Sampeng Lane market in Chinatown , any method to madness !

[BKKdreaming]

Hi

I am looking for leather key chains , leather coin purses , 6 hook leather key holders etc

I always liked to go to the Sampeng Lane / Wanit rd market that runs next to the main street Yaowarat,

But I have really only been on the main streets and larger alleys ,

Is there any type of a map of the area and what is being sold ?

what is upstairs ? what time do they open and close ?

Are there areas for certain products ?

I did see a toy area and the shoe area , ohh and the fish net shops

Is there one shop / "guy" that knows the shops and knows where everything is ? or kids that can go find you something

I have been to this area 50-100 times thru the years but never looked for leather stuff

I know Wongwanyai is another leather area,

Thanks for your help ,

[rak sa_ngop]

A lot of leather goods are actually made in Thailand so would not be 'imported' by Chinatown businesses. There are a couple of Stingray leather shops I know of but not in the watch/torch/glasses/electronics streets that you are probably familiar with.One shop is on the narrow shoe alley (which leads on to the fake gemstone shops), if you know where I mean.

[Filer]

Such a map does indeed exist. It's Nancy Chandler's Map of Bangkok (now in its 40th year, 27th edition) which includes detailed blow-up maps of the main shopping areas, including Sukhumvit, Chatuchak and Chinatown (which is the section that you need to look at). It's particularly useful for the Chatuchak weekday and weekend markets and Chinatown, since it clearly shows you what each area or group of alleys specialises in. I'm assuming from your query that you have not come across this map so far. This is all real information (i..e not paid-for advertising) meticulously entered onto an ordinary map by people who really know and understand Bangkok. The founder, Nancy Chandler, died in June this year, but her company looks well set to continue.

You can get it for Bht 300 or so in the main branches of the big bookshops (Kinokunya, Asia Books etc). It's also available on line including local delivery in Bangkok at nancychandler.net

I've been shopping in Bangkok for almost 40 years now and I still find this map an incredibly useful reference source. I buy every new edition that comes out.

[BKKdreaming]

A lot of leather goods are actually made in Thailand so would not be 'imported' by Chinatown businesses. There are a couple of Stingray leather shops I know of but not in the watch/torch/glasses/electronics streets that you are probably familiar with.One shop is on the narrow shoe alley (which leads on to the fake gemstone shops), if you know where I mean.

Yes I know where that is . I think unless there are 2 areas