Thailand forum

Hi again Andy,
I completely agree that Khao San Road itself is to be avoided. But there are lots of other areas in Bangkok where you can meet other travellers.

Actually, Bangkok is such a major arrival and departure point for travellers that you'd probably meet people regardless of where you stayed - any inexpensive guesthouse in the town centre will probably be half-full of backpackers.

I know a lot of people who stayed around Soi Rambutri and Santichaiprakan park - it's still very much a backpacker ghetto but 5 minute's walk from Khao San and less full-on and in-your-face. You might want to stay there for a couple of nights, as you're guaranteed to meet a lot of backpackers in the guesthouses, bars and restaurants, and you might find the westernisation of the area an easier way to get your feet wet and slip into Asia. Despite what some will undoubtedly say about the Banglamphu area not being "authentic" Thailand, there's nothing wrong with giving yourself some time to acclimatise, especially if it's your first trip and you're feeling nervous! Saying that, if you do decide to stay in that area, and are going to be based in Bangkok for a while, I'd suggest that you only stay a few nights before you move out of the tourist ghetto - for a start the food will be better!

Other options include Chinatown (for more budget accommodation) and Silom (for mid-range hotels - although I've found mid-range hotels are harder to meet people in, the people you do meet tend to be older so it's useful if you yourself are an older traveller). I'd avoid Sukhumvit as a female.

Hope that helps.