For me, the khaosan rd died when it lost the old wooden buildings, it lost its character. The final nail in the coffin was the closing of the beautiful teak "prakorb" cafe and gallery around 2013. Thanks for sharing pat, always love your vids👍
I loved khaosan rd. I first went when I was 21. My flight landed in Bangkok at 6:30am and by 8am, I was drinking my first beach pail of liquor 😂. I went back earlier this year and it was deserted. Even though I don't drink, it was still sad to see.
Your best video ever! For example, because I like the fact, that you express an opinion about backpackers. I don‘t know why, but it‘s obvious you‘ve been a DJ :-) And - no other vlogger gets the volume-balance between speech and music as perfectly as you! Tom / Germany
Thanks Tom, I was being honest and straight up, Khao San Road should be left alone for the backpackers! Yes I was a DJ for many years and sound engineer so balancing sound is normal for me! Cheers!
"Make Khao San Great Again" Pat, you are funny: "So long as they were far enough away that I wouldn't hear it..." I'm sure most feel the same way (tree falling in the forest with no one else around).
I started my backpacking days in '77 in continental Europe when I was 26 years old, and I'm still at it today at the age of 71. I don't travel with a pack anymore but rather with a suitcase made of plastic that I can pull along behind me. Backpackers frequently consider themselves superior to upmarket tourists - I was also guilty of that sentiment as a much younger man - especially with regard to those tourists on packaged tours. And expats frequently consider themselves superior to backpackers. (I have fitted both descriptions in your adopted country). But I am not sure that we are viewed all that differently by the locals in Muang Thai, at least not in tourist areas. By the way, Pat, I believe that backpackers are called by 'unkind' Thais and Thai-Chinese in Banglampu 'farang kin kee' (literally 'foreigners who eat shit' - meaning cheapskates). Have you heard that one?
There were other words called Farang for example'Farang Nam Prik' litterally Farang who spent long times in Thailand and knew a lot about Thais and they could eat spicy food such as Thai dish'Chilly Paste' or Farang kee nok(or Farang kik kok) litteraly Bird shit Farang or Farang who have nothing. This only for hilarious words should not serious
@@userlp66amn09cp Good ones, Vroom. I hadn't heard those. One gets the impression in Thai, especially if one listens into chatter in the street, if one can indeed do that, that your average farang is not held in awfully high repute, especially by male Thais. Maybe a certain amount of this is envy, and it possibly stems from the days when the locals thought Western foreigners like me were all rich. Also some foreigners behave very badly when in the kingdom. I'm thinking specifically of a certain brand of sex tourist and not of your average backpacker..
Thais understand that Farangs who can travelling out territories they are good financial position but they don't want to show people.If i were Farangs I also prefer travelling as a backpacker. It made me safe from scam and pickpockets.P.M.Justin Trudeau of Canada was a backpacker teavelling to Thailand before when he was a young guy.
It was 1989 when I first arrived in Bangkok and Khao Sarn Rd after a sleeper train up from the south. My guest house cost 70 baht/night. The only Thais who would be seen in the area were those that worked here. Such was the reputation Thais had of Khao Sarn Rd and all those 'feral' farangs back then. With the arrival of budget airlines multi-month backpackers gave way to regional tourists with more money to splash around on their shorter holiday. And then the place started to go more up-market. Thai hipster university students started opening up bars along Pra Athit Rd and elsewhere albeit catering more for the Thai crowd who, ironically, enjoyed the international melting pot. And so the character started to change with only a few of those older die-hard backpackers remaining to remind us how the place used to be.
I guess you might consider me one of those characters coming out of the woodwork. I first began the 'backpacker' lifestyle 50yrs ago, Asia, Europe, Africa. Back then there was less judgement of other travellers, maybe because we were all part of the same social experiment, the Hippy movement. It was a bond that made travel easier, information was shared in coffee shops, buses, hotels. There were no books with directions to places to stay, good food. Of course no internet or smart phones. In one way these inventions seem to actually lessen the experience as well as the social bonding. And some sub groups seem to think their way is better and look down on others if they are not a part of their group. Just as the business traveller despises the Backpacker, and the expats hate the new tourists. I enjoy staying near Khaosan (riverside) because I enjoy the access of transportation, good food, meeting ALL types of people. It's nice when a person 50 years younger than me wants to talk and share stories. However, I have one peeve regarding Backpacks. Why do they have all those useless straps, snaps, grommets, tiedowns etc hanging all over the place? Cut them all off and you'll be 10 kilos lighter. I like a nice small rolling suitcase.
I would also suggest that "backpackers" were much more intelligent in general back then. You had to be to navigate the world without the all of the help that today's backpackers have. Just the general knowledge about the country and the environment was much higher pre-smart phone. I've had conversations with today's backpackers and it can be a painful experience. And yes I know I sound like the old man on the porch yelling at clouds... lol
@@toknnomad1424 yes they should know more, but I doubt they are using their 'Smart phones' to increase their knowledge of a country, rather they are checking their Facebook page and posting selfies
Good Khaosanroad vibes left with all the beautiful people from around the world who made this place so unique. Khaosanroad is now a normal hipster road wihout the magic of wildness,adventure and the vibes of love. Rest in peace you beautiful road with all your millions of storys,memories and fates.
