Living in Bang Na: Family Homes, Malls, and BTS Access

Find out what it’s like to live in Bang Na, Bangkok, including accommodation, food, shopping, transportation, healthcare, schools, parks, and the pros and cons for expats.

Located on the outer edges of south-east Bangkok, Bang Na – with its big wide commercial strips, gated housing communities and mega-malls – is a neighborhood that will feel eerily familiar to anyone who grew up in American suburbia.

With its inexpensive land, Bang Na is becoming an increasingly popular choice for older expats and expats with families who’d like to move out to somewhere with a little more living space than the cramped condos that dominate central Bangkok, but to still be able to get downtown in reasonable time, and as a result new housing communities are being developed at a head-spinning rate.

In this article, we’ll explore life in Bang Na – where to live, where to shop, where to eat and what to do if you don’t fancy taking the train into the city centre. 

• Thai Name: Bang Na
• Transliteration variants: –
• Pronunciation:  bāːŋ nāː

Location  

Bang Na is an enormous neighbourhood, stretching from the banks of the Chao Phraya river all the way to the border with neighbouring province Samut Prakan. Although the district of Bang Na includes popular expat haunts like Udom Suk Road, in this article we’re going to mostly focus on the area surrounding the Bang Na – Trat Road, as seen below. 

Pros and Cons of Living in Bang Na

Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of living in Bang Na:

Pros  

• More Space for Less – With its relative distance from the city centre and wide-open spaces, Bang Na is the place to go for inexpensive new-build homes. New developments are popping up all the time, and there are plenty of two-storey family homes out there in the THB4 to 6 million range (about US$110,000 to US$180,000).

• Retail Paradise: Bang Na is home to some of Bangkok’s biggest shopping outlets, such as the enormous (and aptly-named) Mega Bang Na complex, and it’s not unusual for even central Bangkok folk to make the drive out there for a bit of retail therapy.

• Excellent Highway Access: It’s hard to beat Bang Na’s location if you have a car. The Bang Na – Trat elevated expressway runs right the way through the area, allowing you to zip into the city centre in just 30 minutes or so (traffic permitting). 

• Great for Concerts and Events: In addition to conferences, mega-sales and motor shows, Bang Na’s BITEC arena is also a major concert venue, having hosted many big-name acts over the years.

Cons  

• Not Great For Non-Drivers: Bang Na is a big, spread-out area, with many of its housing developments located well off the main road. Although the main drag of Bang Na – Trat is adequately served by buses, you may struggle to get around without a vehicle if you live in one of the area’s many moo baans. 

• Prone to Flooding: With much of the area built on flat, marshy land near the Chao Phraya river, some areas of Bang Na can be susceptible to flooding at times. It might be worth checking a site like FloodMap first if you’re considering buying a house in the area.

• Lack of Parks: Although many gated communities (and even some condos) may have a little green space for the use of residents, there is a distinct lack of public parks in the Bang Na area and not many places in which you can truly get lost in nature.

Bang Na Cost of Living at a Glance

Here’s what the everyday numbers look like if you’re skimming from search:

• Rent: from around THB6,000 a month for a super-budget studio, up to THB25,000 to 45,000 for a family-sized three-bedroom townhouse, and higher again for the largest gated villas (see the full accommodation breakdown below). A live-listings check across Bang Na in September 2026 put the average one-bedroom condo rent around THB13,000 a month, with listings spanning roughly THB8,000 to THB95,000 depending on building age and distance from BTS Bang Na.
• Drive into downtown Bangkok: about 30 minutes via the elevated Bang Na Expressway (the Burapha Withi Expressway, which runs above Bang Na-Trat Road), traffic permitting.
• Rail access: Bang Na and Udom Suk stations on the BTS Sukhumvit Line, plus Si Iam station on the MRT Yellow Line where it crosses Bang Na-Trat Road.

Full breakdowns by category are in the sections below.

Accommodation in Bang Na

While it’s the cheap housing that is the big draw, there is accommodation of every variety available in Bang Na. Here’s a list of options:

Modern but Small Condos

For many expats, the big draw of Bang Na is more space at a lower price, so unless you have a compelling reason to live in Bang Na itself (i.e. you work there), it’s unlikely that you’ll want to move out all that way just to live in a pokey condo. Still, there are plenty of options there if you fall into the former category, the bulk of which are located close to Central Bang Na/Bang Na BTS station.

