Khao San Road in Bangkok – 7 useful facts

7 useful facts about Khao San Road ถนนข้าวสาร:
(no declaration of love)

Useful fact Nr. 1
In the cafeteria of the University of Thammasat, there is good and inexpensive lunch with spectacular river views, from 15 baht.
 

Useful fact Nr. 2
There is good and cheap dinner at the Khao San Road end of the night market, from 25 baht. The nightmarket is located at Thanon Ratchini along the Khlong. There you can also find about anything, you can imagine …
 

Useful fact Nr. 3
You can find all the room rates for all hotels in Bangkok in a guidebook. It’s at the big tourist information at the river bridge Somdet. In February 2012, prices are starting from 100 baht per night.
 

Useful fact Nr. 4
Now, the yellow Krungsri bank also charges 150 baht fee on cash withdrawals. AEON Bank and Citybank remain free of fees:

• you can find AEON ATMs in supermarkets, for example on Thanon Chakrabongse, from the Khao San Road on the right and right-hand
• you can find Citybank ATMs in Citybank branches in the city

If you have a VISA card from DKB or comdirect, you can recclaim any withdrawal fees.
 

Useful fact Nr. 5
You shouldn’t keep any drugs in your pocket on Khao San Road. Greg and I have been searched through by the police independently at different places in Bangkok. This was the first police check on the trip around the world.
 

Useful fact Nr. 6
The following busses go to Khao San road:
2: Central World, Sukhumvit (24 hours Bus!)
3: Weekend Market
6
15: Central World, Silom, Saphan Taksin
30
32
42
53: Chinatown, Hua Lamphong Railway Station
64:
65
79: Central World
82: Wong Wian Yai Railway Station
509: Weekend Market, Northeastern Bus Terminal
511: Central World, Sukhumvit
516: Southern Bus Terminal
524: Weekend Market

7-8 Baht per ride

This is my own little cheatsheet, no claim for completeness or consistency. Effective 02/2012, source: Transit Bangkok
 

Useful fact Nr. 7
If the bus sounds too stressful for you, the easiest and most beautiful way to town is with the

• Chao Phraya Express boat on the river: from the pier behind the monastery, until 7pm, 15 baht
• Khlong boat on the Saen Saeb canal, from the fort behind the Democracy Monument, until 8:30pm, 10 baht

 

I enjoy writing about useless facts to express my love for a place. Today I write about useful facts, to express my mixed feelings about Khao San Road.

And let’s face it, most Khao San folks are in great need of useful advice! On the other hand, very few backpackers here are on a budget. They really spoil the prices …

I was in Bangkok for 2 weeks. Time flew by, but I finally have to leave for:

1. Chiang Mai
2. Pai
3. Laos
4. Cambodia