Well then I must make a Tribute for Khaosan Road too. This is sad news. Its really dead. longest I stayed in that area was 3 months. It was the Road Of Roads.
Andrew Francis Worst these Selfie Tourist film everyone who are out to party. You cant be so relax when some Bimbo or geek is filming for their little vlog. Its hard to believe how this could end.
Used to love grabbing a Chang from 7-11 and sitting and watching all the drama unfolding. Don't need the chrome and plastic new looking places, want the old stuff back!
Oh, wow, the memories. I would try to stay around Phra Athit Road back in the day, with its cafés and restaurants. I felt those establishments attracted more Thai patrons, then backpackers, and the hotels were still relatively affordable and quiet compared to those close to Kaosan. Back then, there was live music and a jazz café in the area, today I wouldn't know. That old video… I'm pretty sure I met some University of Kaosan Road graduates over the years, when I was living in Japan.
First visit to Khaosan Rd was in ´93. Stayed there couple of days. Just Backpackers and Hippies as you described. Complicated to drive around without Skytrain. Mostly Tuk Tuk because only some yellow cabs. What a great time. Last couple of years didn´t like it anymore. Would be great if it recovered to a backpacker Hangout before the millions from the north arrive;)
Thanks Pat,another good video,I was there in 2019 the old hostel near the park and fort is cool but for me Wat a songrahm is the Temple that I first prayed in and I believe brought me together with my beautiful Thai Girlfriend that I meet all the way back in my home town of Sydney Australia. Keep up the good work mate ❤🙏
Back in 2007 I came to Khao San accompanying a friend so she could play some snooker In a nearby bar. To me it was just another middle class backpackers tourist zone with wannabe hippies but, before the alcohol ban for Songkhran, this place was the best party for Thai New Year.
A small spot on the world map where people of many races and languages meet the most . It is like a grain of rice. Many seeds come together in the rice cooker. It's a place to share stories, have stories, get people to talk about "Khaosan". Sawasdee Thailand. 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ พวกเรา" ชาวไทย" ยินดีต้อนรับทุกท่าน ด้วยไมตรีจิต
I was just there last week, and it is returning. Backpackers are back. Businesses are reopening. The street is lined with stalls selling clothing, jewelry, flag patches, fruit, fried bugs, pad thai, fake IDs, henna tattoos, and hair braiding like before. Even Charlie's Spa is back. Even the guy shooting that glow-in-the-dark helicopter toy into the air at night is back. The big differences are the new paving, the weed sold openly (legal now), the lack of fish spa services (illegal now), the volume of the music coming from the clubs at night (louder than I remember).
Very well done, an insiders guide to some of the best places around Khao San, and great to see the nearby Samsen area which has some great little guesthouse.
Spotted the Israeli restaurant Shoshana in the background of the Saffron restaurant clip. Used to enjoy going there in the late 90's when I wanted a change from Thai food.
I like the contrast directly to the beginning of the video. Relaxing Reggae Music and.... Bangkok rain :D. Nice calm video, easy to watch and entertaining like always :)
Thanks Frank, goes to show that reggae music fits all scenarios, I love it and should play it more often in videos but it went particularly well in this one. The next video is a challenge to pick the music for and I think you know why from some of the pics I've showed in the group.....
Thanks Pat lots of memories There mate. Back in the day Backpackers were mostly skint people of ALL ages on the road for the love of it. for the last 15 years i noticed its become mostly middle class gap year students with a Tick list.
One of your best Pat, great stuff. I go to KSR to practice my Burmese but should anyone be so inclined to want a very different KSR conversation - grab a beer and talk to any of the bar touts on KSR - all are Burmese, all speak English and lots of them have great stories of life as a refugee/immigrant, the absolute chaos that's currently going on there, and other subjects besides. I wanted to make a video on this but like you said - it's always so flipping loud!
as a backpacker from a couple decades ago and now a retired expat here in Thailand,,,, I agree 100% that we greatly assist the local small business owners, definitely more so than the Chinese "tour gangs" that follow the flag pole from/to established Chinese businesses such as bus companies, restaurants and hotels.
I remember Koan Sarn back in the 1990s, there was a Lady that used to stand outside her restaurant calling out to everybody....HELLO... HELLO... HELLO as she waved, and her restaurant became known as The Hello Restaurant... I always stay on Samsen Soi 3.
Re- introducing former Thailand tourist of the areas they frequented during their visit is an important part of your channel. this is yet another great example of how your channel does so much for Thailand and it's wide variety of people. No body does it better than Bangkok Pat.
Great stuff, Pat - as usual . I suppose I should make the effort to spend my Bangkok nights out somewhere other than lower Sukhumvit. Khaosan Road looks quite different to how I remember it and I didn't hear any James Blunt records playing....
