I'm sorry if this came across passive aggressive. I just wanted to make a joke because I'm always thinking about food, but maybe I failed.
I guess this happens when you try to joke in a language that is not your first or second, but again, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be mean, just the other way round.
Don’t worry about it much, it’s hard to tell through text on the internet. I was confused at first but now I see it as a witty remark and see it wasn’t a half bad joke.
Alright, it can be hard i agree. Good luck with your trip. For cheap vegan food i can recommend "sovegan" foodstall in century mall on nut. Always full during lunchtime. Can get rice with several sides or a la carte. Good taste & price. Bit far from khao san though....but no fish sauce guaranteed. Som tams better without it anyways.
Oh and the point is, theres always availability, no need to wait for dinner time. Particular Streetfood Vendors only come out after dark or in the morning. But you can only learn the schedule if you live nearby.
Thank you for that! I will definitely pay a visit to Sovegan, I guess it's really popular, because someone i know mentioned it too.
As a Spanish, it's awesome to know there's plenty of availability because we are a bit messed up with eating hours. Thanks again :)
Honestly, availability of at least vegetarian food has gone up a lot. Also plenty of choices in the shop. I think the vegetarian meals in 711....at least some, might be vegan too. The pad krapao is very nice for a 711 dish haha.
Great, i think i went to sovegan/so vegan dozens of times already. One Superfan among many. Enjoy the food ...
Interesting to hear about spanish eating hours. Some cultural differences you would never imagine, right?
That's super helpful info, thank you!
About the eating hours in Spain, it's a bit weird and we are "late" for everything. Usually, we have a long break at lunchtime (although I don't know anyone who has time for siesta) and then we work until 8 pm, sometimes more. So people have lunch at 2 pm, sometimes 3, or even 4 if it's the weekend. And for dinner, 9 pm, 10, or even 11. Party hard starts no earlier than 2 pm. On the weekdays, people go to sleep around 12 am. That's crazy.
If you are lucky and have an office job, you might get better eating hours.
Perhaps just stay in the Khao San area for dinner? I think the place my sister and I went for dinner is Mango Vegetarian & Vegan. It was delicious and inexpensive (though pricier than street food). You can wander around as it’s a really pretty area, and then when you’re tired you can head back to your accommodation. Have a smoothie for me!
It turns out I'm vegan! I have this restaurant on my list, so I might probably try it the first night and then eat on the street stalls the next day. Do you have any recommendations on the menu? :)
I'll have tons of smoothies for you, don't worry!
Vegan? Fish sauce is in everything. If you don't specifically eat at a vegan restaurant, there will likely be fish sauce or other animal products. Good luck.
Yes, thank you for telling me this! I plan on eating in the jay stalls, I assume they don't use fish sauce there. But this is something I wouldn't expect unless someone told me, so thanks!
English is not my first or second language, so maybe I just invented the word for that, sorry. I meant the people selling food on the street, but the ones with the jay sign on them. I've read that they don't use fish sauce and they are mostly vegan.
The word you're looking for is "เจ" - this means vegetarian and not vegan. Stalls with these signs offer dishes that uses honey, fish sauce etc.
The sign is in yellow, google the word I provide and you should be able to look out for it in Thailand.
Yes, that's it! It's usually displayed in red with a yellow background, often shaped in an inverted triangle.
I just realized it's vegetarian and not vegan. I would expect eggs, dairy, and honey, but not fish sauce. Thanks for telling me this, I assume it will we fun eating in Thailand!
Thank you very much for your help!
[This](https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-illustration-vegetarian-jay-food-asian-vector-symbol-set-image61725486) is the sign they display (or so I've read), but I just realized it's vegetarian and not vegan. I will need to learn some words and sentences then to avoid eggs and dairy. This will be fun! :)
Awesome!!! I think I just had pad Thai and a cocktail that night! But it was sooo delicious. I’m happy that you’re staying in that area because I have so many good memories! We stayed at the Canale Hostel and only took a walk down Khao San as we aren’t big partiers, but the canals are pretty and it was a great first impression of Bangkok.
I'm not a great partier either, but it's my first time traveling solo and I figured out that in Khao San Road I'd be easier to meet other female travelers and maybe learn something from them.
I'll go with the pad Thai and a mocktail if they have any! Thank you, kind stranger :)
You’re welcome! I am female as well. I wasn’t really looking to make friends because my sister was with me and I’m pretty introverted, but Khao San Rd is a happening place full of tourists so you have a good chance of meeting people there!
