takes a few minutes of tricky maneuvering Khao San Road's narrow, obstacle strewn pavements to realise that every last inch of space is dedicated to small commerce. Tightly packed stalls line the walk-ways on either side, and sell pretty much anything that can fit inside a backpack: knock-off t-shirts, sandals, shorts, trainers, fisherman's pants, sunglasses, bikinis, jewellery, textiles, pirate music CDs and DVDs, old Thai movie posters, and more.
Colourful street vendors also do the rounds, most of them from Northern Hill Tribes. This friendly but persistent breed traipses up and down, selling things like hammocks, croaking ornamental frogs and ethnic jewellery. As always when buying at markets in Bangkok, remember to bargain. But don't argue over a few measly baht. Meet them somewhere in the middle and you'll both part with your dignity in tact.