The old backpacker area of Bangkok
I am interested in cities. Mainly because cities are always evolving. More so cities like Bangkok that see so much international traffic. I stayed for few days at the original backpacker hangout in Bangkok - the Malaysia Hotel in Sathorn area.
This hotel started off as a mid range place during the early tourist boom in the 1960s. It became the home of US military personnel during the various conflicts in the region. Near the end of Vietnam war, the hotel had to slash prices by half to fill the rooms. Thatâs when it became a budget travel hub.
The quote below is from the original budget travel guide from 1973 âAcross Asia on the Cheapâ by Tony and Maureen Wheeler
We spent one night in quite a different class of accommodation in Bangkok. The Malaysia, a very flash looking place, was doing some special deal whereby you could have the first night at 40 bahts and thereafter at 60. Our theory was that with Viet Nam Rand R business disappearing a lot of Bangkok hotels are looking hard in other directions for business.
There is a 24 hours cafe called Malai cafe inside the hotel. Travelers of all types have gathered here over the years.
In the mid 1980s, some rooms of Malaysia hotel were remodelled to look like a radio studio for the filming of Robin Williamâs âGood Morning Vietnamâ. The hotel had such a cult following that there is even a song dedicated to it by a French band.
The alleys around had travel shops, cheap bars, and more backpacker stays.If you meet an old-time traveler, ask them about the nearby Wongâs bar. They will surely buy you beers and tell you some stories of this area.
In the 1990s, the hotel had one of the earliest Internet cafes in Thailand. By then the backpacker scene had started moving to Khao Sarn road.
The name of the hotel has no connection to Malaysia, it comes from âMaâ the family name of the Thai-Chinese owner. Though the Malaysian team stayed here for one of the early Asian game that Bangkok hosted.
The song featuring the hotel: