New Year’s Eve in Bangkok
New Year’s Eve in Bangkok had been on my itinerary for quite a long time — I had long planned to bring in 2011 with two of my travel blogger friends! Mike of Art of Backpacking, Stephanie of Twenty-Something Travel and I decided to plan a wild Bangkok bash.
Travel Blogger New Year’s, we called it. And we rang in 2011 in style.
We began with dinner at one of my favorite spots in Bangkok: Phra Nakorn Bar and Gallery. This rooftop bar and restaurant is one of my favorite spots in Bangkok: it’s a short walk from Khao San Road, but has an almost exclusively local crowd with delicious drinks and incredible views of the skyline.
At dinner: me, Mike and Stephanie; Stephanie’s travel bud Liz, my digital nomad friend Jack, and, of course, my newest travel companions: Chris, Mona, and Jon.
After dinner, we headed down to Khao San Road. This is the backpacker hangout of Bangkok and you’ll find a party there every night of the week.
But Khao San Road on New Year’s Eve? Beyond crazy.
We could barely walk through the crowd-filled street, but we eventually made it to Golf Bar — famous for its “WE DO NOT CHECK ID CARD” embedded on the sign!
Who needs champagne, anyway? For New Year’s libations, you can’t beat buckets!
And we consumed. This is an obligatory photo that you must take while out on Khao San Road.
Want to know something embarrassing? It became the New Year and everyone knew it except for me. There was no countdown — I just thought the crowd had gotten boisterous!
I’ve always loved bringing different groups of my friends together. And that’s what made New Year’s great — to see Mike and Chris chatting about life in China, or the girls sharing buckets, or taking photos of everyone in our group trying on Mike’s crazy wig.
The party went on for quite some time — long after I left in the wee hours of the morning.
A successful Bangkok New Year’s Eve? Absolutely.
At age 26, I quit my job to travel the world alone. I spent six fantastic months in Southeast Asia and turned my travel blog into a full-time business. Today, I travel full-time, going anywhere that sounds wacky or beautiful or interesting. My goal is to show YOU how you can travel the world on your own -- easily, safely, and adventurously. 
That was a good time Kate, even though I was shattered from jet lag, barely even awake, and had walked in circles for two hours finding the AWESOME Phra Nakorn Bar. Wow was that chili dish I ate ridiculously spicy.
It was funny that I guessed Chris’s football team (Queens Park Rangers) on the second try. Talk about lucky (there are like 14 pro London football teams…)
And who could forget your Thriller dance? Brilliant! Hope we can manage another meetup someday. ‘Til then, stay gold.
Oh man, *I* forgot about the Thriller dance!! What a great night.
Hah. That wig was great. Good times!
We need to continue the partying in Vietnam.
That’s one crazy wig. Like a gladiator helmet gone wild…
Jill – Jack and Jill Travel The World´s last [type] ..11 Reasons We’re Going on A RTW Trip
Can’t believe that’s a wig…you look showgirl-tastic!
Cracking up at the pic of the Golf Bar store front. The one sign says “Golf Bar Cocktails Very Strong” and the one next door is “Just Coffee.” Don’t know why that’s cracking me up but it just is!
Marsha´s last [type] ..Weekend Intelligence- January 22-23- 2011
Hahaha. “It’s okay! We’re not degenerates!”
Sounds like a hella good night! I celebrated in New Orleans this year, it was fantastic. What’s definitely on my list is Songkran…
Man, you really make me wanna be in Bangkok.
Ivy´s last [type] ..And Then These Goodbyes
this looks like a blast! i’m glad you could ring in the new year with some favorite blogging friends.
i feel like i’m living vicariously through your posts girl!
Kinsey Michaels´s last [type] ..Wine and Cheese
Aww, I’m glad!
looks so much fun! you always look having so much fun, that’s great, Kate.
and I like bringing groups of friends together too, it makes richer conversations.
Looks like a fun place to be during new years eve. I had a friend that went there as well, pictures look alike with the bucket and all
Looks like so much fun!
Andi´s last [type] ..Happy New Year!!!
This sounds like SO much fun! I wish more travel bloggers were stopping by BA so I could meet up for something like this!
Rease´s last [type] ..Top 12 Food Trucks Across the Country
Sounds fab Kate – I had the best new years ever in Bangkok – we had a river cruise, then dinner at an amazing restaurant (which I can’t find or remember for the life of me) and then Bed Supperclub from 10 onwards – highly recommended!
Love these pictures.. look like you guys have a blast during New Year celebration in Bangkok!