The Coast Bangkok

• THB10,000 to THB22,000 /month for a one-bedroom unit 30 – 58 sqm
• THB22,000 to THB75,000 /month for a two-bedroom unit 50 – 140 sqm
• THB50,000 to THB85,000 /month for a three-bedroom unit 85 – 150 sqm

IDEO O2 

• THB11,000 to THB22,000 /month for a one-bedroom unit 27 – 50 sqm
• THB20,000 to THB28,000 /month for a two-bedroom unit 46 – 58 sqm

Bigger, Older, Affordable Condos  

MeStyle @ Sukhumvit – Bang Na

• THB8,000 to THB10,000 /month for a one-bedroom unit 25 – 43 sqm
• THB17,000 /month for a two-bedroom unit 58 sqm

Nue Noble Centre Bang Na

• THB10,000 /month for a one-bedroom unit 26 sqm

Townhouses and Gated Communities  

Bang Na has a wide range of housing developments, ranging from basic townhouses to grand, luxurious villas – all generally priced at much less than a similar house would be in central Bangkok. 

Areeya Como

• THB25,000 to THB45,000 /month for a three-bedroom unit 120 – 168 sqm

Nara Botanic Srinakarin

• THB50,000 to THB95,000 /month for a three-bedroom unit 200 – 240 sqm

Centro Bang Na

• THB68,000 to THB80,000 /month for a three-bedroom unit 164 sqm
• THB70,000 to THB250,000 /month for a four-bedroom unit 190 – 440 sqm

Fantasia Villa Bang Na

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• THB100,000 to THB150,000 /month for a three-bedroom unit 350 sqm

Grand Bangkok Boulevard Sukhumvit – Srinakarin

• THB350,000  /month for a four-bedroom unit 510 sqm
• THB500,000 /month for a five-bedroom unit 780 sqm

Super Budget Condos 

• The Parkland Bang Na – A 30 sqm unit can be found for THB6000 /month.
• Regent Home 7/2 Sukhumvit – A 31 sqm unit can be found for THB6000 / month.

Dining Out in Bang Na

Dining out in Bang Na frequently means eating at one of the area’s several mega-malls, where you are free to choose from just about every cuisine available. However, it’s not the be-all and end-all, and there are some very good independent restaurants scattered around, mostly serving a local clientele. 

Street Food  

Tonsai Market is a huge and highly-popular beer garden/night market, located on Sukhumvit Road near BTS Bearing (about a ten-minute walk from BTS Bang Na). All the usual local snacks like som tam are available, as well as a few international favourites like takoyaki. A nice place to sit down with a couple of beers after a long day at work.

If you prefer to eat your street food in a slightly more sterile – and much air-conditioned – environment, there’s a large food court on the basement floor of Central Bang Na, near Tops Supermarket. Street food vendors also appear regularly across the road, occupying the plaza surrounding Big C.

Popular Dining Spots  

Mega Bang Na – Mega Bang Na is an enormous retail park a few kilometres down Bang Na-Trat from Central Bang Na. It boasts over 40 restaurants of just about every possible variety, including sushi, hotpot, Western and Chinese food. Popular chains such as Aka, Shabushi, Sizzler and Paul are present, as are plenty of independent restaurants.

Tora Sushi – Large premium sushi restaurant, located on Bang Na-Trat Road (near to Central Bang Na). A little expensive, but good quality and a nice, relaxed atmosphere.

Factory Buffet – Big Korean barbecue buffet joint, located opposite Central Bang Na. All-you-can-eat grilled pork and chicken, plus plenty of other Korean favourites like kimchi, pickles, crispy fried chicken etc. Buffet starts at THB329 per person.

Pa Nuek Khao Suan Kwang Grilled Chicken – North-eastern Thai (Isan) restaurant located on Soi Bang Na – Trat 23, around five minutes’ walk from Central. Very popular with locals. Regularly has live music. The laab moo tod (fried laab meatballs) are particularly delicious there, although the kai yang (grilled chicken) is what they specialise in. 

Barbecue Resorts Bang Na – Enormous semi-outdoor barbecue buffet restaurant, also highly popular with locals. Very basic and no-frills, but you get a good selection of food for a low, low price (THB320 per person, no time limit). A great spot to hang out with some cheap Singhas and a group of friends after work.