My HISTORY OF KHAO SAN ROAD video: ua-cam.com/video/YLxpPwiXJ7U/v-deo.html Map & Links of recommended places to stay: www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1GUlWjCZYLr1d3iEQahYJ2ZqgTrKbHzQ&usp=sharing Flapping Duck: facebook.com/FlappingDuckGuesthouse Mind Day Hostel: facebook.com/Minddayhostel Sleep Within Hotel: www.sleepwithinn.com/ Kalambatu Reggae Bar & Café: facebook.com/Kalanbatu-bar-Khaosan-road-1255713814516222 Saffron Indian & Thai Food: facebook.com/saffronthb
Great video Pat, that guest house mind inn looked wonderful. I will try and book a few nights on my next trip. If I cant get in I will still visit. I love nothing better than chilling by a nice pool with books and beer.
Thanks mate. The place with a pool is Sleep Within Hotel, which is a good choice, although Mind Day is a great place, a cut well above most hostels. Rafa does a great job running it. Let me know when you're in town.
@@BangkokPat Ah, Ive just checked, it is Sleep Within, that pool area looks lovely. I will check out Mind Day too. Kao San I first went too in 1997, Buddy is still going strong, sadly the snooker hall has gone. Could be blessing ....
This is a really excellent vlog on Khao San - the right balance of positivity with a sense of humour from Pat. Nice not to get an avalanche of negative anti woke rants.
Thanks Julian, I don't do social justice or woke on this channel, I try and be realistic. I'm not against it or anti-anything, it doesn't work that's all. I'm not a wannabe ''influencer'' type of UA-camr.
Good grief Pat, I can't believe you're happy to see the hippy backpackers to return ! I must confess I was a backpacker who stayed on Khao San Road in the late eighties and it had then a nice chill atmosphere (and it was very cheap). And no street stalls or loud music that I can recall. I don't imagine that will ever come back.
Khao San Road itself is awful now, after the failed gentrification, covid closure and then its ''reopening'' with the borders closed, the street itself is chaotic.
I got to learn of klong Sam sep and how to get to the pier to start and to follow the people getting to change boat, from an expat living here where I met in khaosan with his Thai wife. I got my hot coffee from 7-11 and sit at the curb watching international tourists passing by 👍
The new plan for Khao San road hasn’t worked out yet. Will be interesting to see what happen then the intended new tourists can travel. It was a very lively place and lots of interesting people around there …haven’t been there in at least 10 years so it was good to see it now. Regardless of what people think of backpackers they are just another type of traveler just like someone who travel business class !!!!!! How you arrive and what you do at your destination is up to you . Great vlog Pat Ps zero chance of me giving them money to further they holiday 🙄🙄
Cheers Jimmy. The point I was making is to get as many backpackers to Khao San Road so there's no space for the Chinese tour groups or flashpackers. The Ibis is still shut down on Soi Rambutri so that will deter a few rich high end tourists....
First time in Bangkok about 2004 I stayed in Khao san, didn’t know any better. I stayed in a guest house called Wallys which was ok and cheap. Went down the alley and to a Thai music place. I was the only faleng but they made me feel welcome.
Khao San Road is a story teller's paradise. Follow Pat through the trapdoor to the other side and you will emerge with one or two stories that you'll never forget.
I've heard many dodgy stories there over the years, if I hung around there more in the early days I'd probably be a writer by now, sharing the shelves with Calvino...........!!
Great video, Pat :)! It brought back some great memories for me pre -2013 Khao San Road era. The fake TEFL degree was funny to see. I have so many fond memories on Khao San and surroundings partying with friends. It is now interesting to see weed being sold on the street. I do hope Khao San gets busy again with backpackers and hippies or whoever wants to visit to increase local business.
Youth is once in life time, mid life and late life also. I try to keep them separate.With this approach I avoid illusions and have a better focus Once again , thanks for the great coverage.
First experience with Kao San in year 2000. Now August 6th 2022 post covid it's like a wonder of the world. I've never seen it so full or rocking or raucous. The shit is full on.
Pat, another interesting video! Thanks for producing this. There use to be a lot of shops on Khao San that made rather good quality fake ID's and Press passes. I think they started to crack down on that a few years ago. Did you notices any of these type of places?
Many happy memories of this area yr1999 yr2000, bucket after bucket of beer..bars open 24/7. Characters everywhere..hangovers to die for lol. Damn you Chang.. trouble is that they want people to spend more and stay longer in the area..that's fine but Thailand has so much more competition these days.
What about the famous 'Gheko Bar' in Rambuttri with the white plastic chairs, great spot for people watching, but the worst toilets (thai style) in that street. I vividly remember having to clean them both before and after use. The pain alleviated somewhat by reading the graffiti on the walls .....
"throw away your deodorant"...that line just cracked me up. Well done Pat. And you're right, the music on KSR is a complete nuisance... Way too loud and it ruins the experience.
Hi Pat, just brought you a Coffee, but missed the comments section. For future tours could you do around where Asia Tech is now and that area, don't know if it has any interesting history but its where my Thai Family live in Bangkok. Chris G
I remember staying round th KhonSan Rd in and off for a year back in 1995/6. Not somewhere I would be interested in going now though. I have lived in sunny Bangchak for the last 3 years. Rafa lost his shirt 5555.
