Date: January 20, 2023
Yesterday, I most spent my time photographing famous Buddhist temples — first Wat Saket, and later Wat Arun. Today, after finishing my work, I decided to visit yet another popular Bangkok destination I had yet to explore — the famous Khao San Road.
After that I decided to take the BTS.
I got down at Chit Lom BTS station, walked through Gaysorn Village mall, and reached Pratunam Pier.
You can watch a video I made about my visit to Wat Saket, to get an idea about the canal boat ride:
The boat taxi is the quickest and cheapest way from Sukhumvit to the Old Bangkok quarters. You can take the canal boat taxi to the stop for Wat Saket, and just walk a kilometre to get to Khao San Road.
Since I have seen enough temples like this in Thailand, I didn’t feel like exploring it. Instead, I began my walk towards Khao San Road.
Even when I first visited Bangkok back in 2009, I contemplated staying in Khaosan Road. This popular stretch became a hub for backpackers from all over the world. But once I realized how bad traffic in Bangkok is, and the fact Khaosan Road has no easy access to a metro station, I always end up staying in the Sukhumvit side, near a BTS or MRT station.
Just like the rest of Bangkok, the legalization of marijuana has resulted in vendors springing up everywhere.
There are only a few hostels left right on Khaosan Road now. Post-COVID, even some hotels are yet to recover.
Khaosan Lady Hostel, Marcopolo Hostel, Phra Nakhon Poshtel, and 7 Holder Guesthouse are all backpacker-friendly budget accommodation right on Khaosan Road.
But do note — Khaosan Road can get very noisy at night. A lot of loud music is played at the bars and night clubs here.
Just a warning about these alligator meat stalls. Given the shock value, you would naturally take a photo — but the stall owners don’t like it. So some of them will demand money to take photos or videos, especially if you aren’t going to buy the meat to try. If you want to take just a photo, offer 20 Thai Baht or something.
As much as I wanted to stay until sunset and see what the party scene of Khaosan Road was like, I had to move on. It’s nice I finally got to see Khaosan Road but clearly this stretch has changed. It’s no long the backpacker hub it once was. During COVID, Khaosan Road got a makeover too.
Just like many popular places in Thailand, touristy activities and heavy commercialization follow, and that has changed Khaosan Road into yet another tourist zone in Bangkok.
Still, there’s still fun to be had at Khaosan Road, and a kilometre or two away are Bangkok’s iconic attractions — the Grand Palace and The Reclining Buddha, and the Chao Phraya river. So it’s not a bad area to stay in.
Here’s a walkthrough I recorded, if you wanted to get an idea about vibe of Khaosan Road, before the loud music starts:
Previous posts in this series:
Thailand: Capturing Wat Arun at Sunset
Thailand: Hindu god shrines around Sukhumvit, Bangkok
Thailand: Siam Square Walking Street, a good place to find K-pop stores in Bangkok
