Bangkok hotels, China Town Area

Lying south of Dusit and Banglamphu , the Chinatown district is one of the oldest areas of Bangkok as Chinese merchants were originally moved to this area in the early 1780's when Bangkok was founded. One of the main streets of this area, Charoen Krung (translating as 'Prosperous city'), was actually Bangkok's first paved road, so it's English name , New Road, couldn't really be more inappropriate nowadays.

The area has got a somewhat seedy historical reputation for large numbers of opium dens, brothels (which hung green lanterns outside, giving it the name of the Green Light district), pawnshops and a fondness for gambling. Today, gold shops and pawnshops are still very popular in Chinatown and can be found almost anywhere. Drug dealing, prostitution and gambling (all now illegal in Thailand) are also still thought to be widespread in this area, though they are not likely to be very noticeable to the average visitor.

Complete list of Bangkok hotels

China Town Bangkok Centre Hotel $$$ Buddy Lodge Hotel $$$ Grand China Princess $$$$ Grande Ville Hotel $$$ White Orchid Hotel $$