One night in Bangkok

Departing KK I transit through KL on a connecting flight to Bangkok - this means landing at 8pm and with a need to clear customs and find the accommodation…
At 10pm I clear the airport arrivals with my luggage after waiting what seemed like and age for the bags to appear - However, I put this down to the shear size of the airport and the distance that the bags have to travel to get to the carousel. Getting to the centre of Bangkok cheaply could not be simpler, just pick up and express bus ticket (£3) and wait for the once every ½ hour coach - this gets you into the centre in 45mins ish depending on traffic.
The city itself is vast and you pass endless tower blocks and sky scrapers lit up with red flashing beacons on them to warn low flying aircraft, the twinkling lights stretch into the distance from the vantage point of the maize of raised expressways.
Descending from the lofty perch of the expressway drops you into the city itself and we find busy but moving traffic at nearly midnight and finally reach our destination ‘The Kao San Road’ - How to describe it… hm… The road is closed to traffic for a start so it is onto hoofing it for the last 400m and this turns out to be quite an adventure as the whole street is alive with people, eating, drinking, smoking, selling etc, I am sure that you have a picture in your head of the bawdy street scene that I have entered - but there is no trouble and the tourist police are a clear presence on the strip. Loud dance music blares from clubs and bars as I pass while I am enthralled by the work of some clearly talented musicians and artists on route to Hotel ‘Rikka Inn’, a small enclave of peace and tranquillity amongst the mayhem ;) Its rooms are small but have AC, en-suites and crisp clean linen - there is also a ban on guests and security on the door…
I spend a little time exploring the area and find out that it was the kings birthday last night and this meant a huge party with the streets filled with people enjoying street food and huge firework displays - I missed this but some of the lights are still up (see photos) and many stalls are still here selling souvenirs.