Ratchada Soi 4
For the more adventurous, this area can provide something of an insight into how young Thais like to have a good time and get plastered. The Soi, which was previously a second-hand car lot, and which even now sells cars during the day, comprises a cluster of about ten bars and pub discos patronised 95 percent by Thais but with just enough foreigners to make the visitor feel at ease.
This is not an area to go for a quiet conversation, nor even for a loud conversation. Live bands, like the ones found in Rad Pub or Baku Pub are selected not only for their musical talents but also for their ability to pump-up the decibel level.
Nor is this area a place to sit down. Many of the pubs have a few bar-stools but most patrons stand up at navel-high cocktail tables, and although a few places have a designated dance area most people jig around wherever they are standing.
Beer is good value, averaging Bt100 for Singha, or Bt80 for Chang; but a high percentage of people choose to drink and share a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red which sets them back about Bt900 including half a dozen bottles of Coke, soda water or Sprite.
The clientele is young, not as teenie as it was before the ID law started to be enforced, but the average age is probably not much higher than about 22, and in the early evening it looks like a lot less than that.. They are a lively crowd, mostly getting to and from the area in groups of three or four.
And although they are happy enough to see the occasional visitor, most of them are not looking to pick you up, that is, not unless you are a 20-year-old pop star or your name is Brad Pitt.
The Soi 4 pubs open around 9.30pm. Closing time in this zone is 2am or sometimes a bit later if enough people are still spending enough money to make it worthwhile staying open. Rad, Baku and Zaleng are among the best of the bunch, but they all have a live band or constant DJ music and, with the exception of Jow Chou and Pure Bar, they are all busy nearly every night of the week and they are all a lot of fun.
To get to Rachada Soi 4 by public transport take the MRT (underground) to Thailand Cultural Centre and use Exit 2. Soi 4 is a 400-metre walk from the exit. The BTS Skytrain doesn’t go anywhere near here.