It's like anything else. There's a law against j-walking in the us. 98% of the time you won't get called out on it but if you do, live with it because it's a law and you just broke it. Not saying it's good or bad but it's there.
Just find a place on either an&b or Booking.com. You can print the reservation details in both English and Thai. And don't stay near the airport like one suggested. Not much going out out there.
Duke is right on soi 13. It's good quality very flexible. Like some others you can get a free sit in session. It's on the third floor of the trendy building.