The tourist population of Bangkok was diverse, in terms of country of
origin and age-groups. An important group among the increased tourist
numbers were visitors from the booming Asian economies of the region.
As well as the Japanese (who had been the largest group among all tourists
since the early 1980s) they included Taiwanese, Korean and Chinese
tourists. Venues and precincts within Bangkok developed in response to this
mix. Thus, a new street in the Pat Pong red-light district (Tanaya) was
devoted exclusively to Japanese customers, as were numerous ‘member
clubs’ and karaoke bars. The hotels of Sampeng/Yawarat (or Chinatown)
hosted Chinese visitors.