Less-Touristy Things to do Near Khao San Road

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[{"address":"77 Thanon Khao San","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.1665744193406742,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":13.758908228983147,"longitude":100.4972490828207},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"Who Made This Tour"},{"type":"text","content":"Before you get started you might want to know a bit about the person behind this tour."},{"type":"text","content":"My name is Helen and I'm a travel journalist and blogger living in Sydney. I run a blog called Differentville which aims to find the small, quirky things to do in a destination - I refer to it at Atlas Obscura with more cake!"},{"type":"text","content":"As such, my tours cover little odd shops and sights that you might not find on your own."},{"type":"text","content":"I hope you have fun with them."},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F4a8hBR45GLVXEmwuAYGm%2Fabadoned%20art%20building%20taichung.JPG?alt=media&token=9924f3ce-31dd-479d-b486-2b4ee9a3fed4"}]},{"address":"Khaosan Road","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":13.758920603888509,"longitude":100.4972578},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"Khao San Road\n\nKhao San is to the west of central Bangkok close to the Chao Praya river.\n\nDespite its party image, Khao San Road is smack bang in the middle of two of Bangkok’s oldest areas – Rattanakosin, where all the major temples and Grand Palace are found and leafy Dusit, former home to the Thai Royal Family.\n\nIt’s a great place to stay on your first trip to Bangkok because it’s walking distance to many of the main sights you’ll want to visit.\nBut this rich history means that the area near Khao San Road is also surrounded by traditional life, and on this tour you'll explore a cool local area nearby to help you find it.\n\nThis tour is best started in the morning as the market and street traders will start to disperse when they sell out of stock, and most things will be closed by 3pm.\n\n"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F4a8hBR45GLVXEmwuAYGm%2F1.jpg?alt=media&token=0f438d9e-e4c7-4867-9750-7f52af0df85a"},{"title":"","type":"link","content":"https://goo.gl/maps/6xSrQRjfHj6inZo89"}]},{"address":"Khao San Market","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":13.759074803888529,"longitude":100.49717570000001},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"Heading to The Market\n\nI went on this walk because I wanted to visit the local market that lies at the end of it.\n\nI love markets in Asia. Tasting fruits I’ve never seen, marvelling at what part of a pig that is exactly hanging at the butchers– and, spotting the market cats that always seem to find a warm place to sit (and don’t care if it’s on the scales).\n\nI admit I wasn’t expecting much from the walk to the market – Thanon Samsen, the road you walk up is pretty busy, but the further up the road you go, the more local it will start to become .\n\nFor now though, just take a wander down Soi Rambrutti, maybe picking out some stops for dinner or drinks later and then, once you get on the main road, check out the street food sellers supplying lunch to the local workers and residents.\n\n"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F4a8hBR45GLVXEmwuAYGm%2F2.webp?alt=media&token=5ada6201-a233-4025-8060-51f2e47ee3cc"},{"type":"text","content":"The shops got more local. They sold work shirts rather than ‘Same Same’ t-shirts, there were a bookstore and a beauty salon doing a roaring nail business – and, then the food stalls started.\n\nA wheel of sausages cooking over a small triangle of coals smelt delicious and the man selling eggs had boiled and halved a few to proudly show how golden their yolk is.\n\nStallholders chatted with their regulars to catch up with the day – and suddenly, the tourist scene of Khao San seemed miles away.\n\nCrossing the road brought me to Thewet Market proper. Dodging a mix of old ladies with their shopping trolleys and motorbikes taking a short cut – admittedly, I’m not sure which one is more dangerous if you get in their way – I headed into the cool, dark space.\n\n"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F4a8hBR45GLVXEmwuAYGm%2F2a.webp?alt=media&token=d4ef433d-79f8-4b35-b153-2605405ae2ca"},{"type":"text","content":"It was just as I expected. Slippy floors that made me feel glad I’d worn my plimsolls, the smell just one notch away from unpleasant and the whole place abuzz with activity.