Thailand's main Chinatown is located in one of Bangkok's oldest districts, on Yaowarat Road. The Chinese who live and trade here have long considered themselves Thai: they have assimilated well, and some have even partly forgotten their native language, yet they have preserved Chinese traditions and culture.
Yaowarat is the perfect place for those who love buying suitcases full of souvenirs: prices here are low and the atmosphere is lively. There are a great many shops here, and besides souvenirs you can buy jewelry, household appliances, antiques, used electronics, and much more, and, most importantly, all very cheaply. We will tactfully keep silent about the quality of the goods and not expect too much from Chinatown. A "real" iPhone for 1000 baht is definitely not something you should buy here, but you can (carefully) try plenty of local exotic delicacies.
During the Chinese New Year celebrations, traffic on Yaowarat Road is suspended. Colorful fairs, carnivals, and open-air dances begin.
At first it may seem that chaos and disorder reign in Bangkok's Chinatown, but for the inhabitants of the Chinese quarter, life in the style of Brownian motion suits them perfectly well, while tourists simply need a little time to get used to it.
