How do you have fun in a city that shuts down at 1 am. Yes sad but true, Thailand stopped the all night parties and decided some time ago to close the majority of its bars at 1 am. This caused no end of dissension and people feared that Banging Bangkok had hit a bump and would cease to be the hot spot of fun that it used to be. No alcohol after 1 and it is enforced. How can this compare or compete with places like Hong Kong or even the up and coming Singapore. But even in the shorter hours it is still possible to have a lot of fun, so where do you go.

Well this has a number of answers, but the most obvious when you want to go parting in Bangkok are: Khaosan Road, Silom, Sukhumvit and Ratchadapisek. In truth there are many areas outside of these but this will keep you fairly occupied.

Khaosan Road – The neon lit home of the backpacker, student, traveler and still the occasional hippie. Frankly not what it used to be and unsure of where it is going, this area still hosts the majority of cheap accommodation guesthouses and is always busy and popular. To deal with its eclectic mix of visitors it has a mix of bars that will suit every taste and every pocket, whether it be sitting on the floor watching the world go by whilst you press a beer to your lips or sitting in one of the more refined bars such as the Silk bar.

The Khaosan also has it range of clubs, mostly electronic beats but a mixed variety of hip-hop and pop can also be found. There are also a number of live band performances at places such as the Brick Bar which may be more to your taste.

Silom – The CBD home of financial companies, law firms, multinationals and wannabes contains a darker side. This is the home of the world renowned, red light district of Bangkok, namely Patpong. Silom has a range of pubs and bars that offer a very European feel but if the urge is too much then venture forth into Patpong. Here you will find sleaze on the street, in a menu, on a card, in a DVD, in fact if you want it then they got it and regardless of whether you want it they will try to sell it to you. Always best to pay as you go here or you may find yourself in for a shock.

This area is also considered the most gay-friendly area of Bangkok, mainly around Soi 2 and Soi 4. Here the best known bars are the Telephone Pub and Balcony Bar, there are a mix of gay go-go bars and gay clubs such as G.O.D and the DJ Station.

Sukhumvit – This is very much a hub of expat entertainment. Generally you will find American bars or European styled waterholes. They normally sell a range of beers/drinks and snacks/meals in line with their theme which is generally in line with the nationality of the owner. Often they will have a pool table, or some type of entertainment and live music, closing time is normally around 1am.

Sukhumvit is also home to the more trendy clubs, soi 11 features the Q Bar and Bed Supperclub and there will occasionally be a world class DJ brought in for the party. More recently the area around Soi Thong Lor has had a rash of up and coming bars and clubs from Soi 55 to Soi 63 (Ekkamai).

For the shy and retiring there are two other main locations; the famous or perhaps more infamous Soi Nana (soi 4) and Soi Cowboy (soi 21). These bastions of virtue provide a range of go-go bars, girls, perhaps not girls, definitely not girls and not actually sure what that could be.

Ratchadapisek –This area of Royal City Avenue caters for a younger crowd and is much more popular area with Thais, designated as a nightlife zone this area can stay open till 2. Here it is always busy and on the weekend it goes into overdrive, but it is generally trouble free with security managing the crowds. The prices are a huge drop from the Sukhumvit area and you will often find a smattering of foreign faces enjoying the variety here. The clubs are gigantic not that this stops them getting crowded but there are often seating areas where you can go to escape the madding crowds. This area also plays host to the girls-only bar Zeta catering to the lesbian scene.

Ratchadapisek road itself plays host to a series of the biggest massage parlours you have ever seen such as the famous Poseidon and Caesars Palace.

On Ratchada Soi 4 you will find a packed group of bars, pubs and clubs where the prices are substantially lower than in many other places of Bangkok.

There are many other areas outside of the such as the ever popular Concept CM2 nightclub underneath the Novotel Siam Square hotel , but no matter where you go you are likely to have a great time and find that partying in Bangkok is not only still possible but amongst the best in Asia.