Deciding where to live in a new and chaotic city can be a daunting process for new UNESCAP interns. For instance, should you live near the UN or a short bus ride away? Which accommodation is more sociable and so on?
As a past UNESCAP intern, I was frequently being asked the same questions by new interns. Therefore, I decided to create this blog in order to help new interns make a decision about where to choose to live. The information on the following pages has been put together using the personal opinions and information provided by present and past interns, and in no way reflects the opinions of the United Nations.
The most common question which frequently comes up is ‘should I live near the UN or nearer the middle of Bangkok’ ?
Living near the UN:
Typically most interns choose to live in ‘Old Bangkok’ i.e. Samsaen area near the UN. There are numerous reasons for this, but primarily it is much more sociable, it is very close to the UN, and the area is great for those on a budget with lots of cheap food/massage/drinking establishments. The area has a really nice feel about it and is a bit quieter/more relaxed than around Siam.
Upon acceptance of your internship, HR should send you a list of accommodation options (click here to download the PDF). Most are located around the Samsaen area. The most popular accommodation options have been summarised in this blog and can be viewed on the map below.
Advantages of living near the UN:
- Very sociable with any interns staying in and around the area
- Cheap, great for those on a budget
- Near the Phanfa Klong Boat (canals into BKK) and the Phra Arthit boat pier (along the Chao Phraya River)
- Area offers all the amenities and facilities you need
- Likely to have several other interns staying in the same accommodation option as you
Disadvantages of living near the UN:
- Have to rely more on taxis to get into the centre, which can be frustrating especially at busy/rainy times
- If you have a long (6 month) internship, Samsaen area may get a little boring if you feel you have seen/done everything it has to offer
Living further away from the UN:
Those that live further from the UN tend to be Thai and so live with their families, have Thai friends that own condos and therefore can offer their friends affordable rates, or occasionally there may be a UN intern who has more professional experience or a family and thus chooses to be more independent and live elsewhere.
Bangkok is a huge city and there are so many places to choose from if you decide to live further away from the UN. Some of the most popular areas are around Ari, Siam and the Ratchathewi bts. One possible option is to live near the UN for the first 3 months or duration of your internship, and then move into the centre or a new area if offered a consultancy position. This way you get best of both worlds.
Advantages of living away from the UN:
- Near/on the bts line and thus offers more freedom to get around and explore BKK
- Much more cosmopolitan-type feel
- Some great condo apartments are available (with all the perks such as gyms and swimming pools) for prices that are comparable to those in the Samsaen area
Disadvantages of living away from the UN:
- You will need to use public transport to get to the UN which can be stressful/time consuming/unpredictable
- Fewer interns around
- Condos tend to be rented out on longer-term leases, e.g. 6 months or 1 year minimum. Finding somewhere that offers a shorter lease or is flexible may be more challenging
Website last updated August 2020
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