Why I Stay in Sam Yot Bangkok Instead of Chinatown, Siam or Sukhumvit
Most visitors to Bangkok book a room in Siam, Sukhumvit or right on Yaowarat Road. I often stay one MRT stop from Chinatown instead, at Sam Yot. After recommending the location to a few friends who love it too I thought it was time to share it here.
Lub d Bangkok Chinatown first got my attention because the rooms looked big and modern and the price was much lower than I expected. The first time I booked, I was staying a week to explore that end of Bangkok. There wasn’t much else nearby that offered the same value for money within walking distance of the MRT.
I’ve now stayed four times, even on trips when I didn’t need to be near Chinatown. The 50 metre walk to the station and the quality of the place keep me coming back. On this trip I discovered the handy bus routes right outside the door and more of the local food, and it’s become one of my go-tos for a weekend in Bangkok.
Sam Yot isn’t for everyone. If you’re in Bangkok mainly to shop, the malls in Siam are about 40 minutes away by bus or MRT. And if you’re after the Nana bar scene in Sukhumvit, this isn’t it. There are some cool bars on Soi Nana in Chinatown, not far away, but it’s a very different (and far better) experience for me.
Where Sam Yot is
Sam Yot is a station on the MRT Blue Line, one stop from Wat Mangkon, on the edge of Chinatown. I stayed at Lub d Bangkok Chinatown on Maha Chai Road, about 50 metres from the station exit.
Note: Be ready for roadworks. A new MRT line is being built through the area, and the streets around the hostel are torn up in places. It’s going to stay that way for quite some time, so expect some noise and a bit of weaving around barriers when you walk to the station.
What’s nearby
What’s within walking distance
You don’t have to get on a train to find things to do. I snapped these photos on my morning walk not too far from the hotel.
These popular spots are all an easy, flat walk from the hostel:
- Ong Ang Canal: 7 minutes
- Golden Mount temple: 10 minutes
- Sampeng Market: 10 minutes
- Yaowarat Road: 10 minutes
- Trok Mor Morning Market: 12 minutes
- Chao Phraya River: 15 minutes
- Chao Phraya Sky Park: 15 minutes
If it’s too hot buses will cover most of these in minutes.
Why not stay on the main Chinatown strip?
I love Yaowarat, but I wouldn’t want to sleep there. The crowds build through the afternoon and the night food stalls keep it busy until late. It can be hard to escape the chaos.
Sam Yot is one MRT stop from Chinatown. I’d head down to Yaowarat for dinner, then usually walk back once I’d had enough of the crowds. It’s a little over 1km in a straight line, and a good way to walk off some of what I’d eaten. By the time I reached Sam Yot, the streets were quiet.
How it compares with Siam and Sukhumvit
I’ve spent a lot of time in Bangkok over the last three years, and I’ve stayed all over the city. In Siam I’ve stayed at the Pathumwan Princess, Siam@Siam and Krit Thai Residence near National Stadium, which I love. Lub d has a Siam property too, but I found the rooms there more expensive.
I’ve also stayed along Sukhumvit as far out as Punnawithi and On Nut. In Silom I stay at Ibis Styles, The Quarter Silom or one of the serviced apartment buildings in the area.
To me, staying in Siam makes your trip to Bangkok all about shopping and less about local life. Sukhumvit is good for nightlife, from touristy Nana to the cool local spots in Thonglor. Sam Yot is more about local life. Silom feels like a mix, and these days it’s my pick when I want to shop hard.
Getting around from Sam Yot
Outside Sam Yot station, I noticed nobody was trying to sell me a tuk tuk ride. Locals were just using them to get around. People were arriving by motorbike taxi, private tuk tuk and even a small songthaew. The electric Muvmi tuk tuks are popular with office workers here, and you book them through an app, which removes the negotiation process that stresses out many visitors, me included.
MRT or EV bus?
I wanted to head for dinner one night in Sukhumvit, so I compared the two options. The MRT was only about six minutes faster. It cost a lot more than the bus, it was packed at that time of day, also being underground meant I saw nothing on the way.
