Khao San Road is one of the most famous streets in Bangkok. This is largely due to the 2000 film “The Beach.” The street is well-known for being packed with young, western tourists. In the past, this street was a residential area. Travelers came to the street for cheap accommodations with local Thais. As more and more tourists discovered the area, guesthouses starting popping up everywhere. Today the street is filled with countless guesthouses, restaurants, tuk tuks, street stalls and bars.
Staying Here
The main reason that travelers venture to Khao San Road is that they are looking for a party. The road is an easy place to meet other travelers to drink with. As such, it is not ideal for those who want to get a good night’s rest. The area is very noisy and does not quiet down until around 4 AM. For this reason, most people choose not to stay on Khao San Road itself. A good alternative is to stay on Rambuttri Street. This street is much quieter and close enough to walk to Khao San Road.
Scams
Due to the high number of tourists on the road, the area is known for its scams. One popular trick is the infamous tuk tuk scam. Tuk tuk drivers take tourists to numerous jewelry stores before they deliver them to their destination. They do this to get kickbacks from the stores. The end result is that it can take tourists hours to get where they need to go. Travel agencies and guesthouses also operate a few scams. The best way to avoid these scams is to do your research before going to Khao San Road.
Anyone who is visiting Bangkok should see Khao San Road at least once. Those who enjoy the atmosphere may decide to stay on the road or come back at a later date. For most people though, one visit will be enough.
