Living in Ekkamai: Rents, Food, Transport and Weekend Escapes

Ekkamai is the BTS stop between Thong Lo and Phra Khanong, and its rents land between the two as well. Step off the train and there’s a mall on one side and the bus terminal for Pattaya and Ko Samet on the other. Up one soi, a Danish craft-beer bar pours from 30 taps in a 1950s Thai house. And when the rain gets heavy, Sukhumvit Soi 63 floods.

Ekkamai (เอกมัย) is officially Sukhumvit Soi 63, a long road running north from Sukhumvit Road toward Phetchaburi Road.

Most expats stretch the name to cover everything around BTS Ekkamai, including the side sois numbered 2 to 12 and the bit of Sukhumvit Road on either side of the station.

The appeal is easy to explain. You get Thong Lo’s cafes, bars and BTS access one stop further east, and you usually pay a few thousand baht less for it.

Pattaya, Rayong and Ko Samet are a bus ride from the terminal beside the station, so a beach weekend starts without a taxi.

This guide covers where the area starts and ends, what a normal week here looks like, what it costs, where to eat and drink, how to get around, how it coped with the September 2026 rains, and who should (and shouldn’t) move here.

Disclaimer: Some links in this article go to our partners, and we may earn a commission if you use them. It costs you nothing extra, and we only recommend services we'd use ourselves. Read more in our Advertising Disclosure.

Get your FREE Thailand Cheat Sheet by entering your email below. The Sheet, based on our experience with living and working in Thailand for 10+ years, shows you how to save time and money and gives you the tools the thrive in Thailand.

Key Takeaways

  • Rents are at the upper end for Bangkok. One-bedroom condos near BTS Ekkamai mostly ask THB18,000 to THB36,000 a month, a few thousand less than a comparable building in Thong Lo (roughly THB25,000 to THB45,000).
  • Asok is 11 minutes away by BTS.
  • The Eastern Bus Terminal sits right by the station. Buses to Pattaya cost around THB130, and buses to Ban Phe (the pier town for Ko Samet) around THB170 to THB200.
  • Soi Ekkamai 10 has a community mall, a Mikkeller craft-beer bar and a Bib Gourmand khao chae restaurant within a short walk of each other.
  • Ekkamai stayed dry in the 2011 floods, but in September 2026 the city told small cars to avoid Sukhumvit Soi 63 after heavy rain.
  • Parks are the weak spot. The nearest big one is Benchasiri Park, two stops west.
  • The government has studied moving the bus terminal, but no date has been set.

Thailand Starter Kit Rating

How Ekkamai compares with 37 other Bangkok areas, scored out of 5.
Rent
Upper end
Compared with the rest of Bangkok.
Flood risk
Low
Dry in 2011. In 2026 Sukhumvit 63 flooded badly enough that the city told small cars to avoid it.
Transport
4/5
BTS Sukhumvit. By train: Asok 11 min, Siam 19 min, Silom 25 min.
Healthcare
5/5
Nearest international hospital: Samitivej Sukhumvit, with 8 within about 5 km.
Daily Life
Food
Soi Ekkamai has cafes, Japanese restaurants and street food, and Gateway Ekamai sits at the BTS.
Nightlife
Live music bars and clubs along Soi Ekkamai, a little calmer than Thong Lo next door.
Shopping
Gateway Ekamai and Big C cover the basics; department stores mean a hop to Phrom Phong.
Green space
There’s no park nearby, so most people take the BTS two stops to Benjasiri Park.
Fitness
Several gyms and fitness studios along Soi Ekkamai and in the newer condo buildings.
Culture
Bars with live music, but no museums, theaters or temples worth a visit without crossing town.
Expat community
Popular with expats who want Thong Lo’s lifestyle at slightly lower rents.
Good For
Families
Ekamai International School is on the soi, with Samitivej Sukhumvit and Camillian a short ride.
Remote workers
Plenty of cafes to work from and slightly lower rents than Thong Lo on the same BTS line.
Retirees
Hospitals are a short ride away, but soi traffic and flooding at the north end count against it.
Office commuters
Asok is about 11 minutes by BTS, but Silom and Sathorn take around 25.
Transport and healthcare scores are worked out from train times and distances to international hospitals. The other scores are our team’s judgment. Updated October 2026.

