A cultural tour of Bangkok's Lower Charoen Krung

Once known as “New Road”, Charoen Krung is actually one of the city’s oldest streets and has the distinction of being Bangkok’s first paved road.

A few crumbling shop houses are a testament to Charoen Krung’s age, but characterless modern buildings and snarling traffic define this thoroughfare today. Despite this, parts of the area still boast a distinctive Muslim feel, with numerous mosques and halal restaurants.

There’s also quirky shopping, including several jewelry, silver and antique shops, and a few worthwhile sights, which we've featured here and in the above map. To get to Charoen Krung, take the BTS to Saphan Taksin station and follow the exit signs. 

1. General Post Office

This art-deco-style structure, formerly the British Embassy, now houses Bangkok's main post office. There's a stamp market, most active on Sundays, held directly in front of the structure.

1156 Thanon Charoen Krung

2. Jewelery and Silver Shops

This stretch of Charoen Krung is thick with shops selling all manner of jewelery, real and otherwise. Also available are semi-precious stones, costume jewelery, silver and other decorative items.

3. Naaz

Bangkok's best khao mok, biryani, is available at this closet-sized restaurant. Have it with chicken or goat, or accompanied by a rich, Muslim-style curry.

24/9 Soi Phutta Osot (Charoen Krung Soi 45). Tel: +66 (0)2 234 4537. Open daily, 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

4. Assumption Church

This renaissance-style Catholic church dates back to 1909 and was designed by a French architect who decorated the structure with Italian marble and French stained glass.

5. Thai Home Industries

This eccentric souvenir shop, housed in a former monks' quarters, is the place to pick up high-quality local handicrafts that you won't find elsewhere.

35 Charoen Krung Road, Soi 40. Tel: +66 (0)2 234 1736. Open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

6. Sunny Camera

Sunny stocks the best selection of Nikon equipment in town, as well as hard to find items such as Pelican Cases.

1267-1267/1 Thanon Charoen Krung. Tel: +66 (0)2 235 2123. Open Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

7. Maison Des Arts

Hand-crafted flat- and tableware stainless steel items are available at ridiculously low prices at this shop.

1334 Thanon Charoen Krung. Tel: +66 (0)2 233 6297. Open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

8. Muslim Restaurant

This longstanding restaurant has been serving Thai/Muslim dishes for more than 70 years now. Try the deliciously tart oxtail soup.

1354-56 Thanon Charoen Krung. Tel: +66 (0)2 234 1876. Open daily, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

9. Gold Spices

This tiny shop sells a variety of dried spices and other ingredients used in Indian cooking.

1360 Thanon Charoen Krung Soi 42. Tel: +66 (0)2 234 6735. Open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

10. State Tower

Come sunset, enjoy cocktails at Sky Bar, Bangkok's highest al-fresco bar, located on the roof of the 64th floor of State Tower which houses the Lebua hotel.

Sky Bar, 1055 Thanon Silom. Tel: +66 (0)2 624 9999

11. Chiang Heng

This ancient family-run shop sells all types of Thai kitchen equipment, from papaya graters (used to make som tam, Thai-style papaya salad) to mortar and pestle sets.

1466 Thanon Charoen Krung. +66 (0)2 234 7237. Open daily, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.