Warning Re:shamrock Bar Khao San Road

[Pierrot]

I like KSR for the crowd and, as someone mentionned, it's a good place to buy cheap second hand books.

But one think I never understood, walking distance from there there is absolutely fantastic Thai restaurants but I never see any farangs there. Why travel half of the world to eat banana pancakes, it's something I'll never understand

[huggybear]

Thats disgusting as there are plenty of teatotal people about and a soft drink can be more expensive in some bars also.Afraid irish bars dont do anything for me and are very boring ,as they are full of irish lol.

I've often wondered why people would travel all the way to Thailand to hang out in a dim Irish Bar........why didn't they go to Ireland?

[boiledegg]

Which 2 bit university did you attend then?

The school of hard knocks and it was a 10 mile uphill walk both ways

Ex-Bird - we can see you are a class act - she went back to the bar when you could not afford her then?

To call a someone a prostitute because i called her a bird is a bit harsh, im 33 so can still pull without my wallet.

[nomadicmark]

Why do all the older expats tend to have it in for backpackers? Is it because they are jealous that younger backpacker guys can sleep with western women, for free?

[Pierrot]

Why do all the older expats tend to have it in for backpackers? Is it because they are jealous that younger backpacker guys can sleep with western women, for free?

Jealous ? No, don't think so. I was one 20 years ago but I've the feeling we were more humble, open minded, trying to discover new countries, new ways of thinking.

On the other hand, 20 years ago it was ok to sleep on the ground with coakroaches running all around the room. Now, less than 5 stars, forget it !

[bultaco44]

It's not so clear for me why many people in TV consider backpackers "repulsive", "dirty", "unshaven", etc. May be also communists, gay, and wathsoever. I guess they are the same kind of people always complaining about Thai people, how they are lazy, how all the women think only about money, etc.

Talking of BP, seems nobody want them anymore, falang residents, TAT, government, but everybody forget that a BP usually spends more time of an average package tour tourist and, most of all, the money the BP spends don't go to to big companies but usually to local managed business.

May be, this is only my guessing, some of the people talking bad about BP are only envious of the freedom and the different way of life (or just of traveling) of the BP.

Ah, I'm not a BP myself.

Thank you. Well put.

Personally I envy only their youth. I used t be a BP, as I wasn't born with an Amex in my pocket, and I wanted more than the 2 week package tour.

Come to think of it. I'm not sure that you could buy a charter-holliday in Denmark in the mid-eighties, going to Thailand.

Thanks to the OP for the warning

[rixalex]

I must admit i have been known to cringe at the behaviour of some of the tourists in KSR, particularly the drunken louts. It's a good thing that they only enflict themselves on the Thais who work in that area, who have seen it all before.

But that said, there's a bit too much generalising going on with some people seemingly writing off every back-packer who sets foot in KSR as being some sort of low-life smelly scum of the earth. Daft seeing as many of us long-timers started out life here as back-packers ourselves - i for one anyway.

[plachon]

i have seen a ping pong show once. it is horrible. the performers are not exactly ez on the eyes!

Which end of the performers were you looking?

Got the old bearded yim Siam didya?

KSR is a shadow of its former self for all but the better-healed backpackers, but it's appeal is now to a much broader clientele than 10, 20 years ago.

Is there anywhere challenging KSR for cheap-priced guest house accommodation and food in Bangkok, or does it still rule the roost, albeit spread over a wider swathe of Banglampoo than was formerly the case? Just curious.

[Crushdepth]

I like Kao Sarn, it has a fun atmosphere. And lets face it, where else can you get a cheap beer, juggling supplies and a doctoral degree all in one afternoon?

[mikethevigoman]

Why do all the older expats tend to have it in for backpackers? Is it because they are jealous that younger backpacker guys can sleep with western women, for free?

Well in my case it isnt, a bird that smells ,with tattoos and dreadlocks was never on my fancy list at any age ,, ugh

[boiledegg]

Why do all the older expats tend to have it in for backpackers? Is it because they are jealous that younger backpacker guys can sleep with western women, for free?

Well in my case it isnt, a bird that smells ,with tattoos and dreadlocks was never on my fancy list at any age ,, ugh

Agreed i was 25 when i first went there and am only 33 now so am no decrepid old git, the KSR lot generally seem to be your Surrey or Cheshire types just out of Uni or equivilant people from the USA/EU etc... and im from the school of really hard knocks and dislike students aswell so ive nowt in common with them.

Nomadicmark you must be a KSR'er to come think that anyone who doesnt like KSR or backpackers has to pay for sex.

I remember my first time in LOS seeing some dreadlocked beeded scruffy Israeli backpacker banging the bongo drums on the ferry to Samui at 8am, i think my dislike of backpackers can be traced to this event.

We named dreadlocked beeded scruffy Israeli backpacker "Natureboy"

Edited July 13, 2008 by boiledegg

[Tyke]

Or perhaps you misheard and she actually said "Thais go there as it's full of chicks"?

