The last time I visited Thailand was in 2001. I was still in a long distance relationship with the Dutchman and the trip was one of our planned halfway across the globe holiday rendezvous. As we were younger back then we obviously have chosen to stay in the notoriously known backpacker area, Khao San. We frequented Khao San Road for cheap eats and drinks, as well as for last-minute shopping needs.
Much has changed in 14 years of course. Dutchman and I are now in our mid to late 40’s and Khao San has become busier and commercialised than ever.
But the real reason why I revisited Khao San Road after 14 years together with my parents is because I was looking for an affordable travel tour agency. My mom specifically requested to see the elephant show and the exclusive tours I saw online were prohibitively expensive, going between 1,900 to 2,900 baht per person. A total rip off! Only the gullible and the too laidback tourists would book for these tours. Surely not me.
So I remembered Khao San Road and her shops. Dutchman and I booked our train tickets to Surat Thani at one of the travel tour agencies in the area before. Surely enough we managed to find a travel tour company in Khao San and booked the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market + Elephant/Crocodile Show Tour for just 900 baht per person. This includes lunch, a boat ride and an early morning pick up at our hotel in the Sathon district.
We came back here in Khao San area on the day of the excursion to pick up the rest of the guests, after all the travel agency is located here and this means that most of the day trippers will be coming from the area. It was a very early pick up at 06:30 at our hotel in Sathon and our driver skillfully maneuvered the minivan through the streets and freeways of Bangkok before the traffic had the opportunity to build up. We arrived in Khao San right on time, just a few minutes before 07:00 in the morning. The driver parked the minivan along a narrow side street in front of a small hotel. We saw a number of early birds sitting in the cafe across the hotel sipping coffee and munching on breakfast. I can’t imagine waking up at 7 in the morning during holidays.
My dad was quick to survey the area from his seat inside the minivan. Many of the houses and buildings here are side by side, offering lodging, food and entertainment services. He decides that the whole place is scruffy to his liking and that he is glad we did not book our hotel here. This is what you get when you are travelling with senior citizen parents who are always critiquing everything they see around them.
“Did you know that Dutchman and I stayed at one of these guesthouses here more than 14 years ago? Twice even!â€
Truth be told, my dad will not really mind his surroundings as long as he has his TV and CNN/BBC programming.
This is me 14 years ago waiting for our shuttle to the airport.
Travel Period: November 2015
Destination: Bangkok, Thailand
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