Where Ekkamai Is

Map of Ekkamai, Bangkok, with BTS stations, main roads, malls, hospitals, an international school and the nearest park
Ekkamai at a glance. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Ekkamai is the area around BTS Ekkamai (station E7) on Sukhumvit Road in Watthana district, where the Skytrain, a mall and a long-distance bus terminal sit within a few minutes’ walk of each other.

Its namesake road, Ekkamai Road or Sukhumvit Soi 63, starts at the Ekkamai Tai junction by the APAC Tower, across from the bus terminal.

Thong Lo is one BTS stop west and Phra Khanong is one stop east. Asok is three stops west. The south side of Sukhumvit Road around Soi 42 belongs to Khlong Toei district, and that’s the side the station’s southern entrance faces.

The side sois branch off Ekkamai Road, and the numbers climb as you head north. Soi 10 and Soi 12 hold most of the cafes, bars and small restaurants.

They’re 10 to 15 minutes’ walk from the station. In the hot season that walk is a sweaty one, so plenty of people hop on a motorbike taxi instead.

Soi 12 (Soi Charoenjai) is also home to Ekamai International School, so weekday mornings there come with a school run. Up near Phetchaburi Road at the far north end, the area blends into the Thong Lo and Phetchaburi side streets.

Pros and Cons of Living in Ekkamai

Rents are at the upper end for Bangkok, but Ekkamai costs a bit less than Thong Lo, and you pay for the saving with traffic noise and a train ride to the nearest proper park. For a lot of working people, that’s a fair swap.

Pros

  • Cheaper than Thong Lo: One-bedroom units commonly ask a few thousand baht less than a building of the same age one stop west. Same train line, smaller bill.
  • Mall at the station: Gateway Ekamai connects to the BTS by a walkway, so groceries, food courts and air conditioning are a few steps from the platform. The whole place has a Japanese theme.
  • Weekend escapes: The Eastern Bus Terminal is beside the station, so a Pattaya or Ban Phe bus needs no transfer.
  • Food and drink on Soi 10: A craft-beer bar, a Bib Gourmand restaurant and a community mall share one short soi.
  • Good BTS position: Asok, the MRT interchange, is three stops and 11 minutes away.
  • Hospitals nearby: Samitivej Sukhumvit and Camillian are both a short taxi ride.

Cons

  • Soi Ekkamai traffic: Ekkamai Road backs up at rush hour. Getting from Soi 10 to the station by car can take longer than walking.
  • Street flooding: The northern end near Phetchaburi and the mouth of Soi 63 flooded in the September 2026 rains.
  • Little green space: There’s no park inside the area. Your morning run starts with a two-stop BTS ride to Benchasiri Park.
  • Nightlife noise: Condos near Soi 10 hear the music on Friday and Saturday nights. Check which way the balcony faces before you sign.
  • Few fresh markets: Daily shopping runs through Big C and Gateway. The nearest big wet market is in Phra Khanong.
  • Not much culture: For museums, theaters and temples worth the trip, you’ll be crossing town.

What Daily Life Looks Like in Ekkamai

Daily life in Ekkamai runs on the BTS and Soi 10, with the train getting you to Asok in 11 minutes and the soi’s cafes and bars taking care of your evenings.

On a weekday morning you’re on the platform at BTS Ekkamai with the office crowd.

If your condo is up on Soi 10 or Soi 12, the motorbike taxi at the bottom of the soi beats any car, because Ekkamai Road backs up at rush hour. Expect to stand on the train.

Coming home, you grab groceries at Gateway Ekamai’s supermarket straight off the station walkway, or at Big C on Soi 63, open until 23:00.

Dinner is a walk up Soi 10. Much later, once the clubs close, the crowd drifts to Padthai Ekkamai for the THB150 river prawn pad thai wrapped in an omelet.

