{"id":2785,"date":"2012-05-22T16:10:50","date_gmt":"2012-05-22T16:10:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.hostelworld.com\/?p=2785"},"modified":"2012-05-22T16:10:50","modified_gmt":"2012-05-22T16:10:50","slug":"5-ways-to-make-the-most-of-the-khao-san-road","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/5-ways-to-make-the-most-of-the-khao-san-road\/","title":{"rendered":"5 ways to make the most of the Khao San Road"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our latest guest blogger is Emma Sparks, founder of up and coming travel blog\u00a0Sparky Sees the World<\/a>. Check it out to read about her love\/hate relationship with London and why she travels. You should also follow her on Twitter<\/a> to keep up to date with all things Emma.<\/i><\/p>\n

\n

Seen as the \u2018backpacker capital of the universe\u2019, Bangkok\u2019s infamous Khao San Road is a street that doesn\u2019t know the meaning of the word \u2018sleep\u2019. At 11pm the length of Khao San seethes with bodies. Scooters weave amongst them, and the smell of fried garlic and chilli, petrol and sweat emanates from every corner. It\u2019s hectic, hedonistic and loud, but I loved it. It may not be off the beaten track, but it\u2019s a track that\u2019s hard to beat.
\nHere are five ways to make the best of the most famous backpacker strip in the world.<\/p>\n

1. Watch the world go by<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re an avid people-watcher, the Khao San Road is an absolute treasure trove. Sit back and relax with a bottle of Chang beer and witness the countless travellers peruse the roadside shops, watch locals transport their wares back and forth, and befriend the amiable bar tenders. Taking the time to observe the daily buzz of this energetic street helps you adjust to its fast-paced nature. You will learn to be unfazed by the chaos and its endearing qualities will shine through.<\/p>\n

2. Eat \u2018Rotis\u2019, Pad Thai or…Cockroaches<\/b><\/h3>\n

Thailand is known for its street food. Pop up stalls and motorbikes doubling as kitchens are a common sight on the streets of Bangkok and on Khao San Road the prices are unbelievably low, thanks to the competitive business environment. Head up the street towards Chakrabongse Road and turn right \u2013 the stalls at the top of the road parallel to Khao San sell the best Pad Thai I\u2019ve ever tasted. Not bad for 35 Baht (70p).<\/p>\n

For dessert, you cannot go wrong with a 10 baht \u2018milk roti\u2019 \u2013 these delectable pancakes drizzled with condensed milk were so good I bought one, ate it as I walked the length of Khao San, then bought another at the other end. I became a regular at one particular roti stall – learn your favourites by vendor, rather than location, as they like to move about.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have a sweet tooth, or if you\u2019re feeling particularly daring, fancy a cockroach? A shameless tourist trap, these creepy-crawly caterers are out to lure in the drunken daredevils. It\u2019s tacky, but oh so tempting.<\/p>\n

3. Go for a traditional Thai massage<\/b><\/h3>\n

Khao San Road provides everything a tired traveller needs: cheap accommodation, delicious food, chilled-out bars, and most importantly, outrageously good massages. Don\u2019t be put off by Bangkok\u2019s seedy reputation – the large majority of massage parlours are reputable and professional. You won\u2019t be getting a \u2018happy ending\u2019 unless you seek one out. A one-hour traditional Thai massage can cost as little as 150 Baht. Try the arcades and side streets branching from Khao San to find authentic, cheaper options.<\/p>\n

4. Barter! Barter! Barter!<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Aside from the Buddha statues and carved elephants spilling from every display, the Khao San is also a great place to stock up on your beach reads. Browse the book stores tucked away behind the rails of clothing and pick up a novel or two\u2026who said the Khao San Road can\u2019t cater for the intellectual in you?<\/p>\n

5. Go for a beer in the best bar on the Khao San<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a chilled-out atmosphere, look no further than the Roof Bar. Situated one level up, smack in the centre of the Khao San Road, Roof Bar hosts live acoustic sessions every night of the week. The acts are far from amateur \u2013 this is the place to be if you\u2019re looking to hear some classic tunes performed brilliantly. The relaxed setting is a far cry from the chaos down below. Here you can take in the evening\u2019s antics from the balcony, or head inside for a cocktail and just enjoy the music.<\/p>\n

I believe the Khao San Road, Bangkok\u2019s bustling backpacker hub, is like marmite\u2026you\u2019re either enamoured by its strong personality and extremely distinct flavour, or you are repulsed. Its aftertaste is just too much for some. That said, there is one thing is for sure \u2013 you may love it, you may hate it, but you simply have to try it.<\/p>\n

So you don\u2019t want to look like all the other \u2018gap-yah\u2019 kids, but you really fancy one of those \u2018same same – but different\u2019 vests… and the baggy psychedelic trousers with the Buddhist symbol print just need to be part of your wardrobe. Look no further \u2013 the Khao San Road is ideal for trying out your bartering skills for picking up the backpacker uniform of fake Ray-Bans and Havaianas. Okay so it\u2019s a little clich\u00e9d, and so not off the beaten track, but you know you want to.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our latest guest blogger is Emma Sparks, founder of up and coming travel blog\u00a0Sparky Sees the World. Check it out to read about her love\/hate relationship with London and why she travels. You should also follow her on Twitter to keep up to date with all things Emma. Seen as the \u2018backpacker capital of the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9473],"tags":[115,59,117,119,121],"class_list":["post-2785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-hostel","tag-inspire-me","tag-khao-san-road","tag-massage","tag-thailand","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"\nKhao San Road Guide - Hostelworld<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here you will find some useful tips about Khao San Road in Bangkok. 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