The first stop in our tour of the Yaowarat Heritage Centre is a video show in which life-sized images are projected on to an actual physical setting for a three dimensional effect.
In the story set in a typical Chinese home, a grandfather tells his grandson about life in Yaowarat Chinatown in the 1940s.
Grandpa relates with pride the royal visit by King Rama VIII and his younger brother, the present king, King Rama IX. The royal entourage passed the front door of Grandpa’s family home.
This technique of using characters in a present day setting to relate historical events, with flashbacks to the past, is an interesting way of presenting history.
Early history 1782 - 1851
The early history room in the Yaowarat Heritage Centre relates the history of the Chinese in Bangkok and Thonburi. When the Grand Palace was built, the Chinese settlement which was located there was moved to Sampheng the origins of Chinatown Bangkok.
The Chinese population in Thailand grew in the first three Reigns of the Chakri Kings through free immigration. Famine in southern China caused many Hokiens and Teochews to migrate to Southeast Asia.
The new immigrants can belong to an official and do compulsory work, in which case they are tattooed on their wrists. Or they can pay a government tax and be free to seek employment. These people will have a token tied around their wrist.
Trade between China and Thailand grew at the same time as Chinese migration. The Chinese junk became a familiar ship in Bangkok and Sino-Thai trade peaked in the reign of King Rama II.
- See more at: http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/yaowarat-heritage-centre.html#sthash.COLXfghY.dpuf