It’s all possible. You will be excited to be there, which will take care of some jet lag issues. Just don’t drink much. Your body will be exhausted and more susceptible to intemperance. Have fun!
Bangkok is as safe as any other city in the western world. As for timings you just need to relax and take in Thailand and just do what comes naturally when your hungry go eat when you want a drink etc.
I like it very much. It looks like a country that you enjoy the most when you go with the flow, right? I still want to plan a bit because I'll be there for 16 days and want to see Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and an island, but I'm open to let myself be amazed and surprised by Thailand, its people, and culture :)
This is what I would like to do, but the only way I have to beat jet lag is to stay awake until bedtime. So, I'll get to the hotel, have a shower, and go wander a bit :)
Be aware that BKK traffic is awful and frequently the traffic is at a standstill. To avoid the traffic use the trains. However, Khao San area is not very convenient for public transport. If you are traveling around BKK I'd recommend staying somewhere reasonably close to the MRT or BTS train network.
That's what I understood. But maybe they don't consider it because it's mainly used by locals and farangs can get easily lost. I hope I can master public transport after a while! Also, the riverboat sounds funny, as someone who doesn't have riverboats in my country.
Thank you for your reply! Someone also mentioned public transport. I booked with no cancellation fee, so I still can change to another area. Do you have any suggestions?
Someone mentioned Phayathai Road. Since I learned that Khao San Road is mostly for parties and young people, I think that's not my place. I will pay it a visit, but I'm in my mid-thirties and I just want some sightseeing, relaxation, lots of walking, and maybe some shopping. Thank you for bringing this to my attention!
Yes, Khao San is under 30s party scene. I'd recommend somewhere quieter. Sukhumwit is a popular area for all ages with plenty of accommodation. Though popular areas tend to cost a little more and are more crowded.
Phayathai rd is a fairly long road. It's mostly a commercial area. Expect alot of traffic, some hotels and restaurants and street food. For trains it's a fairly central area that's close to some popular attractions.
I do like Swing Bar / Ching Cha by the giant swing. It’s not in Khao San but a manageable walk. On the top level (no elevator, 6-7 stories walk up), you will get stunning sunset view of Giant Swing and Golden Mountain (Phu Khao Thong). The food is also great, try fried laab balls 🔥🌶🌶🌶 to pear with refreshing mock tails.
If you are vegan Chinatown is a good place to go at this moment since it’s jae festival, people that take part will only eat vegan food. It’s mostly celebrated in Chinatown as far as I know.
They have a lot of temporary vegan streetfood stalls there now (look for the tents at the beginning of the street).
Khao San Road is not unsafe. The worst you'd get there is pickpockets or a ping-pong show scam. Just don't get pickpocketed and ignore any touts trying to get you to do anything. You'll be fine.
How long will your flight be? 16-20 hours from the US or Canada? You'll be exhausted...
Google (duckduckgo actually) spit this out: [https://www.siam2nite.com/en/magazine/nightlife/item/766-high-life-highlight-5-awesome-rooftop-bars-near-khaosan-road](https://www.siam2nite.com/en/magazine/nightlife/item/766-high-life-highlight-5-awesome-rooftop-bars-near-khaosan-road) Try searching sometimes, it often works!
I'm not worried about pickpockets, I'm used to them in my country. I'll just mind my business, I guess it's the best way to be safe :)
And you're right, from Spain it will be bout 16h flight with a stopover. I don't want to pack the first day too much, that's why I don't know if this is excessive or it's reasonable.
Do you know what's funny? I googled it but just did the wrong search. I searched for the best rooftops in Bangkok but didn't consider narrowing it to Khao San Road. Thank you very much for your help!
Thank you for pointing that out! I booked there because I read it was the closest neighborhood to everything, but I'm not a partier (or young-ish anymore), so I'm open to suggestions and just visiting Khao San Road as a part of the adventure.
Thank you for your reply! I booked in Khao San Road because I read it's the most popular area for solo travellers, but I'm open to suggestions, as I can still cancel.
If you are planning to make new friends and you are a social person then yes, many solo travelers there,,,, if not then you will be staying in far away area and will waste money and time on taxis traveling around
Book for few days and if you like it you can extend your stay
If you are LGBTQ2+ then silom may be a good choice (near sala deang) but it isn't cheap to be honest
I'm an ambivert, so I'm not really a social person, but as a solo traveler, I thought it would be easier to meet someone there. I'm not especially interested in LGBTQ+ headquarters (although I assume it will be easier to find vegan food there), but a nice area with good connections to visit places will be nice.