I first went to Khao San road back in 1988 as a backpacker/traveler on a budget as a young man. Just out of curiousity I returned for a look about 2015 and I couldn't recognise anything. Ha ha. A few changes.
@@randymanchester6993 Hawaii Beach Haze has GBD, not CBD, and it has TCH, not THC. But seriously. THC levels are not 0.2%. They state that because 0.2% is the legal limit. They legally have to claim it's 0.2% or lower, but it's much higher.
I am not a backpacker but I do like to come to khaosan to mingle the sight and sound of the hippie place and to spend on food and services available. This place is different from Sukhumvit and Silom kind of scene. Mostly are happy tourists here and not the type of serious tourists. This is a place for everyone to see and to experience being young again kind of good feel.
Another great one Pat. You've given me an idea....I think I will camp out on Khaosan in fisherman pants (only), make sure to forego any showers for a minimum of a week. I'll wear fake dreads and be beating a bongo.....see you there!
I know the area very well, I spent several months there every year from 1999 to 2004, there is definitely a Khao San Road before "The Beach" and one after "The Beach". after this film they came from all over the world and looked for the legendary island. oh yeah and drank grape juice with red bull believing it was snake blood.
Nice one Frank, that's the first time I've heard the grape juice and red bull thing and I believe it 100%. Definitely a big change in the area post The Beach. Can't blame people for that but for me it wasn't my favourite movie, probably because I watched it on the same night I also watched City of Ghosts.
That movie is responsible for people mass-mispronouncing the street as "ko san". Before that movie, everyone pronounced it "cow san", which is closer to the Thai name.
Walked down Khao San a couple times recently on the weekend. Not too busy. Seems like all the bars are the same blasting music and trying to pull you in with "drink specials" Found the adjacent road Rambuttri to be more interesting with some cool bars and cafes. I could see the soi Nana area in Chinatown becoming more of a hub for backpackers. Much better scene in my opinion.
Awesome Pat, very professional.
Totally agree with backpackers spending goes directly to the small businesses and local people.
Exactly - the Chinese spend their money with tour groups, malls, duty free - all owned by rich Thais/Thainese.
For me, the khaosan rd died when it lost the old wooden buildings, it lost its character. The final nail in the coffin was the closing of the beautiful teak "prakorb" cafe and gallery around 2013.
Thanks for sharing pat, always love your vids👍
I love the way you help the local businesses and your great interviews.
I loved khaosan rd. I first went when I was 21. My flight landed in Bangkok at 6:30am and by 8am, I was drinking my first beach pail of liquor 😂. I went back earlier this year and it was deserted. Even though I don't drink, it was still sad to see.
Your best video ever! For example, because I like the fact, that you express an opinion about backpackers.
I don‘t know why, but it‘s obvious you‘ve been a DJ :-)
And - no other vlogger gets the volume-balance between speech and music as perfectly as you!
Tom / Germany
Thanks Tom, I was being honest and straight up, Khao San Road should be left alone for the backpackers! Yes I was a DJ for many years and sound engineer so balancing sound is normal for me! Cheers!
Great video, on my tour list for my next visit. I enjoy this style of video. Certainly some cool places for the old 60's generation like me.
"Make Khao San Great Again"
Pat, you are funny: "So long as they were far enough away that I wouldn't hear it..." I'm sure most feel the same way (tree falling in the forest with no one else around).
I started my backpacking days in '77 in continental Europe when I was 26 years old, and I'm still at it today at the age of 71. I don't travel with a pack anymore but rather with a suitcase made of plastic that I can pull along behind me. Backpackers frequently consider themselves superior to upmarket tourists - I was also guilty of that sentiment as a much younger man - especially with regard to those tourists on packaged tours. And expats frequently consider themselves superior to backpackers. (I have fitted both descriptions in your adopted country). But I am not sure that we are viewed all that differently by the locals in Muang Thai, at least not in tourist areas. By the way, Pat, I believe that backpackers are called by 'unkind' Thais and Thai-Chinese in Banglampu 'farang kin kee' (literally 'foreigners who eat shit' - meaning cheapskates). Have you heard that one?
There were other words called Farang for example'Farang Nam Prik'
litterally Farang who spent
long times in Thailand and knew a lot about Thais and they could eat spicy food
such as Thai dish'Chilly Paste' or Farang kee nok(or Farang kik kok) litteraly Bird shit Farang or Farang who have nothing.
This only for hilarious words should not serious
@@userlp66amn09cp Good ones, Vroom. I hadn't heard those. One gets the impression in Thai, especially if one listens into chatter in the street, if one can indeed do that, that your average farang is not held in awfully high repute, especially by male Thais. Maybe a certain amount of this is envy, and it possibly stems from the days when the locals thought Western foreigners like me were all rich. Also some foreigners behave very badly when in the kingdom. I'm thinking specifically of a certain brand of sex tourist and not of your average backpacker..
