Yaowarat Road
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Bangkok's Chinatown or the other name Sumpeng is located on Yaowarat Road (เยาวราช) in Samphanthawong district.
The Chinatown is an old business centre covering a large area around Yaowarat and Charoen Krung Roads. There are many small streets and alleys full of shops and vendors selling all types of goods. It has been the main centre for trading by the Chinese community since they moved from their old site some 200 years ago. Nearby Phahurat or Indian market is one of the city's renowned cloth centres.
History of Bangkok's Chinatown
Chinatown is located in one of the oldest areas of Bangkok. It was set up by Chinese traders who came in junks to trade with Thailand (Siam) during the Rattanakosin period, about 1700s. By the end of 1891, King Rama V had cut many roads, Yaowarat Road is one of them. Therefore Chinatown doesn't consist of only Yaowarat Road, but also covers others such as: Charoen Krung Road, Songwat Road, Songsawat Road, Chakkrawat Road etc. Yaowarat is the centre of the area. The path of the road is like the dragon's curvy body, making it an ideal location for business. Visitors can find here leading gold shops, garments, textiles, stationery, souvenirs, second-hand parts and equipment, electric goods, computer parts, antiques, imported musical instruments and definitely local delicacies etc. Those shops sell very cheap and are, often, wholesales. It is very worth to visit for shoppers. In 2003, it was the 111th anniversary of this legendary road.
Nowadays, lands around this road has become the most expensive areas in Thailand.
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