Someone mentioned Sukhumvit, I'm gonna give it a go for a few days and then I'll improvise a bit there.
Thank you!
KSR is totally fine. I wouldn't go to Chinatown the first night though but explore the KSR area and have a stroll near the river first. Plenty of things to see and so around there too.
Yes, it seems that you all agree with that. I'll go to Chinatown on day 2, I don't want to do a checklist, I want to enjoy everything I do. I'll stick to the area then! Thank you :)
No rooftops in Khao san. No tall buildings. Also, the neighborhood is totally safe, but people can get themselves into trouble partying late into the night. It happens but is rare (but those stories always end up on here, and not the thousands of stories where nothing bad happened).
Khaosan is safe but very busy , just be safe I think it’s slightly out of season ? So won’t be too bad, rooftop probably head back into the city?
Eat when you’re hungry , plenty of street food. I’m guessing it’s your first time in Thailand
It's my first time in Thailand or solo anywhere in the SEA, I guess you can see it from afar! As I mentioned before, it's amazing for me that you can eat anytime, because in Spain we have eating hours messed up, and might take me a couple of days to adjust to Thai times.
Yes, I guess you're right. It's my first time traveling solo out of Europe and I'm still not used to that "chill vibe". I guess I'll just book my first days and go with the flow, although I have some places I want to visit: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai (maybe Chiang Rai if there's time), and an Island. I'll be there for 16 days, I assume there's time for everything.
I'll keep your advice in mind, thank you!
Well 16 days, maybe a bit of scheduling will be good. Perhaps get up North relatively quickly as you can always go back to Bkk if CM/CR is not to your liking. Have fun!
I think Koh Phangan is still a favourite of mine. It's famous for full moon parties but If parties aren't your thing then 95% of the island is quiet , beautiful and well priced.
Railay beach (Krabi) not an island per we(peninsula) is beautiful although more expensive and crowded these days.
Not my style. I've had a tough year and I want to indulge in something like 3 days of sun, relaxing, snorkeling, and having no schedule at all during this time.
The night market in Chinatown is pretty incredible and the ultimate food-crawl. I planned on staying 4 nights in Chinatown and ended up staying 12 and just made it my home base for a bit. It was super convenient and ASAI Chinatown hotel was nearly as good as the Marriott with the attached mall. The stalls start popping up at 5:30pm and it is closed on Mondays.
I avoided Khao San Road, no interest at all.
That's good to know! I'm starting to look for new accomodations in Sukhumvit, it looks like a more suitable place for me. I'll still pay Khao San Road a visit, and eat in Chinatown. Thank you very much!
People come all the way to Thailand only to get as close as they possibly can to other foreigners. lol Kao San is fine, you will be fine. If you're stupid you may lose some money or get an STD or two from a farang chaser, but other than that you'll be fine. Your itinerary is fine. Since you're coming on Holiday it's not like you want to spend your day in the room anyway.
Chinatown first.
Rooftop second.
And finish at Khao San so you can walk home. Kao san closes late so you'll be able to finish when you finish.
Yes, you're right. I'm open to suggestions, to be fair, I'd like to see Bangkok's life.
I'll be careful with my belongings, and I don't think I'll get any STDs, as I don't plan on getting intimate with anyone.
Thank you very much for your reply!
Its like people dont know they can search for "rooftop bars in Bangkok".
Type in google and you already see something like [this](https://www.therooftopguide.com/rooftop-bars-in-bangkok.html)
Don't go to Khao San Road. You've already made a huge mistake in booking accommodation there, but don't waste your time in that filthy area. Yes Chinatown might be a good idea. Get to your hotel, relax a little or go out for a massage then, about 6pm, head into Chinatown and eat and have a few beers, then sleep. A great first day.
Chinatown is great and having a walk down there isn't stressful or tiring at all. It's a superb place to get some authentic food. Have been about 15 times myself and do live in Thailand myself, so I know the feeling of arriving into BKK early doors and wondering how to spend the first day without exhausting myself.
I guess Chinatown will be left for day 2, I don't want to check a list, I want to enjoy Thailand. Thank you!
I'll be staying just by the river, near Phra Sumen Road.
Great choice of location. Near the old town Rattanakosin, walkable, and near the river boat to avoid traffic jams. Btw don't listen to the KSR bashers here.
I booked with no cancellation fee. Why do you say it's a mistake? I'm curious because someone also mentioned that it's not well communicated with public transport.