Or full of sh*t

[Tyke]

Why do all the older expats tend to have it in for backpackers? Is it because they are jealous that younger backpacker guys can sleep with western women, for free?

well, I am old, and have been and still am a backpacker since the sixties when we could hitch hike all over the world and did!

I don't mind young backpackers as long as they are polite, which many are, but some are obnoxious and fake. But then so were many of the scrounging and vain hippies I stumbled across in those years - it's not that different now. And older guys can still pull young chicks if they want to without paying them - it can depend more on personality and consideration with Thais - more than in the west. Let's face it, it's not difficult in Thailand for young or old, it's just that older guys can afford to pay if they want to. What I find rather silly from some young travellers fresh from uni is the scathing remarks that an old fat farang and his young chick get from them. Not a lot of open-mindedness there. Probably some jealousy though.

[Pierrot]

Why do all the older expats tend to have it in for backpackers? Is it because they are jealous that younger backpacker guys can sleep with western women, for free?

well, I am old, and have been and still am a backpacker since the sixties when we could hitch hike all over the world and did!

I don't mind young backpackers as long as they are polite, which many are, but some are obnoxious and fake. But then so were many of the scrounging and vain hippies I stumbled across in those years - it's not that different now. And older guys can still pull young chicks if they want to without paying them - it can depend more on personality and consideration with Thais - more than in the west. Let's face it, it's not difficult in Thailand for young or old, it's just that older guys can afford to pay if they want to. What I find rather silly from some young travellers fresh from uni is the scathing remarks that an old fat farang and his young chick get from them. Not a lot of open-mindedness there. Probably some jealousy though.

A friend of mine hitch iked in the late 70's form France to India, through Afganistan, Iran ... . She still has the bus, hotel receipts... .I followed her (actually her trace) about 5 years later, but it was already an other world. BP at that time and now, it's not the same. I don't want to say one is better than the other, just different.

[boiledegg]

A friend of mine hitch iked in the late 70's form France to India, through Afganistan, Iran ... . She still has the bus, hotel receipts... .I followed her (actually her trace) about 5 years later, but it was already an other world. BP at that time and now, it's not the same. I don't want to say one is better than the other, just different.

Completely agree there was an element of surprise back then im presuming, now its buy a round the world ticket, follow the trail round each country book your hotel through recommendations in lonely planet and its that must do phase of your predictable life complete.

Some of the older boys i meet who travelled back then certainly arent the same types as the KSR mob.

Edited July 13, 2008 by boiledegg

[JOHN2]

I used to be big fan of the Shamrock Bar on Khao San Road. The surroundings are nice and the bands are often excellent, but now I find myself having to warn people to stay away from there.

The staff have taken to ripping off customers in a big way. The three major scams I have come across are:

1. "Forgetting" to give change.

2. Overcharging for drinks.

3. Telling you that if you don't buy alcohol you have to give the barman a major tip to let you stay.

Beware, if you object to any of this, you may find yourself being banned!

Anyway, you have been warned. If enough people stay away maybe they'll clean up there act. Pity to see what was a nice place ruined by scams.

Wow,thanks for the warning buddy!

[baden511]

Thats disgusting as there are plenty of teatotal people about and a soft drink can be more expensive in some bars also.Afraid irish bars dont do anything for me and are very boring ,as they are full of irish lol.

I've often wondered why people would travel all the way to Thailand to hang out in a dim Irish Bar........why didn't they go to Ireland?

I only went there for the music, it certainly wasn't for the warm 'Failte' of the staff. The only things Irish about the Shamrock are the sign and the Guinness, and I doubt the latter tastes much like the stuff back home. As for going to Ireland, it's cold and grey, and I lived there most of my life; I'd rather have a fake bar over here than the alternative there.

In any case, the old chestnut: "Why would people travel all the way to X country to do Y?" erroneously assumes that doing Y must be the primary reason for going to X. Presumably no-one comes to Thailand for the Irish bars, but that doesn't preclude them from visiting one.

Last thing is, I never came across anyone else from Ireland in the Shamrock. Presumably they had more sense than I did.

[bonobo]

I go to KSR about once a week (I work out and go to movies in Pin Klao, so it is convenient for me).  I get a massage (I have had the same masseuse for 5 years now) get nam soom which has not had sugar or salt added to it, and to buy a dvd or 2.  

I have a side business of exporting silk shawls, and I needed soem yougn Thai models for a specific funky shawl, so I went to KSR and quickly got 10 volunteers.  Of course, I am 50, and I certainly wasn't going to approach the young women, so I had my female assistant do that for me!

Don't expect much, and KSR can be a fun at best, neutral at worst, place to go.

[RakJungTorlae]

I go to KSR about once a week (I work out and go to movies in Pin Klao, so it is convenient for me). I get a massage (I have had the same masseuse for 5 years now) get nam soom which has not had sugar or salt added to it, and to buy a dvd or 2.

I have a side business of exporting silk shawls, and I needed soem yougn Thai models for a specific funky shawl, so I went to KSR and quickly got 10 volunteers. Of course, I am 50, and I certainly wasn't going to approach the young women, so I had my female assistant do that for me!

