English
Chinatown in Bangkok began in the reign of King Rama I. It was discovered on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and occupied by a large Chinese community that had settled since the 12th century and moved to Khlong Sampeng. It has become a lively shopping mall with many shops, stands out with colorful neon signs, crowded with people, heavy traffic, and street food.
Markets
1. Thanon Ratchawong
- Overview
This area was discovered in the late 1907s, early 1917s, and until the 1920s. It was the location of many high-class restaurants to accommodate royalty, the aristocracy or the upper middle class for eating out or socializing over dinner. In early 2016, it was ranked as the number one pedestrian street in Bangkok. There are many alleys filled with various things.
- Highlight
Many shops that sell the most miscellaneous products will be found for shopping including fake fruits, bags, backpacks, beauty products, souvenirs, and other items. Everything is cheap.
- Google Map
The coordinate is https://maps.app.goo.gl/LV3zoaafe7CSmLhS9
2. Sampeng Avenue
- Overview
It’s an old city area, bustling with people with many stalls selling things including carts, fruit, and vegetable trucks.
- Highlight
The highlight is being the cheapest shopping mall in Chinatown, with many discounts. Popular products include silk sarongs, accessories, shoes, home decorations, electrical appliances, toys, handicrafts, dry food, and cheap street food including Thai-Chinese restaurants.
- Google Map
The coordinate is https://maps.app.goo.gl/qU2WBoyUyyShADCx6
3. Khlong Thom Market
- Overview
One of the oldest street markets in Chinatown. The best time to go is on Sunday morning from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., if you want to avoid crowded people. But this area can be walked around during the day, in the evening, and into the night.
- Highlight
There are many different stalls selling both second-hand goods and souvenirs, car accessories and toys, antique brass lanterns that are openly displayed, including handbags, shoes, and clothing.
- Google Map
The coordinate is https://maps.app.goo.gl/613fjt87FYJaP3zm8
Malls
4. The Old Siam Plaza
- Overview
An indoor shopping mall that is full of charm. The building is various shades of yellow with the structure of a European, garden that protrudes from the roof, beautiful contrasting pink flowers, and colorful decorative tiles.
- Highlight
It is crowded with people. It sells everything, clothing, oil paints, canvases, handicrafts, household appliances, souvenirs, hunting, and outdoor equipment. There are restaurants with mostly desserts, Thai desserts. Arriving at the mall after 10:00 a.m. or before 3:00 p.m.
- Google Map
The coordinate is https://maps.app.goo.gl/8pTWadgWM6yRUXay6
5. Mega Plaza
- Overview
It looks like a shophouse and is similar to the Akihabara area of Japan, decorated with anime posters all over the place. It is located close to popular tourist attractions in Bangkok, such as Yaowarat, Sampeng, Phahurat Market, and Khlong Ong Ang Walking Street.
- Highlight
It has a wide variety of products, such as all sorts of anime figures, children’s toys, souvenirs, games, and others. There is also a food court inside.
- Google Map
The coordinate is https://maps.app.goo.gl/yS1ELiv8xzs44bVZ9
6. ThaiDee plaza
- Overview
It is a fun and lively shopping area in Chinatown, with all things made in China. It is popular with Thai-Chinese people and the youth crowd.
- Highlight
There are a variety of products, such as cheap jewelry, make-up, clothing, remote-control cars, helicopters, colorful wigs, children’s toys, giant stuffed animals, perfume, denim bags, and keychains. There is also a coffee shop inside.
- Google Map
The location is https://maps.app.goo.gl/BBSmyTULUUZLuASp8
Specialty Shops
7. Hua Seng Heng
- Overview
It is one of the many gold shops in the area. It was begun as the gold trading business on Yaowarat Road in 1951, starting with selling gold jewelry as the main business, focusing mainly on gold material and quality, and then buying for beauty and collecting, developing into trading for investment.
- Highlight
Hua Seng Heng is a great place to buy gold in Bangkok, which trades in high-quality gold jewelry and is a reliable gold distributor. It can compete effectively in the business field and become the most comprehensive gold leader in Thailand.
- Google Map
The coordinate is https://maps.app.goo.gl/MiNAj16VXMfEvgmj6
8. Itsaraphap Lane
- Overview
It is an old road in the Thonburi area with a length of 4.18 kilometers, cutting through roads and important intersections in 4 districts. The main thing that makes it as unique charm is the diversity of races and religions among the people living together in this area. This can be seen from the many religious places, including temples, mosques, churches, and shrines, that are scattered throughout the community.
- Highlight
It is unique and attracts people to come and get to know this area, as well as modern tourist attractions to expand and welcome more people. It sells all types of dry goods, such as tea, nuts, herbs, spices, and many more.
- Google Map
The coordinate is https://maps.app.goo.gl/b5bfSuBpgQcJmcbL9
9. Yaowarat Road
- Overview
Yaowarat Road has a total length of approximately 1.510 kilometers and was built during the reign of King Chulalongkorn to become a place for promoting trade. It frequently hosts annual events, with famous Chinese food sales, performances, and many stalls from the shops on both sides of the road.
- Highlight
There are a variety of commercial businesses in the Yaowarat area, including commercial businesses, finance and banking, gold shops, restaurants, shops, prayer tapes and CDs, children’s toys, cheongsams, lanterns and auspicious red cloth, jewelry, calendars, dried food, gold stores, and various hotel accommodations.
- Google Map
The coordinate is https://maps.app.goo.gl/H9dZTLxggD4Gg1sJ6
Conclusion
Chinatown in Bangkok is a colorful area with shops and restaurants, diverse people, and beautiful Chinese temples that are all worth visiting. It is considered a complete tour, including markets, malls, specialty shops, with an unforgettable impression. Traveling can be selected in many ways. The easiest way is to take a taxi, boat, or The Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT).
Reference
