Khao San Road: A Patchwork in Progress

In less than a ten-minute walk, the entire world opens up into a chaotic jungle of people, foods, aromas, and entertainment. With a unique mix of genres from rich to poor, small people, lady-boys, to children selling roses at 2am in the morning, the vibe at Khao San Road in Thailand ranges from inspirational to heartbreaking.

Children with their fathers sleeping on cardboard with the trash on the streets are found beside a cultural mix of live music and high profile markets in one of the wealthiest areas of the city. Everything from African Drums, Thai Fisherman Pants, native jewellery, alligator purses, and exotic foods can be purchased at these markets. Fried crickets, spicy Indian curry, chocolate dipped bananas, fresh pineapple, and chicken rice dishes are just a few of the items on the menu.    

From newborns to grandmothers, everyone here has goods to sell and readily jump at every single opportunity they may get. An average wage is about 250 baht per day for a hard working labourer, which is the average amount we may spend on an expensive single meal for two in Bangkok, or in US terms, less than $9 USD. As a tourist, my heart is split between enjoying my time here, and feeling terrible for the people lying miserably on the streets.

Backpackers and tourists are a major source of income for the locals. A simple item such as a brim hat may retail locally at less than 20 baht whereas a tourist will readily separate with 1-500 baht for the same item.

Until I moved to this area of town, I had yet to see a single beggar or unfed person, who by my calculations must be living like kings compared to his fellow labourers.  

Tourists from every region of the world, particularly from Asian and European countries come to purchase tailor made goods, enjoy luxuries like a Thai message, fish spas, and listen to live music.

Women ornately dressed in shapely hats covered in gold bells or spiralled rainbows, and carry trays full of goods from person to person urging a sale while adorable children sell roses to with their convincing smiles.  Streets bustle with eager taxis and tuk tuk drivers, and motorcyclists wiggle their way through on sidewalks and through crowded restaurants. If I ever though there were unusual or pointless law in the US, I now realize their usefulness in a city like Bangkok, where rules vary from person to person, and on more of a daily basis.

Khao San Road is a unique patchwork of cultures, music and foods that includes all walks of life and the range of classes within this versatile society. Although I have mixed and torn emotions about this niche of the city, it is certainly a must see eye-opener.