The short version
Bang Phlat is a broad riverside district with a local, residential feel that becomes more urban around the MRT. It is a sensible choice for someone who wants the west bank without paying for a polished central enclave, provided they accept that the district is stitched together by major roads rather than designed around strolling.
The useful distinction is between the Bang Phlat and Bang Yi Khan MRT surroundings and the quieter lanes towards the river and Bang Kruai. The former are easiest for daily shopping and onward travel. The latter can feel leafy and settled, but a short map distance may still mean a hot walk beside an unfriendly road.
Getting around
The Blue Line is the backbone. Bang Phlat and Bang Yi Khan connect the district to the old centre, while buses and taxis fill the gaps. Rama VIII Bridge and Borommaratchachonnani Road shape road journeys, so peak traffic matters. You can manage without a car near the stations; farther west, a motorbike taxi or car becomes part of ordinary life.
What gives it character
Bang Phlat is not a sightseeing district, and that is its advantage. Food shops, modest apartment buildings, workshops and canal side lanes make it feel lived in. The river is close in parts, but not every riverside road is a promenade. Look for the address with the best relationship to a station and local market, rather than assuming every part of the district shares the same convenience.
Would I live here?
Yes, if I wanted a quieter west bank base and did not need an expatriate scene at the front door. I would rent near the MRT first, then explore the smaller sois on foot before committing. Bang Phlat rewards practical expectations.