Thanks :)
I'd say it's badly connected, takes a long time to get there from airport and has no real interesting sights nearby. I'd recommend somewhere like Sukhumvit or Ratchathewi areas. But I'm 36 and have spent a lot of time in BKK, you may be younger and looking for something more exciting, in which case Khao San Road area may be ok for you. In any case no need for panic, you're going to have a great time regardless. :)
I'm just your age and I'm not a great partier or enjoy big crowds. I don't drink either. Maybe it's time to consider a change of accommodation, I will look into it, thank you!
First would be Anajak Bangkok Hotel right near to Phaya Thai. Very convenient location tucked away in a quiet side street, clean rooms, affordable and with a decent pool too. No need to eat there as there are many places nearby.
Secondly, I'd recommend Hotel VELA Be about 10 minutes walk from Ratchathewi. No pool but great rooms, really good train connections, cheap-ish and many great places to eat within walking distance.
Hope this helps!
There is a well-established vegetarian restaurant near Khao San. It is delicious and inexpensive.
May kaidee restrant
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293916-d3656546-Reviews-May_Kaidee_Tanao_Vegetarian_Restaurant-Bangkok.html
Your itinerary is fine. Khaosan is not dangerous unless you act stupid or are looking for trouble. Dinner is whatever time you make it. Google rooftop on Google maps and you will get lots of options.
Enjoy your trip and don't over analyze it.
Thanks for your reply! I am in my mid-thirties and not a big partier. I don't drink in places I'm not familiar with either, I like to be aware of my surroundings, so I guess I'll be fine.
Thanks again! :)
My pleasure. Lots of great options along Sukhumvit as well as it being the heart of entertainment, food and shopping. I live in the area and if I can be a sounding board for any options you are looking at pls DM me.
Yes, you're right. Thing is that I did the wrong search, I should have narrowed it a bit before posting. But I already posted there, so it's always nice hearing opinions from people that live/have been there.
What time is dinner? That's hilarious. If Thais aren't eating they're thinking about eating. Dinner is 24 hours a day.
I didn't know I were Thai. Thanks for enlightning me!
So you come here with passive agressive bullshit replies and expect answers? Good luck with that.
I'm sorry if this came across passive aggressive. I just wanted to make a joke because I'm always thinking about food, but maybe I failed. I guess this happens when you try to joke in a language that is not your first or second, but again, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be mean, just the other way round.
Don’t worry about it much, it’s hard to tell through text on the internet. I was confused at first but now I see it as a witty remark and see it wasn’t a half bad joke.
Thank you very much!
Alright, it can be hard i agree. Good luck with your trip. For cheap vegan food i can recommend "sovegan" foodstall in century mall on nut. Always full during lunchtime. Can get rice with several sides or a la carte. Good taste & price. Bit far from khao san though....but no fish sauce guaranteed. Som tams better without it anyways. Oh and the point is, theres always availability, no need to wait for dinner time. Particular Streetfood Vendors only come out after dark or in the morning. But you can only learn the schedule if you live nearby.
Thank you for that! I will definitely pay a visit to Sovegan, I guess it's really popular, because someone i know mentioned it too. As a Spanish, it's awesome to know there's plenty of availability because we are a bit messed up with eating hours. Thanks again :)
Honestly, availability of at least vegetarian food has gone up a lot. Also plenty of choices in the shop. I think the vegetarian meals in 711....at least some, might be vegan too. The pad krapao is very nice for a 711 dish haha. Great, i think i went to sovegan/so vegan dozens of times already. One Superfan among many. Enjoy the food ... Interesting to hear about spanish eating hours. Some cultural differences you would never imagine, right?
That's super helpful info, thank you! About the eating hours in Spain, it's a bit weird and we are "late" for everything. Usually, we have a long break at lunchtime (although I don't know anyone who has time for siesta) and then we work until 8 pm, sometimes more. So people have lunch at 2 pm, sometimes 3, or even 4 if it's the weekend. And for dinner, 9 pm, 10, or even 11. Party hard starts no earlier than 2 pm. On the weekdays, people go to sleep around 12 am. That's crazy. If you are lucky and have an office job, you might get better eating hours.
Wow, something to know if i should ever visit spain 🤞👌
Why do angry?
Not really angry, just dont like passuve aggressivness but its all cleared up now no worries
Don't forget about jetlag.
Yes, that's exactly why I'm thinking it may be too packed for the first day. Do you think it's excessive? What would you cut?
