What you will find here are beautiful Chinese temples, Taoist places of learning and traditional Chinese medicine shops selling all sorts of fascinating remedies. The small alleys and streets between Yaowarat Road and the Chao Phraya River are crammed with market stalls and small shops jostling to sell just about everything imaginable; from hair accessories, tea sets, hardware and food, to fabric, strange vegetables imported from mainland China and Chinese funeral items.
Once crossing Chakraphek Road you will enter Pahurat – one of Chinatown’s premier attractions. Goods such as flip-flops, toys, household items, and herbs can be bought here. Within these first few blocks lie Pahurat's textile-selling action, so choose one of the many small alleyways and dive into the heart of it all. Within, you'll find a labyrinth of shops and vendors selling all kinds of colourful textiles. Chinatown in essence is like one big flea market.
Markets
The Thieves Market (Woong Nakhon Kasem)
While we do not recommend a trip to Chinatown for the purpose of visiting the Thieves Market, briefly including it on a walking tour somehow feels more appropriate. The one-time hub for antiques in Bangkok (a role now filled by Chatachak), it is no longer a trading ground for stolen goods but now secondhand items including electronic devices, musical instruments and uniforms.
Highlights: Flowers, musical instruments and some electronics
Address: Yaowarat Rd. and Chakraphet Rd
Location: Between Yaowarat and Chakrapet Rd
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00
Talat Saphan Lek
It is thought that certain customs duties haven't been paid on most of the items here, and therefore bargain hunters can save up to 40% off department store prices.
Bootleg software, pirated videos, unlicensed cassette tapes; these are just some of the things that you can find crammed into the aisles that make up Bangkok's Talat Saphan Lek. Just to the west of Chinatown, The 200-metre-long aisles, which run along both banks of the canal, stretch from Charoen Krung or New Road south to Yaowarat Rd.
Highlights: Electronics, software, DVDs and CD’s
Location: Iron Bridge Market. The market itself is built on a large metal bridge over Ohng Ang Canal in the Wang Burapha
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:00
Pahurat – Little India
Also known as Little India, this market is frequented by few tourists but is nonetheless bustling with locals. The labyrinth of narrow lanes gives way to plentiful rolls of textiles such as silk, cotton, wool and cashmere each to be brought at a good rate. Once crossing Chakraphek Road you will enter Pahurat.
Within these first few blocks lay Pahurat's textile-selling action, so choose one of the many small alleyways and dive into the heart of it all. Within, you'll find a labyrinth of shops and vendors selling all kinds of colourful textiles.
Highlights: Textiles, Indian paraphernalia, trinkets and sandals
Address: Chakraphek Road and Sampleng Lane, Chinatown
Location: Running parallel south of Yaowarat (the main street) walk south along Sampeng Lane.
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 18:00 (every day)
Sampeng Lane
Few tourists discover the joys of this atmospheric wholesale market, best described as the main artery of Chinatown. It is a very narrow lane that runs from Songsawat Road in the East to Chakraphet Road in the West, running parallel to Charoen Krung (New Road).
Even if you don’t wish to buy anything it’s well worth visiting just for the sheer experience. Goods such as flip-flops, toys, household items, and herbs can be bought here. Ladies will appreciate the vast selection of shoes and imitation ‘IT bags’ to be found. The area has a distinct smell of leather crossed with the aromatic scent of food being prepared.
Highlights: Wholesale Market – Fabric, Clothing, Haberdashery and Jewellery
Address: Sampeng Soi (Soi Wanit 1), Chinatown
Location: Walk down the narrow lane that runs from Songsawat Road in the East to Chakraphet Road in the West, running parallel to Charoenkrung Road.
Balanna Plaza – Shoes
This small Plaza is neatly tucked down Samepeng lane and is solely dedicated to shoes. Brands such as Nike, Converse, Vans and Campus can be picked up here for a fraction of the 'normal' price and there is the wholesale option too. Other styles of shoes include ladies' sandals and flip-flops.
Highlights: Branded trainers at a cheap price.
Address: 382-386 Vanish Rd, Sampeng
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