GRAND PALACES, EAR ORGASMS AND KHAOSAN ROAD16 min read

THE THAILAND SERIES, DAY 4

GRAND PALACE – KHAOSAN ROAD – MR BEARD – KHAOSAN ROAD

Usually, at the top of every “Top Things to see in Bangkok” you will find the Grand Palace, and for good reason. It’s for sure one of the most impressive and opulent places you will see.

MY KNEES WERE WEAK

At 500 baht, it’s likely Thailand’s most expensive tourist spot, but at £10 you can hardly complain. It is here that would be the biggest judge of Thailand’s post-COVID era. If there are crowds anywhere, it will be here, and how few there were.

WHERE IS THE GRAND PALACE?

The Grand Palace

GETTING FROM KHAO SAN ROAD TO GRAND PALACE

The journey from Khao San Road to Grand Palace is incredibly easy – it’s only about 1.5km (less than 1 mile) and takes around 20 minutes walking. Most backpackers staying in the Khao San area visit the Grand Palace as it’s the closest major attraction. You can walk, take a tuk-tuk for 50-100 baht, or grab a taxi. Many travelers do both in one day: Grand Palace to Khao San Road in the morning, then back to Khao San for the legendary nightlife.

EMERALD BUDDHA

The most sacred of the temples is the Emerald Buddha, where a tiny green Buddha (made from jasper) sits at the top of an impressive collection of gold monuments. It is nearly always open for visitors to walk in and have a look. Take note of its outfit which changes according to the season.

CHAKRI MAHA PRASAT

After a quick look around the many other temples (including a scale model of Angkor Wat) and a chat with an Indian tourist (Johnny), I headed to The Throne Hall, the Buckingham Palace of Thailand.

There is an interesting background to its appearance. King Rama V wished for it to be entirely western-looking, so he decided to employ a British architect. However, after it was built, it was agreed by others that it didn’t represent Thailand and the King should live in a building which could be identified as Thai (Siam). Work then began on replacing the roof with something more appropriate, hence the nickname: the westerner with a Thai hat.

Grand Palaces, ear orgasms and Khaosan Road

GRAND PALACE FACTS:

• The Grand Palace dates back to the 18th century.
• It was initially built of wood.
• It has a similar layout to that of the Royal Palace in Ayutthaya.
• The Palace is the most sacred Buddhist temple in Bangkok.
• It was designed by an English architect who built it in the typical Italian Renaissance style.

GRAND PALACE TO KHAO SAN ROAD: DAYTIME EXPLORATION

KHAOSAN ROAD DAYLIFE

After the Grand Palace, it was back to Khao San Road for the first time in 5 years. The walk from Grand Palace to Khao San Road takes about 20 minutes, making it the perfect route for exploring Bangkok’s highlights in one day. Without doubt, Khao San is the most famous backpacker street in the world.

Like a lot of places here, I wanted to see what it was like post-COVID and it seemed dead. Very few stalls open and very few people hanging around. Although we do have to remember mornings do not exist for backpackers!

Grand Palaces, ear orgasms and Khaosan Road

EAR CLEANING ORGASM: THE ULTIMATE BANGKOK EXPERIENCE

I regularly clean my ears. I’d say a lot do, but you can never really see what’s inside and if you are doing more damage than good just by sticking an ear bud inside and giving it a little twist. However, I heard about this place that offers ear cleaning and it turned out to be incredible. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hear any better and have no idea what even came out of my ears, but the feeling was incredible!

MR BEARD

As I write this, the more I realize how little I was able to see and know what he was doing, but most of the work involved a little metal scraping tool and an extra soothing cotton bud before and after with a little alcohol. I’m telling you, get yourself to any beauty place in the world and get it done, thank me later. If not to clean your ears but for the feeling alone!

The ear cleaning orgasm experience at Mr Beard is hands-down one of Bangkok’s most unique attractions. This isn’t just regular ear cleaning – it’s a full sensory experience that lives up to the “orgasm” description. Located near Khao San Road, Mr Beard has perfected the art of the ear cleaning orgasm technique, using specialized tools and techniques that create an incredibly soothing, almost euphoric sensation.

THE SEARCH FOR PAD KRA PHAO

I love Thai Green Curry, so much so that I find it hard to order anything else, but this trip I want to try heaps of new stuff and plenty of street food too.

Over the past few months, I’ve heard a lot about a fairly simple spicy meat dish called Pad Kra Prao. However, what does a fella looking for it in Bangkok need to do? I tried 3 (specialist only) places that were shut down, closed for a refurb, or out of hours. But when it comes to food, I always have something that I want and don’t give in too easily.

Eventually, I got to a place called Pantaree, hidden in the back alleys of Bangkok – the type of place I was keen to try, and it didn’t disappoint. The thing is, when you can cook good Thai curries at home, these are the only places which can compete.

KHAOSAN ROAD NIGHTLIFE

I wanted to give Khao San another go in all its glory, at night, so I headed back in the evening and things were looking ok – not the same but much better than earlier in the day. However, it wasn’t until 11pm when the entire street was back to normal and it seemed like Khao San Road was back where it left off. Of course, there were still a number of bars with few customers, but being post-COVID and off-season, things will only get busier!

Grand Palaces, ear orgasms and Khaosan Road

STREET SIDE MASSAGE

One thing about Khao San Road is the people watching – the best in the world for sure. You will see all types of people in this area and there is no better way to enjoy it than getting a massage right on the street. Get a beer, sit down, and enjoy the night.

Grand Palaces, ear orgasms and Khaosan Road

The route from Khao San Road to Grand Palace and back makes for a perfect Bangkok day. Start with the opulent Grand Palace in the morning, then return from Grand Palace to Khao San Road for the afternoon. Don’t miss the incredible ear cleaning orgasm experience at Mr Beard, one of the most unique and relaxing things you can do in Bangkok. Finish your day with Khao San Road’s legendary nightlife, street food, and people-watching. 

TODAY’S YOUTUBE VIDEOS

If you want to see today from a different perspective, and catch a few different stories from the front row, then check out today’s YouTube videos below.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I didn’t have great expectations for Khaosan road as I thought maybe things would be quiet but it was almost a relief to show how far Thailand has come back now, after things looked so bleak. Oh and that ear massage…lip bite!

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
152/229

NEXT UP

Off to Railay beach for a bit of adventure!! Click to read.

This post was part of The Thailand Series. If you would rather read the rest of the series from the blog just click here.
To see a different side of my trip head to my social channels; YouTube, Instagram & TikTok. Links at top of the page.