Don't expect much, and KSR can be a fun at best, neutral at worst, place to go.

I go there 1ce every month or so. Just to meet friends in that area, I like it. there’s no winning expats there. But yeah there are a lot of Bums thou, but it’s a good plaice to listen load music but still have a chat with friends, I never meet any Irish. And it a good warm up to get the party started as you can move on to After Hr Clubs and get S-F!!!!!!

[Tinkelbell]

Long before, I had never been to KSR. Although I've been comming back visiting LOS ( my birth country) dozens of times.

Until start reading about KSR and BP on New York Post several years ago.

This story was about 2 guys ( now affluent lawyers in NYC), recited their backpacking days took place right after they freshly out of law school. These two best friends spent more than half year traveling around SE Asia. They had fond memory about KSR, that was making me curious about this BP ghetto.

The following year ( 1999), when I came back to BKK, my Thai friends and I decided to visit this famous Avenue. Everyone in my group loved it, we agree it's the best place for people watching; the motion, the sound, the smells made it lively and colorful scene.

Now everytime when I'm in BKK, my friends and I never miss going to KSR for the food for the eyes.

[Pundi64]

I used to be big fan of the Shamrock Bar on Khao San Road. The surroundings are nice and the bands are often excellent, but now I find myself having to warn people to stay away from there.

The staff have taken to ripping off customers in a big way. The three major scams I have come across are:

1. "Forgetting" to give change.

2. Overcharging for drinks.

3. Telling you that if you don't buy alcohol you have to give the barman a major tip to let you stay.

Beware, if you object to any of this, you may find yourself being banned!

Anyway, you have been warned. If enough people stay away maybe they'll clean up there act. Pity to see what was a nice place ruined by scams.

Best remedy give up drinking, you'll save packets, when you do.

[RakJungTorlae]

Why do all the older expats tend to have it in for backpackers? Is it because they are jealous that younger backpacker guys can sleep with western women, for free?

Well in my case it isnt, a bird that smells ,with tattoos and dreadlocks was never on my fancy list at any age ,, ugh

Agreed i was 25 when i first went there and am only 33 now so am no decrepid old git, the KSR lot generally seem to be your Surrey or Cheshire types just out of Uni or equivilant people from the USA/EU etc... and im from the school of really hard knocks and dislike students aswell so ive nowt in common with them.

Nomadicmark you must be a KSR'er to come think that anyone who doesnt like KSR or backpackers has to pay for sex.

I remember my first time in LOS seeing some dreadlocked beeded scruffy Israeli backpacker banging the bongo drums on the ferry to Samui at 8am, i think my dislike of backpackers can be traced to this event.

We named dreadlocked beeded scruffy Israeli backpacker "Natureboy"

That’s funny. When I took the boat a few years back all I can remember was seeing over weight westerns getting Trashed on cans of Singah and then falling over them self’s and passing out in the sun. It was hard to get way form it. I like every type of people, not predigest anyway. But now if I think about who would I rather sit next to? Bongo Hippies? Or drunk Lobsters?

[scyriacus]

Is it just me who thinks KSR is the purest form of hel_l on the planet?

Everyone who never went to some 2 bit university and those that would never wear a Che Guevara T-shirt as he is a murderer and a terrorist think just the same as you.

Its good for books and winding up champagne socialists who hate America.

My ex-bird once told me Thais go there as its chic, i almost spat out my Shepherds Pie in amazement when she said it.

hey u hard boiled egghead, so u hate champaign and u love america. u sound as if u have had too many ex-birds (misspelled experts?) and spat out too much shepherds pie. i picture u wearing a gwb fan-shirt and ur fighting terrorism everywhere. do u think this chic? amazing thailand!

btw, i am a beer chang & lao socialist, down with the prohibitionists..................who does not hate idiots?

Edited July 14, 2008 by scyriacus

[whatsoever]

You ought to get yourself over to Sukhumvit, no scams there, only friendly people who'd give you the shirt off their back.

Overstatement of the day?

Century

[petitechevre]

the replies are completely ridiculous..

whats up with the guy saying the smell and eye candy?

Theres RARELY a chick over 7/10 there, especially thais.. the good looking thai girls dont hang there(at night they look pretty because of tons of makeup and no lightening)

the smell is horrendous. smells worse than than the crappiest indian city's sewer system.

last month i got ripped off by my hotel and had to take a bus at KSR instead of a real vip bus.

the whole bus packed with backpacker, not one decent human being. None of them have any consideration for others, i could see small persons moving their seat back forcefully on the legs of the tall persons behind them, not caring that the bus was incredibly too small and that other people are actually conscious too and like confort, all of them smelled strongly. All of them were loud. All of them have no fashion taste. and all of them have the same exact conversation, and plan .. no original thought.. I got asked the same question from about 7 of them when clearly i wasnt gonna say one word to them.

Backpackers nowadays are like animals, but not cute.