Banglamphu and Khao Sanบางลำพู

Feels:

Backpacker strip, bars and pad thai carts, old shophouses on the side streets

Suits:

Backpackers, budget stays close to the temples

Best time:

Late evening

Watch out for:

Sleeping on Khao San itself.

In short:

Walkable to the palace; loud on Khao San until late; no rail except the MRT at Sanam Chai 2 km away (check).Walkable to the palace; loud on Khao San until late; no rail except the MRT at Sanam Chai 1.2 mi away (check).

Think of Bangkok as two halves joined by the BTS and the river. West: the old city (Rattanakosin) with the palace and temples, then Chinatown, both along the Chao Phraya. East: Siam, Silom and Sukhumvit, where the malls, hotels and rail lines are. Plan each day on one side.

Lines from the Bangkok drinking guide that name this district.

• Khao San Road and Rambuttri · Backpacker bars, bucket drinks, live covers · until about 02:00–04:00Loud and cheap; watch your drink and your phone.

Markets and shopping streets from the Bangkok buying guide that name this district.

• Khao San Road and Rambuttri · T-shirts, souvenirs, fake IDs, bags · Afternoon to late night · haggling: hardHighest mark-ups in the city; the fake documents are illegal to buy.

• Khao San Road

• Khao San Roadday: oknight: caution

  Spiked drinks, bag snatches, fake-ID and 'bucket' touts; motorbike taxis racing the lanes.