Khaosan Road

Khao San Road featuring street performance, performance art and a city
This “anything goes” street is a hot spot for budget travelers who want to buy cheap clothes and souvenirs, people-watch or party all night.

Khao San Road stands in stark contrast to the majestic temples and palaces that surround it. The care-free vibe of this busy hub in Bangkok’s Old City (Rattanakosin) makes it a Thai icon for backpackers. The short street is packed with tourists, hawkers, tour operators, bartenders and tattooists. Daytime visits offer pleasant strolls past the shops and food stalls, but expect a sensory overload at night.

Alongside neon signs advertising cheap drinks, tours and accommodation, you’ll hear a cacophony of scooter horns, tuk-tuk engines and hawkers’ cries competing for your attention. Prepare to haggle for anything you want to buy. Hearing skilled hawkers pushing everything from clothes and jewellery to tattoos is all part of the fun.

Sit at a bar and share stories and cold Singha beers or cocktails with other travellers or head to a club for a night of partying. Food is as abundant and multicultural as the crowds that pack the street. You’ll find pad thai (thick noodles), Indian curries and banana pancakes. Just don’t forget to say “mai pet” if you don’t like spicy food.

Khao San Road’s history dates back to 1892, when Bangkok was established as Thailand’s capital. Its name means “milled rice.” For two centuries it was a quiet street. In the 1980s, travellers in need of budget accommodation began renting vacant rooms from the street’s residents. In 2000, the road was featured in the popular movie The Beach, spawning a rush of international fast-food and coffee chains that set up shop for the crowds of young travellers.

Khao San Road is located in the Banglamphu district of central Bangkok. Getting to Khao San Road is easiest by tuk-tuk or taxi. Alternatively, hop on a ferry or bus. There is a direct bus from the airport, an hour-long drive away. Come here any time you like this road never sleeps.

Reviews of Khaosan Road

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
107
" "5 - Excellent 33.4375%
4 - Good
112
" "4 - Good 35%
3 - Okay
67
" "3 - Okay 20.9375%
2 - Disappointing
23
" "2 - Disappointing 7.1875%
1 - Terrible
11
" "1 - Terrible 3.4375%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
15 Mar 2020

Travelling around Bangkok is so cheap and easy

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
26 Jan 2020

Great place to walk along, very diverse but very loud.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
4 Sep 2019

If you like to party, you could spend your whole holiday on this one road

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
31 Jul 2019

We went in the late afternoon at about 4pm. It was fab - it wasn’t busy at all and we had a lovely meal with quick service, and all the shops were open and ready for business! Might have a more exciting atmosphere at night but we just wanted to see it without it being impossible to move, which is what we’d heard.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
13 Jun 2019

no quiet walking around here. Every other step I find myself smiling and saying, "No thank you!" So we were glad we came to the end of the street and took a diffrent street to go back. To loud, to crowded, and to much pushing.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
10 May 2019

Absolutely mental, watch out for pickpockets and steer very clear of the ping pong shows unless there is a big group of you. It's very easy to get fleeced otherwise!

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