Khaosan Road

If you want to take in the sights and sounds of Bangkok but you’re on a tight budget, this street offering bargain-priced souvenirs and clothes should be one of your first ports of call. And if you’re looking for a lively evening, Khao San Road is the ideal place to party into the early hours in bars that are buzzing with life and character. The road was featured in the Leonardo di Caprio movie ‘The Beach’, which helped popularise the region with young travellers.

The Khao San Road contrasts significantly with the ancient and majestic temples and palaces in its immediate vicinity. Far more akin to the bohemian streets of San Francisco, Khao San Road’s colourful and carefree atmosphere makes this a favourite haunt of backpackers and students. This exciting street is thronging with tourists, hawkers, tour operators, bartenders and tattooists, who together create a vibrant party atmosphere. By day, wander past shops and food stalls, and at night, prepare yourself for a sensory overload!

At night, Khao San Road is dripping with neon signs advertising inexpensive drinks, tours of Bangkok and accommodation. The atmosphere gets pretty lively, with passing motorists thinking nothing of sounding their horns loudly to express their displeasure at errant tuk-tuk drivers. Don’t come into Khao San Road with Western expectations; get ready to haggle for anything that you want to buy. Negotiating with hawkers, selling everything from clothes to tattoos, is all part of the authentic Bangkok experience.

Bars line the streets of Khao San Road, the perfect place to sink delicious Singha beers, or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, try some of the local cocktails. There are also numerous nightclubs where you can dance into the early hours.

Restaurants are plentiful, and as diverse as the crowds of revellers that pack the streets at night. Of course, there’s the delicious Thai food, with noodles and banana pancakes featuring prominently, but searing hot curries are another speciality of the region. Make sure that you make it completely clear if you’re not keen on spicy food.

Khao San Road is located in the Banglamphu district of central Bangkok. Access is easy, with public transport and taxis readily available. Come here whenever you like. This is the city that never sleeps!