Cheap hotel in Bangkok

QUESTION: My boyfriend and I will be spending a few nights in Bangkok during July. Can you recommend a good, clean hotel in a lively area, where we are likely to mix with other travellers in the 20-30 age bracket? - Denise Snyman

ANSWER: The Khoasan Road area is a famous gathering spot for young travellers in Asia, made famous by the movie of the book, The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. To the dismay of some backpackers, it has become more upmarket with trendy restaurants, nightclubs and shops. It has also become the hangout for fashionable young Thais eager to engage foreigners. The best place to stay is Buddy Lodge, a three-star hotel with teak-floored rooms and a swimming pool on the roof. If you can't get a reservation (advance booking essential), stay at its' sister hotel, Hotel De' Moc (10-15 minutes walk) or opt for the Sawasdee Khaosan Inn or the Viengtai Hotel. A room at one of these hotels will cost you R300-R400. If you are on a tight budget you can stay at a guesthouse for as little as R50, although a half-decent room will cost you around R150.