Khao San Road (Thai: ถนนข้าวสาร) is a short street in central Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the Banglamphu area of Phra Nakhon district about 2 km north of Chakrabongse Villas and The Khao San Road. The first business to open on Khao San Road was a small hotel aimed at serving civil servants from the provinces who came to Bangkok on business. The hotel was followed by Sor Thambhakdi, a shop selling monks' accessories. Four similar businesses moved in after, and Khao San became known as a "religious road".

Word soon spread about the easy lifestyle and friendliness of the locals. Friends told friends, and before long, the owner of the house started to charge 20 baht for food and lodging. The first commercial guest house, called Bonny, opened in 1982 with six small bedrooms.

In the span of just a couple of blocks, there are bars, food stalls, restaurants, convenience stores, pharmacies, internet cafes, money changing booths, ATMs, shoe stores, massage parlors, tailors, travel agencies, laundry, boxing gyms, optometrists, endless warrens of suspiciously discounted designer clothes.

The chaos has spilled over to the entire area, including Soi Rambuttri, which features little bars and restaurants that are starting to spill out onto the sidewalk; Phra Athit Road, with its colonial-style mansions and small palaces; and Samsen Road, a quiet neighborhood with cozy guest houses and vegetarian restaurants. It is indeed a tourist destination, although it is also a little unsafe at night and instances of mugging and pick-pocketing do occur.

Bangkok's nightlife has a hard time living up to its notorious reputation – and Khao San Road is no different. While many sidewalk cafes are open 24 hours, nightclubs close early at 1 am. The only exception to this rule seems to be Gazebo Club, so many of the Khao San vagabonds go there when the rest of the bunch closes down. You can also hail a cab and go to downtown, as more nightclubs there stay open until the early hours. Always bring your passport as all nightclubs are required to check it at entry.

Khao San Road in recent years has become popular with local residents, especially artists and art students. There are several pubs and bars, where backpackers meet to discuss their travels. The area is internationally known as a center of dancing, partying, and just prior to the traditional Thai New Year (Songkran festival) of April 13 to April 15, water splashing that usually turns into a huge water fight.