Khao San Road
January 27th, 2008There is no other place quite like Bourbon Street in New Orleans, and the same can be said for Khao San Road (Kowsan Road) in Bangkok. Best described as the bohemian melting pot of Bangkok, you can find plenty of detail about it by searching Google.
In a nut shell this is where the young back packing budget travelers congregate in Asia, and is typically used as their home base for short trips to other locations in Thailand and neighboring countries. Here you can get a room for as little as 100 Baht a night, drink cheap, and eat some of the best Phad Thai in Thailand. If you want a fake ID, passport, or university degree, it’s all available on Khao San Road. It’s also home to some of the best and cheapest tailors in Bangkok.
The one thing you will not find on this street is anything having to do with the sex trade – gay or straight. I suspect it’s not allowed, and for good reason. Introducing the sex trade to Khao San Road would almost certainly ruin its unique charm and flavor.
Anyone visiting Bangkok should experience this place at least once during their stay. I suggest gathering up a small group of farang and Thai boys with plans to arrive early evening – 5 to 7 PM. Slowly walk the crowded street and take in all the sights before settling down for 3 - 4 hours of people watching, eating Phad Thai, and drinking budget priced name brand beer. This leaves plenty of time to hit the gay clubs at around 10 or 11. I guarantee everyone, both Thai and farang, will have a good time.
And if you really want to be adventurous, there is a small cluster of Thai gay clubs within walking distance of Khao San Road. These clubs are frequented by working class Thais, and are generally less sticky than other Thai-4-Thai venues. I’ve only been one time, and can tell you the boys are hot. You will want to get there earlier than 11, or all the tables will be taken.
I don’t remember exactly how you get to the gay clubs, so you’ll want to get directions. Generally you walk to the end of Khao San Road marked by a Burger King dead center on the far side of a cross street that creates a T intersection. Cross over to the Burger King side of the road, turn right, and the clubs are on side streets a few blocks down and to the left.
February 5th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Hmm, Khao Sarn (=unmilled rice in Thai) is not for the faint-hearted though. Having -again-walked there yesterday eve (and staying close by-in cool season since many years) the sex is omni-visible: loads of katoeys and mixed couples. Plus -far too many- half naked-shirtless tattooed Brit-looking/sounding football-hooligan types. Not that different anymore as straight-Pattaya. Walk just a little further and there is far more. And many a young Thai goes there now too for sanuk+drinking-some bars hardly see a farang inside anymore.
The Thai bars you mention-there are just 3-and a new sauna too lately-are more aimed at nearby Uni-students from Thammasart and Silpa (arts)-working boys cannot afford that.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Sorry, but I know several working class boys that frequent the Thai 4 Thai clubs. Just like the university students, most who don’t have a lot of money, they go in groups and share the cost of a bottle. There’s a boy sitting on my sofa right now that rarely has 2 baht to rub between his fingers, but manages to take in the clubs a couple of times a week with his friends.