Veganerie Lasalle – One of only a handful of vegan restaurants in this area. Serves bowls, tasty desserts and vegan burgers, amongst others. Nice sunlit atmosphere inside. Located on Lasalle Road, just off Bang Na – Trat 30 (a 20 minute walk or so from Central Bang Na).

Pink Tender  – Fancy – and pricey – restaurant, located around two minutes’ walk from Central, also on Bang Na – Trat 23. Does pretty decent quality steaks, lobster rolls, surf-and-turf and other Western treats in a laid-back setting. 

For coffee shops, Basecamp 66 serves a fine cup of coffee in an aesthetically rustic setting, as well as surprisingly delicious baguettes.

Drinking in Bang Na

Bang Na is not particularly renowned as a massive party area, and for good reason – there aren’t a whole lot of places to cut loose in the area. The clubbing scene is basically nonexistent – expect lots of cozy little local’s bars and big beer gardens of the ‘Chang beer tower and live cover band’ variety (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). 

Popular Bars and Pubs  

Wine Connection – Restaurant and bar branch of the popular wine retailer, located at Mega Bang Na. As the name might suggest, there’s an enormous variety of wines available for sampling, plus mostly European food of the pizza and pasta kind. Not cheap, but a pleasant enough place to sit with a bottle of vino after shopping at Ikea. 

Devil’s Lounge – Fancy wine and craft-beer lounge, located just outside of Mega. Nice rustic interiors and a chilled-out atmosphere, plus shuffle board if you get tired of sitting around sampling the booze.

Samran Ruengjai – Large beer garden/restaurant located on Soi Bang Na – Trat 23 (about a five minute’s walk from Central). Live music, a big and varied menu and private karaoke rooms for hire. To party like a local, make sure you order a big bottle of Samsong and plenty of soda water mixers.

Good Mood Bar – By day this is a fairly standard Thai coffee shop/dessert place, but at night-time it’s a cozy bar with beer, cocktails and the ever-popular lao pan (alcoholic slushies) available, plus occasional live music. Located on Bang Na – Trat 21 (opposite Barbecue Resorts).

Rigel Skybar – One of the few rooftop bars in this area, located on top of the Orion Hotel and Residence on Bang Na – Trat 30. Has both indoor and outdoor seating and pretty wide, uninterrupted views over this mostly low-rise part of town. 

Tree House Chill Bar – Subdued bar located on the second floor of the Bizzo Community Mall, just behind Big C Bang Na. Clientele seem to be mostly a mix of Central employees on their off-hours and tourists from the neighbouring hotel. Comfy seats and tasty bar snacks to accompany your beer towers.

Groceries in Bang Na

Once again the big malls (Central and Mega) have you covered for your weekly grocery shop. For odds and ends or fresher food, your options are a little more limited.

Fresh Markets  

The Si Yaek Bang Na Market, located about a ten minutes’ walk from BTS Bang Na should cover you for all of your fresh market needs. There’s a wide range of good-quality fruit and veg available for extremely reasonable prices, plus food vendors if you want a little snack while you shop.

Supermarkets  

Tops Food Hall Central Bang Na – A surprisingly excellent (and enormous) supermarket, located under Central. Boasts a wide range of both local and imported stuff, plus a sizable wine cellar. Definitely one to go to if you’re missing the tastes of home. 

Big C Supercentre Bang Na – Massive branch of the popular value supermarket, located opposite Central. Great for stocking up on produce when on a tight budget, or for buying electronic odds-and-ends, plus a surprisingly wide range of decent imported goods due to Big C’s links with the French supermarket chain Carrefour. 

Big C Extra Mega Bang Na – Another branch of the budget supermarket, this time located in the slightly-less budget-friendly Mega Bang Na. Not quite as well-stocked as the Supercentre, but fine for a weekly grocery shop if you’re in the area already.

Transportation Options for Bang Na

Although you’ll likely need a car if you move to one of Bang Na’s wide network of sois and moo baans, there are nevertheless a few ways of getting around without one, as follows:

Mass Transit

Bang Na is connected to the BTS skytrain by Bang Na station, which is located on Sukhumvit Road – a short walk from the Bang Na – Trat intersection. Bang Na station is connected to BITEC by a skybridge.

Bang Na – Trat is also served by the MRT Yellow Line at Si Iam Station, which is located at the point where Bang Na – Trat intersects with Srinakarin Road (a short walk from Central, about halfway down Bang Na – Trat Road).

