Chakrawat Road: A Hidden Old Trading Street in Bangkok

Tucked within Bangkok’s historic district,
Chakrawat Road is a short 800-meter street that tells a much longer story.

Chakrawat Road – Sampeng Section
A lively stretch of the street connecting to Sampeng, one of Bangkok’s oldest trading districts.

Built in 1893 during the reign of King Rama V, this road has quietly connected temples, markets, and communities for over a century.

Today, it remains one of Bangkok’s hidden old trading streets where the past and present continue to exist side by side.

Where to Start: S.A.B. Intersection

S.A.B. Intersection
The starting point of Chakrawat Road, where Charoen Krung meets Worachak and Chakrawat. At the corner stands the historic Siam Commercial Bank building, while Wat Mangkon lies just ahead to the right.

Sing Sian Yer Pao Building
A long-standing Chinese-language newspaper office, located directly opposite the bank—reflecting the deep-rooted Chinese heritage of the area.

Your walk begins at S.A.B. Intersection,
where Chakrawat Road meets Charoen Krung and Worachak Roads.

Here, two elegant European-style buildings stand across from each other, a subtle reminder of Bangkok’s early urban development.

A Hidden Temple Behind the City

Wat Chai Chana Songkhram (Wat Tuek)
The temple’s mondop and chedis sit quietly behind the street, almost hidden from view.

Just a few steps in, you’ll find Wat Chai Chana Songkhram (Wat Tuek) quietly hidden behind buildings. Its chedis and structures are almost invisible from the street,
making it one of those places you only discover if you take your time.

Sampeng: Bangkok’s Historic Trading Hub

Wat Tuek Intersection
A key crossing where Chakrawat Road meets Yaowarat, marking the transition into a more vibrant commercial zone.

Continue walking until the road meets Yaowarat, and suddenly, the atmosphere shifts.

Small alleys open on both sides.
This is Sampeng, one of Bangkok’s oldest and busiest markets.

Traditional Medicine Shop
A glimpse of century-old Chinese-Thai herbal shops that still operate along the road.

Split into two sides, Chakrawat and Saphan Han, this area offers an endless variety of goods.

As locals say,
“You can find everything here from toothpicks to airplanes.”

Temples, Community, and Hidden Lanes

Entrance to Wat Chakrawat Ratchawat Woramahawihan
Also known as Wat Sam Pluem, with the historic “Chao Krom Phoe” herbal shop located beside it.

Further along the road:

Wat Chakrawat Ratchawat Woramahawihan (Wat Sam Pluem)
A historic temple with roots in the Ayutthaya period

Mondop at Wat Chakrawat
With the grand prang rising behind it, reflecting traditional Thai religious architecture.

Buddha Footprint & Pa Lelai Buddha Image
Housed inside the mondop, showcasing spiritual artistry and devotion.

Bophit Phimuk Alley
Home to a university and Wat Bophit Phimuk Worawihan (Wat Choeng Len)

Ubosot of Wat Bophit Phimuk (Wat Choeng Len)
A historic ordination hall preserving religious significance and craftsmanship.

This alley leads to the Ong Ang Canal,
where the atmosphere shifts again from busy streets to calm waterside walks.

Ong Ang Canal
A short walk through Bophit Phimuk Alley leads to this calm canal, contrasting with the busy streets.

Hidden within this lane is a unique café,
transformed from a traditional Chinese medicine shop, a reflection of how heritage spaces evolve with time.

Bai Hor Café – Front Building
A contemporary café set in a restored traditional storefront.

Bai Hor Café – Rear Building
A large European-style house hidden behind the front shop.

Bai Hor Café – Ground Floor
Where old structures meet modern lifestyle in a thoughtfully designed space.

Bai Hor Café – Upper Floor
An inviting interior that blends heritage with contemporary comfort.

A Street That Connects the City

Pedestrian Bridge at Bophit Phimuk
In front of Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin, offering a view of the road ahead.

From a pedestrian bridge, you can see Chakrawat Road split into two directions:

Toward Phra Pok Klao Bridge and the Chao Phraya River
Toward an old riverside community connecting to Song Wat and Ratchawong Pier

This short road acts like a network linking key areas of Bangkok’s old town, including Yaowarat, Sampeng, Song Wat, and the river.

What Makes Chakrawat Special

Street Life on Chakrawat Road
International visitors walking along the sidewalks, exploring the area at a slower pace.

Look closer, and you’ll discover:

Century-old Chinese-Thai medicine shops
Hidden Chinese shrines along the street
Religious architecture dating back to Ayutthaya
A living community that still trades, worships, and lives here

This is not a curated destination, it is a living part of Bangkok.

Why It Matters

Chakrawat Road reflects the essence of meaningful tourism:

Supporting long-standing local businesses
Preserving cultural and religious heritage
Experiencing real community life
Encouraging slow, mindful exploration

Because travel is not only about where you go but how you connect with the place.

Explore Bangkok Beyond the Obvious

End of Chakrawat Road
A fork in the road—right toward Phra Pok Klao Bridge and Memorial Bridge, left toward Wat Sam Pluem, old communities, Ratchawong Pier, and Song Wat.

Walk slower. Look closer. Discover more.

Cycling Under Phra Pok Klao Bridge
A different way to experience Bangkok—on two wheels along the river.

Chao Phraya River
The final view at the end of Chakrawat Road, where the city opens to the river.

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Editor in Chief : Nampetch Siramanon
Editor: Pacific Leisure (Thailand)
Content Creator : Mr. Saroj Na Ayutthaya