Thonglor is one of those neighborhoods where everyone wants to live but nobody wants to pay the premium. So what happens when you find a condo that sits just one soi away from the action, costs significantly less, and still gives you walkable access to everything Thonglor is famous for? That's exactly the pitch behind Plus Sukhumvit 57, a mid-rise condo by AP Thai that quietly delivers solid value for renters who know where to look.

I've walked through this building multiple times and talked to tenants who've lived here for years. Here's my honest take on whether Plus Sukhumvit 57 deserves a spot on your shortlist.

Location: Almost Thonglor Without the Thonglor Price Tag

Plus Sukhumvit 57 sits on Sukhumvit Soi 57, which connects directly to Sukhumvit Road. BTS Thong Lo station is roughly a 10 minute walk, and you can also reach BTS On Nut in about the same time heading the other direction. That puts you between two of the most useful stations on the Sukhumvit line.

The soi itself is relatively quiet compared to the madness of Thonglor's main drag. You've got a 7 Eleven within a two minute walk and several local food stalls along the soi that serve proper Thai meals for 50 to 70 baht. For groceries, Tesco Lotus on Sukhumvit 50 is a quick motorcycle taxi ride away, and the Big C at On Nut is just one BTS stop down.

Here's a scenario that sums it up well. A friend of mine works at a creative agency on Thonglor Soi 13. She rents at Plus Sukhumvit 57, takes a motorcycle taxi to the main road for 15 baht, hops on the BTS for one stop, and she's at her office door in under 20 minutes. Her rent? About 40% less than what her colleagues pay living directly on Thonglor.

The Building and Facilities: Functional, Not Flashy

Let's be real. Plus Sukhumvit 57 is not a luxury condo. It's an eight story building completed around 2013 by AP Thai, a developer known for practical, well-maintained projects. The lobby is clean but simple. There's no grand chandelier or concierge desk with someone in a suit greeting you.

What you do get is a decent rooftop pool with city views, a basic but usable gym, keycard security, and CCTV throughout the building. The common areas are well kept, which tells you the juristic person management is doing their job. Parking is limited, so if you have a car, check availability before signing anything.

I once visited a tenant on the 7th floor who pointed out that the hallways are wide and well lit, which sounds like a small thing until you've lived in one of those narrow, dimly lit corridor buildings near Ekkamai. It makes a difference when you're coming home late.

Unit Sizes and Rental Prices: Where the Value Really Shows

Units at Plus Sukhumvit 57 come in studio and one bedroom layouts. Studios run around 23 to 26 square meters, while one bedrooms sit closer to 30 to 35 square meters. These aren't huge spaces, but the layouts are efficient and most units come with a separate kitchen counter area, which is a nice touch for a building at this price point.

Rental prices typically fall between 10,000 and 16,000 baht per month depending on the floor, furnishing, and whether you're dealing directly with the owner or going through an agent. A fully furnished one bedroom on a mid-floor with decent views can usually be locked in for around 13,000 to 15,000 baht. Compare that to a similar unit in a Thonglor branded condo where you'd easily be looking at 20,000 to 28,000 baht.

A young couple I know moved here from a studio in Ideo Morph 38, which is a great building but was stretching their budget at 18,000 per month. They found a one bedroom at Plus Sukhumvit 57 for 14,000 baht, gained an extra room, and started saving enough to actually enjoy Thonglor's restaurants instead of just living near them.

Who This Condo Works Best For

Plus Sukhumvit 57 hits a sweet spot for a specific type of renter. If you're a young professional, a remote worker, or a couple on a moderate budget who wants to be close to Thonglor and Ekkamai without burning through your salary, this building makes a lot of sense.

It's also popular with Thai professionals in their late 20s and early 30s who work in the Sukhumvit corridor. The building has a calm, residential vibe. You won't find rooftop parties or a revolving door of short-term tourists here. That stability is actually a selling point for many long-term renters.

If you need a large space, a bathtub, or resort-style amenities, this isn't your building. But if you prioritize location value and a clean, quiet place to come home to, it punches well above its weight class.

Things to Watch Out For

No review is complete without the honest downsides. The building doesn't have a shuttle to the BTS, so you're walking or taking a motorcycle taxi every time. During rainy season, Soi 57 can get a bit flooded near the Sukhumvit end, so waterproof shoes are your friend from June through October.

Some units face neighboring buildings closely, which means certain lower floor rooms don't get much natural light. If this matters to you, specifically request a higher floor unit facing the less obstructed side. Also, the gym equipment is basic. If you're serious about fitness, budget for a nearby gym membership at somewhere like Jetts on Thonglor.

Plus Sukhumvit 57 won't wow you with Instagram-worthy amenities, but it delivers where it counts: affordable rent, solid location, and a quiet living environment right next to one of Bangkok's most desirable neighborhoods. For renters who care more about smart budgeting than building prestige, it's one of the better picks along this stretch of Sukhumvit. If you want to compare current listings and prices at Plus Sukhumvit 57 or similar condos nearby, check out superagent.co to search with filters that actually make sense for how people rent in Bangkok.