Samphanthawong  is one of the 50 districts (Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. Regarded as the Bangkok's Chinatown, it is the smallest and the least populated district in Bangkok. Neighboring districts are (from north clockwise) Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bang Rak, Khlong San (across Chao Phraya River), and Phra Nakhon.

 

History

The area has been Chinese community since the early days of Bangkok. Originally living in what is now the Phra Nakhon district, they were relocated here when the capital was set up. The narrow Sampheng Road ( now called Wanit 1 Road ) was the chinatown main street until the Yaowarat Road was constructed in 1892 during King Chulalongkorn period. Nowadays, Yaowarat Road remains the heart of chinatown.

The area for Samphanthawong district was once three separate amphoes, Samphanthawong, Sam Yaek, and Chakkrawat established on 15 October 1915 where old amphoes were overhauled and replaced by 25 new amphoes to cover inner part of Bangkok. Amphoe Sam Yaek and Amphoe Chakkrawat were later merged into Amphoe Samphanthawong. The amphoe became Khet Samphanthawong in 1972. It is believed that the name Samphanthawong was derived from Wat Samphanthawongsaram, the temple near the district office when it was first built. Now the district office is moved to Yotha Road in Talat Noi sub-district.

 

Chinatown (Yaowarat)

Yaowarat Road

Yaowarat Road  is about 1.5 km in length. Along both sides, many gold shops and all kinds of Chinese restaurants: noodle, rice, dim sum, bird's nest soup, etc. can be found. More shops, especially fruits, Chinese traditional medicine, can be found in walking lanes branching off the main road. Recently, a gate was built to celebrate King Bhumibol's 72nd birthday. It is located on Odeon Circle (named after a cinema once stood nearby) at one end of Yaowarat Road.

 

Temples and Shrines

Some of famous Thai Buddhist temples in the district are:

• Wat Traimit or Wat Trimit  is known for its giant Buddha image made from solid gold weigh about 5.5 tons. The gold was hidden under plaster for centuries until rediscovery in 1954.
• Wat Pathum Khongkha  is an ancient wat, renovated and renamed from Wat Sampheng during King Rama I period.
• Wat Chakkrawat  or Wat Sam Pluem 

Many Chinese temples and shrines are also here, for example:

• Leng Buai Ia Shrine  the oldest shrine in the area, about 300 years old.
• Ah Nia Geng Shrine  or Chue Pui Nia Nia Shrine a shrine of Kuan Yin.
• Guan U Shrine shrine for Guan Yu and his horse Sek Tao.
• Thien Fah Foundation the first foundation registered in Thailand, established to provide health care for the poor. Inside there is a Kuan Yin shrine.
• Bunyasamakhom Shrine  

The most famous Chinese temple in the area, Wat Leng Noei Yi officially named Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, lies just outside Samphanthawong boundary in the neighbor Pom Prap Sattru Phai District.

Sightseeing

 

		Temples & City Tour Visit the three most famous trmples in bangkok. Our tour will start at Wat Trimitr ( Golden Buddha Temple ) with a 5 ton image of solid gold after which you will visit Wat Po ( Reclining Buddha ) a statre of 46 metres long and 15 metres high and then to Wat Benchamabopit a temple faced with the finest italian marble.Thailand has over 26,000 Wats or temples.This tour brings you to the 3 most distinguished temples in Bangkok.... More information
		The Royal Grand Palace Welcome to The Grand Palace visit the Royal Grand Palace. then go through the dazzling Wat phra Kaew with its revered Emerald buddha. Golden Chedi, Pantheon of the Chakri Kings and the Eight coloured Touwers. Photography is permitted in the Royal Palace Grounds and in the compounds of the Emerald buddha Temple..... More information.
		Siam Niramit ( Unseen Holiday) Unseen Holiday In Bangkok Siam Niramit World Class Spectacular Journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of Siam Siam, the Kingdom whose history, customs and civilization have transcended time .The land of beauty and cultural treasures that have descended down through centuries. Rejoice the glory of ancient Siam and b fascinated by the wonder and grandeur of Siam Niramit More information

Festivals

Several Chinese festivals are held here yearly. Yaowarat Road is often closed to traffic during the period.

• Chinese New Year Festival is the biggest one with dragon dances, lion dances, and people dress in red.
• Mid-Autumn Festival with shops selling mooncakes.
• Chinese Vegetarian Food Festival (1st to 9th day of 9th lunar month) is a nine-day period when many Chinese practice vegetarianism and dress in white. All over Yaowarat Road, vegetarian food stalls with yellow flags and Chinese characters 齋 in red can be seen. Some foods really look like meat but are made from soybeans.