Be sure to try ‘pat thai’. A trip to Khao San Road wouldn’t be complete without sampling the street vendors’ famous take on this popular, tasty, nutritious and, above all, cheap Thai dish. There are Thai-style omelets too and, on Soi Rambuttri, grilled fish and meat available. For vitamin and protein bursts enjoy Thailand’s plentiful natural produce in the form of fresh tropical fruit (cut into chunks for easy eating), blended fruit shakes and – if you’re brave or drunk enough – fried insects.

Once you’ve completed your initiation into spicy food, head to nearby Phra Arthit Road for trendy hole-in-the-wall restaurants popular with arty Thais. Or try Banglamphu Market, which begins about 50 metres to the right on Chakrapong Road. Here an aromatic and wholly authentic array of stalls peddle noodles soups, curries, grilled oddities and odd looking deserts. These alternatives to the staple backpacker diet of pad thai, banana pancakes and watermelon shakes are notable, not only for usually being more delicious than what’s sold on Khao San Road, but also being much, much cheaper.