Sampeng Market, China Town, Bangkok, Thailand, ( 7 )
This market is among one of the early Chinese communities during their resettlement in Thailand over 200 years ago. It has become the Wall Street of Bangkok during the mid 1800′s. Not only was it prosperous as a business centre but also in illegal activities such as gambling, drugs, and prostitution. Though less attractive than in former days, Sampeng never loses its importance as a shopping attraction in Bangkok’s Chinese community. The Sampeng Market, situated en – route Chinatown, offers an assortment of clothes, Chinese medicine, flip-flmedicinal herbsehold items, medicinal herbs, gold, shark fin, Chinese tea and medicines, socks, wallets, CDs and almost anything else you might imagine can be found here in true riot of colourful shops that maintain a blend of Thai and Chinese culture. Its small lanes and alleyways haven’t stopped tourists from visiting the place especially those who want to see the real Thailand and not its glitzy and glamorous malls. The open-air stalls, which lend a rather open and casual atmosphere to the place, sell some great traditional Thai food to fair prices. Blaring horns and a steady stream of scooters zig – zagging their way through the by lanes will keep you company. You can also catch a glimpse of various Chinese shrines and devour on alien food such as shark-fin or noodle soup restaurants, if you are hungry. The Sampeng Market has an ethnic feel and shows the perfect blend on Thai-Chinese cohabitation over the years. However, the place …