Khaosan Road or Thanon Khaosan is a popular tourist street in
central Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the Banglamphu area about 1
kilometer north of the Grand Palace (Wat Phra Kaew) 'Khaosan' translates
as 'milled rice', a reminder that the street was once a major Bangkok rice
market. In the last 20 years, however, Khaosan Road has developed into a
world famous 'backpacker paradise.” It offers cheap accommodation,
ranging from 'mattress in a box' style hotels to reasonably priced 3-star
hotels. Khaosan shops sell handcrafts, paintings, clothes and second-hand
books, plus many useful backpacker items.
Khaosan Road in recent years has become popular with local residents,
especially artists and art students. At night, Khaosan is a lively street
packed with tourists come to explore walking street and night life. There
are clubs, bars, food stalls and shops open until 2 a.m. The area is
internationally known as a center of dancing, partying, specially during the
traditional Thai New Year (Songkran festival April 13-15), when water
splashing festival turns into water fight.
Khaosan also has a Buddhist temple under royal patronage. The centuries
old Wat Chana Songkram is directly opposite Khaosan Road to the west
while the area to the northwest contains an Islamic community and several
small mosques.