I'm Thai-chinese never heard Farang kin kee .It's may be Farang Kee Nok mean Farang small money like a bird shit.
😱
Thais understand that Farangs who can travelling out territories they are good financial position but they don't want to show people.If i were Farangs I also prefer travelling as a backpacker. It made me
safe from scam and pickpockets.P.M.Justin Trudeau of Canada was a backpacker teavelling to Thailand before when he was a young guy.
It was 1989 when I first arrived in Bangkok and Khao Sarn Rd after a sleeper train up from the south. My guest house cost 70 baht/night. The only Thais who would be seen in the area were those that worked here. Such was the reputation Thais had of Khao Sarn Rd and all those 'feral' farangs back then. With the arrival of budget airlines multi-month backpackers gave way to regional tourists with more money to splash around on their shorter holiday. And then the place started to go more up-market. Thai hipster university students started opening up bars along Pra Athit Rd and elsewhere albeit catering more for the Thai crowd who, ironically, enjoyed the international melting pot. And so the character started to change with only a few of those older die-hard backpackers remaining to remind us how the place used to be.
I guess you might consider me one of those characters coming out of the woodwork. I first began the 'backpacker' lifestyle 50yrs ago, Asia, Europe, Africa. Back then there was less judgement of other travellers, maybe because we were all part of the same social experiment, the Hippy movement. It was a bond that made travel easier, information was shared in coffee shops, buses, hotels. There were no books with directions to places to stay, good food. Of course no internet or smart phones. In one way these inventions seem to actually lessen the experience as well as the social bonding. And some sub groups seem to think their way is better and look down on others if they are not a part of their group. Just as the business traveller despises the Backpacker, and the expats hate the new tourists.
I enjoy staying near Khaosan (riverside) because I enjoy the access of transportation, good food, meeting ALL types of people. It's nice when a person 50 years younger than me wants to talk and share stories.
However, I have one peeve regarding Backpacks. Why do they have all those useless straps, snaps, grommets, tiedowns etc hanging all over the place? Cut them all off and you'll be 10 kilos lighter. I like a nice small rolling suitcase.
I would also suggest that "backpackers" were much more intelligent in general back then. You had to be to navigate the world without the all of the help that today's backpackers have. Just the general knowledge about the country and the environment was much higher pre-smart phone. I've had conversations with today's backpackers and it can be a painful experience. And yes I know I sound like the old man on the porch yelling at clouds... lol
@@toknnomad1424 shouldn't todays backpacker know more about the countries they travel as information is so easily available?
@@eli_manguala A bit of irony isn't it... lol
@@toknnomad1424 yes they should know more, but I doubt they are using their 'Smart phones' to increase their knowledge of a country, rather they are checking their Facebook page and posting selfies
Good Khaosanroad vibes left with all the beautiful people from around the world who made this place so unique.
Khaosanroad is now a normal hipster road wihout the magic of wildness,adventure and the vibes of love.
Rest in peace you beautiful road with all your millions of storys,memories and fates.
Everything changes... But hey we still have the movie "The Beach" to catch a glimpse. 🏝
There was a great camaradrie among budget travelers back in the day. You talked to each other. Now everyone's got their faces stuck in devices.
Well then I must make a Tribute for Khaosan Road too. This is sad news. Its really dead. longest I stayed in that area was 3 months. It was the Road Of Roads.
Andrew Francis Worst these Selfie Tourist film everyone who are out to party. You cant be so relax when some Bimbo or geek is filming for their little vlog. Its hard to believe how this could end.
My trip to Thailand starts each time i see the D&D sign on KSR. Changed a lot in the last 20 odd years. Love it there!!
I loved Khao San Rd in my backpacking days..cheers for this Pat
Used to love grabbing a Chang from 7-11 and sitting and watching all the drama unfolding. Don't need the chrome and plastic new looking places, want the old stuff back!
I could't agree more about everything you said! A great video once again.
Much appreciated, thanks.
really awesome video! Thanks for bringing me back! Well produced! Really good idea! very nostalgic! I can't wait to visit again!
Thanks a lot!
Oh, wow, the memories. I would try to stay around Phra Athit Road back in the day, with its cafés and restaurants. I felt those establishments attracted more Thai patrons, then backpackers, and the hotels were still relatively affordable and quiet compared to those close to Kaosan. Back then, there was live music and a jazz café in the area, today I wouldn't know.
That old video… I'm pretty sure I met some University of Kaosan Road graduates over the years, when I was living in Japan.
First visit to Khaosan Rd was in ´93. Stayed there couple of days. Just Backpackers and Hippies as you described. Complicated to drive around without Skytrain. Mostly Tuk Tuk because only some yellow cabs. What a great time. Last couple of years didn´t like it anymore. Would be great if it recovered to a backpacker Hangout before the millions from the north arrive;)
Great Vid. Everyone should visit Khao San Road at least once!
Not so sure about the gentrification.
