As Thailand’s beloved national dish, Pad Thai can be found everywhere in Bangkok — from humble street stalls to bustling food courts and upscale Thai restaurants. Open any menu and you’ll almost always find Pad Thai tempting you with its signature flavors.
Today we’re sharing a must-try Bangkok food spot: a legendary old-town Pad Thai specialist — Thip Samai Pad Thai, known locally as “Ghost Gate Pad Thai”.
Thip Samai Pad Thai (Pratu Pee/ทิพย์สมัย ผัดไทยประตูผี)
Open daily: 5:00pm – 2:00am.
Phone: +66 2 226 6666
Official Thip Samai Pad Thai Website
How to get there: Take a Grab, or ride the Saen Saep Canal Boat Golden Mount Line to the last stop and walk over.
313-315 Mahachai Road, Samranrat, Pranakorn, Bangkok, 10200
Thai address: 313-315 ถ. มหาไชย สำราญราษฎร์ พระนคร กทม. 10200
Widely regarded by foodies and the media as the best Pad Thai in Bangkok, Thip Samai Pad Thai has even earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand (2018) and is rumored to be a royal favorite. By around 5:00pm every day, you’ll spot the signature zig-zag line of people waiting patiently for opening time — and that’s no exaggeration: expect to wait at least 30 minutes each time if you want that iconic taste!
This Bangkok food guide will cover all the essentials:
How to Get to Thip Samai Pad Thai (Pratu Pee)
Ghost Gate is in Bangkok’s Old Town area with no nearby BTS or MRT stations, so getting there isn’t the easiest. If you want to try what many call the best Pad Thai in Bangkok, here are three convenient ways to go:
- Grab a taxi directly to Thip Samai.
- Take the Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat (Golden Mount Line) to Panfa Leelard Pier (W4) and walk over.
- Walk from nearby spots like Chinatown, Khao San Road, or the Grand Palace.
About “Ghost Gate” (Pratu Pee/ประตูผี)
The name comes from the old days when Bangkok was a royal walled city. Only royals could be buried inside the city, so commoners who passed away were taken out through a special gate for cremation at Golden Mount Temple. The other gates were spiritually “blessed” to keep spirits out, so this gate became known as the “Ghost Gate” (Pratu Pee). Today, the original walls and gate are long gone.
1. Grab a Taxi Directly to Thip Samai
This is hands-down the easiest way. Just open your Grab app, book a ride, and get dropped off right at the door.
Grab or regular taxis in Bangkok are pretty affordable, especially if you’re sharing with friends — it’s often cheaper than switching between BTS or MRT plus extra transfers. The only downside is Bangkok’s notorious traffic: some days it’s mild, some days it’s intense, so allow extra time and expect your fare to fluctuate with the jams. Still, Grab remains the simplest choice.
Here’s a quick fare estimate from major Bangkok spots to Thip Samai Pad Thai:
| Landmark | Distance | Estimated Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 21 (Asok BTS) | 7.5 km | ฿157–173 |
| Siam Square | 4.2 km | ฿90–100 |
| Silom | 6.6 km | ฿140–151 |
| Saphan Taksin Pier | 6.4 km | ฿134–150 |
| Bangkok Chinatown | 1.4 km | ฿69–73 |
| Khao San Road | 1.8 km | ฿75–84 |
| Grand Palace | 2.4 km | ฿79–86 |
| Panfa Leelard Pier (Golden Mount Line) | 500 m | ฿62 |
So the easiest plan is to combine your visit with nearby spots like Chinatown, Grand Palace, or Khao San Road. This way, you save time and the fare is more budget-friendly.
2. Take the Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat (Golden Mount Line)
Option two is hopping on the Khlong Saen Saep canal boat to Panfa Leelard Pier (W4), then enjoy a short walk.
The pier is near Golden Mount Temple, about halfway between the temple and Thip Samai. From the pier, it’s only about 500 meters — an easy 10-minute stroll. Since most people come here in the evening (the shop opens at 5:00pm), you’ll skip Bangkok’s midday heat and can explore the old town on foot.
Tip: Board at the Pratunam Pier near Big C or the famous chicken rice spots, then ride south on the Golden Mount Line straight to the final stop. No way to miss it!
For route ideas, you can also check out our earlier guides for places around Pratunam Market:
Where to Eat Chicken Rice at Pratunam Market?
Pratunam Market vs. Pratunam Mall
3. Walk from Chinatown, Khao San Road, or Grand Palace
The third option takes a bit more legwork but is a fantastic way to soak up the Old Town Bangkok atmosphere up close. You can stroll over from Chinatown, the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha Temple), Wat Pho, or Khao San Road — all great nearby landmarks.