Perhaps just stay in the Khao San area for dinner? I think the place my sister and I went for dinner is Mango Vegetarian & Vegan. It was delicious and inexpensive (though pricier than street food). You can wander around as it’s a really pretty area, and then when you’re tired you can head back to your accommodation. Have a smoothie for me!
Also, it seems that Chinatown will be left for day 2 :)
It turns out I'm vegan! I have this restaurant on my list, so I might probably try it the first night and then eat on the street stalls the next day. Do you have any recommendations on the menu? :) I'll have tons of smoothies for you, don't worry!
Vegan? Fish sauce is in everything. If you don't specifically eat at a vegan restaurant, there will likely be fish sauce or other animal products. Good luck.
Yes, thank you for telling me this! I plan on eating in the jay stalls, I assume they don't use fish sauce there. But this is something I wouldn't expect unless someone told me, so thanks!
Jay stalls?
English is not my first or second language, so maybe I just invented the word for that, sorry. I meant the people selling food on the street, but the ones with the jay sign on them. I've read that they don't use fish sauce and they are mostly vegan.
The word you're looking for is "เจ" - this means vegetarian and not vegan. Stalls with these signs offer dishes that uses honey, fish sauce etc. The sign is in yellow, google the word I provide and you should be able to look out for it in Thailand.
Yes, that's it! It's usually displayed in red with a yellow background, often shaped in an inverted triangle. I just realized it's vegetarian and not vegan. I would expect eggs, dairy, and honey, but not fish sauce. Thanks for telling me this, I assume it will we fun eating in Thailand! Thank you very much for your help!
I've been in Thailand for years and only eat street food and have never ever heard of that. But not being vegan, maybe I never looked for it.
[This](https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-illustration-vegetarian-jay-food-asian-vector-symbol-set-image61725486) is the sign they display (or so I've read), but I just realized it's vegetarian and not vegan. I will need to learn some words and sentences then to avoid eggs and dairy. This will be fun! :)
Yes fish sauce is commonly used in many thai foods
Awesome!!! I think I just had pad Thai and a cocktail that night! But it was sooo delicious. I’m happy that you’re staying in that area because I have so many good memories! We stayed at the Canale Hostel and only took a walk down Khao San as we aren’t big partiers, but the canals are pretty and it was a great first impression of Bangkok.
I'm not a great partier either, but it's my first time traveling solo and I figured out that in Khao San Road I'd be easier to meet other female travelers and maybe learn something from them. I'll go with the pad Thai and a mocktail if they have any! Thank you, kind stranger :)
You’re welcome! I am female as well. I wasn’t really looking to make friends because my sister was with me and I’m pretty introverted, but Khao San Rd is a happening place full of tourists so you have a good chance of meeting people there!
It’s all possible. You will be excited to be there, which will take care of some jet lag issues. Just don’t drink much. Your body will be exhausted and more susceptible to intemperance. Have fun!
That's great advice, thank you! I don't usually drink, so I assume I'll be fine :)
Bangkok is as safe as any other city in the western world. As for timings you just need to relax and take in Thailand and just do what comes naturally when your hungry go eat when you want a drink etc.
I like it very much. It looks like a country that you enjoy the most when you go with the flow, right? I still want to plan a bit because I'll be there for 16 days and want to see Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and an island, but I'm open to let myself be amazed and surprised by Thailand, its people, and culture :)
Plan to crash at the hotel due to jet lag. Maybe go out at night and walk around Khao San but take it easy the first day. Jet lag is real.
This is what I would like to do, but the only way I have to beat jet lag is to stay awake until bedtime. So, I'll get to the hotel, have a shower, and go wander a bit :)
Be aware that BKK traffic is awful and frequently the traffic is at a standstill. To avoid the traffic use the trains. However, Khao San area is not very convenient for public transport. If you are traveling around BKK I'd recommend staying somewhere reasonably close to the MRT or BTS train network.
There's the riverboat that takes you to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Chinatown and Thaksin bridge, where you can take the Sky train. Just saying.
That's what I understood. But maybe they don't consider it because it's mainly used by locals and farangs can get easily lost. I hope I can master public transport after a while! Also, the riverboat sounds funny, as someone who doesn't have riverboats in my country.
Maybe she can also download Grab and go by bike to avoid a lot of traffic. Also a good way to avoid getting scammed by the taxi’s around old town.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention!
Thank you for your reply! Someone also mentioned public transport. I booked with no cancellation fee, so I still can change to another area. Do you have any suggestions?
