Yaowarat Road named one of world’s ‘coolest’ streets by Time Out magazine

phuketrichard · Post by **phuketrichard** » Wed Aug 31, 2022 8:47 am

A vibrant part of Bangkok and yet i bet most tourists never visit

Bangkok’s Yaowarat Road was named the world’s eighth coolest street in the latest Time Out poll, which saw pollsters asking more than 20,000 people about post-pandemic life in their city.

The magazine describes Yaowarat as “one of Bangkok’s oldest thoroughfares, with a history that dates back to the city’s foundation, Yaowarat Road winds and curves through Bangkok’s riverside Chinatown.

“Lined with neon signs and bustling day or night, this cultural hub is home to temples, restaurants, markets and legions of acupuncturists and dispensers of Chinese medicine.

“It’s been a street food lovers’ favourite for generations, but lately the area has seen cool galleries and high-end restaurants move in too, keeping Yaowarat as relevant and culturally diverse as the day it was paved.”

The top 10 coolest streets in the world are: ( i've only been to 4)

Rue Wellington, Montreal, Canada
Gertrude street, Melbourne, Australia
Great Western Road, Glasgow, Scotland
Yongkang street, Taipei, Taiwan
Værnedamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
Karangahape road, Auckland, New Zealand
Tai Ping Shan street, Hong Kong
Yaowarat Road, Bangkok
Oranienstrasse, Berlin, Germany
Hayes Street, San Francisco, US

https://www.nationthailand.com/thai-des ... l/40019517

Cowshed Cowboy · Post by **Cowshed Cowboy** » Wed Aug 31, 2022 4:27 pm

I presume you mean Western tourists, it throngs with local and Asian visitors.

I go there monthly and alternate between 3 hotels in the area depending on price, invariably the majority of the guests are a younger local and Asian crowd. The transport link from Suvarnabunmi using the Airport Express link and MRT is excellent. I love the area for street photography and Mega Plaza is great for perusing the secondhand camera market. Going up on the bus tomorrow weather forecast permitting.

Definately a gem that will hopefully last the tide of the soulless concrete/glass modernisation that has ruined the character of other areas of central Bangkok. It is creeping in there already unfortunately.

truffledog · Post by **truffledog** » Wed Aug 31, 2022 5:54 pm

I especially like the narrow streets of the former "thieves market". A perfect area to get lost. So many things to see and smell. No setup for the tourists but real busy (chinese) Bangkok.