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Yaowarat Road
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Bangkok's Chinatown 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 prominent cloth centres. It is also famous for many varieties of delicious foods, and become foods street in the night.
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 demanded to built many roads, and Yaowarat Road is one of them. Chinatown does not consist of only Yaowarat Road, but also includes others such as: Charoen Krung Road, Mungkorn Road, Songwat Road, Songsawat Road, Chakkrawat Road, etc. Yaowarat is the center of the area. The path of the road is said to be like the dragon's curvy body, making it an auspicious location for business. Visitors can find leading gold shops, garments, textiles, stationery, souvenirs, second-hand parts and equipment, electric goods, computer parts, antiques, imported musical instruments, and local delicacies at a bargain, often at wholesale prices. Year 2003 marked the 111th anniversary of this legendary road.
Land prices around Yaowarat Road have traditionally been the highest in all Thailand, but have become the second most expensive in Bangkok to Siam Square (Siam).
