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 Khao
San Road
these days a name as well known as Thailand itself but it
wasn't always like this. In 1782 the Grand Palace area was
the center of the newly established Bangkok. Then Khao
San Road, about 20 minutes walk from the Palace, was a
just an ordinary roads as it would have been in any other
residential area. That happened? During Thailand's economic
boom in 1982, being also the lucky Buddhist calendar year
2525, the Thai Government decided to celebrate Bangkok's bicentennial
anniversary. They launched huge campaigns promoting the spectacular
festivities, resulting in Bangkok promoting the spectacular
festivities, resulting in Bangkok hotels actually being booked
out. Well at least for the not so wealthy.
Backpackers,
always being smart about saving a buck, went to Khao San
road, which was a convenient central location, and actually
convinced the residents to rent out their spare rooms. As
things go in Thailand, the locals picked up very quickly on
this profitable idea and the guest house business has flourished
ever since. All sorts of enterprises catering to the needs
of this special clientele popped up instantly, namely discount
travel services, restaurants showing videos, shops with ethnic
clothing and handicraft, music vendors, tattoo artists, silver
jewelry, etc…
The
whole area, named Banglampoo and actually being one of the
main shopping zones for Bangkokians, turned into a global
village with world food, world music and world peace. It became
the essential hub for 'Traveler'R'Us' in Asia and a melting
pot of all nations and creeds, where racial issues and politics
seem not to exist.
The Second big change for this little street came in the middle
nineties, when a traveler wrote a brilliant book, followed
by a not so brilliant movie - The Beach. Suddenly everybody
everywhere had heard about Khao San and needed to see
it once in their life. The street became a part of the sightseeing
schedule, next to the Grand Palace, temples, floating market
and the custom tailor.
The
influx of these new customers changed the face of the road
and created upmarket accommodation, classy restaurants and
stylish night clubs, however it did not kill the old spirit.
Somehow both worlds manage to co-exist and add to each other.
Nowadays
Khao San Road has become a city within the city. A
micro-cosmos with its own rules and rituals, a place, many
seem never wish to leave, unless of course they have heard
about the amazing Koh Tao.
Getting
to Khao San Road
Unless you have got one of those James Bond jet packs in your
rucksack chances are your are going to be using any transport
available to get you to Khao San Road… and in fact there’s
quite a lot of choice! Find out about the various ways of
getting to Khao San Road from a variety of key locations...
More
Traveling
along the Chao Phraya River
Many visitors to Bangkok find the city hard to navigate, often
overwhelmed by the pollution, hustle and bustle and traffic
volume. However, there is an easy and relaxing way to take
in many of the city's highlights just a short stroll from
Khaosan Road. Click here to find out more about traveling
along the Chao Phraya River... More
Getting
Around Bangkok from Khao San Road
Getting around Bangkok can seem complicated, but it's easy
if you know how. There are plenty of people who will insist
that they know the best and quickest route to your destination
- before taking you on a complete tangent. Click here for
Getting Around Bangkok from Khao San Road... More
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