Cheers.
i have walked past/near the flapping duck many times pre covid but never ventured in-way too old, but it was good to see what it had to offer
I stayed at the D and D a bunch of times from 2006-2013. Still there. Was there in 1996 too per the picture
Thanks Pat,another good video,I was there in 2019 the old hostel near the park and fort is cool but for me Wat a songrahm is the Temple that I first prayed in and I believe brought me together with my beautiful Thai Girlfriend that I meet all the way back in my home town of Sydney Australia. Keep up the good work mate ❤🙏
Back in 2007 I came to Khao San accompanying a friend so she could play some snooker In a nearby bar. To me it was just another middle class backpackers tourist zone with wannabe hippies but, before the alcohol ban for Songkhran, this place was the best party for Thai New Year.
A small spot on the world map where people of many races and languages meet the most . It is like a grain of rice. Many seeds come together in the rice cooker. It's a place to share stories, have stories, get people to talk about "Khaosan".
Sawasdee Thailand. 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
พวกเรา" ชาวไทย" ยินดีต้อนรับทุกท่าน
ด้วยไมตรีจิต
Thank you, it's just how you describe it!
Nice video, Pat. It was great to see you on the Khaosan road filming last week. I really hope the area returns back to its former glory.
I was just there last week, and it is returning. Backpackers are back. Businesses are reopening. The street is lined with stalls selling clothing, jewelry, flag patches, fruit, fried bugs, pad thai, fake IDs, henna tattoos, and hair braiding like before. Even Charlie's Spa is back. Even the guy shooting that glow-in-the-dark helicopter toy into the air at night is back. The big differences are the new paving, the weed sold openly (legal now), the lack of fish spa services (illegal now), the volume of the music coming from the clubs at night (louder than I remember).
Nice haircut, and I went ONCE to Khao San Road but never felt the need to go back.
A pity....the area near Khao San road is amazing and beautiful
Pat great video you are very knowledgeable.👍😉🇹🇭
Pat you scared me there for a bit, I thought you were going Rasta.. Another great video, appreciate the candor. Thank you. 😁🙏👍
First time I got the first like 👍 🤣
Very well done, an insiders guide to some of the best places around Khao San, and great to see the nearby Samsen area which has some great little guesthouse.
Enjoyed this , nice video again Pat ! I’m only 11 weeks now from visiting !
Thanks Pat. That was a good one. Hope to see you on the streets there soon.
Spotted the Israeli restaurant Shoshana in the background of the Saffron restaurant clip. Used to enjoy going there in the late 90's when I wanted a change from Thai food.
now shishana went expensive
It was still there when I went in January. I love that place 💗
Love the video Pat!
I like the contrast directly to the beginning of the video. Relaxing Reggae Music and.... Bangkok rain :D. Nice calm video, easy to watch and entertaining like always :)
Thanks Frank, goes to show that reggae music fits all scenarios, I love it and should play it more often in videos but it went particularly well in this one. The next video is a challenge to pick the music for and I think you know why from some of the pics I've showed in the group.....
I am more than happy to listen to Thai music only.
Excellent video. Thanks
Cheers Jerome.
the area a really nice place to hangout and to stay...nice presentation
Great Video Pat, I Had such a great time in Khao San as a backpacker.. Good Times
Pat, Your interview style is excellent! We would love to see more interviews with interesting blokes like Rapha @ Mind Day.
Great guy and he runs a great place, I will be back soon for a report on those places and to say Hi. Thanks!
Thanks Pat lots of memories There mate. Back in the day Backpackers were mostly skint people of ALL ages on the road for the love of it. for the last 15 years i noticed its become mostly middle class gap year students with a Tick list.
One of your best Pat, great stuff.
I go to KSR to practice my Burmese but should anyone be so inclined to want a very different KSR conversation - grab a beer and talk to any of the bar touts on KSR - all are Burmese, all speak English and lots of them have great stories of life as a refugee/immigrant, the absolute chaos that's currently going on there, and other subjects besides.
I wanted to make a video on this but like you said - it's always so flipping loud!
Great video, loved your back and beg packer comments. Makes me miss the old KSR, let’s hope it can return in some form soon
as a backpacker from a couple decades ago and now a retired expat here in Thailand,,,, I agree 100% that we greatly assist the local small business owners, definitely more so than the Chinese "tour gangs" that follow the flag pole from/to established Chinese businesses such as bus companies, restaurants and hotels.
Thanks for letting us all know what the current scene is like there now...... very informative. Also the video quality looks real good now.
Another top video, Pat - very informative and well executed. Nice cats, too.
Cheers Keith.
Quality video again Pat I’ll pop in the area in November,,,
great video
Thanks!
Top video once again!
I liked this video.
Thanks Eric
Thank you Pat, it brings back some amazing memories of KSR.
I remember Koan Sarn back in the 1990s, there was a Lady that used to stand outside her restaurant calling out to everybody....HELLO... HELLO... HELLO as she waved, and her restaurant became known as The Hello Restaurant... I always stay on Samsen Soi 3.
Nice one Pat. I'll be in Bangkok on Saturday
Good memories for me 20 yrs ago. Other thai places interest me these days.
I for sure will give this place a visit next year when i come.