Our first visit to Thip Samai Pad Thai started the same way: we explored Chinatown, did a bit of shopping, and wandered over while taking in the local street vibe. If the weather’s nice and you’ve got the energy, walking is a laid-back way to snap photos and enjoy the Old Town at sunset. Plus, you’ll burn off a few calories — always good when you’re eating your way through Bangkok! 🤔
Related: Bangkok Chinatown: The Best Street Food Hub
To help fellow walkers, here’s an estimated chart of walking distances and times from these Old Town spots to Thip Samai:
| Landmark | Distance | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok Chinatown | 2 km | 25–30 min |
| Grand Palace | 2.1 km | 30–35 min |
| Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha) | 1.3 km | 20–25 min |
| Wat Pho | 1.6 km | 22–27 min |
| Khao San Road Night Market | 1.3 km | 20–25 min |
4. Suggested Itinerary Tips
Now that you know how to get to Thip Samai Pad Thai, plan your visit alongside other Old Town attractions like Chinatown, the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, or Khao San Road. This makes your route more efficient and enjoyable — whether you’re grabbing a taxi or strolling around on foot.
Another idea: spend the day in the Chit Lom shopping area (Central World, Gaysorn Village), Big C, or Pratunam Market for shopping or famous chicken rice, then hop on the canal boat at Pratunam Pier, ride the Golden Mount Line to the last stop, and head over to Thip Samai. After your Pad Thai fix, you can easily continue to Chinatown or the Khao San Road Night Market.
Fun bonus: right next door (literally just a few steps away) is the legendary Jay Fai, Bangkok’s iconic Michelin-starred street food chef — so you can double up and treat yourself to the ultimate food crawl!
Thip Samai Pad Thai Opening Hours
Thip Samai Pad Thai is open daily from 5:00pm until 2:00am.
As for peak times, at the original Ghost Gate location you’ll see people lining up even before 5:00pm. On weekdays (Monday–Friday, non-holidays), you might only wait about 10 minutes if you come around 5 or 6pm. But from 7:30–9:30pm, lines hit their peak — waiting 30+ minutes is totally normal!
On weekends and holidays, expect even longer lines.
Last time we visited Thip Samai on a Saturday, we arrived just after 5:00pm thinking we’d skip the rush — but still waited a full 40 minutes!
Tip for night owls: go after 10:30pm. By then, crowds thin out and you can enjoy your Pad Thai as a late-night snack with no wait. Plus, the portions are light enough to make it a perfect midnight meal.
Quick Hours & Peak Time Summary:
Opening Hours: 5:00pm – 2:00am daily.
Busiest Times: 7:30–9:30pm (longer waits on weekends).
Best Times to Go: Around 5–6pm, or after 10:30pm for a chill late-night meal.
Thip Samai Pad Thai Menu & Must-Try Items
The menu at Thip Samai Pad Thai is simple — it’s all about Pad Thai! But they still manage to offer a fun range: from the basic version to their famous egg-wrapped Pad Thai, crab meat Pad Thai, and even vegetarian options — all at budget-friendly prices.
They also serve their freshly squeezed orange juice packed with juicy pulp — it’s so refreshing!
Menus are in both Thai and English, with big photos to help you choose. Here’s a handy look at their menu and prices:
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Pad Thai | ฿60 | The classic |
| Pad Thai with Shrimp Oil & Egg | ฿70 | Classic with shrimp oil stir-fry |
| Superb Pad Thai (Small Prawns) | ฿90 | Served with two medium-small prawns |
| Superb Pad Thai (Big Prawns) | ฿200 | Served with two large prawns |
| Pad Thai Song-Krueng | ฿300 | Loaded with big prawns, crab, seafood & mango |
| Vegetarian Pad Thai | ฿60 | Fully vegan option |
| Fresh Orange Juice | Small ฿85 / Large ฿160 | The large is huge! |
On top of these main dishes, you can customize your Pad Thai with extra toppings — add more noodles stir-fried in shrimp oil, extra prawns, and more. The next section breaks down the add-ons for you!
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Sen Chan Noodles | ฿10 |
| Noodles with Shrimp Oil | ฿20 |
| Fresh Deep-Sea Prawn | ฿20 |
| Sweet Radish | ฿10 |
| Egg | ฿10 |
| Dried Shrimp | ฿20 |
| Firm Tofu | ฿20 |
Must-Try: Superb Pad Thai & Fresh Orange Juice
Out of all the menu choices, their signature Superb Pad Thai with the delicate egg wrap is the true highlight. This version arrives beautifully wrapped in a thin omelet, topped with two fresh stir-fried deep-sea prawns. Inside, the noodles are wok-tossed over charcoal using shrimp oil and their secret sauce — then served with crushed peanuts and the classic Thai condiment quartet: fish sauce, chili flakes, vinegar with chili, and sugar. You’ll also get a side of fresh bean sprouts and lime wedges for that final zing.
