[PLACE] 20150114 Chinatown @ Yaowarat, Bangkok

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The Chinese community long set foot in Bangkok during the mass migration to South East Asia back in the old days. The Chinese traders initially gathered at a site where the current Grand Palace is locate before being relocated further away to the East. The Chinese traders then settled down at Sampaeng Lane before a petition for a wider street, hence the relocation to Yaowarat Road, which evolves to be what it is today, i.e. Chinatown of Bangkok.

Unlike our own Chinatown in Malaysia, i.e. Petaling Street which has lost most of its authenticity, the Chinatown in Bangkok still preserves the originality with majority of the Chinese communities and traders still residing at Chinatown.

Besides that, there are also many Chinese temples around here along with some old traditional buildings that adds to the heritage value of Bangkok's Chinatown. Colourful neon signboards that reassembles those in Hong Kong, thou not as many, lights up the busy street of Yaowarat during the nights. Street vendors along with shops and restaurants offering both goods, and food.

You may find variety of things like traditional Chinese products and food along the 1km stretch including very oriental delicacies such as sharkfin's soup (Not promoting nor supporting on consumption of shark's fin), bird's nest soup, fish maw stew, roast duck etc etc.

The best time to visit Chinatown is during Chinese festive seasons such as the lunar new year.

Chinatown (Yaowarat)
Nearest MRT Stations: Hua Lampong Station
Telephone: Nil
Opening Hours: Nil

TO GO


You have a few options i.e. by water, road or rail to get to Chinatown. Taking a cab will bring you directly to Chinatown but be mindful of the nasty Bangkok jam and some cab drivers might not want go during rush hours.

If you are taking the waterways, alight at Pier 5 (Ratchawong Pier) and walk further up to Yaowarat Road.

Alternatively, the MRT Hua Lampong station would be the nearest rail station and requires another 10 minute walk to Yaowarat Road.



ATTRACTION



The busy street of Yaowarat Road with colourful and bright sign boards that reassembles Hong Kong.


Some local names like 林真香 operated by local Chinese that sells traditional local specialities food products such as dried pork skin, pork floss, dried mango, dried longan etc. These shops have some other outlets at other areas as well if you are not coming to Chinatown.


Dried or smoked duck meat sold in the shops that is traditional to the Chinese community.


But food is the main attraction of Chinatown with traditional Chinese cuisines such as roast duck, Peking style.


Or some local seafood stalls that serves fresh river produce or seafood, grilled right in front of you.


The famous T&K Seafood Restaurant is also located in Chinatown. Read more about T&K Seafood in my separate post.


There are also many street stalls or restaurants selling bird's nest soup, which is also a local product of Thailand along with other South East Asian countries. Street stalls selling at much cheaper price while restaurants charge a higher premium for their bird's nest soup. Read more about my experience with Nam Sing Bird's Nest in a separate post.


Some other street vendors like the juice vendor above that are commonly found around Bangkok's streets.



Some Chinese cuisines that are not found at other areas of Bangkok. There's so many to try but so little space in your tummy.


Fish maw stew sold by the street vendors are commonly found in Chinatown but not at other areas. The gluey thick texture reassembles shark fin soup but using fish maw instead of shark's fin.


There are many road side stir fry stalls as well along the main street that you can order Chinese-Thai fusion food.

SUMMARY


Overall, the Chinatown of Bangkok still have the presence of the Chinese community in contrast to our Malaysian Chinatown which is now invaded by many foreigners and lost it's authenticity of a Chinatown despite a few well known names are still around. The abundance of street food and local food will not give a chance for your tummy to rest. 

Attraction
☆☆☆☆
Presence of Chinese community still available with variety of merchandise and food
Cleanliness
☆☆☆☆

Entrance Fee
Nil
Opening Hours
Daily
Wifi
N/A
Parking
Limited
Website
N/A

GPS: 13.741206, 100.508264

farscope

Malaysian lad, engineer by background, banker by profession whom passionate in photography, food and travelling.

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