Bangkok: bus between SAM station and Khao San Road

Between Siam and Khao San Road (Democracy Monument): which buses are available? Thanks in advance!

Sorry, I meant SIAM station, of course!

Buses 15 or 47 should do the trick once you've walked to their stops from Siam Square. I found these undated pages that explain everything: https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bangkok/Siam_Square (§ "by bus") https://thailandtravelroutes.com/khao-san-road-to-siam-square-bus/

It's great to take the bus in Bangkok now and then—too bad so many travelers are put off by it, since it can be so handy for short trips of 6-7 stops.

In your case, though, it won’t be a short trip. During rush hours (~6:30–10:00 AM and 3:00–8:00 PM), expect it to take 1–2 hours, and the bus might be packed with lots of standing passengers. Don’t count on any friendliness during these times—Bangkok commuters heading to or from work are just as grumpy (or even argue) as Parisians or (I imagine) Brussels folks in the same situation.

Thanks Songsam. 1 to 2 hours for the trip—it’s longer than it was 15 years ago!! I’ll make sure to do this route after 10 AM (especially since at Siam, if I remember correctly, you have to wait for the bus under the station—hello pollution!). Thanks for the link! While I’ve got you, one more question: is MBK closer to SIAM or National Stadium?

Much closer to National Stadium (80m vs 430m). But the line that’ll take you from Ekkamai doesn’t go there because right after Siam it turns north. Or you’d have to change lines at Siam—is it even worth it?

That should work for the rest since I plan to buy a bus/BTS map. Siam is an interesting station: it's also close to the cultural center, I think. Another question if I'm not overstepping: bus 15 ends a few stops past Democracy Monument. That terminus interests me because it's near my guesthouse. Except my guesthouse is on the other side of the boulevard, a bit closer to the river than Khao San Road (a boulevard you probably can't cross on foot). Is there a passageway, a street, or an underpass to get to the other side? (I'll be carrying luggage). Thanks.

I plan to buy a bus/BTS card

Do you mean a pass-type card? If so, just so you know, on some buses you can get a one-time discount if you're 60 or older. I’m not sure about the BTS, but it might be worth asking when you get your card.

Except my guesthouse is on the other side of the boulevard, a bit closer to the river than Khao San Rd (a boulevard you probably can’t cross on foot). Is there a passageway, a street, or an underpass to get to the other side?

Which boulevard? And where exactly along it? Giving the geographic coordinates—like 13°45'30.36"N 100°29'37.24"E—for the bus stop and your guesthouse (or its name if it has a website) would make it easier to help.

I’ll be loaded down

In Bangkok’s city buses, that’s not really ideal. That’s why locals with a lot of luggage usually take a taxi instead.

Thanks for your reply. It won’t be a pass (I’m only staying 3 days) but a map of the bus/BTS network.

My guesthouse: DDM House, is halfway between Khao San Rd and the river. The boulevard is the one leading to the bridge that crosses the river.

I found the guesthouse, but it's impossible to cross over from the bus terminus because the dual access ramp to the bridge blocks the way—you'll have to walk a bit: Get off at the bus terminus (National Theatre), walk 100m on the right-hand sidewalk northwest along the street (Rachini Alley) that runs alongside the elevated ramp to the bridge, turn right onto Phra Athit Road, then immediately turn right again onto Chao Fa Rd after passing under the ramp. Use the crosswalk to get to the left-hand sidewalk, and you’ll only have 130m left to walk before you see the guesthouse on your left. That’s a total of 280m to walk, which should take you less time to do than it took me to write this explanation.

You can use the VIABUS app. Super efficient for bus transport in Bangkok. That said, asking here doesn’t hurt—it’s more personal.

A huge thanks, Songsam, for all these details—they’ll be super helpful!

Thanks for the info, Enz!