Bangkok · Riverside historic Chinese neighbourhood with alley art
Talat Noi grew as trade in Sampheng expanded, forming a Chinese-Thai community of narrow lanes. Around Wanit 2 and Charoen Krung 22, you can see old houses and shrines, murals of daily life and festivals, and the distinctive orange Fiat.
Near the river, former workshops have also been converted into a museum and cafés. Look beyond the murals to the homes, workshops and riverside shrine to see traces of work and daily life in the neighbourhood. Residents still live here, so stick to public lanes and spaces.
The pin marks the place, not necessarily its entrance, ticket office or vehicle drop-off point.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand describes Talat Noi as about a 15-minute walk from Hua Lamphong station on the MRT Blue Line. Wanit 2 and Charoen Krung 22 are the featured lanes; the map pin marks the neighbourhood as a whole.
Talat Noi developed as commerce in Sampheng grew, and remains a Chinese-Thai community. Old homes, shops and shrines stand close together along Wanit 2 and Charoen Krung 22.
The local museum tells the story of lathe workshops that made parts for boats, machinery and rice mills. Alongside the houses in the lanes, it gives a more concrete sense of the work and life in this riverside commercial district.
Murals in the lanes depict lion dances, festivals and residents’ lives. The orange Fiat in front of an old brick wall is another familiar neighbourhood scene.
The Fiat and murals are popular photo subjects, but nearby are people’s homes and workplaces. Leave doorways clear and make room for others to pass through the narrow lanes when taking pictures.
You can see the Hokkien-associated Chao Sue Kong Shrine, established in 1804, and Rong Kua Kue Shrine, connected with the Chinese merchant community. Trees and a small garden at the riverside pier offer a different view from the lanes.
Some old courtyard houses and parts of former workshops are now cafés or a local museum. Visit spaces that are open to the public, and respect private rooms and restricted areas as residents’ and operators’ spaces.
Although its name means “small market”, a visit is more about walking through the old Chinese-Thai neighbourhood around Wanit 2 and Charoen Krung 22 than visiting one market building. Look for lane murals, old houses, shrines, cafés and the workshop museum.
The featured places include Chao Sue Kong Shrine, established in 1804, and Rong Kua Kue Shrine, connected with the Chinese merchant community. A local museum also tells the story of workshops that made parts for boats, machinery and rice mills.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand describes a walk of about 15 minutes from Hua Lamphong station on the MRT Blue Line. Talat Noi covers lanes around Wanit 2 and Charoen Krung 22, so navigate to the lane or open-to-visitors place you want rather than looking for one entrance.
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Sharing image credit: trungydang / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
