China Town
Bangkok's vibrant Chinatown district runs along Yaowarat
Road from Odeon Circle, where a huge ceremonial Chinese gate unmistakably
marks the entrance, up to the Ong Ang Canal, which marks the outer
boundaries of the royal district. Yaowarat Road itself is lined with
many gold shops, and Chinatown is indeed one of the better places
to shop for gold. However, just off the road in either direction is
a whole other world where, it is said, you can find just about anything.
Chinatown is an easy place to explore on foot, and in fact there really
isn't any other way. Our own suggested walking tour takes in many
of the sights of Chinatown, as well as the Indian market at Phahurat
and the flower market further on.
Chinatown History : The Chinese community in Bangkok pre-dates
the founding of the Thai capital in the city. Indeed, the land where
the grand palace is today was originally a community of Chinese
traders. When King Rama I decided to establish the capital on the
site of the village of Bangkok, he asked the traders to move. They
settled to the east of the new city, along the river. It may be
hard to believe today, but the narrow Sampaeng Lane, which isn't
even big enough for a car, was once Chinatown's main street.
In 1902, the foreign community, who settled on the river further
east of Chinatown, petitioned the king for a larger road. Yaowarat
Road was built as a result, and the celebration of the road's 111th
birthday was the highlight of Chinatown's 2003 Chinese New Year
celebration.
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