Khao San Road Thailand; Gateway to South East Asia

There is probably no street as well-known to tourists to Thailand as the KhaoSan Road. Like many to other people this was the first place I came to in Thailand during my first visit about nine years ago. I had just finished reading the beach by Alec Garland and the street was mentioned in the story. When I arrived the Khao San Road seemed to promise all the things that were mentioned in the book; adventure, excitement, and the door to exotic Thailand. I hit the bars and everywhere there were world-travelers with their backpacks. It was easy to fall into conversation with these people and it was impossible to not feel excited about the places they talked about going to next.

I was only there for two weeks holiday, and this was the furthest I had ever travelled. It was difficult to not feel a lot of envy for these people who had taking at least a year off to travel the world. They talked about places that I had never even heard of like; Chiang Mai, Vientiane, Phnom Phenn, and Da Nang. I only spent two days on the KhaoSan Road, but it was enough to change my life forever. I returned to my job as an NHS nurse in an English hospital, handed in my notice, cashed in my pension, and six weeks later I was back in Thailand.

I have lived in Thailand for over eight years by this stage and it is hard to feel as excited about the KhaoSan Road like I once did. I rarely visit, but when I do I don't stay for long. Isn't it amazing how much we change? I once thought that the KhaoSan Road was the most exotic place that symbolized Thailand for me; now I visit to get a taste of what I miss in the west. That is something that you quickly realize after being in Thailand awhile; the Khao San Road is no way an example of a typical Thai street.

I still have great memories of that street; it changed my life. I spent a couple of Songkrans there and for me there is nowhere in Thailand to spend that time than on the Khao San road. Songkran is the Thai New Year and people celebrate by having huge water fights. For almost a week this Bangkok street turns into a lunatic asylum with everyone raging wars with water pistols and bucket of ice water. It is great to see grown men and women become children again, and the cold water is certainly welcome in the April heat.