Khao San Road - The popular book 'The Beach' famously described Khao
San Road as "the centre of the backpacking universe". Judging by the
truth-seeking travellers who converge here to shop, exchange tales and
prepare for their next stint on the backpacker trail, it's a phrase that
sums it up pretty much perfectly. Packed into a 1km long strip are
countless budget guesthouses and mid-range hotels, internet cafes,
swanky bars and clubs, restaurants, massage parlours, travel agents,
bookshops, market stalls, tattoo shops and much, much more. So much in
fact, that the people, peddlers and party spirit have spilled over into
nearby Soi Rambuttri. With its carefree, anything-goes vibe, it's quite
unlike anywhere else in Bangkok, and so infectious is its atmosphere
it's also popular with locals, especially young hipsters and art
students.
It is also a base of travel: coaches leave daily for all major tourist destinations in Thailand, from Chiang Mai in the north to Ko Pha Ngan in the south, and there are many relatively inexpensive travel agents who can arrange visas and transportation to the neighbouring countries of Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Vietnam.Khaosan shops sell handicrafts, paintings, clothes, local fruits, unlicensed CDs, DVDs, a wide range of fake IDs, used books, plus many useful backpacker items.During late evening, the streets turn into bars and music is played, food hawkers sell barbecued insects, exotic snacks for tourists, and there are also local people selling ping pong shows.
There are several cafes, pubs and bars where backpackers meet to discuss their travels.The area is internationally known as a center of dancing, partying, and just prior to the traditional Thai New Year of 13–15 April, water splashing that usually turns into a huge water fight.One Thai writer has described Khaosan as a short road that has the longest dream in the world.A Buddhist temple under royal patronage, the centuries-old Wat Chana Songkram, is directly opposite Khaosan Road to the west, while the area to the northwest contains an Islamic community and several small mosques.
Khao San Road is a small road located about a block from the Chao Phraya River at the northern side of Rattanakosin. Backpackers and budget travellers are drawn here by some of the cheapest accommodation and travel deals in Thailand. This article also deals with the wider Banglamphu area that hosts a few interesting temples, as well as lots more places to stay and eat. Khao San Road is the historical center of the tourist area that has developed in the Banglamphu district. Originally catering to backpackers, and described as a backpacker mecca, that description as of 2015 is no longer accurate as it is visited by a wide variety of tourists, most of whom are not backpackers. The street itself and the surrounding area feature numerous restaurant, bars, hotels, shops and entertainment, especially during the night when the entire neighborhood comes alive. It represents the most concentrated tourist area in Thailand, and has something to offer to everyone from t-shirt, to street food, to beer and performers.The word khao san itself means milled rice and is an attribution to the historical role of this street in the rice trade. The first business to open on Khao San Road was a small hotel aimed at serving civil servants from the provinces who came to Bangkok on business. The hotel was followed by Sor Thambhakdi, a shop selling monks' accessories. Four similar businesses moved in after, and Khao San became known as a "religious road".Word soon spread about the easy lifestyle and friendliness of the locals. Friends told friends, and before long, the owner of the house started to charge 20 baht for food and lodging. The first commercial guest house, called Bonny, opened in 1982 with six small bedrooms.
Today, there's a lot more than six small bedrooms on offer. In the span of just a couple of blocks, there are bars, food stalls, restaurants, convenience stores, pharmacies, internet cafes, money changing booths, ATMs, shoe stores, massage parlours, tailors, travel agencies, laundry, boxing gyms, optometrists, endless warrens of suspiciously discounted designer clothes and, oh, rooms for the night.Khao San Road is the historical center of the tourist area that has developed in the Banglamphu district. Originally catering to backpackers, and described as a backpacker mecca, that description as of 2015 is no longer accurate as it is visited by a wide variety of tourists, most of whom are not backpackers. The street itself and the surrounding area feature numerous restaurant, bars, hotels, shops and entertainment, especially during the night when the entire neighborhood comes alive. It represents the most concentrated tourist area in Thailand, and has something to offer to everyone from t-shirt, to street food, to beer and performers.The word khao san itself means milled rice and is an attribution to the historical role of this street in the rice trade. The first business to open on Khao San Road was a small hotel aimed at serving civil servants from the provinces who came to Bangkok on business. The hotel was followed by Sor Thambhakdi, a shop selling monks' accessories. Four similar businesses moved in after, and Khao San became known as a "religious road".Word soon spread about the easy lifestyle and friendliness of the locals. Friends told friends, and before long, the owner of the house started to charge 20 baht for food and lodging. The first commercial guest house, called Bonny, opened in 1982 with six small bedrooms.
Today, there's a lot more than six small bedrooms on offer. In the span of just a couple of blocks, there are bars, food stalls, restaurants, convenience stores, pharmacies, internet cafes, money changing booths, ATMs, shoe stores, massage parlours, tailors, travel agencies, laundry, boxing gyms, optometrists, endless warrens of suspiciously discounted designer clothes and, oh, rooms for the night.
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