Half a century ago, nobody would have the foresight to predict that the Silom-Surawong area, then a remote district with paddy fields around, would become the most important business and financial centre of Bangkok.

Today, from end to end, these two parallel streets are full of big blocks of multi-storey buildings, housing many banks, international firms, finance firms, insurance companies, export-import houses, hotels, airlines offices, restaurants, shopping arcades, department stores, and entertainment establishments. The two streets are busy not only in the daytime, but also in the evening, when people come out to eat, to meet business friends or to seek enjoyment.

There is a small area in this district which, for about 30 years, has been very well known to foreign visitors for its bars and nightclubs. Known as Patpong, this famous place offers various kinds of entertainment -- wine, beer, music, dancing, etc.
Another two parallel streets to the south of Silom Road -- Sathon Nua (North Sathon) and Sathon Tai (South Sathon) roads -- are also an important business centre. Along both streets there are a good number of big buildings of business firms, embassies, hotels and restaurants.
On Silom Road there are both skytrain and subway stations