Khao San Road
Khao San Road is arguably the most well known of the tourist walking streets in Bangkok. It is located in Phra Nakhon district near the Grand Palace. During the day it is full of hawkers selling imitation goods and carts selling everything from food to haircuts. The sides of the street are lined with shops, restaurants and bars that suit any taste. Though at night is where Khao San retains its reputation. The party that began during the day continues all night long into the wee hours of the morning.
This spot is a favourite for backpackers as that is generally the crowd who is drawn to this area, so it is an ideal place to link up with other foreigners for further adventures throughout Thailand or other parts of Southeast Asia. Also in this vein, and for those who are not so adventurous, Khao San is fantastic for people watching, perhaps while sitting in a beanbag chair eating Indian food. If less daring than that, you can choose to sit street side and sip a beer or eat ice cream as the masses pass by on there way to one of the many bars or clubs in the area.
Despite Khao San’s reputation for transience and hedonism, it has a certain charm especially during the day, as it is a place that brings many people (mainly foreigners) from different walks of life together. Not to mention that there are many tourist service companies located on Khao San that can help with anything from visas to Laos to plane tickets to island getaways to the South of Thailand. Because of the amount of tourists that visit the street it is also the loading point for many tours the can take you around Bangkok.
Khao San has something for everyone, and should not be dismissed as a place only for through hikers.
