Legendary Khao San Road

Manda writes:

Khao San Road is where all the 'farangs' (westerners) hang out. It has become a landmark on the tourist trail over the years and I'd say about 90% of the people we saw there today were tourists. There is an ethnic feel to this place, probably as a result of the tie-dye dresses displayed for sale, burning incense sticks and the numerous hair braiding services on offer (and boy can they braid hair fast!). Like most open spaces in Bangkok, this was another shopping venue. Both sides of Khoa San Road are lined with shops and in front of them, are market stalls selling ethnic goods, jewellery, trinket boxes, second hand books, CDs etc.

Backpacker central: Bangkok's Khao San Road.

There are a lot of travel agencies along this road offering day trips in and around Bangkok as well as transportation to nearby SE Asian countries. We made some enquiries and found out that flight tickets from Bangkok to Vietnam (Ho Chi Min), then to Cambodia (Angkor Wat) and back to Bangkok cost around £170. Something to think about for later. Does anyone have any ideas on how best to travel around these countries from Bangkok?

Boots, Dunkin Donuts, Burger King, as well as a mobile kebab van added to the 'home away from home' kind of theme going on here! As well as the countless number of pubs and outdoor eateries where you can watch the tuk-tuks go by. There are beauty salons dotted around where you can have a complete makeover but we chose to get a pampering of a different kind.

We took a taxi over to the Metropolis Cinema and booked some VIP seats. For 500 Baht (£5.50) each, we enjoyed a fruit punch and biscuits in our very swish dedicated waiting room. We were there to watch 'Shark Tale' in a comfortable reclining armchair, along with pillow, blanket and socks (eye shields were not required on this occasion!). It was just like being on a plane - well, with these luxurious armchairs, it would have to have been in the first class section.

Ah, the luxury. The only danger is getting too comfortable and falling asleep!

There were only a handful of us stretched out at the back, as if we were tanning ourselves on padded sun loungers. But when the National Anthem came on, I struggled to find my remote control to close this sprawling device. So I ended up stumbling out to stand and pay my respects to the King, like the rest of the audience (this happens before every film in Thailand). And because I didn't get to fold my armchair foot rest in time, I stood out a bit further than everyone in my row. Now, there's dedication for you!

Cinema tickets would normally cost around 150 Baht per person and at three times the cost of a normal ticket, this was really extravagant. We justified it on the basis that it's something we couldn't do back home and for once we'd get to sit in first class. After a busy week in Bangkok, it was time we finally put our feet up and what better way than to do this while watching a movie. It definitely brings a whole different meaning to multi-tasking!