Thailand: Yaowarat Road – Bangkok’s Chinatown During Chinese New Year

Date: January 20, 2023

After checking out Ong Ang Canal and Mega Plaza, I walked up Yaowarat Road to the section that is widely showcased as Bangkok’s Chinatown. This being mid-January, Yaowarat Road was decorated to usher in the Chinese New Year vibes.

Yaowarat road historic buildings — Bangkok’s Chinatown area is in the Samphanthawong district

Chinese have been migrating to Thailand for over 200 years. Initially for trade/business, then later waves of refugees fleeing the civil war era of the 1900s, and then the Mao era post 1950s. Mostly from southern China, first by way of border nations like Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia — and then making their way to more prosperous Bangkok.

Chinese store Yaowarat Bangkok — Many businesses traditional Chinese goods

Even to this day, Chinese are trying to migrate to Thailand using various means. Mainland Chinese are the largest group of foreign buyers of real estate in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Many come to study in the international schools, and use education visa as a foot through the door to stay long-term.

Chinatown Bangkok at night Thailand — I was getting near

Chinatown Panasonic Mazda Bangkok — The crowds were already thronging road-side stalls

Cheongsam Yaowarat road Bangkok — Cheongsams were available for purchase if you wanted to get the ‘Chinese’ look

Chinatown Bangkok red lanterns Thailand — I checked out some bylanes

Crispy mussel pancake stall Bangkok Thailand — There were so much street food that looked tempting

Shumai fried insect stall Bangkok Thailand — You have regular food like Shumai (steamed Chinese dumpling)… and then you have friend insects

Bangkok Chinatown lanterns fruitsellers — Plenty of fruit stalls too, especially durian… which is popular among tourists

Chinatown Bangkok banners Thailand — I don’t know what these banners were saying

If you wanted to photograph Chinatown for its neon shop signs… visiting Yaowarat Road during Chinese New Year may not be the best idea.

Chinese new year banners Bangkok Chinatown — Because the banners block the neon lights

Yaowarat road Bata store Bangkok — There’s a Bata store here if you’d like

But from what I could see, the crowds were mostly spending money on food. Lots and lots of food!

Grilled meat roast duck Chinatown Bangkok — Popular foods were roast duck and grilled skewers

Chinatown hotel Bangkok Thailand — If you want to stay right on Yaowarat Road, check out China Town Hotel

Chinatown Bangkok traffic at night — Traffic was super congested, so be prepared for that… especially if you’re thinking of driving down here

Michelin star restaurant Yaowarat Chinatown Bangkok — A Michelin award-winning eatery

Seafood street food Yaowarat road Bangkok — So much seafood… I just wished I had the time, money, and company to try out and share a bunch of dishes

Unfortunately my phone’s battery was dying and so was my powerbank. I couldn’t record more video because shooting 4K video clips drained my phone’s batter so fast.

Thanon Plaeng Nam Chinatown Bangkok — I decided to take the MRT to head back

The station closest to Yaowarat Road is Wat Mangkon MRT Station. If you don’t know, MRT is the subway line but connects to the Sukhumvit/Asok interchange, from where I can take the BTS line to my hotel.

Choco Texas Chinatown Bangkok — Even the street leading up to the MRT station was crowded

Once back in my hotel, I charged my phone and then stepped out for dinner.

Kenzo Suisan Sukhumvit restaurant Bangkok — This is Kenzo Suisan, a popular Japanese restaurant in Sukhumvit

Despite staying in an area (near Phrom Phong BTS station) which was choc full of Japanese eateries, I was craving Middle Eastern food. So I took the BTS to Nana.

Petra restaurant Nana Bangkok — This area feels like you are in the Middle East for a brief moment

Turkish pide cheese Bangkok — You get real authentic Arabian cuisine in Nana because it’s a hotbed for Middle Eastern tourists

I reminisced about staying in the Nana area during my first two trips to Bangkok.

Foodland supermarket Nana Bangkok Thailand — Foodland Supermarket was where I would shop as it stays open 24 hours

The old guesthouse I used to stay at was just a few steps away from Nana BTS. Super convenient, but that whole building is all gone. In fact many old buildings in the Nana area are getting demolished because that land is so valuable for real estate development.

Anyway, I headed back to my room and called it a night. Here’s a brief video from my Yaowarat visit.