Saturday starts slow. Brunch and coffee at Ekkamai Mall can stretch into the afternoon, and by evening the garden at Mikkeller, on the same soi, is the obvious next stop.

A rainy Sunday is what Gateway’s food courts are for. For a run, it’s two BTS stops to Benchasiri Park.

Advertisement

Or leave town. Walk out of BTS Exit 2 to the Eastern Bus Terminal and pay around THB130 for Pattaya or THB170 to THB200 for Ban Phe, where the Ko Samet ferries leave.

The bill comes due in the rainy season. Heavy storms flood Sukhumvit Soi 63 (in September 2026 the city told small cars to stay off it), and on those nights the BTS and a short walk beat a taxi.

Ekkamai Cost of Living at a Glance

A one-bedroom condo near BTS Ekkamai mostly asks THB18,000 to THB36,000 a month. Where you land depends on the building’s age and how far you’ll walk to the station each morning.

ItemTypical cost
Studio, older low-riseTHB10,000 to THB15,000 a month
One-bedroom, mid-range buildingTHB18,000 to THB28,000 a month
One-bedroom, newer building near BTSTHB22,000 to THB36,000 a month
Two-bedroomTHB35,000 to THB65,000 a month
BTS single trip (network-wide range)THB17 to THB65
Bus, Ekkamai to PattayaAbout THB130
Ferry, Ban Phe to Ko Samet (Na Dan pier)About THB50 one way
River prawn pad thai at Padthai EkkamaiTHB150
Rough asking-rent ranges in Ekkamai from public listings seen in 2026, plus everyday costs; check current listings before you budget

These are rounded asking rents, and most landlords will negotiate. Electricity, water and common-area fees come on top. Our guides to the cost of living in Bangkok and condo rental fees cover the extras.

Accommodation in Ekkamai

Ekkamai housing is mostly condos, with the newest towers clustered by the station and along Sukhumvit Road and older low-rises deeper in the sois. There are a few walk-ups and serviced apartments too, and very few houses.

A mid-rise condo building with balconies in Ekkamai, Bangkok
A mid-rise condo in the Ekkamai sois. Smaller blocks like this sit away from the newer towers by the station.

Modern but Small Condos

A modern one-bedroom of 30 to 35 square meters near BTS Ekkamai rents for roughly THB22,000 to THB36,000 a month. Newer buildings such as XT Ekkamai and Rhythm Ekkamai Estate sit in the upper half of that range, with The Fine Bangkok Thonglor-Ekamai in between.

Single professionals and couples mostly end up here. You trade floor space for a pool or gym in the building and a short walk to the train.

Units usually come furnished, with a washing machine and a TV. Twelve-month leases are standard, and shorter ones usually cost more per month.

Luxury Condos

Two-bedroom units in Ekkamai’s premium buildings run roughly THB45,000 to THB70,000 a month. Park Origin Ekkamai and Mori Haus are the names that come up most in Ekkamai rental guides. Expect bigger layouts, a proper kitchen and a concierge.

Bigger, Older, Affordable Condos

Older mid-range buildings in Ekkamai, such as Noble Reveal and Life Sukhumvit 65, give you more space per baht. A 40 to 45 square meter one-bedroom can land between THB18,000 and THB28,000.

Some of these buildings have no gym, and the elevators can be slow when everyone leaves for work at once. View in person before you commit.

Townhouses and Gated Communities

Houses for rent in Ekkamai are rare. The few townhouses tucked into the sois mostly go to families or companies, and they don’t stay listed long. For gated villages and bigger gardens, look east toward Phra Khanong or out to Bang Na.

Budget Options

Budget studios in Ekkamai start around THB10,000 to THB15,000 a month in older low-rise apartments deeper in the sois. Expect a hot walk to the BTS and usually no pool.

For cheaper still, Phra Khanong and On Nut run lower on the same train line. Whichever you pick, read what to check before signing a rental contract first.

Dining Out in Ekkamai

Eating out in Ekkamai runs from small-hours pad thai on the main road to a Bib Gourmand khao chae restaurant up Soi 10.

