This panorama shows one of the side streets in Chinatown, Bangkok. The picture was taken quite late in the afternoon with a slow shutter (hence the blurred shoppers), revealing a packed street full of stalls and shops not un-typical of Chinatown.

Chinatown - Bangkok visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Chinatown' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Central Thailand.

The Bangkok Chinatown (เยาวราช) district began in the 1780's when the capital of Thailand moved to Bangkok from Ayutthaya after the Burmese invaded. The Chinese then settled around Sampheng (ถนนสำเพ็ง), a narrow lane that is now a popular street market. From the the community grew on river trade.

One of the main roads in Chinatown is Charoen Krung ('Prosperous city'), which was the first paved road in Bangkok. Charoen Krung became the center of the Green Light District, so called for the green lamps that hung outside the countless opium dens. The area was also full of gambling dens and brothels. These have since moved on and the road is lined with one shop after another selling gold.

The Bangkok Chinatown is very popular with visitors, there are a few minor tourist attractions in the area, though most come here for the street markets, Chinese food and atmosphere. Among the attractions within Chinatown are:

• Wat Traimit (วัดไตรมิตร) - most popular attraction in the area, known for the Golden Buddha statue found within the temple.
• Thieves Market (Nakhon Kasem) - just north of the west end of Sampeng Lane, this used to be the place to come for stolen goods, today it specializes in Thai and Chinese antiques.
• Wat Chakrawat - a Buddhist temple containing crocodiles in the compound and the Wihan Buddha image.
• Wat Bophitphimuk - a second grade royal temple of Worahiharn.
• Wat Kanikaphon - founded by the madam of a former brothel.
• Wat Mangkon Kamalawat - the largest and most important Chinese temple in Bangkok.
• Li Thi Miew Temple - one of the more open and accessible Chinese temples within Chinatown.
• Phahurat Market - at the center of the small Sikh community within Chinatown, specializing in cloth and wedding material.
• Old Siam - shopping center with fast food outlets, western-friendly Thai restaurants and, of course, shops.
Tien Fa Charity - a short distance from the Odeon Circle, which contains a Chinese Arch, the Tien Fa Charity runs a small clinic and contains a shrine to the goddess Ming.

Bus: Thanon Yaowarat (วัดสามปลื้ม) (1, 4, 7, 25, 53, 508)
Ferry: Saphan Phut Express Boat Pier, Ratchawong Express Boat Pier