Welcome to Khaosan Road, the infamous party street in Bangkok Thailand! While it may not be as wild as prior years, Khao San Road still draws in travelers and backpackers from all over the world. So is Khaosan Road worth visiting? Here’s what to know about this legendary area of the capital so you can decide for yourself!
History of Khaosan Road
Before bars and hotels took over the streets, Khaosan Road was known as a meeting point for travelers. It was actually a place to find other like-minded backpackers to plan your trip through Southeast Asia! This was before the digital age of google and certainly before travel blogs like ours.
The street is still packed with tourists, but over the past 15 years it has transformed. These days, Khaosan Road Bangkok has gone through its own highs and lows.
At one point it was gaining unwanted international attention for being seedy and unsafe. Although we saw some of this on our visits to Bangkok in the past decade, what we found recently is something between.
The city of Bangkok has been trying to improve Khaosan Road and that is clear! It has now become somewhat of a mix of present and past. During the day there are shops, tuk tuks, and stalls filling the busy streets. However, at night it turns into a pedestrian only walking street where people still come to party and let loose.
Where is Khaosan Road?
Khaosan Road is located in downtown Bangkok not far from the Grand Palace. The area is still popular with backpackers and there are plenty of hostels and budget accommodations. One of the easiest ways to get to Khao San Road to to flag down a tuk tuk and cruise through the busy streets of the capital city.
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8 Things You’ll Find on Khao San Road
1. Loud Music: Honestly LOUD doesn’t even do it justice. The ear piercing, head throbbing, party vibes, make it impossible to focus on anything else.
2. Massages: At night Khaosan Road turns into an endless sea of foot massages. Not kidding…!
3. Drinking: This is the premier party street in Bangkok, so you can imagine the scene. With discos and bars flowing onto the streets it seems as if almost everyone has a drink in hand. We’re not trying to scare you away! More just preparing you for what to expect.
4. Ping Pong Shows: Just a friendly reminder a Thai Ping Pong show is NOT some friendly game of table tennis. You will be asked multiple times if you want to see one while strolling around.
5. Street Food: Food carts are all over Bangkok, and there are no shortage of them on Khao San Road. There will be endless options for delicious Thai food with more and more carts coming out as the night goes on. Check our post about our 40 favorite Thai dishes!
6. Khaosan Night Market: They sell everything here! When the sun goes down the whole street basically turns into one big night market. From Elephant print pants to Chang beer tanks, and so much more.
7. Bugs: If you’re trying to branch out and try new things then Khaosan Road is the spot to do it. Scorpions on a stick, platters of spiders, and bugs are widely available for consumption!
8. Marijuana: Thailand just legalized weed and it’s easy to see that on Khaosan! Many bars have it out for display and even the hostels advertise it for purchase.
Is Khaosan Road Worth Visiting?
Khaosan Road Bangkok certainly isn’t for everyone. However, it can be a fun spot to grab a cold beer and take in this crazy side of the city. If you plan to go to Khaosan during the day you can expect a street that is buzzing with cars and tuk tuk’s. Yet, this is not much different from other areas of the capital.
Are you looking for the more wild and exciting Khao San Road experience? Then you’ll want to visit after dark! The street get shut down to passing cars, bars open up, and the area comes alive.
Personally, we thought it was fun to walk through and see Khaosan Road. It was especially interesting to see the recent changes and updates they’ve made. While you still have the hostels and backpacker scene, it’s less of a free for all then in years past.
Still, there is so many amazing things to see and do in Bangkok that if you don’t make it here it’s not a big deal. You can always save it for your next trip to this massive city!
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Ultra Luxury – JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok – Enjoy all the best luxury amenities right in the heart of Bangkok! JW Marriott offers the 5 star experience with a spa, epic city views, and an award-winning steakhouse.
Central Location – Riva Surya Bangkok – Sitting along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, this boutique hotel puts you in the perfect spot to explore the capital. Enjoy a unique stay while still being close to all the action of Bangkok.
Chinatown – Ago Hotel – Charming Boutique hotel just a quick walk away from all the action of Chinatown! Enjoy a traditional breakfast and the lively lounge area with music on the weekends.
BTS Skytrain – Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam – Sitting in the center of Bangkok’s famous Siam shopping district, the Holiday Inn is a great place to lay your head after a day of exploring. Take in the views of the National Stadium from your room and its convenient location next to the BTS Skytrain station.
Budget Travel – VIX Bangkok at Victory Monument – Awesome and affordable option for travelers visiting Bangkok. Comfortable rooms and close to many great food options.
Hostel Stay – Once Again Hostel – Fun hostel in Bangkok’s bustling Old Town. Dorms of all sizes available and it’s walking distance to many of the famous temples. You can even make some new friends at the rooftop bar!
Was Khaosan Road worth visiting for you? Let us know in the comments below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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Thailand Travel Planning
Transportation: While traveling through Thailand 12Go is where we find all our ferries, trains, buses, and transfers! You can find everything from island hopping speed boats to the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide to find activities all over Bangkok! You can find everything from a James Bond island luxury sunset cruise, to Phuket Old Town 15-taster food adventure, and 5-hour island tour!
Flights: We always find our cheap flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we found flights from Bangkok to Phuket for $12 USD, and Thailand to Vietnam for less than $50!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without protection. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
Thanks for all the tips! I’m so excited about all the street food. That’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy a new place. Since it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I’m splurging and decided to go with the JW Marriott for that extra touch of luxury. Can’t wait!
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Enjoy your trip! JW Marriott will be amazing