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 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)