\n\nFish sellers were throwing water at the still wriggling fish while a crab tried to make a break for it from his bucket on the floor. Piles of chilli each more potent than the last threaten to spill into the aisles – and yes, there are cats.\n\nAlthough, this time they weren’t all of the small furry variety – standing by one of the stalls was a lion dancer, head in his hand as he chatted. I don’t know whether he was coming from his performance or doing his shopping before it.\n\n"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F4a8hBR45GLVXEmwuAYGm%2F2b.webp?alt=media&token=80d6cbb4-5295-4d37-9ed0-f40bda82de04"},{"type":"link","title":"","content":"https://goo.gl/maps/fVwvKSMw89JZhuPXA"}]},{"address":"疏附县电信公司","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":13.762089454334665,"longitude":100.49826252775932},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"Find The Abandoned Mall\n\nAs you walk up from Khao San on the eastern corner of Thanon Samsen and Phra Sumen is an abandoned mall.\n\nCalled the New World Building this eleven-storey mall was built in 1982 – the only problem was that the owners only had permission for four storeys – so, its demolition was ordered. It happened – but no renovation followed.\n\nThe Mall is left totally abandoned – and without a roof, so it flooded.\n\nYou can't enter it (legally anyway) but, right now, you can peer through the gates and get a serious spooky view.\n\nIt is going to be pulled down soon though so hurry.\n\nAs you keep walking up you'll start to see less touristy businesses and more local shops... including some fun bars (but we'll get to those later)\n\n"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F4a8hBR45GLVXEmwuAYGm%2Fabandoned%20mall%20near%20Khao%20San%20Road%2C%20Bangkok.jpg?alt=media&token=68bcd0a4-d1cd-4f8d-9252-cd025fefa978"}]},{"address":"Wat Indharaviharn","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":13.766974353890882,"longitude":100.50296234999998},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"Stumbling Across a 105ft Buddha\n\nWhen I did this walk, I did it in a slightly different order which saw me wandering down an alley off the main street.\n\nIt led to a small residential area lined with small shuttered houses and flats. As I wandered the streets, I saw everything from gyms in people’s gardens to caged songbirds hanging out in the air.\n\nAnd then, I saw a flash of gold. A temple – and probably the tallest Buddha I’d ever seen.\n\nThis is Wat Indharaviharm and, the Buddha inside is a staggering 32 metres high.\n\nSpend a little while exploring the temple and then make your way back to the main street.\n\nTake your time here. Walk down alleys, peer around corners. Go left, go right. It's pretty easy to find your way back to the main road no matter what route you take.\n\nYou never know what you might spot from tiny shops to bird cages hung on the street to given precious pets some time 'outside'.\n\nIf you're feeling in need of a pick up, check out the coffee at Slowbar Cafe. That's also a good map marker if you do find yourself a bit lost.\n\n"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F4a8hBR45GLVXEmwuAYGm%2F3.webp?alt=media&token=19aa2b00-1dbc-4e5f-9fc8-78fe5c25b31c"},{"type":"text","content":"I’d stumbled across Wat Intharawihan, home to a 32-metre tall, 10-metre wide (105ft x 33ft for the imperial amongst you) Buddha.\n\nThat might not sound impressive until you see a tiny Thai woman praying next to it and realise she’s roughly as tall as his ankle.\n\nNote – this is no longer the biggest Buddha in Bangkok. That honour goes to the one at Wat Pakanam.\n\nBut even that wasn’t my favourite sight of the morning.\n\n"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F4a8hBR45GLVXEmwuAYGm%2F3a.webp?alt=media&token=d72f957d-fe9f-4414-aa1d-2e5c57cb0cb6"},{"type":"text","content":"That prize went to the old Thai lady with bright pink hair sat on one of the tiny plastic chairs you find all over Asia. On a chair to her left sat three, small fluffy dogs, in front of her a brown and white duck that she was feeding by hand.\n\nIt was perfect.\nOnce you’ve done exploring around the backstreets, it’s time to head back to Khao San – and a few other things you might want to check out.\n\n"},{"type":"link","title":"","content":"https://www.facebook.com/WatIndharaviharn/"}]},{"address":"25 Thanon Samsen","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":13.76849593385743,"longitude":100.50272119962966},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"Enjoy the Street Scene\n\nNo matter what way you come back out onto Samsen Road, it'll feel like you've entered a totally different part of Bangkok from the brash noisy Khao San you left a little while ago.