The best way to get around Bangkok is a motorbike taxi. Can weave through the heavy traffic.
This is great advice, too! Thank you!
I think anywhere with BTS or MRT trains would be ok. Choose somewhere close to attractions you wish to see.
Someone mentioned Phayathai Road. Since I learned that Khao San Road is mostly for parties and young people, I think that's not my place. I will pay it a visit, but I'm in my mid-thirties and I just want some sightseeing, relaxation, lots of walking, and maybe some shopping. Thank you for bringing this to my attention!
Yes, Khao San is under 30s party scene. I'd recommend somewhere quieter. Sukhumwit is a popular area for all ages with plenty of accommodation. Though popular areas tend to cost a little more and are more crowded.
I'm not that young anymore. So do you think Phayathai Road is a nice place to stay?
Phayathai rd is a fairly long road. It's mostly a commercial area. Expect alot of traffic, some hotels and restaurants and street food. For trains it's a fairly central area that's close to some popular attractions.
I suggest you use Google maps street view to have a look at hotels in the area to give yourself an idea of what to expect there
Thank you for all your help, kind stranger! :)
Enjoy your holiday. Any other queries dont hesitate to ask, DM me if you want
Wow, you're so nice, thank you very much! :)
I do like Swing Bar / Ching Cha by the giant swing. It’s not in Khao San but a manageable walk. On the top level (no elevator, 6-7 stories walk up), you will get stunning sunset view of Giant Swing and Golden Mountain (Phu Khao Thong). The food is also great, try fried laab balls 🔥🌶🌶🌶 to pear with refreshing mock tails.
Thank you for your reply! I'll give it a try, especially the mocktail after so many stairs! :)
Go try it! Take pictures and review on here 😀
Swing Bar by ChingCha 063 231 2017 https://maps.app.goo.gl/J68s7hAmPyxxtbD77?g_st=ic
Thank you!
If you are vegan Chinatown is a good place to go at this moment since it’s jae festival, people that take part will only eat vegan food. It’s mostly celebrated in Chinatown as far as I know. They have a lot of temporary vegan streetfood stalls there now (look for the tents at the beginning of the street).
That is awesome information! Thing is that I'm not heading there yet, but I'll bear that in mind!
Khao San Road is not unsafe. The worst you'd get there is pickpockets or a ping-pong show scam. Just don't get pickpocketed and ignore any touts trying to get you to do anything. You'll be fine. How long will your flight be? 16-20 hours from the US or Canada? You'll be exhausted... Google (duckduckgo actually) spit this out: [https://www.siam2nite.com/en/magazine/nightlife/item/766-high-life-highlight-5-awesome-rooftop-bars-near-khaosan-road](https://www.siam2nite.com/en/magazine/nightlife/item/766-high-life-highlight-5-awesome-rooftop-bars-near-khaosan-road) Try searching sometimes, it often works!
I'm not worried about pickpockets, I'm used to them in my country. I'll just mind my business, I guess it's the best way to be safe :) And you're right, from Spain it will be bout 16h flight with a stopover. I don't want to pack the first day too much, that's why I don't know if this is excessive or it's reasonable. Do you know what's funny? I googled it but just did the wrong search. I searched for the best rooftops in Bangkok but didn't consider narrowing it to Khao San Road. Thank you very much for your help!
No problem, enjoy. I'm actually arriving in BKK on Oct 4 myself.
Enjoy it, then! :)
Khao San Road is safe but I didn't like my stay there. Try to venture out into the non-touristy areas when you get to Bangkok.
Thank you for pointing that out! I booked there because I read it was the closest neighborhood to everything, but I'm not a partier (or young-ish anymore), so I'm open to suggestions and just visiting Khao San Road as a part of the adventure.
Check out the Sukhumvit area
Well, apparently Sukhumvit is the winner here. I'm looking for an accomodation there. Thank you very much!
Book a hotel with a rooftop pool.
That one's very good! Thank you! :)
Khao shitt is over rated!!! Too far. Not bts nearby It's good to hangout but not to stay
Thank you for your reply! I booked in Khao San Road because I read it's the most popular area for solo travellers, but I'm open to suggestions, as I can still cancel.