Most of the interesting places are on Soi 10 and Soi 12. Gateway Ekamai covers the basics at the station when you can’t face the walk.

Street Food

Padthai Ekkamai, on the Soi 63 stretch, is where people end up when the clubs close. Time Out lists it as open into the small hours.

It singles out the river prawn pad thai, wrapped in an omelet, at THB150. The plain version with dried shrimp is the cheaper order.

Beyond that, the street food is thinner than in Phra Khanong, and that’s Ekkamai’s weak spot for eating. For a proper street-food row and a wet market, most residents ride one stop east.

Ekkamai’s best-known sit-down meals are on Soi 10 and in the mall at the station, and the most famous one needs a booking.

  • Khao (Ekkamai Soi 10): A Bib Gourmand pick in the Michelin Guide Thailand, known for khao chae, a summer dish of scented iced rice with side condiments. Time Out noted in April 2026 that it’s marking ten years and now serves ten condiments. The 2026 set was THB1,890 for two, and Time Out says to book ahead rather than walk in.
  • Gateway Ekamai: The Japanese-themed mall at the station has food courts, Japanese restaurants and fast-food chains. It’s the easy option when it’s pouring or you want air conditioning, and there’s a cheaper food court on the 4th floor.
  • Ekkamai Mall (Ekkamai Soi 10): A community space with cafes, restaurants, small shops and a haircut counter under one roof. Time Out picks out the (UN)FASHION Cafe, a vintage-style spot with Japanese loft touches.

Drinking in Ekkamai

The best-known bar in Ekkamai is Mikkeller Bar Bangkok, a Danish craft-beer house in a 1950s Thai house with a garden at 26 Ekamai Soi 10.

It has 30 taps. The brewery’s own site publishes the live tap list, so you can check what’s pouring before you leave the condo.

Ekkamai Mall is the other option. Time Out describes it as an all-day hangout that goes from coffee to cocktails, so a Saturday brunch there can easily turn into a Saturday night.

Want more? Thong Lo’s bar streets are one BTS stop away. Nights in Ekkamai run a little calmer than Thong Lo’s, and so do the rents.

Groceries in Ekkamai

Big C Ekkamai on Soi 63 and the supermarket inside Gateway Ekamai handle most grocery shopping in Ekkamai. For a wet market, with fish on ice and early-morning crowds, you go one stop east to Phra Khanong.

Fresh Markets

We couldn’t confirm a major fresh market inside Ekkamai. The closest big one is Saeng Thip Fresh Market in Phra Khanong, covered in our Phra Khanong guide. Plenty of Ekkamai residents ride the BTS one stop for it.

Supermarkets

Big C Ekkamai is at 78 Soi Sukhumvit 63, and a Yellow Pages listing gives its hours as 08:00 to 23:00 daily, late enough for the after-work run. Gateway Ekamai has a supermarket on the ground floor.

For imported goods and the big department-store food halls, take the BTS two stops west to Phrom Phong. Our Phrom Phong guide covers them.

The Eastern Bus Terminal and Weekends on the Coast

The Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai), beside BTS Ekkamai, is Bangkok’s departure point for buses to Chonburi, Pattaya, Rayong, Ban Phe for Ko Samet, and Trat for Ko Chang, which makes Ekkamai the handiest address in the city for a beach weekend.

Electric NEX Express buses parked at the Eastern Bus Terminal in Ekkamai
Electric NEX Express buses at the Eastern Bus Terminal. The terminal is a short walk from BTS Ekkamai, so you can start a beach weekend without a taxi.

It opened in 1960 as one of the city’s three long-distance terminals and is run by The Transport Company.

So your weekend starts a few meters from the BTS. Take Exit 2, walk past the motorbike-taxi stand, and you’re there.

The Eastern Bus Terminal building at Ekkamai, Bangkok
The Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai, a short walk from BTS Exit 2. Buses leave from here for Pattaya, Rayong, Ban Phe and Trat.