Motorbike Taxis

There are a couple of small motorcycle taxi ranks just outside the exit of BTS Bang Na station. There are also win taxi ranks dotted all along Bang Na – Trat, mostly at busy intersections or outside popular landmarks such as Central. Occasionally you may also be able to simply flag one down if you see one passing, although in these instances be prepared to pay whatever you can negotiate. 

Prices should be listed on the boards next to the ranks (look for the big lists of Thai words and numbers behind a bunch of guys in orange vests – you may need to use a translation app to find your destination). As Bang Na is far from most tourist areas, you can generally trust that you won’t be overcharged here.

Taxis and Ride Hailing 

There are regular meter taxis running up and down Bang Na – Trat – be aware, however, that some destinations may require you to make a pretty significant U-turn to get to them. There are also regular meter taxis waiting near the bus stop opposite Central (near Factory Buffet). 

Like the motorcycle taxis, Bang Na’s distance from big tourist sites means that your drivers are far more likely to follow the law and charge you the meter price, so if you are unlucky enough to flag down a taxi who tries to haggle with you politely refuse and wait for the next one. 

The usual ride-sharing apps such as Grab and Bolt all serve Bang Na – they have their own clearly signposted pick-up spots outside Central and Mega.

Buses

Bus numbers 23, 38, 46 and 132 all run from Sukhumvit right the way down Bang Na – Trat Road and back again – there are regular stops dotted all along the road. Fares are between THB10 and THB14 depending on whether or not the bus is air-conditioned.

You can also get a comfortable air-conditioned shuttle bus directly to Central or Mega from Udom Suk BTS Station, but be warned – they are fairly infrequent.

Healthcare in Bang Na

The Bang Na neighbourhood is well-covered for medical facilities, with several private hospitals and plenty of smaller clinics.

Hospitals  

Princ Hospital Suvarnabhumi – Big, clean and modern hospital, located a short drive from Mega Bang Na. A great choice if you live nearer to that end of Bang Na – Trat.

Thai Nakarin Hospital – Large private hospital, about a five minute’s walk from Central. A little dated, but generally good treatment and fine for inpatient care.

Clinics  

C-Plus Clinic – Small but clean and friendly clinic, located right at the intersection between Sukhumvit and Bang Na – Trat (a brief walk from BTS Bang Na). 

Dentists  

BFC Dental Bang Na – Large, modern dental hospital, located near the BITEC end of Bang Na – Trat. Very professional, helpful, friendly staff. 

Bangkok Smile Dental Clinic Bang Na – Small but modern dentist’s surgery, located close to Si Iam MRT Station. It’s a little hard to see from the road, but keep looking at the buildings between Design Square and Si Iam and you’ll soon find it.

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TDH Dental – Slick, modern dental hospital, located at Princ Hospital (see above). Offers cosmetic treatments such as Invisalign, as well as the normal dental services.

Veterinarians 

Ultravet Pet Wellness Clinic – Another nice, modern veterinary centre, located a short drive from Phayathai 7, just inside the Lakeside Villa area.

International Schools in Bang Na

Bang Na is home to some of Bangkok’s largest and most well-regarded international schools, which is a big part of its appeal to expat families. Some of the international schools in the neighbourhood include: 

Bangkok Patana School – Consistently highly-rated British international school, located in the Lasalle area of Bang Na (around a fifteen-minute drive from Central Bang Na).

Berkeley International School – American-curriculum international school, located right on Bang Na – Trat Road near the Sukhumvit intersection. Its distinctive clock tower makes its campus a bit of a local landmark.

Montessori Academy Bangkok International School – Small international school, offering the Montessori curriculum. Programs are for Kindergarten-aged students up until lower secondary.

Wells International School – Bang Na Campus – Branch of the American-curriculum international school chain Wells, located on Sri Nakarin Road Soi 62.

Parks in Bang Na

As stated above, Bang Na is sorely lacking in public green spaces (even by Bangkok standards). The nearest green spaces are probably Rama IX Park and Nong Bon Lake (which is just next door), both of which are around a 15 to 20 minute drive from Central Bang Na. Rama IX Park is a well-maintained and spacious garden-style park, whilst Nong Bon is a bit wilder (but nevertheless beautiful). 

In the same area there’s also the much smaller Chaloem Phra Kiat Mahat Thai Park, which is about a ten minute drive from Rama IX Park. This small park contains a children’s play area, sports facilities and a pleasant pond.

