Khao San Road

Khao San Road is Bangkok's central road for cheap hostels, overpriced bars, and scammy shops. It's the center of the city's backpacker culture. I'm always dismayed to see guide books and travel blogs recommend Khao San Road. It's a wonderful place to visit... if your idea of a good "cultural experience" is watching drunk backpackers stumble down the street.

Right now, there are no tourists due to COVID-19, and Khao San Road is quiet and mostly empty. The government has talked about trying to give the grungy old road something of a facelift as they try to structure the Thai tourist industry to appeal more to higher-end tourists rather than backpackers.