Bangkok is an ever growing city feeding on concrete. Reaching the peaks of cosmopolitan status that has the potential to rival most modern Asian cities. Amongst the grit of congested traffic, crowds of shoulder to shoulder pedestrians lies a tiny slice of heaven just north of the hustle and bustle of Bangkok with the cheapest hotels in the city.
It is called Soi Rambuttri and it is nestled in the arms of a district named Banglumphu or more commonly and rightfully referred to as the old district. Most have never heard of Soi Rambuttri. Though most will surely have heard of Khao San Road, a narrow street that is the mecca for budget travelers and adventurous backpackers.
Khao San road has been immortalized in television, movies and books as the place to be for the young crowd bearing rucksacks and backpacks. Its humble beginnings started during a government tourism promotion during the early 1980's. As a result throngs of post-hippie visitors flooded Bangkok looking for cheap hotels or any place that would let them rest up a night for cheap. To meet the demand for cheap guesthouses a band of entrepreneurial Thais opened up their spare rooms for rent.
With all the new money flowing in along with the surge of tourist willing to spend, all types of businesses such as bars, gift shops and restaurants appeared overnight, reaping in the Baht.
Today the scene in Khao San Road has changed drastically. More upmarket hotels, bars and restaurants have opened to cater to tourist who can afford to spend more while staying in the charming old city in modern air conditioned private rooms.
As a result many smaller guesthouses and budget hotels can be found in Soi Rambuttri with hotel room rates under 1000 Baht. And that's where most visitors traveling on the cheap have gravitated to in search of a place to lay down their backpacks and rest their weary heads before heading out to the nearest bar selling cheap drinks and food in Soi Rambuttri.