Buses From Ekkamai

Buses from Ekkamai reach Pattaya in about 2.5 hours for around THB130. These rough times and fares come from one third-party schedule:

DestinationTravel timeApproximate fare
Chonburi1.5 to 2 hoursAbout THB80
PattayaAbout 2.5 hoursAbout THB130
Rayong, Ban Phe (for Ko Samet)3 to 3.5 hoursAbout THB170 to THB200
Trat, Laem Ngop (for Ko Chang)5 to 5.5 hoursAbout THB270
Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) routes with rough travel times and fares from a third-party schedule, 2026; check at the counter before you travel

Times and fares drift, so ask at the counter. About ten companies run 29 ticket counters in the terminal.

Ticket counters for Ban Phe, Ko Chang and Pattaya buses at Ekkamai bus terminal
Ticket counters inside the Ekkamai terminal. Buy your seat here to Ban Phe for Ko Samet, or to Trat for Ko Chang.

Ko Samet

Getting to Ko Samet from Ekkamai means a bus to Ban Phe, then a ferry from one of the Ban Phe piers. Boats to Na Dan pier on the island cost about THB50 one way and take 40 to 60 minutes.

Tip: Check that your bus or minivan is going to Ban Phe, not just Rayong city. The island also charges a national park entry fee when you arrive, so bring some cash.

Allow four to five hours door to door, ferry included. For anything longer than a weekend, Rayong and Pattaya both have their own guides.

Will the Terminal Move?

The Ekkamai bus terminal has no confirmed closure or move date as of October 2026.

In February 2025 the transport minister ordered a feasibility study into moving the Mor Chit, Ekkamai and Southern terminals to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. The study also looked at leasing or selling the Ekkamai site.

For renters, it changes little for now. If the terminal goes, the weekend bus becomes a longer trip, though the land by the station could also be redeveloped.

The Soi 10 and Soi 12 Strip

Ekkamai’s other draw is the run of cafes, bars and community malls on Soi 10 and Soi 12, where an evening can start with coffee and end with a beer without a taxi in between.

Advertisement

Thong Lo is a short ride away, so the two areas share a crowd. Plenty of people live in Ekkamai and split their evenings between the two.

Ekkamai Mall, Mikkeller and Khao anchor the strip, with a handful of cafes and boutiques in between. It’s a big part of why the area works for young professionals and couples.

Transportation Options for Ekkamai

BTS Ekkamai on the Sukhumvit Line is the main way in and out of the area, and it gets you to Asok in about 11 minutes.

BTS Skytrain

BTS Ekkamai is station E7 on the Sukhumvit Line. Heading west, the next stops are Thong Lo, Phrom Phong and then Asok, where the MRT Blue Line crosses. Heading east, you reach Phra Khanong and On Nut.

Siam is about 19 minutes away and Silom about 25 minutes with a change. BTS fares in 2026 run from THB17 to THB65 depending on distance, after the switch to distance-based pricing in November 2025.

Airports

Suvarnabhumi Airport is about 42 minutes from Ekkamai, and Don Mueang is about 64 minutes. Our guide to Bangkok airport transfers compares the options and prices.

Motorbike Taxis

Motorbike taxis are the fastest way to reach Soi 10 and Soi 12 at rush hour, weaving past the cars stuck on Ekkamai Road.

You’ll find stands at the terminal entrance, near BTS Exit 2 and on Soi 63. Agree on the price before you get on.

Taxis and Grab

Meter taxis and ride-hailing apps work all over Ekkamai. Ekkamai Road jams at peak hours, though. Allow extra time, or ride the BTS to Ekkamai and finish the trip on foot or by motorbike taxi.

Buses

City buses serving the Ekkamai terminal area include lines 2, 25, 38, 40, 45, 48, 98, 184, 501, 508, 511 and 513.

Our guide to taking a bus in Bangkok explains how to pay and where to stop. For the bigger picture, see transportation in Bangkok.

Flooding in Ekkamai

Ekkamai’s risk of a big flood is low, and it stayed dry in the 2011 floods.

Street flooding is the bigger issue. Sukhumvit Soi 63 floods in heavy rain, and in September 2026 the city told small cars to avoid it. The mouth of Ekkamai Soi 3, by the pumping station, also collects water. These floods don’t last long.

