This area of Bangkok dates back from 1782 when the city was founded. Chinese merchants quickly settled this area near the river and between the Grand Palace and downtown. The Chinese first arrived as manual laborers who worked in the port and building canals. Their population grew to include business men, small merchants and traders. The Chinese were extremely important in the development of the Thai economy by providing labor and building expertise.
Note: The pink area are market areas, although shops line all the streets. The pink lanes are extremely picturesque, the real heart of Chinatown. Note the character of the streets as none are particularly straight and most are one way streets because they are so narrow. The smaller yellow streets are pedestrian only.
Functions
The success of the Chinese is very apparent in Chinatown. Chinatown is one of the major daily markets of Bangkok. Most of the shops are open everyday, all day long, although everything closes during Chinese New Year. Chinatown covers a huge land area which is crisscrossed by several main streets. There are several smaller streets, also for cars, but the majority of Chinatown is organized around narrow lanes for pedestrians, motorsais, and delivery dollies. In these areas, it is possible to buy practically anything. The range of goods is incredibly varied, and the land use is very mixed.
Community Aspects
Chinatown is also a high density residential area. Ten percent of the population in Thailand in 1995 was of Chinese descent. Chinatown is a very important part of their social organization and culture. The area acts as the center of the Chinese community within Thailand and provides them with the goods and services that they are accustomed to in China. Chinatown also employs a large number of their own people.
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Markets in General