Other Standout Venues and Features

BITEC – As stated above, BITEC is a massive conference and events space, located at the intersection between Sukhumvit and Bang Na – Trat. In addition to the main halls, the complex also includes a fitness centre, lots of restaurants and coffee shops and the BITEC Live concert arena.

Pororo Aqua Park – Water-based theme park, bizarrely located on the roof of Central Bang Na. Lots of big twisty slides, a lazy river and all sorts of other aquatic attractions. A fantastic place to take the family for an afternoon out.

Mega Harborland Mega Bang Na – Massive branch of the popular indoor playground chain, advertised as being one of the largest of its kind in the world. With slides, ball-pits, bumper cars, arcade games and a whole lot more, it’s another top choice for expats with kids.

Bang Na vs. Lasalle vs. Samut Prakan: Which One Fits You?

Area	Typical rent	Feel	Best for
Bang Na (the Bang Na-Trat strip covered above)	Condos from THB8,000 to 22,000 for a one-bedroom, townhouses and gated communities from around THB25,000	Mega-malls, expressway access, spread out and car-oriented	Families who want mall convenience, highway access, and a full range of housing sizes on one strip
Lasalle (the southern end of Bang Na district)	Roughly half of central Bangkok rent for a comparable unit, per our Lasalle guide	Quieter and more residential, four malls within 10 minutes, both BTS and MRT Yellow Line nearby	Families prioritizing schools and having both rail lines within reach, over big-mall proximity
Samut Prakan (the neighbouring province)	Studios and one-bedroom condos from THB8,000 to 15,000	Further from downtown again, BTS extends to Kheha, Suvarnabhumi on the doorstep	Budget-conscious families and settled long-term expats fine with the longest commute of the three

Bang Na, Lasalle, and Samut Prakan blend into each other geographically, and you’ll see the same malls (Central Bangna, Mega Bangna) mentioned across all three guides. The difference is mainly which strip you end up living on: the busier Bang Na-Trat road covered in this guide, the quieter residential streets further south covered in our Lasalle guide, or across the provincial border covered in our Samut Prakan guide. For the wider picture of how this corner of Bangkok compares to the rest of the city, see our guide to living in Bangkok’s suburbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bang Na a good area to live in Bangkok?

Yes, for expat families and older expats who want more living space, mall convenience, and easy highway access. It suits people who don’t mind driving. It’s less suited to younger expats after nightlife or a walkable, car-free lifestyle.

How much does it cost to rent in Bang Na?

Condos run from around THB8,000 to 22,000 a month for a one-bedroom unit. Townhouses and gated communities start around THB25,000 and climb well into six figures for the largest villas. See the Cost of Living at a Glance section above for a live-listings snapshot.

Is Bang Na connected to the BTS or MRT?

Yes. Bang Na and Udom Suk stations sit on the BTS Sukhumvit Line, and Si Iam station on the MRT Yellow Line crosses Bang Na-Trat Road further down. Bang Na station also connects by skybridge to BITEC.

What’s the difference between Bang Na and Lasalle?

Lasalle is the quieter, more residential southern end of the same Bang Na district, covered in its own dedicated guide. This guide focuses on the busier Bang Na-Trat strip itself, closer to Central Bangna, Mega Bangna, and BTS Bang Na. See the comparison table above for the full breakdown.

Is Bang Na good for families with children?

Yes, it’s one of the better areas in Bangkok for expat families. Several well-regarded international schools are in or near the district, along with private hospitals, dentists, vets, and kid-friendly attractions like Pororo Aqua Park and Mega Harborland.

Does Bang Na flood?

Parts of it can. Much of the area sits on flat, marshy land near the Chao Phraya river, so some sections are more flood-prone than others. Check a flood-risk map for the specific street before committing to a purchase.

How far is Bang Na from Suvarnabhumi Airport?

Roughly 20 to 25 kilometres, or about 25 to 30 minutes by car, traffic dependent. It’s one of the closer central-Bangkok-adjacent neighbourhoods to the airport.

Do I need a car to live in Bang Na?

Not strictly, if you live close to BTS Bang Na or Udom Suk. But if you live deep inside one of Bang Na’s many housing estates (moo baans), a car makes life considerably easier. Buses, motorbike taxis, and ride-hailing apps cover the gap otherwise.