So a big flood is unlikely, but expect wet streets after a storm. Our flood-free neighborhoods guide rates Ekkamai’s 2026 street flooding as moderate.

Tip: Ask the landlord where the car park drains and how the building did in September 2026. Higher floors and buildings on the main road tend to fare better than ground-floor units deep in a soi.

Healthcare in Ekkamai

The nearest big private hospitals to Ekkamai are Samitivej Sukhumvit and Camillian, both roughly 1 to 1.5 kilometers away. Our guide to private hospitals in Bangkok compares the main chains.

Hospitals

Two private hospitals sit within a short taxi ride of BTS Ekkamai, so a night-time emergency doesn’t mean crossing town.

  • Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital: On Sukhumvit Soi 49. It’s a 275-bed tertiary hospital with more than 400 specialists, plus interpreters and international patient services.
  • Camillian Hospital: At 423 Sukhumvit 55 (Thong Lo). Our Phrom Phong guide describes it as cheaper than the big chains.

Clinics

We couldn’t confirm a stand-alone clinic in Ekkamai. For a general doctor, the outpatient wings at Samitivej and Camillian are the practical choice.

Dentists

The Dental Clinic at Samitivej Sukhumvit is on the 4th floor of the Sukhumvit Wing.

It opens Monday to Saturday 08:00 to 20:00 and Sunday 08:00 to 17:00, and says it can provide dentists who speak English, Japanese and German. For lower prices, see our guide to dental work in Thailand.

Veterinarians

We couldn’t confirm a specific vet in Ekkamai, because the sources we found named different clinics on Soi 63. Our Bangkok veterinarians guide is the place to start, and call ahead for hours.

International Schools in Ekkamai

Ekamai International School, at 57 Ekamai 12 (Soi Charoenjai) off Sukhumvit 63, is the main international school in Ekkamai. It runs kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school sections, and it follows an American curriculum.

There are also several British-curriculum preschools and kindergartens within a kilometer of the BTS. Check each school’s own site before you rely on its curriculum or fees.

Bangkok Adventist International School is a short ride east. Its own site gives the address as Pridi Banomyong 41, Sukhumvit 71, which puts it in Phra Khanong. For fees and a full comparison, see our international schools in Bangkok guide.

Parks in Ekkamai

Ekkamai has no major park of its own, so an early-morning jog means a two-stop BTS ride west to Benchasiri Park at Phrom Phong.

Benchasiri covers about 11.6 acres between Sukhumvit Soi 22 and 24, and it’s open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Our Bangkok parks guide lists the bigger options, including Benjakitti and Lumphini.

Other Standout Venues and Features

Gateway Ekamai and the Soi 10 community strip are the most useful extras in Ekkamai, and Gateway is the one you’ll lean on when it rains.

With its food courts, supermarket and covered walkway to the BTS, you can eat, shop and catch the train without an umbrella. Families also get a kids’ play area on the 4th floor.

Most things you need are one soi away, and there isn’t much to sightsee.

Ekkamai vs. Thong Lo vs. Phra Khanong

Ekkamai sits between Thong Lo and Phra Khanong on the BTS, and its rents and nightlife sit between them too. Thong Lo costs the most and has the busiest nightlife. Phra Khanong costs the least.

FeatureEkkamaiThong LoPhra Khanong
Position on BTSE7One stop west of EkkamaiOne stop east of Ekkamai
One-bedroom rentTHB18,000 to THB36,000 a monthTHB25,000 to THB45,000 a monthTHB11,000 to THB30,000 a month
Evening sceneCalmer; Soi 10 and Soi 12Busiest bars and restaurantsW District, local bars
Everyday shoppingGateway, Big CMalls and supermarketsMarkets, Makro and Tops
Best forYoung professionals, couples, nomadsBigger budgets, nightlife firstValue-first renters
Ekkamai, Thong Lo and Phra Khanong compared, with rough asking rents from public listings and our own guides, 2026; check current listings before you budget

Which one fits depends on what you’re optimizing for:

  • The Thong Lo scene on a smaller budget: Ekkamai.
  • The lowest rent: Phra Khanong.
  • Department stores and parks nearby: Phrom Phong, or Thong Lo, which is getting its own guide soon.

