Bangkok Khao San Road
Khao San Road Bangkok
Khao San Road
Madness. Sheer madness.
That is the only way to describe coming into Bangkok’s Khao San Road after a long, late flight. The infamous haven for backpackers and budget travelers is the first stop for many in Bangkok, and some never leave. The noise, non-stop party, and very cheap prices will either make you want to run away or set up camp.
You can find everything on Khao San road from great shopping bargains to the darkest sleaze Bangkok has to offer. Only on Khao San Road can you buy a fake ID card (or press badge), get dreadlocks, eat some deep-fried insects, and listen to a local band rock out Sweet Child of Mine in Thai. This corner of Bangkok can be a circus and it never sleeps.(and neither do most of the people that stay in guest houses here!)
If this is your first trip to Bangkok, here are some Khao San road tips:
If you want to stay where the action is, meet other travelers, and party party party – this is your spot.
If you want to be near Khao San Road and the party, but manage to get a little sleep still – check out Rambutri Street, just 1 block around the corner from Khao San. You will find plenty of street food, places to stay, and still be a 5 minute walk away from the action.
Get used to constant attention and harassment from tuk-tuk drivers, touts, and people selling things. Remember that they have to make a living here and try to give a firm, polite “no” without loosing your cool.
Many of the extremely cheap guest houses come with bonus features such as giant cockroaches and ladyboy prostitutes which knock on your door at night to proposition. The good news is that there are many to choose from, if one doesn’t work out – simply walk 100 meters in either direction and upgrade. Avoid paying in advance so you can move if things get too dodgey.
An alternative to this district in Bangkok is Sukhumvit, which is still a traveler zone but slightly upscale. If you decide to go there instead, check out Suk11 hostel on Soi 11 (the street intersection). It is quite popular and usually requires an email reservation in advance.
