Frankly, there’s probably nowhere in the world that’s like Khao San Road. Once only a starting point for travellers on their way to somewhere else, Alex Garland’s book ‘The Beach’ (and subsequent movie starring Leonard Di Caprio) thrust Khao San into popular culture and created a worldwide media interest which lead to countless publications and periodicals running articles on the street. As a result, Khao San Road is now a travel destination in its own right with tens of thousands of backpackers and travellers descending on its hallowed tarmac on an annual basis. Whereas once Khao San Road was the solely the domain of the world’s peripatetic youth, business travellers, families, local Thais in search of some of Bangkok’s best entertainment and regular tourists all find a place here. As a result, with every creed, class and nationality on holiday here, it’s probably the most cosmopolitan place on earth!
How to get there: There are no MRT or BTS stations in the area, although you can take the BTS to Saphan Taksin BTS station and take a boat to Banglumpoo Pier. Getting there by taxi will cost around 80-90 Baht form the city centre – more at peak traffic times. Give your taxi driver this so he/she knows your destination.
Khao San Road written in Thai
The following buses will get you to Khao San Road:
Bus number: 2, 15, 39, 42, 44, 47, 59, 60, 68, 79
Air-conditioned bus number: 3, 9, 11, 39, 44,
Although it is their first choice, Khao San Road is not the only destination in Bangkok for those on a limited budget. Bangkok has countless guesthouses and budget hotels dotted around the city, and as Khao San Road becomes busier (and more commercial), the more intrepid venture out to find accommodation elsewhere. Below you will find a number of links providing information on what’s available for the budget traveller in Bangkok.
