History of Sukhumvit, Bangkok

The history of Sukhumvit is synonymous with Thailand’s history of tourism. It started with a rural road connecting Samut Prakan to Bangkok.

Over the decades, it has grown into a sprawling, modern neighbourhood with towering high rises and an air of luxury where travelers to Sukhumvit and Sathon can easily rent cars. But how did it become the central district for Bangkok’s well-heeled residents?

Early Roots

Sukhumvit Road was first constructed in 1936. At the time, its sole purpose was serving as a quicker route to Samut Prakan, which sits just south of the modern Suvarnabhumi Airport. It was nothing more than a rural road through rice fields between two disconnected cities that previously required the use of Bangkok’s extensive canal network to reach.

After WW2, rice farming became less profitable, and wealthy Thais began purchasing the surrounding rice fields to build homes and businesses. They believed that the road would lead to something bigger, and the lucky few who purchased early were handsomely rewarded in the coming years.

Sukhumvit in the 1960s

With the Vietnam War in full swing, the United States partnered with Thailand to build and expand military bases across the country. Soon, American troops were everywhere. Being far from the fighting meant that Thailand became a haven where soldiers could relax after being rotated off the front line. Sukhumvit soon became ground zero for the city’s foreign and American population.

Thousands of young foreign soldiers wanting to spend their hard-earned American dollars were welcomed warmly and with open arms. Hotels, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs popped up all over the Sukhumvit area.

After the troops returned to the States, word spread about the Thai hospitality and low prices. As a result, tourism began to surge.

1970s and 1980s

Many tourists who visited Bangkok in the 1960s became long-term residents after falling in love with Thailand. The Thai government soon recognised the area’s importance as a foreign investment hub and established the modern Sukhumvit road by widening it.

The investment didn’t stop there. The government launched several development initiatives to bring more money to Sukhumvit. It was during this time that Sukhumvit began to develop its own mini-districts along the road. Entertainment plazas opened at a breakneck pace as the city continued to expand.

1990s

Investment across Asia skyrocketed in the 1990s. With cheaper long-haul flights and mass tourism came even larger numbers of visitors and business travellers. Bangkok as a whole and Sukhumvit in particular became heavily westernised during this time.

It was during the 1990s that Sukhumvit began to see high-rise construction truly take off. The city’s foreign residents and well-off Thais began snapping up luxury condos at a rate previously unheard of.

This led to a population explosion, which left local traffic difficult and gridlocked. As the government began to understand the scale of the problem, it proposed opening a mass transit skytrain, and construction commenced in 1992.

By 1999, the Skytrain was complete. It stretched for seventeen kilometres with twenty-three stations. With new and convenient public transportation, development continued to accelerate. Soon, hundreds of thousands more residents moved in.

Sukhumvit Today

Today, the district is well known as the foreign district of Bangkok. International schools, worldly cuisine, and western creature comforts are the name of the game.

Sukhumvit Road now has nearly fifteen shopping malls along its length, catering to a wide variety of international tastes for shopping and entertainment. Its endless side streets and alleys require some local, first-time urban exploration tips to fully discover.

As for the Sukhumvit district itself, the primary area extends between the Nana and On Nut Skytrain stations. Past this area, Sukhumvit is more colloquially known as Highway 3. It’s the primary highway running between Bangkok and the Cambodian border along Thailand’s southeastern coast, and is Thailand’s third-longest highway.

Explore Sukhumvit with Drive Car Rental

The best way to get around Bangkok is with a rental car from Drive Car Rental. We have offices across Bangkok and at both major airports to make renting a car a breeze. Rental options include SUVs, luxury cars, hybrids, electrics, and more.

Visitors planning to come during the high season from November to April are encouraged to book early to ensure the best selection and price. To save even more money, long-stay tourists, business travellers, and expats can take advantage of huge discounts by opting for a monthly or annual car rental!

History of Sukhumvit, Bangkok

Early Roots

Sukhumvit in the 1960s

1970s and 1980s

1990s

Sukhumvit Today

Explore Sukhumvit with Drive Car Rental

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