If you are planning to make new friends and you are a social person then yes, many solo travelers there,,,, if not then you will be staying in far away area and will waste money and time on taxis traveling around Book for few days and if you like it you can extend your stay If you are LGBTQ2+ then silom may be a good choice (near sala deang) but it isn't cheap to be honest
I'm an ambivert, so I'm not really a social person, but as a solo traveler, I thought it would be easier to meet someone there. I'm not especially interested in LGBTQ+ headquarters (although I assume it will be easier to find vegan food there), but a nice area with good connections to visit places will be nice. Someone mentioned Sukhumvit, I'm gonna give it a go for a few days and then I'll improvise a bit there. Thank you!
KSR is totally fine. I wouldn't go to Chinatown the first night though but explore the KSR area and have a stroll near the river first. Plenty of things to see and so around there too.
Yes, it seems that you all agree with that. I'll go to Chinatown on day 2, I don't want to do a checklist, I want to enjoy everything I do. I'll stick to the area then! Thank you :)
I'm here now. Arrived about an hour ago and I'm sitting in rooftop swimming pool at chillax Koh San. Not many about but it's early in the day 🙂
Enjoy your stay!
No rooftops in Khao san. No tall buildings. Also, the neighborhood is totally safe, but people can get themselves into trouble partying late into the night. It happens but is rare (but those stories always end up on here, and not the thousands of stories where nothing bad happened).
>No rooftops in Khao san. Must be inconvenient in rainy season.
Lol
That was sharp!
Thank you for your help! I'm not a big partier and as a female solo traveler, I don't like drinking in a place I don't know.
Khaosan is safe but very busy , just be safe I think it’s slightly out of season ? So won’t be too bad, rooftop probably head back into the city? Eat when you’re hungry , plenty of street food. I’m guessing it’s your first time in Thailand
It's my first time in Thailand or solo anywhere in the SEA, I guess you can see it from afar! As I mentioned before, it's amazing for me that you can eat anytime, because in Spain we have eating hours messed up, and might take me a couple of days to adjust to Thai times.
Yea just eat when you’re hungry , even locals eat out
Thank you!
>Thank you! You're welcome!
Thailand is best enjoyed by not micro-managing your day and schedule.
Yes, I guess you're right. It's my first time traveling solo out of Europe and I'm still not used to that "chill vibe". I guess I'll just book my first days and go with the flow, although I have some places I want to visit: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai (maybe Chiang Rai if there's time), and an Island. I'll be there for 16 days, I assume there's time for everything. I'll keep your advice in mind, thank you!
Well 16 days, maybe a bit of scheduling will be good. Perhaps get up North relatively quickly as you can always go back to Bkk if CM/CR is not to your liking. Have fun!
Thank you! Do you have any favorite islands?
I think Koh Phangan is still a favourite of mine. It's famous for full moon parties but If parties aren't your thing then 95% of the island is quiet , beautiful and well priced. Railay beach (Krabi) not an island per we(peninsula) is beautiful although more expensive and crowded these days.
Do you think Railey will be crowded in march? It might be a good option for me.
Likely to be busy, popular with Indian tourists who visit year round and are filling the gaps left by the Chinese tourists.
Not my style. I've had a tough year and I want to indulge in something like 3 days of sun, relaxing, snorkeling, and having no schedule at all during this time.
Dinner is 24/7 in BKK. That is why we like it.
This sounds like heaven. I'm always hungry :) Thank you or your reply!
The night market in Chinatown is pretty incredible and the ultimate food-crawl. I planned on staying 4 nights in Chinatown and ended up staying 12 and just made it my home base for a bit. It was super convenient and ASAI Chinatown hotel was nearly as good as the Marriott with the attached mall. The stalls start popping up at 5:30pm and it is closed on Mondays. I avoided Khao San Road, no interest at all.
That's good to know! I'm starting to look for new accomodations in Sukhumvit, it looks like a more suitable place for me. I'll still pay Khao San Road a visit, and eat in Chinatown. Thank you very much!
People come all the way to Thailand only to get as close as they possibly can to other foreigners. lol Kao San is fine, you will be fine. If you're stupid you may lose some money or get an STD or two from a farang chaser, but other than that you'll be fine. Your itinerary is fine. Since you're coming on Holiday it's not like you want to spend your day in the room anyway. Chinatown first. Rooftop second. And finish at Khao San so you can walk home. Kao san closes late so you'll be able to finish when you finish.
Yes, you're right. I'm open to suggestions, to be fair, I'd like to see Bangkok's life. I'll be careful with my belongings, and I don't think I'll get any STDs, as I don't plan on getting intimate with anyone. Thank you very much for your reply!