\n\nThe street is lined with pastel-coloured shops that it sometimes looks like time forgot, and outside them you'll see local food vendors selling their specialties of the day - again, this is not a place to rush and tick off big ticket sights.\n\nIt's a place to wander, to ask questions and smile.\n\n"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F4a8hBR45GLVXEmwuAYGm%2Fcool%20sights%20near%20Khao%20San%20Road.JPG?alt=media&token=cc1bd409-25e0-441b-9c9e-92612a7816f6"}]},{"address":"Jae Mae Noodle Shop Thewet Market","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.10218818160659443,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":13.77016710389182,"longitude":100.5038432},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"Thewet Market\n\nNorth of Khao San Road on Thanon Samsen you’ll find Thewet Market.\n\nThis was where I was heading when I started this trip - the rest of the discoveries were nice surprises I found on the way!\n\nThis is not a tourist market. You're not going to find any elephant print pants or plates of scorpions to munch on, but it's a fantastic look at local life.\n\nThere are a few food stalls cooking fresh fish at the back of the market if you're feeling brave, but otherwise just wander around soaking up the atmosphere. It's a photographers dream.\n\nOh, but wear closed toed shoes - it's a bit wet and messy in there.\n\nThe best time to visit the market is before lunch when most of the stalls will be open.\n\n"},{"type":"link","title":"","content":"https://goo.gl/maps/yBC5mjDqoCHEf9Gb8"}]},{"address":"303 Thanon Samsen","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":13.774112931737841,"longitude":100.50628341152657},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"Krua Apsorn\n\nThis is an optional stop, but, if you're doing this tour and you get to the market around lunch time, you won't regret taking the 5-10 minute walk up the road to Krua Apsorn.\n\nThis is one of Bangkok's oldest restaurants and it's claim to fame was that it cooked dishes beloved by the Thai Royal Family.\n\nIf you can't decide what to order, the crab meat with peppers and green beans is highly recommended.\n\nIt's open Monday to Saturday from 10-7.30pm\n\n"},{"type":"link","title":"","content":"https://www.facebook.com/kruaapsorn"}]},{"address":"10 Thanon Samsen","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":13.762920903889675,"longitude":100.49882375},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"Cool Bars Alert\n\nDepending how hot you are, you might want to jump in a cab back down to stop J, taking note of this on your way, or you can weave your way back towards Khao San Road via more backstreets, or wander back down Thanon Samsen where you’ll walk past more local shops until you reach an area with a few cool bars aiming at locals and expats.\n\nThey probably won’t be open if you’re up early enough to catch the market, but if you’re fed up with booze in buckets and want to try some something a bit less-touristy head up here in the evening where you’ll find everything from live blues (at Adhere the 13th) to Thai Craft Beer.\n\nAs you cross over the river, look over the edge and you might see one of the large monitor lizards that make the river their home sunbathing on one of the pylons.\n\n"},{"type":"img","content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2F4a8hBR45GLVXEmwuAYGm%2F4.png?alt=media&token=78f0ed56-e2b5-4a4d-b72f-f7932fb067e8"},{"type":"link","title":"","content":"https://goo.gl/maps/1g5cUULvbqtmiaQh9"}]},{"address":"ห้างต.เง๊กชวนขนมเบื้องแม่ประภา (บางลำพู)","location":{"longitudeDelta":0.14321712068773834,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":13.762560152417846,"longitude":100.49751881106604},"media":[{"type":"text","content":"Pancakes, Crispy, Crispy Pancakes\n\nFrom here take a quick detour west down Phra Sumen Road where you’ll find Mae Prapha Pancakes – this local institution is a stop on some of the food tours around Khao San and is famous for it’s sweet or spicy pancakes.\n\nI always think pancakes are a bit of an odd name for these as they look more like tacos when they are served, but good ones are not to be missed.\n\nThat's the end of our wandering tour.\n\nIf you enjoyed it, you might like some of our blog posts on Bangkok -including our mega guide to some of the more unusual sights in the city.\n\nHead to the link below to check it out.\n\n"},{"type":"link","title":"","content":"https://differentville.com/fun-unusual-things-to-do-in-bangkok/"}]}]