Flavor-wise, Thip Samai’s Pad Thai leans slightly sweet, with a vivid color thanks to the shrimp oil, and the noodles stay soft and springy. Unlike some places where the noodles clump together, here they stay beautifully separated — probably thanks to that egg wrap and their cooking style.
The egg itself is thin yet tasty, and if you prefer, you can always order your Pad Thai without the omelet wrap — just like the classic street style.
There are two versions of the Superb Pad Thai: one with small-to-medium prawns and one with big prawns. Everything else is the same except the size — but the price difference is big! The small prawn version is ฿90, while the big prawn version jumps to ฿200.
We usually stick with the small prawn version — the prawns are a decent size and if you want more, you can add extras for ฿20 each. Order five more and it’s still cheaper than the big prawn version (though we admit, it’s a funny way to compare, right? 😆).
Another absolute must-try here is their freshly squeezed orange juice. It’s definitely pricey, but the flavor is worth every baht. Everyone raves about it — just ignore the price tag and treat yourself!
Extra Tip for Dining at Thip Samai:
The original shop has two seating sections — the front area has no AC, while the back section is air-conditioned. If you want to sit in the cool zone, note that they charge a small “AC fee” per person (฿10 for adults, ฿5 for kids). Just let the staff know your preference when you’re seated.
Where Else to Eat Thip Samai Pad Thai?
Many people wonder: is there anywhere besides the original Ghost Gate branch to try Thip Samai Pad Thai?
Good news — yes! Apart from the flagship location, there are three other branches. One is outside Bangkok in Phutthamonthon, while the other two are conveniently located inside major shopping malls: one at the 6th-floor food zone of IconSiam and another at the 3rd-floor food court inside King Power Complex.
Here’s a quick guide to all Thip Samai Pad Thai locations:
| Branch | Address & Hours |
|---|---|
| IconSiam (6th Floor) | 299 ICONSIAM Department Store, 6th floor, R602, R603 Charoen Nakhon Rd., Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San District, Bangkok 10600 Phone: +66 91 234 5678 Hours: 10:00am – 10:00pm |
| King Power Complex (3rd Floor) | Khwaeng Thanon Phaya Thai, Khet Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400 Phone: +66 92 288 8888 Hours: 10:00am – 9:30pm |
| Phutthamonthon Sai 4 | 99/11 Moo 6 Hwy 3310, Tumbon Salaya, Amphoe Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170 Phone: +66 8 642 99999 Hours: 11:00am – 8:00pm |
Check out our full IconSiam Guide: How to Get There, Hours, and Must-See SookSiam Indoor Floating Market.
Final Thoughts: Is Thip Samai Pad Thai Worth a Special Trip?
So, is Thip Samai Pad Thai worth a special trip? Let’s break it down: is it worth trying? And is it worth going out of your way?
First, is it worth trying at all? Absolutely. We’ve eaten our way through countless Pad Thai spots in Bangkok — from street stalls to night markets to food courts and Michelin-starred restaurants. Thip Samai still tops the list, no question. After all, when you’re in Bangkok, how could you not eat Pad Thai — and if you’re going to eat Pad Thai, you might as well try the best, right? :)
Plus, the price is reasonable — sure, we’ve had tasty ฿30 Pad Thai before, but ฿90 for their signature version (with two prawns!) isn’t expensive at all.
Second, is it worth a special trip just for this? That depends on how hungry you are for a foodie adventure!
Getting here isn’t super convenient, and there’s always that long line. For travelers on a tight schedule, it can feel like a luxury stop. The best move? Don’t come just for Pad Thai — include it in your bigger Old Town Bangkok itinerary. That way you can hit Chinatown, Khao San Road, or the Grand Palace and swing by for a plate on the way.
Here’s how you could do it:
If you’re exploring Chinatown, tack it on. Visiting Khao San Road Night Market? Grab Thip Samai before or after. Touring the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, or Wat Phra Kaew? A short taxi ride brings you here for a tasty break.
Even cooler: right next door (literally five steps away) is the legendary Jay Fai — Bangkok’s Michelin-starred street food queen — so you can knock two iconic eats off your bucket list in one go.
All in all, spending an afternoon and evening around this neighborhood, filling your belly with Bangkok’s best Pad Thai and more, is a foodie win for any trip. Check out our video for an up-close look at Thip Samai Pad Thai — and a peek at the legendary Jay Fai chef in action: