250px, The gate of the Woeng Nakhon Khasem on Charoen Krung side in 2016. Woeng Nakhon Khasem (, ) is a market in the

Samphanthawong Samphanthawong ( th, สัมพันธวงศ์, ) is one of the 50 districts (khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. Regarded as Bangkok's Chinatown, it is the smallest district in area but has the highest population density of Bangkok's districts. ...

District,

Bangkok Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estima ...

Thailand Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...

. It is popularly known as the "Thieves Market" as formerly mostly stolen goods were sold there. The market is surrounded by

Charoen Krung Shophouses along Charoen Krung road with the Sathorn Unique Tower in the vicinity (2021) Charoen Krung Road ( th, ถนนเจริญกรุง, ) is a major road in Bangkok and the first in Thailand to be built using modern construction ...

, Chakkrawat, Boriphat, and

Yaowarat Road Yaowarat Road ( th, ถนนเยาวราช, ; ) in Samphanthawong District is the main artery of Bangkok's Chinatown. Modern Chinatown now covers a large area around Yaowarat and Charoen Krung Road. It has been the main centre for trading ...

s in the area near foot of

Damrong Sathit Bridge file:สะพานดำรงสถิต970.jpg , 250px, Saphan Lek or Damrong Sathit Bridge in 2014 Saphan Lek ( th, สะพานเหล็ก, , ) is the name of a bridge and a now-extinct makeshift market near the bridge in Bangkok. Now ...

(Saphan Lek) with close to

Wang Burapha Wang Burapha ( th, วังบูรพา, ) is a historic neighbourhood in Bangkok, regarded as the first commercial and entertainment district in contemporary Thailand (after 1932 revolution). It is situated between Charoen Krung, Maha Chai, ...

and Khlong Thom. Its name literally translated as "delightful townspeople alcove". Woeng Nakhon Khasem regarded as the first

shopping district A shopping street or shopping district is a designated road or quarter of a city/town that is composed of individual retail establishments (such as stores, boutiques, restaurants, and shopping complexes). Such areas will typically be pedest ...

in Bangkok that has it all. It occurred during the King

Chulalongkorn Chulalongkorn ( th, จุฬาลงกรณ์, 20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910) was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, titled Rama V. He was known to the Siamese of his time as ''Phra Phuttha Chao Luang'' (พร� ...

(Rama V)'s reign. HM the King bestowed this land to Prince

Paribatra Sukhumbandhu Marshal-Admiral Paribatra Sukhumbandhu, Prince of Nakhon Sawan (; Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้าบรมวงศ์เธอ เจ้าฟ้าบริพัตรสุขุมพันธุ์ กรมพระนค� ...

. In the year 1905, it was the site of the first cinema in Siam (now Thailand) in the name of a Japanese Cinema, due to being operated by

Japanese Japanese may refer to: * Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia * Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan * Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture ** Japanese diaspor ...

, although it was just a temporary cinema that was roofed with zinc only. Later on, Woeng Nakhon Khasem became a market for imitation antiques, old furniture, brass ware, and records, with especially musical instruments. Talat Pi Raka (ตลาดปีระกา, "year of the rooster market") was another daily sub-market located within the area. It sells both fresh and dried foods and also used to be the location of renowned

beef noodles Beef noodle soup is a noodle soup made of stewed or braised beef, beef broth, vegetables and noodles. It exists in various forms throughout East and Southeast Asia. One of the oldest beef noodle soups is the Lanzhou lamian (兰州拉面) or L ...

shop. Since 2012, the estate of the Paribatra family announced its plans to sell Woeng Nakhon Khasem, and ownership now lies with the Thai Charoen Corporation (TCC) by

Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi ( th, เจริญ สิริวัฒนภักดี; ; ; born 2 May 1944) is a Thai business magnate and investor. He is the founder of Thai Beverage, and the chairman of conglomerates TCC Group and Fraser ...

, which seeks to renovate it for commercialisation. The tenants of 440 units in the area will have to relocate to make room for development. Many shops have already closed down, and their front doors now bear signs detailing their new locations. In addition, Woeng Nakhon Khasem in every Tuesday to Sunday night at front of buildings of Sang Thong Machinery Limited Partnership near

Wat Tuek Intersection Wat Tuek ( th, วัดตึก, ) is an intersection in the area of Samphanthawong and Chakkrawat Subdistricts, Bangkok's Samphanthawong District, where Yaowarat meets Chakkrawat Roads, considered to be the tip phase of Yaowarat Road, or be ...

, it is also the location

street food Street food is ready-to-eat food or drinks sold by a hawker, or vendor, in a street or at other public places, such as markets or fairs. It is often sold from a portable food booth, food cart, or food truck and is meant for immediate consumption ...

stall, named "Khao Phad Pu Chang Phueak" or "Weng" that serves tasty crab

fried rice Fried rice is a dish of cooked rice that has been stir-fried in a wok or a frying pan and is usually mixed with other ingredients such as eggs, vegetables, seafood, or meat. It is often eaten by itself or as an accompaniment to another dish. Fr ...

, Hong Kong fried noodles and stir-fried fish maw with

shark fin soup Shark fin soup is a traditional soup or stewed dish served in parts of China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. The shark fins provide texture, while the taste comes from the other soup ingredients. It is commonly served at special occasions such as ...

. The stall was chosen as one of the 2019 and 2020 Bangkok

Bib Gourmand The Michelin Guides ( ) are a series of guide books that have been published by the French tyre company Michelin since 1900. The Guide awards up to three Michelin star (classification), stars for excellence to a select few establishments. The ac ...

from Michelin Guide.

References

Retail markets in Bangkok Samphanthawong district {{Thailand-struct-stub