Re- introducing former Thailand tourist of the areas they frequented during their visit is an important part of your channel. this is yet another great example of how your channel does so much for Thailand and it's wide variety of people. No body does it better than Bangkok Pat.
Great stuff, Pat - as usual . I suppose I should make the effort to spend my Bangkok nights out somewhere other than lower Sukhumvit. Khaosan Road looks quite different to how I remember it and I didn't hear any James Blunt records playing....
Stay nearer to the river part at the other end of Rambutri
Great channel ,thanks
Cheers Paul.
Another great video !
Pat you know all the cool places in Bangkok. I need to explore a bit when I arrive.
My HISTORY OF KHAO SAN ROAD video: ua-cam.com/video/YLxpPwiXJ7U/v-deo.html
Map & Links of recommended places to stay:
www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1GUlWjCZYLr1d3iEQahYJ2ZqgTrKbHzQ&usp=sharing
Flapping Duck: facebook.com/FlappingDuckGuesthouse
Mind Day Hostel: facebook.com/Minddayhostel
Sleep Within Hotel: www.sleepwithinn.com/
Kalambatu Reggae Bar & Café: facebook.com/Kalanbatu-bar-Khaosan-road-1255713814516222
Saffron Indian & Thai Food: facebook.com/saffronthb
Love your channel mate
Thank you very much!
Good news. Cannabis Kingdom Podcast has all the latest info on cannabis in Thailand too - Recommended resource Pat should check out
Thanks for the heads up, will do.
Great video Pat, that guest house mind inn looked wonderful. I will try and book a few nights on my next trip. If I cant get in I will still visit. I love nothing better than chilling by a nice pool with books and beer.
Thanks mate. The place with a pool is Sleep Within Hotel, which is a good choice, although Mind Day is a great place, a cut well above most hostels. Rafa does a great job running it. Let me know when you're in town.
@@BangkokPat Ah, Ive just checked, it is Sleep Within, that pool area looks lovely. I will check out Mind Day too. Kao San I first went too in 1997, Buddy is still going strong, sadly the snooker hall has gone. Could be blessing ....
This is a really excellent vlog on Khao San - the right balance of positivity with a sense of humour from Pat. Nice not to get an avalanche of negative anti woke rants.
Thanks Julian, I don't do social justice or woke on this channel, I try and be realistic. I'm not against it or anti-anything, it doesn't work that's all. I'm not a wannabe ''influencer'' type of UA-camr.
Julian is it you from SE7 !
Good grief Pat, I can't believe you're happy to see the hippy backpackers to return ! I must confess I was a backpacker who stayed on Khao San Road in the late eighties and it had then a nice chill atmosphere (and it was very cheap). And no street stalls or loud music that I can recall. I don't imagine that will ever come back.
Khao San Road itself is awful now, after the failed gentrification, covid closure and then its ''reopening'' with the borders closed, the street itself is chaotic.
I got to learn of klong Sam sep and how to get to the pier to start and to follow the people getting to change boat, from an expat living here where I met in khaosan with his Thai wife. I got my hot coffee from 7-11 and sit at the curb watching international tourists passing by 👍
The new plan for Khao San road hasn’t worked out yet. Will be interesting to see what happen then the intended new tourists can travel. It was a very lively place and lots of interesting people around there …haven’t been there in at least 10 years so it was good to see it now. Regardless of what people think of backpackers they are just another type of traveler just like someone who travel business class !!!!!! How you arrive and what you do at your destination is up to you . Great vlog Pat
Ps zero chance of me giving them money to further they holiday 🙄🙄
Cheers Jimmy. The point I was making is to get as many backpackers to Khao San Road so there's no space for the Chinese tour groups or flashpackers. The Ibis is still shut down on Soi Rambutri so that will deter a few rich high end tourists....
First time in Bangkok about 2004 I stayed in Khao san, didn’t know any better. I stayed in a guest house called Wallys which was ok and cheap. Went down the alley and to a Thai music place. I was the only faleng but they made me feel welcome.
Khao San Road is a story teller's paradise. Follow Pat through the trapdoor to the other side and you will emerge with one or two stories that you'll never forget.
I've heard many dodgy stories there over the years, if I hung around there more in the early days I'd probably be a writer by now, sharing the shelves with Calvino...........!!
Great video, Pat :)! It brought back some great memories for me pre -2013 Khao San Road era. The fake TEFL degree was funny to see. I have so many fond memories on Khao San and surroundings partying with friends. It is now interesting to see weed being sold on the street. I do hope Khao San gets busy again with backpackers and hippies or whoever wants to visit to increase local business.
The world is so beautiful because it is so versatile
Youth is once in life time, mid life and late life also. I try to keep them separate.With this approach I avoid illusions and have a better focus
Once again , thanks for the great coverage.
First experience with Kao San in year 2000. Now August 6th 2022 post covid it's like a wonder of the world. I've never seen it so full or rocking or raucous. The shit is full on.
I knew I shouldn't have watched this... Just makes me want to get back over there sooner... haha
Pat, another interesting video! Thanks for producing this. There use to be a lot of shops on Khao San that made rather good quality fake ID's and Press passes. I think they started to crack down on that a few years ago. Did you notices any of these type of places?
