Khao San Road is the historical center of the tourist area that has developed in the Banglamphu district. Originally catering to backpackers, and described as a backpacker mecca, that description as of 2015 is no longer accurate as it is visited by a wide variety of tourists, most of whom are not backpackers. The street itself and the surrounding area feature numerous restaurant, bars, hotels, shops and entertainment, especially during the night when the entire neighborhood comes alive. It represents the most concentrated tourist area in Thailand.
The word khao san itself means milled rice and is an attribution to the historical role of this street in the rice trade. The first business to open on Khao San Road was a small hotel aimed at serving civil servants from the provinces who came to Bangkok on business. The hotel was followed by Sor Thambhakdi, a shop selling monks' accessories. Four similar businesses moved in after, and Khao San became known as a "religious road".