by lucysoff, aged 20, for everyone

Khao San- a pit of smelly backpackers?

Suprisingly good , 6 ratings
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Lucysoff's experience was in Bangkok, Thailand. She went on 02 of July 2005 for 2 days. She went for tourism. Lucysoff went with a group of friends. She got there and around by car or van, walking. lucysoff's verdict is: recommended.

Khao San Road is, in all honesty, an overpriced, overcrowded and downright dangerous pit of smelly backpackers, but I’ve been through Bangkok several times now and something always pulls me back here.

I’ll never forget my first visit - a SE Asia virgin who rocked up in a tuk-tuk at some ungodly hour in the morning. We took a room in the first place that wasn’t full or obviously dodgy and spent the rest of the night hours listening to the various activities of our neighbours through the paper thin walls.

And yet….what is it? I always feel like I’m sort of at the epicentre of Thailand- many a plan has been laid while eating Pad Thai sitting on the pavement, and I’ve bumped into friends more than once completely by chance.

It can be very intimidating at first- the street sellers are not nearly as friendly as elsewhere in the city, and everyone is eager to make a quick buck from the inexperienced backpacker. As long as you keep smiling, have an open mind and hold on tight to anything valuable (including your common sense), it’s a fun place to spend a day or two.

If you’re only looking for ‘real’ Thailand, maybe this isn’t the place for you. But, if you’d like to try something (and maybe some things) you never thought you would, then give Khao San a go.

Watching the world go by with some classy tunes on Khao San

Comments

JonSevers says...

There is an interesting take on Khao San Road in The Beach by Alex Garland. The film is apparently rubbish (i haven't seen it) but the book is amazing.

Posted 474 days ago.
RB says...

never go here during the world cup.

Posted 473 days ago.
DanaPalamara says...

Do not visit Thailand and miss the Khao San Road! Predictable stop off? - yes. Smelly? yes - Overpriced? - yes, Bit dodgy? Definitely, but totally, totally cool all the same.

Posted 404 days ago.
Samster says...

Khao San Road is certainly an experience! And i agree with JonSevers, nice description of it in the Beach (book, don't get taken in by that film!). The first time i was on this road was almost ten years ago, and not to be all like "ït used to be like this man!" but it certainly has changed...even the type of backpacker/ tourist that vists is super different...

Posted 344 days ago.