BANGKOK — The Silom-Rama IV district has reached peak vibrancy with the opening of “Central Park,” Central Group’s newest shopping center, which launched on September 4. The mall attracted over 70,000 visitors on its opening day alone, reflecting not only Central Group’s strength but also the tremendous potential of prime real estate in the Silom-Rama IV area.
Silom: Bangkok’s Original CBD
According to Prachachat Business report, Silom stands as Bangkok’s traditional Central Business District (CBD), being one of the first three roads built in the capital. It serves as the financial hub with headquarters of major banks, securities companies, insurance firms, and numerous large corporations concentrated in the area.
Today, Silom has evolved into Bangkok’s “Super Core CBD” – a high purchasing power economic zone featuring over 40 office buildings and continuous development of mixed-use projects combining offices, retail, residential, and hotels. An estimated 700,000 people commute through the area on weekdays, with over 500,000 even on weekends.
According to CBRE Residential Transaction data from 2023, the investment potential of the Rama IV-Silom area is remarkable, with residential properties showing investment returns as high as 33.46% and compound annual growth rates of 13.68% – significantly higher than other Bangkok locations.
Central Hub Connecting Four Major CBDs
Beyond its inherent potential, Silom’s status has been elevated by mass transit systems including BTS and MRT, making it a central connection point to Bangkok’s other CBD districts:
- North: Links to Ratchaprasong, packed with office buildings and shopping centers popular with both locals and tourists, featuring BTS Green Line connections
- South: Connects to Charoen Krung Road, which is experiencing commercial expansion with routes extending to Thonburi
- West: Joins Yaowarat (Chinatown), where food, beverage, and hospitality businesses are flourishing, especially since the MRT extension opened with its characteristically classic stations attracting tourists
- East: Extends to Sukhumvit, dense with office buildings, shopping centers, and expatriate communities including Japanese residents in Phrom Phong and Korean communities in Asok
Retail War Heats Up
A key highlight and latest magnet in the Silom area is the collection of shopping centers, both established and newly opened. “Central Park” is the newest player, featuring 130,000 square meters of retail space with over 550 brands offering products, dining, and services. The center employs a new strategy leveraging the iconic Lumpini Park – a 360-rai green space.
Dr. Nathakitthi Tangpoolsintana, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Central Pattana Public Company Limited, explains that Central Park will integrate Lumpini Park’s green spaces, similar to Central Park in New York or Hyde Park in London. This includes synchronized activities in both Lumpini Park and the center’s own 7-rai sky garden, panoramic Bangkok skyline viewing points, a 750-meter jogging track, and spaces for art and cultural activities.
A major highlight already launched is the food zone, which opened on September 4, 2025, featuring restaurants making their Thai debuts, popular venues with new concepts, Michelin Guide establishments, and 70 renowned street food stalls.
Central Group revealed that Central Park’s opening day drew over 70,000 visitors, exceeding their targets.
Central Confident About Non-Impact on Other Branches
Central remains confident that this new branch won’t impact other nearby locations. Dr. Nathakitthi emphasizes that Central Park won’t affect CentralWorld, Central Chidlom, or Central Embassy due to distinct concepts and features: smaller-sized stores focusing on exclusive products available only at this branch, and a regular customer base from surrounding residential and office buildings who will spend entire days at the center – from morning workouts and breakfast to lunch, afternoon snacks, and nightlife.
The differentiation will be reinforced through activities including co-working spaces for events and weddings, as well as coordinated activities between the sky garden and Lumpini Park.
Battle for “One Bangkok-Silom Edge”
Besides Central Park, nearby mixed-use projects with strong retail components include One Bangkok, a collaboration between TCC Assets (Thailand) Limited and Frasers Property Holdings (Thailand) Limited, located on Wireless Road and Rama IV Road with underground connections to the MRT Blue Line. It opened on October 25, 2024.
The development features over 190,000 square meters of shopping space with over 900 stores across three zones: Parade (Shop-Play-Work-Eat across 85,000 square meters over 9 floors), The Storeys (35,000 square meters over 5 floors), and POST 1928 (luxury shopping across 40,000 square meters over 5 floors). It also includes a dining zone with over 250 restaurants from around the world.
Meanwhile, on Silom Road sits “Silom Edge,” another mixed-use project by Frasers Property (Thailand) Public Company Limited, part of the TCC Group. This project transformed the former Robinson Department Store at the corner of Silom and Rama IV roads under the concept “The New Sandbox Community in CBD.”
The 24-story building spans 50,000 square meters total, with 22,000 square meters of leasable space. The top 12 floors house 12,000 square meters of innovative office space, while 7 floors provide 10,000 square meters of retail space. It opened in 2022.
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