the immigration office is still open, it is used primarily for ASEAN immigrants, with most farangs relegated to a long ride out to the super dome at Chaeng Wattana. But the effect on Suan Phlu has been undoubtedly positive. Although far from the gentrification of Thong Lor, it has its share of cocktail bars, cozy coffee shops, farang food, and a serious plethora of Thai street food of all types.

The long and short of it is that Soi Suan Phlu is well worth a visit for the cozy neighborhood atmosphere that combines a majority Thai population with farang-friendliness. The Bangkok Podcast says: Check it out. :)

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