The lowdown
What once was only a quiet neighbourhood to the affluent of Bangkok, Ari, also known as Aree, has evolved into what some may describe as a hipster’s paradise. However, Ari hasn’t totally lost its roots, but rather blended well with the changes. Still home to a majority of government workers and high-society locals, Ari continues to charm those who are seeking a laid-back lifestyle in a happy community that offers easy conveniences and more traditional Thai culture than would be found in the city centre.
Ari is located in north Bangkok just off Phahonyothin Road, one of Thailand’s major roads that starts at Victory Monument and some 1,000 kilometres later arrives at the Burmese border. Set around Phahonyothin Soi 7, known locally as Soi Ari and not to be confused with the road of the same name off Sukhumvit, this trendy environment continues to grab the attention of expatriates that isn’t focused on a corporate shopping or a wild party scene. Soi Ari and Soi Ari One are alive day and night with street vendors selling food and daily markets selling clothes, shoes, toys. Today there are still many locals who will recount tales of when the main drag, Soi Ari, was framed by towering trees and vast fields.
On the Sukhumvit line of the BTS just 10 minutes from Siam, known as a shopping mecca and the only interchange station for the Silom branch of the BTS, Ari is also just two stops to Mo Chit for access to Chatuchak Market and bus connections to Don Muang Airport. There are countless buses running down Phahonyothin and many locals jump on a pushbike to get around the area.
Daily life
As Ari is home for many government employees and some of Bangkok’s elite, the community offers a more residential feel. There are many houses set behind gates in spacious gardens that in other areas of the city have been replaced with high rise condominiums. However, over the years high rise condominiums have started rising from the ground towering over the humble low rise apartment blocks to meet with the growing demand of Ari as a place to live.
Ari’s community mall at the footstep of Ari BTS station has a well-stocked supermarket, as well as other amenities including a kindergarten, pharmacy, hairdressers, book shop and more restaurant options for you could dream of. Pop up stalls are scattered around the ground floor of the mall, selling clothing, mobile phone covers and other items. During the cooler months, this area transforms into an outdoor beer garden by night complemented with live musician performances.
Fitness fanatics can be kept happy in the gym, at a yoga class, or in the small park at the end of Soi Ari that has a running track, outdoor gym and tennis courts. You can even go horse riding nearby at Royal Horse Riding Club at Sanam Pao.
Where to live
Most residents want to be as close to the BTS as possible so opt for accommodation on or off Soi Ari. Naturally these locations warrant higher price tags prices but there are endless options of accommodation between Phahonyothin Soi 5 and Soi 7, with a few options on the even numbered side of Phahonyothin too. Many of the high rise condominiums are situated on Soi Ari One, with smaller scale developments on Soi Ari Two and Three. There are numerous apartment buildings to choose from and a pick of varying styles of houses as well. You will probably even find people saying that they live in Ari for its status symbol, despite living in neighbouring Sanam Pao or Saphan Khwai!
Eating and drinking
Scattered across the community of Ari lies countless cafés, clothes boutiques, nail salons and quaint dessert stands. Coupled with the entrepreneurial mindset of Ari, endless new shops and dining shops are always popping up. It can be hard to keep up with all of Ari’s new flair!
Ari is particularly famed for its street food. The government workers are out at lunch to enjoy the food, and in the evening residents and people come from far to enjoy it. There is something for every taste and budget with Japanese, Western, burger joints, various styles of Thai, Vietnamese, Korean and French also on offer. Ari Samphan, which runs parallel to Soi Ari, has seen a lot of new additions of late. Welcoming new places to wine and dine, this as an area within Ari itself that is blossoming. Plus on top of all of this co-working spaces have emerged and Ari boasts a seriously cool bike shop come café.
Why should I live in Ari?
- Find an expatriate in Ari and you can bet your bottom dollar that they live there and aren’t a tourist. The locals recognise this so welcome you to the community with in a warm and welcoming manner.
- Ari has a never ending selection of trendy cafés to get your caffeine fix in. But equally it is home to some of the best street food if that tickles your fancy.
- The atmosphere is easy. It is a quiet retreat from the city centre and come the weekend you won’t need to leave as everything is on your doorstep.