Should You Live in Ekkamai?

Ekkamai suits young professionals, remote workers and couples who want Sukhumvit life, Soi 10 dinners included, without Thong Lo prices.

  • Young professionals: The BTS gets you to Asok in 11 minutes, and you can walk to dinner on Soi 10 and Soi 12.
  • Nomads: There are plenty of cafes and condos with fast internet. We didn’t verify specific coworking spaces.
  • Couples: Rents fall between Phra Khanong and Thong Lo, and there’s a mall at the station.
  • Families: There’s a school on the soi, but traffic is heavy and parks are far. It works for families happy in a condo who don’t need a garden.
  • Retirees: Hospitals are close, but street flooding and busy sois count against it, so it’s only a fair fit.

It’s a better fit for people who go out than for homebodies. You’ll also need patience for the rush-hour crawl on Ekkamai Road, or a motorbike-taxi habit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to rent in Ekkamai?

A one-bedroom condo in Ekkamai mostly asks THB18,000 to THB36,000 a month, and a studio in an older low-rise starts around THB10,000 to THB15,000.

Two-bedroom units run roughly THB35,000 to THB65,000. These are rough asking rents from public listings seen in 2026, so check current listings before you budget.

What is the nearest BTS station to Ekkamai?

BTS Ekkamai (E7) on the Sukhumvit Line is the station for the area. Thong Lo is one stop west and Phra Khanong is one stop east. Exit 2 leads to the bus terminal and Exit 4 to Gateway Ekamai.

Does Ekkamai flood?

Ekkamai stayed dry in 2011, but its streets flood in heavy rain. In September 2026 the city told small cars to avoid Sukhumvit Soi 63. Ask any landlord how the car park held up.

Is Ekkamai good for families?

Ekkamai suits some families. Ekamai International School is on the soi and Samitivej Sukhumvit is close. Traffic and the lack of parks count against it, so many families look at calmer areas.

Is Ekkamai safe?

We found no published crime figures for Ekkamai, so we can’t give you a number. The main roads and Soi 10 stay busy and well lit into the evening. Use the same big-city care at night you would in Thong Lo.

How do I get from Ekkamai to the airports?

Suvarnabhumi is roughly 42 minutes from Ekkamai and Don Mueang roughly 64. Taxi, Grab or a BTS-and-rail combination all work. Our airport transfers guide has the current options.

How do I get to Pattaya from Ekkamai?

Buses to Pattaya leave from the Eastern Bus Terminal beside BTS Ekkamai, cost around THB130 and take about 2.5 hours. Check departure times at the counter.

How do I get to Ko Samet from Ekkamai?

Take a bus from the Ekkamai terminal to Ban Phe, which takes 3 to 3.5 hours and costs around THB170 to THB200.

Then catch a ferry from Ban Phe to Na Dan pier for about THB50. Make sure the bus is going to Ban Phe, not Rayong city.

Is Ekkamai cheaper than Thong Lo?

Ekkamai is usually a few thousand baht a month cheaper than Thong Lo for a similar one-bedroom. Rough asking rents run THB18,000 to THB36,000 in Ekkamai against THB25,000 to THB45,000 in Thong Lo.

Sources Cited

Move to Thailand Without the Rookie Mistakes

Get our free Thailand Cheat Sheet: straight-talking recommendations for the essentials of settling in, sent to your inbox.

  • ✓Which visa to get (and why to skip visa runs)
  • ✓The health insurance and hospitals to actually use
  • ✓Banking, money transfers, and the best exchange rates
  • ✓Finding a place to rent without overpaying
  • ✓Plus language, work, and where to shop

Free. We'll also send a short series of expat guides. Unsubscribe anytime.

Photo of author

Thailand Starter Kit creates free guides for anyone looking to work, live, retire, study, or start businesses in Thailand. Feel free to reach out with suggestions and article requests.

Sponsored
Questions About This Article?
Please post them in our Reddit community at /r/expatden.