China Town

Bangkok's China Town is an old business center covering a large area around Yaowarat and Charoen Krung Roads. This area is one of the earliest Chinese communities in Thailand. It bears a lot of interesting aspects - history, architecture and commerce. There are many small streets and alleys full of shops selling all types of goods. The area is always lively and stalls abound. It has been the main center for trading by the Chinese since they were moved from their old site some 200 years ago. Nearby is Phahurat Market, one of the city's renowned cloth centers.

China Town houses teh Holy Rosary Church. It also has the Siam Commercial Bank, which is the first commercial bank of Thailand run by Thais. Built in 1904 (in the reign of King Rama V, 1868-1910), its architectural style is of the Art Deco. In China Town, you will also find the Sieng Kong Zone, the oldest auto spare parts business centre in Bangkok. You will also find the Pathum Khongkha Temple, which was built in the Ayutthaya period, and commonly known as Sampheng Temple.

From the temple, walk to Wanit I Road and you will enter Sampheng shopping centre, an old Chinese community originally residing in the Grand Palace area but moved to outside the city wall by order of King Rama I who was establishing his capital at Rattanakosin Island in 1782. Various kinds of goods, mostly for wholesale, ranging from sewing instruments to souvenirs are available here. The narrow street is usually crowded like a marketplace.

Across the road are Siphon Han and Phahurat shopping area. There are plenty of jewellery shops in this area. Moreover, cloths, ready-made clothes, cosmetics, souvenirs and snacks are sold along the way.

To the right, is Chakkraphet Road where you will find the Khlong Ong Ang Market. Here you can purchase almost varieties of toys. Next to it is Nakhon Kasem Market, which is the retail and wholesale market of machines and musical instruments. Adjacent to this market is Khlong Thom Market where thousands of consumers come daily to buy electrical appliances and sundry goods. Everything here is generally cheaper than elsewhere because the stall-owners pay just a nominal rent to the metropolitan administration.

These markets are off Yaowarat Road, which was developed later than Sampheng. But before long, as international trade started to grow, this road became the first important business centre in Bangkok. Roast chestnuts and imported products, chiefly from China such as fruits and food stuffs are symbol of Yaowarat. And if you feel hungry, there are many choices of food stalls and restaurants to select from, especially in the evening when it becomes a paradise for gourmets. Furthermore, Yaowarat is an ideal place for gold lovers. Scores of gold shops here are famous for their fine craftmanship and high quality.