My first experience of Khao San Rd…
Stepping out of the taxi I was welcomed by mysterious smells and aromas coming from the sizzling street food stands. Lights dazzled from above and music played from every direction. People of all nations mingled around the various stalls lining the pavement. I must have walked up and down Khao San Rd two or three times before I was able to relax a little and decide what to do.
Khao San Rd is a must on your list of things to do if you’re looking for colourful, vibrant street life. From one end to the other, in every corner and down every alley way you’ll find food, drink, internet, music, entertainment, things to buy as gifts or souvenirs and accommodation. Information and budget deals are everywhere. If you need to book tickets to get anywhere in Thailand Khao San will provide.
Only a stone’s throw away you can find many interesting places to visit. The Grand Palace is beautiful. Check out The Emerald Buddha Temple inside its walls.
Wat Pho houses The Reclining Buddha.
Wat Arun on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River is good for an hour and has some lovely views over the river.
After many years in Bangkok Khao San Rd became my Friday night treat. I had my favourite bar, The Harley Bar, down the alleyway on the left hand side. Just opposite I stayed at the Sawasdee Banglumpoo Inn. Cheap, friendly and clean. My reasons for going back every week were simple. Khao san Rd is fun. You can meet all kinds of people from all over the world and stay the night in a budget hotel or guest house for peanuts.
Don’t miss out. Khao San waits for you.
A few handy phrases
pood Thai mai dai – I can not speak Thai.
kow jai mai – do you understand?
mai kow jai – I do not understand
nee Tao Rai? – How much?
pang – expensive
pang mak – very expensive
mai pang/took – cheap
naam – water
chok dee – good luck
ron – hot
nao – cold
hong naam – toilet
naam keng – ice
nit noi – small – a little bit
yai – large
bia – beer
soopburi – smoke cigarette
neung – 1
song – 2
sam – 3
see – 4
haa – 5
hok – 6
jet – 7
paed – 8
gow – 9
sip – 10
Now What?
You’re drinking a coffee the morning after a night on Khao San Rd. What to do next? Where to go? Let me suggest a few options.
Beach resorts……
There are many to choose from. Pattaya, two hours east of Bangkok by bus is good for the party animal or the lonely heart searching for some female company. Bars line the streets running up from the beach and beyond. It’s in your face and beating fast. There are quiet areas too but who goes to Pattaya for a quiet time? In the day why not relax in the sun having your every wish catered for by one of the friendly Thai beach restaurant /bars. Anything you need? Just ask. You can get a flip flop repaired, a henna tattoo, buy a watch, eat sea food, have a massage, purchase a sapphire from Myanmar etc. etc. etc. At night you can walk about visiting different entertainment venues. Have a go a Thai boxing, try your hand at climbing a pole or shop till you drop in the many stalls and fashion stores..
Hua Hin is just a few hours south of Bangkok and very pleasant. It’s my favourite beach resort on the mainland. Restaurants, hotels and guest houses are abundant and good quality. You can spend a little on budget rooms or much more if you require luxury. I stayed in luxury at Baan Bayan Hotel.
Address: 119 Petchkasem Road,Prachuap Khirikhan, Hua Hin Beachfront, Hua Hin / Cha-am. An amazing place.
The beach is clean and organised. There is a mellow feel to the place especially in the morning. Sunrise and sunset are beautiful. Just up the coast is Cha Am. Another great place and very popular with the Thai’s.
Koh Chang is a jewel just off the coast in Trat Province. You can get there in four hours by road. Catch the small ferry for a ten minute ride then immerse yourself into island life. It’s not full on or in your face like Pattaya. It’s not at all like Hua Hin either. Lots of nature and coconut palms. White sand, spectacular views, good honest food and you get that ‘I’m in paradise’ feeling.
If you like history or just enjoy ruins of ancient Siamese temples and palaces then I recommend you visit the old capital city of Ayutthaya. It’s just north of Bangkok and easy to get to on a day trip. For eating why not try an Ayutthaya specialty known as kwit-tieo reua or boat noodles. Popular throughout Thailand, boat noodles are said to have originated in Ayutthaya. Centuries ago they were sold from wooden sampans that rowed through the rivers and canals. If you like spicy Thai food a number of open-air Isaan restaurants line the bank of a small lagoon on Pa Thon Road. Here you can buy the famous som tam salad with Barbequed chicken and sticky rice. It’s hot!