Great work Pat.
I miss Khao San Road 😍 Been there once and would love to visit again
Many happy memories of this area yr1999 yr2000, bucket after bucket of beer..bars open 24/7. Characters everywhere..hangovers to die for lol. Damn you Chang.. trouble is that they want people to spend more and stay longer in the area..that's fine but Thailand has so much more competition these days.
Top drawer as per. Hey mate ...I should be over in BKK in October..if you fancy meeting up for a bevvy in the Royal Oak if you have time
What about the famous 'Gheko Bar' in Rambuttri with the white plastic chairs, great spot for people watching, but the worst toilets (thai style) in that street. I vividly remember having to clean them both before and after use. The pain alleviated somewhat by reading the graffiti on the walls .....
Haven't seen it open unless I missed it. Toilet facilities aren't a strong point in most ramshackle places around that area.
Had some great nights there, sitting on one Chang watching the crowd. Now I don't drink but a coke perhaps 🤔
@@BangkokPat I went a couple of weeks ago and.....drum roll.....new fookin toilet Euro style!
nice place in the 80's
I bet is was mate!
"throw away your deodorant"...that line just cracked me up. Well done Pat. And you're right, the music on KSR is a complete nuisance... Way too loud and it ruins the experience.
That was so funny 😭
Well thats how people end up dancing on the street and making the whole street alive though !
Hello, I'm Thai and I live in Bangkok and close to Khao San Road, this place I visit.
It's a lot of fun and more travellers are arriving every day now.
Hi Pat, just brought you a Coffee, but missed the comments section. For future tours could you do around where Asia Tech is now and that area, don't know if it has any interesting history but its where my Thai Family live in Bangkok. Chris G
That area I am well familar with and it's got a lot of interesting stuff. I do intend to.
I remember staying round th KhonSan Rd in and off for a year back in 1995/6. Not somewhere I would be interested in going now though. I have lived in sunny Bangchak for the last 3 years. Rafa lost his shirt 5555.
Forever young Pat and follow your Dreams ✌
I first went to Khao San road back in 1988 as a backpacker/traveler on a budget as a young man.
Just out of curiousity I returned for a look about 2015 and I couldn't recognise anything. Ha ha. A few changes.
4:99 Hawaii Beach Haze is high in GBD and low in TCH.
True! It's CBD they are selling. Look the THC levels at 17:15
@@randymanchester6993 Hawaii Beach Haze has GBD, not CBD, and it has TCH, not THC.
But seriously. THC levels are not 0.2%. They state that because 0.2% is the legal limit. They legally have to claim it's 0.2% or lower, but it's much higher.
Haha cool. Yeah that would make sense. Prob not much oversight.
I am not a backpacker but I do like to come to khaosan to mingle the sight and sound of the hippie place and to spend on food and services available. This place is different from Sukhumvit and Silom kind of scene. Mostly are happy tourists here and not the type of serious tourists. This is a place for everyone to see and to experience being young again kind of good feel.
Dont work, be Hippy... Gotta love that concept Pat... 😊😊👍👍
Another great one Pat. You've given me an idea....I think I will camp out on Khaosan in fisherman pants (only), make sure to forego any showers for a minimum of a week. I'll wear fake dreads and be beating a bongo.....see you there!
Cheers Bob, but don't steal my spot!
Beg packers are in a class all their own
I will try and confront some on camera soon, no pixelled faces whatsoever.
well said pat,
I know the area very well, I spent several months there every year from 1999 to 2004, there is definitely a Khao San Road before "The Beach" and one after "The Beach". after this film they came from all over the world and looked for the legendary island. oh yeah and drank grape juice with red bull believing it was snake blood.
Nice one Frank, that's the first time I've heard the grape juice and red bull thing and I believe it 100%. Definitely a big change in the area post The Beach. Can't blame people for that but for me it wasn't my favourite movie, probably because I watched it on the same night I also watched City of Ghosts.
That movie is responsible for people mass-mispronouncing the street as "ko san". Before that movie, everyone pronounced it "cow san", which is closer to the Thai name.
GREAT!
Suk Sabbai had a great band on the soi next to KSR.
Walked down Khao San a couple times recently on the weekend. Not too busy. Seems like all the bars are the same blasting music and trying to pull you in with "drink specials" Found the adjacent road Rambuttri to be more interesting with some cool bars and cafes. I could see the soi Nana area in Chinatown becoming more of a hub for backpackers. Much better scene in my opinion.
Less than a week to go before I arrive back in Bangkok. Absolutely excited to be back again after so long. 😍🥰🙃
A few more days and you can start packing!
@@BangkokPat ... I am so glad I managed to skip the Thai Pass and stupid covid insurance.
@@sbalogh53 yes good. Let’s hope it don’t return before I visit mid September ..
@@jonhobson3592 ... I arrived Bangkok and immigration went smoothly. Didn't even bother checking vaccination certificate.
@@sbalogh53 good stuff. Let’s hope it stays that way ..
Nice!