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The Chinatown district of
Bangkok is situated south of Dusit and Banglamphu and is
probably one of the oldest areas of Bangkok. Most
visitors to the capital invariably visit this place for
its confluence of old Thailand and the emergence of the
new. One of the oft visited roads in this district is
the Yaowarat road, which also leads to tourist
destinations such as
Wat Traimit – Temple of the Golden Buddha.
Those frequenting this place can sample plenty of gold
shops; a seemingly infinite number of small shops,
stalls and vendors; and Thai and Chinese delicacies in
the numerous restaurants found here.
China Town Bangkok - Yaowarat Road |
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 Chinatown
is a great place for shopping. Visitors are greeted by
many small alleys stuffed with thousands of shops and
vendors selling anything from electric goods, souvenirs,
baby-guns and weapons, imported musical instruments,
second-hand parts and equipment, computer parts,
antiques, textiles and anything else you can think of.
The busy Yaowarat road is also full of gold shops
with intricate Thai and Chinese designs. You will find
plenty of shops, brightly lit up, with good variety and
reasonable prices. For those who want to get a taste of
exquisite Oriental cuisine, Chinatown is just the place
to be. Yaowarat Road has plenty of famous restaurants
where you can get a host of delicacies like shark fin
soup, dim sum, birds-nest soup, among other Chinese
food. You might also try out some odd knick knacks like
Chinese herbal medicine, dried mushrooms, salted fish,
roast and Chinese calendars.
Every year Yaowarat Road is witness to the Chinese New
Year festivities like lion dances and food fairs too. A
member of the royal family graces the occasion to the
joy and pride of the Yaowarat community. Most tourists
enjoy this ritual and time their visits here around this
time of the year.
History
A visit to Chinatown will leave you doused in a
bit of Thai history; in fact it is this very thought
that makes the place a more interesting one. Set in one
of the oldest sectors of Bangkok, the district has grown
by leaps and bounds though retaining much of its old
flavor.
 It
is believed that Chinatown was brought about by the
Chinese traders who came to Thailand for business during
the 1780s when Bangkok was founded. Since the beginning
of the Rattanakosin period, Chinatown has been dwelling
of Chinese-Thai people when they moved from their old
residence to make way for the Grand Palace. When the
city of Bangkok was established, King Rama I had these
people relocated to the area around Wat Sam Pleum and
Wat Sampeng. The area later became a major business
centre of the Chinese community, covering an area around
Yaowarat, Chareon Krung, Bamrung Meung and Feung Nakhon
Roads. It was King Rama V under whom the Yaowarat Road,
the predominantly center of Chinatown, is said to have
been built. Historians say the road is shaped like the
body of a dragon, said to be auspicious. It is no wonder
that traders choose to do their business from here.
Getting There
Take the
BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin station (silom line)
and descend via exit 1 to Tha Sathon. Then take the Chao
Phraya Express Boat to Tha Ratchawong. In front the pier
is Ratchawong Road. Follow this road until you reach an
intersection where Yaowarat Road is located right in
front.
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