Surely you’ve heard of Bangkok. You know, the capital, most populous, and arguably the most popular city in Thailand. Yep, I thought so!
And now you’re getting ready for an adventure of a lifetime in the Great City of Angels. Hopefully, you’ve already prepped a thorough list of top things to do in Bangkok, and maybe even an extensive itinerary on where to go, what to experience, and where to eat.
Today, let’s examine one of the last details you’ll need to take care of before booking your flight: The best areas to stay in Bangkok.
There are three areas that I highly recommend when staying in Bangkok. You’ll find that each offer affordable accommodation, eateries, shopping, and plenty of fun things to do. Hey, isn’t that what anybody wants when traveling?
Table of Contents
Chinatown
It just seems that Chinatowns are always great places to stay anywhere in the world. After all, they’re renowned for offering inexpensive lodging, cheap but mouthwatering food options, affordable shops, and usually some kind of captivating cultural decorations, landmarks, and attractions.
Bangkok’s Chinatown is no different. In fact, it’s the largest Chinatown in the world, so you can expect all that and then some. You’ll find the majority of the action takes place on Yaowarat Road. There, discover stalls dishing up some of the best food in the city, in addition to bars, museums (Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Center), and temples (Wat Traimit and Wat Mangkon Kamalawat).
Furthermore, Chinatown isn’t far from the city center and is close to most attractions (After all, Bangkok does have a metro). You can’t go wrong staying in the area.
Siam Square
Siam Square is a vibrant shopping and entertainment hub in Bangkok. You’ll find boutiques, street vendors, markets, department stores, and malls. It’s also home to an aquarium, wax museum, cinemas, culture center, and temples.
What’s more, expect visitors of all ages and backgrounds at Siam Square. You’ll find local high schoolers, college kids, foreign tourists, and much more.
If you’re a first-time visitor to Thailand and looking to stay in a busy area with affordable hotels, shops, entertainment, cultural attractions, and plenty of foreign faces, I highly recommend staying in Siam Square.
Khao San
Khao San is infamous for its bars, cheap massage parlors, shops, cafes, food joints, artistry, and affordable hotels. The strip is frequented by locals, expats, and tourists from early morning until, well, the wee hours of the morning the next day. Trust me, that cycle repeats daily.
With that, Khao San is one of the most happening nightlife areas in Bangkok. Whether you’re looking to grab drinks with friends or much on live insects in a live Instagram video, there’s a little bit of something for everybody to do in order to have a great time late at night.
Plus, Khao San is teething with low-cost to mid-range hostels and hotels, making it one of the best places to stay for budget travelers and backpackers.
What’s Next?
So there you have it—the best areas to stay in Bangkok, 2023 edition. Where do you think you’ll stay? Do you prefer a bustling cultural district like Chinatown, or are you interested in staying in the busiest hub in the city, like Khao San? Either way, you’re guaranteed to have a great time. Safe and happy travels!