I took the blue EV bus instead. It was air-conditioned and comfortable, and I spent the ride watching the city go past the window.
Knowing when to get off is relatively easy. The bus announces major stops in English, including Chinatown, Siam, Central and MBK. In unfamiliar areas I follow along on Google maps. An added bonus, because there are several bus stops between each MRT station, it often drops you closer to where you’re going.
Paying for the bus
The blue electric buses are run by Thai Smile Bus. Fares are based on distance and run from 15 to 25 baht. I paid cash on board, which was easy.
You can also pay with a PromptPay QR code, a digital wallet such as TrueMoney, or a HOP card. The HOP card only works on Thai Smile buses and boats. Really only worthwhile if you are on longer stay.
Breakfast within five minutes’ walk
I didn’t plan where to eat before I arriving this time ( I usually do). Each day I searched Google Maps for the streets within a five-minute walk of my hostel, and it turned up two places that looked worth trying.
On Lok Yun, open since 1933
My first morning was at On Lok Yun on Charoen Krung Road, which has been serving breakfast since 1933. The food is Chinese-Malaysian style Thai breakfast.
I arrived at 9am to s short queue that moved quickly. It gave me time to check the menu so I was ready to order as soon as I was seated. I went with the steamed bread with kaya, plus a white toast sandwich with fried egg and ham. The steamed bread was so soft and the Kaya had just the right level of sweetness. I would recommend trying it if you can.
Both dishes are simple and better than my photos suggest! The tea came free, and I wasn’t hungry again until late afternoon.
The hawker stalls behind the station
On day two I tried the small cluster of stalls behind the MRT station. There are fresh stir-fries, curries in bain-maries, and eggs done several ways.
I chose a stall run by a woman who specialises in pan eggs. It had good reviews and an espresso machine. I was the only non-Thai person there. The other diners shuffled along to make room for me at their table, and I felt really welcome, it was a lovely way to start the day.
Order your coffee carefully
Small local stalls don’t always ask if you want sugar. Places used to Western customers usually check, but here they just add it. My latte was so sweet I couldn’t finish it.
Ask for no sugar or less sugar when you order.
Say mâi sài náam-dtaan which literally means do not put in sugar
It’s also worth checking the price first. My coffee cost as much as my breakfast.
Where I stayed: Lub d Bangkok Chinatown
Lub d is a modern hostel, but it leans more towards private rooms than dorm beds. I’ve now stayed four times, always in a King room. I’ve stayed as a couple and on my own, and as a solo female traveller over 50 I felt safe here.
The King room
The room is huge for Bangkok. You get a king bed, modern colours, a large smart TV and a kettle.
One tip. Because of the MRT construction out the front, rooms facing the street can get noisy at times.I always ask for a room that doesn’t face the front.
The dorms
I haven’t slept in a dorm here, but I did have a look. They were well set out and very clean with plenty of privacy. You can also book an entire dorm for a pretty decent rate even if you only want 2 beds.
Shared spaces
There’s no communal kitchen, which is worth knowing if you like to cook. There is a large work room, though, and a rooftop area to chill out. The small laundry has a microwave too.
Down at reception you can buy cold drinks, ice creams and a few snacks like cup noodles and crisps. Handy when you get back late and don’t want to head out again.
Staff and activities
The staff are helpful and welcoming. There are daily activities on offer if you want to meet other travellers.
Price and booking
Check-in is 2pm and check-out is midday. Breakfast isn’t included, which works out well with On Lok Yun and the stalls behind the station so close by.
I paid $42 AUD a night for the King room. The rack rate is around $70, but I’ve never paid that. There always seems to be a decent special on, so check their website before you book.
Planning a Thai adventure? Join our friendly Facebook community Thailand Awaits: Trip Planning for Beginners. Get expert advice from locals and experienced travellers, ask your questions, and discover how to make the most of your journey through Thailand.