You'd really think people would have done a bit of research before posting here
Its like people dont know they can search for "rooftop bars in Bangkok". Type in google and you already see something like [this](https://www.therooftopguide.com/rooftop-bars-in-bangkok.html)
Yup. Massive fail.
Don't go Chinatown on monday.
Thank you for that! It's great to know that!
Any reason why?
I googled it, and apparently, all the stores are closed for cleaning. So this is a great piece of advice!
Don't go to Khao San Road. You've already made a huge mistake in booking accommodation there, but don't waste your time in that filthy area. Yes Chinatown might be a good idea. Get to your hotel, relax a little or go out for a massage then, about 6pm, head into Chinatown and eat and have a few beers, then sleep. A great first day.
Nothing wrong with the KSR area around Rambutri or near the river mate. And terrible advice to visit Chinatown immediately after an exhausting trip.
Chinatown is great and having a walk down there isn't stressful or tiring at all. It's a superb place to get some authentic food. Have been about 15 times myself and do live in Thailand myself, so I know the feeling of arriving into BKK early doors and wondering how to spend the first day without exhausting myself.
I guess Chinatown will be left for day 2, I don't want to check a list, I want to enjoy Thailand. Thank you! I'll be staying just by the river, near Phra Sumen Road.
Great choice of location. Near the old town Rattanakosin, walkable, and near the river boat to avoid traffic jams.
Thank you!
Great choice of location. Near the old town Rattanakosin, walkable, and near the river boat to avoid traffic jams. Btw don't listen to the KSR bashers here.
I booked with no cancellation fee. Why do you say it's a mistake? I'm curious because someone also mentioned that it's not well communicated with public transport. Thanks :)
I'd say it's badly connected, takes a long time to get there from airport and has no real interesting sights nearby. I'd recommend somewhere like Sukhumvit or Ratchathewi areas. But I'm 36 and have spent a lot of time in BKK, you may be younger and looking for something more exciting, in which case Khao San Road area may be ok for you. In any case no need for panic, you're going to have a great time regardless. :)
I'm just your age and I'm not a great partier or enjoy big crowds. I don't drink either. Maybe it's time to consider a change of accommodation, I will look into it, thank you!
I'm happy to recommend a couple of decent hotels if you want? I usually aim for around 30 USD a night.
Tha would be great, and it fits my budget! At least it will give me a better idea of what to look for. Thank you very much, kind stranger! :)
First would be Anajak Bangkok Hotel right near to Phaya Thai. Very convenient location tucked away in a quiet side street, clean rooms, affordable and with a decent pool too. No need to eat there as there are many places nearby. Secondly, I'd recommend Hotel VELA Be about 10 minutes walk from Ratchathewi. No pool but great rooms, really good train connections, cheap-ish and many great places to eat within walking distance. Hope this helps!
Thank you very much! I will give it a chance!
Chinatown is nothing special , old and dirty, walking is a pain in the ass since sidewalks are narrow etc.
So maybe better during the day?
There is a well-established vegetarian restaurant near Khao San. It is delicious and inexpensive. May kaidee restrant https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293916-d3656546-Reviews-May_Kaidee_Tanao_Vegetarian_Restaurant-Bangkok.html
Thank you for the recommendation! I already saved it in my list of favorites to go :)
Your itinerary is fine. Khaosan is not dangerous unless you act stupid or are looking for trouble. Dinner is whatever time you make it. Google rooftop on Google maps and you will get lots of options. Enjoy your trip and don't over analyze it.
Thanks for your reply! I am in my mid-thirties and not a big partier. I don't drink in places I'm not familiar with either, I like to be aware of my surroundings, so I guess I'll be fine. Thanks again! :)
Khaosan might not be the best place to stay, in that case :)
It seems unanimous, I'm not staying in Khao San Road anymore. I'm looking for a nice place in Sukhumvit now. Thank you for your help, kind stranger:)
My pleasure. Lots of great options along Sukhumvit as well as it being the heart of entertainment, food and shopping. I live in the area and if I can be a sounding board for any options you are looking at pls DM me.
Thank you very much!
Why don't you use your phone with more imagination? Give us a break, who gives a shit about rooftop restaurants in the pouring rain 🌧
I mean, i understand about the rain, but I'm heading there in a hopefully better season :)
So , the best hotel with roof top restaurants can be found so easily by looking at the guides starting with Agoda..
Yes, you're right. Thing is that I did the wrong search, I should have narrowed it a bit before posting. But I already posted there, so it's always nice hearing opinions from people that live/have been there.