Bangkok's Top Ten Entertainment Zones
Khao San Road
Khao San is suddenly one of the hottest nightspot areas of Bangkok. Khaosan Road has had itself morphed into something rather more upscale and this appeals to expats and locals in recent years. Here you will find about 50 pubs, bars, discos, and nightclubs.
Updated: Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Locals and expats used to turn up their noses at the very mention of this 800-metre long strip of flophouses, retail outlets and travel agencies, that used to be frequented solely by impoverished tousle-haired backpackers wearing toeless shoes and shorts. But since the area's business operators woke up to the fact that backpackers themselves are nowadays better-dressed, better-off and altogether a better proposition, Khaosan Road has itself morphed into something rather more upscale and this appeals to expats and locals.
Except perhaps for the dramatic improvement in the quality of overnight accommodation, no aspect of Khaosan Rd has changed more than its nightlife. Yes, the travel agencies, the tattoo shops, and dozens of little restaurants serving toned-down versions of Thailand's spicy classical dishes, are all still here; but there are now also about 50 pubs, bars, discos, and nightclubs.
The backpackers still visit Khaosan in their thousands and dominate the scene both by day and night. But after sunset, when the neon lights flicker into life, and the entertainment establishments open their doors, the area takes on a new dimension. Office workers, students with money to spend and freelance girls looking for love or money, or both, begin to drift in, not only to Khaosan Rd but also to neighbouring Chakrapong Rd and Rambuttri Road.
The pubs are the first to get going. The biggest and best of these, is Gullivers. It's a big European-style pub with lots of TV screens and several pool tables, around which are to be found attractive young freelancers keen to get to know the foreigners who patronise the place. By 11pm (and earlier at weekends), Gullivers is already rocking, as inebriated clients of both sexes clamber onto the now-covered pool tables to show off their wares and dance to the full-on sound of experienced DJs spinning everything from Hip Hop to Techno.
Another popular pub, the Shamrock Irish Pub, attracts a similar though slightly older clientele that is more inclined to sing-along to classic western hits from a live band than leap onto pool tables and let their hair down.
There are no go-go bars here, no sex-shows or touts, but there are plenty of good bars and nightclubs. The most interesting is an open-air rooftop bar called Gazebo that is decked out in North-African style and serves up commendable food and brilliant music from live bands. Attached to the bar, which is in Chakrapong Rd, is a disco that opens to customers already on the premises by midnight, and which has been known to stay open somewhat later than the official closing-time for the area, namely 1am.
The best of the nightclubs is aptly called The Club. Scintillating décor, laser strobes, a large dance-floor and sensibly-priced drinks have made this recently refurbished club a new magnet to Khaosan Rd.
Neighbouring Rambuttri Road is home to the best of the Thai-style bars and clubs that include Cinnamon Bar, Bangkok Bar, Deep and The Immortal.
Neither the Skytrain (BTS) nor the underground (MRT) go anywhere near Khaosan. Taxi is really the only option and at evening rush-hour not all taxi drivers are keen to make the trip, not because of the distance (it is only 5.5 kilometres from Siam Square), but because the traffic can turn to gridlock. By 9pm however, access shouldn't be a problem.
