Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district, home to a rising number of Chinese expatriates, is reinforcing its repute as the city’s second Yaowarat or New Chinatown. The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a temporary withdrawal of Chinese vendors from the district, but with the Chinese government deciding to lift border restrictions earlier this year, investors appear to be flocking back.

 

The district’s pulse beats strongest around the Huai Khwang MRT station and the Pracharat Bamphen Road, both magnets for Chinese residents and vendors. The entire length of the road, beginning at the bustling Huai Khwang intersection, is dotted with establishments with Chinese signages – restaurants, massage parlours, shops and currency exchange counters. Often seen as the economic face of Chinese immigration in Thailand, the area is also a popular haunt among the locals and expatriate Chinese community.

 

While the increased Chinese influence could breathe new life into the district, locals are naturally concerned. They fear that the sudden surge could bring about changes impacting their day-to-day lives.

Chanchai Suksabai, a 60 years old vegetable seller who has resided in the area for half a century, witnessed an influx of Chinese immigrants in the locality around a decade ago. He attributes the growing demand from newcomers to the spike in the median commercial rent, from roughly 10,000 baht (US$ 281) per month to a staggering 40,000-50,000 baht (US$ 1,124 to 1,406) today.

 

by Mitch Connor

Picture courtesy of Prachachat

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/chinese-resurgence-transforms-bangkoks-huai-khwang-into-new-chinatown

 

-- Thaiger 2023-08-21

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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4 hours ago, webfact said:

While the increased Chinese influence could breathe new life into the district, locals are naturally concerned.

Nihao ma, the insurgency continues!

4 hours ago, webfact said:

While the increased Chinese influence could breathe new life into the district, locals are naturally concerned. They fear that the sudden surge could bring about changes impacting their day-to-day lives

They mean competition...

The Tattoo  shop gets some free advertising.....:)

No-one knows what the Chinese writing says though.

2 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

The Tattoo  shop gets some free advertising.....:)

No-one knows what the Chinese writing says though.

 Chinese would know what it says, or maybe that is just a wild guess....

2 hours ago, 2baht said:

 

Nihao ma, the insurgency continues!

say the same about lower Sukhumvit and the farrang ghetto? 

2 minutes ago, PremiumLane said:

say the same about lower Sukhumvit and the farrang ghetto? 

 This is about Chinese in Huai Khwang! ????

4 minutes ago, PremiumLane said:

say the same about lower Sukhumvit and the farrang ghetto? 

I would'nt call that an insurgency! 

Lower Sukhumvit              Farrang Ghetto    Obviously you have not been there

If rental prices went up it is because Thai land owners put them up to gouge the Chinese. Chinese cannot legally own land here. Chinese have always been the kings of commerce here. They built the first paved road in Chinatown because Thais were interested in farming not shops. Jealousy of their business acumen led to a lot of racism. As we can now see.