Yaowarat Road

Yaowarat Road (Thai: ถนนเยาวราช, pronounced [tʰā.nǒn jāw.wā.râːt]; Chinese: 耀華力路) in Samphanthawong District is the main artery of Bangkok's Chinatown.

It has been the main centre for trading by the Chinese community since they moved from their old site some 200 years ago to make way for the construction of Wat Phra Kaew, the Grand Palace.

Yaowarat Road is well known for its variety of foodstuffs, and at night turns into a large "food street" that draws tourists and locals from all over the city.

It is the result of the resettlement of Chinese on the west bank of Chao Phraya River after King Rama I moved the capital of the kingdom from Thonburi to Rattanakosin.

The path of the road is said to resemble a dragon's curvy body, making it an auspicious location for business.

Yaowarat is a road with a length of about 1.5 km (0.93 mi), 20 m (65 ft) wide and takes 8 years to build (1892–1900).

On Saturday 6 July 2024, at about 8:41 pm, a fire broke out in the Trok Pho community, a narrow lane separated from Yaowarat Road near Guanyin Shrine and Sampheng, burning out a number of houses, injuring two firefighters, and at least 30 people were affected.

Yaowarat Road in May 2020
Yaowarat Road at night