After the King Rama I established Rattanakosin (now Bangkok) as the new capital of Siam (now Thailand) on the right bank of Chao Phraya River in 1782.

He allowed overseas Chinese who living around the Grand Palace to move to live in a new place far from the downtown at that time southeastward next to the Chao Phraya River known as "Sampheng", resulting in being a Chinatown and active commercial district from that time onwards.

It dates from the Ayutthaya period and was known as Wat Ko (วัดเกาะ; lit: "island temple") due to its location surrounded by water.

Yaowarat Road, which is regarded as the main artery of the district, was built in 1892 during the reign of King Rama V in order to expand traffic routes and habitats for the people of Bangkok continuing from Charoen Krung Road In 1915, corresponding to the reign of King Rama VI.

Samphanthawong was an amphoe (district) of Phra Nakhon province, same as neighbouring Sam Yaek, Sampheng, and Chakkrawat.