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English: Across from Wat Chan Songkhram, Khao San Road, with 400 metres in length, is situated on a good location – Bang Lamphu, ThaPhraAtit, Rajadamnern road, and Sanam Luang field. This area was originally a canal which was once the largest hub of rice trade in the city, and later was filled for road construction in 1892 during the reign of King Rama V. This area was once a residential area of high-ranked officials, and some ‘Gingerbread’ style houses can still be seen. There was a major event “Bangkok Bicentennial Royal Ceremonies marking 200 years of the Rattanakosin Era”, in 1982, which drew a vast number of visitors to Bangkok. However, there were not enough hotels to serve these visitors, and many of them, backpackers in particular, sought to stay close to Sanam Luang. This, thus, was the introduction of the term “Guest House” in Thailand places where landlords offer a room to visitors to spend a night with much lower prices than those charged by hotels.One of those backpackers, of course, was “Joe Cummings” a writer for a world-class magazine “Lonely Planet”. His piece of writing about the vibrant setting and 24-hour activities on Khao San road made this area become known worldwide. Many film productions from Hollywood also took place here. Khao San road became a hub for tourists in many festivals, especially Songkran.