Khaosan Road, Bangkok

Khaosan Road, often called "the place to disappear" or described poetically as "a short road with the longest dream," is surprisingly brief, stretching just 410 meters. This road was built in 1892 during King Rama V's rule. The name "Khaosan" means "milled rice," pointing back to its history as a key rice trading spot.

In the past 40 years, Khaosan Road has become a globally known hub for budget travelers, offering a range of affordable accommodations. These range from very basic rooms to more comfortable 3-star hotels. During peak tourist season, the road welcomes between 40,000 and 50,000 visitors daily, while off-peak times see about 20,000 daily visitors.

Khaosan Road is a melting pot of diverse individuals. You'll find young Westerners taking a break from their privileged lives, high school graduates on their gap year, Israelis recently finished with military service, university students on vacation or a sabbatical, young Japanese experiencing a coming-of-age ritual, typical vacationers, former volunteers from different organizations, and others.

The area's shops offer various items including handicrafts, art, clothing, local fruit, pirated CDs and DVDs, a variety of fake IDs, second-hand books, and other items essential for backpackers. After sunset, the atmosphere shifts as bars open up, music fills the air, street food vendors offer exotic snacks like barbecued insects, and promoters advertise unique shows. Khaosan Road is especially lively before the Thai New Year (Songkran festival) in mid-April, known for its massive water fights.

Additionally, the historic Wat Chana Songkram Buddhist temple, under royal patronage, sits across from Khaosan Road to the west. The area to the northwest is home to an Islamic community and several small mosques.