The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports are stepping up safety and infrastructure enhancements in Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown, in response to a surge in visitors. This influx, attributed to a music video by Thai K-pop star Lalisa Manoban, also known as Lisa from Blackpink, has significantly raised the area’s profile since its release. The video, showcasing scenes from Yaowarat, has garnered 38 million views globally.
To accommodate the growing number of tourists, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt recently conducted an inspection of Chinatown to evaluate and enhance its readiness. The measures being implemented include extending traffic barriers along Yaowarat Road to improve pedestrian safety, increasing street cleaning, and adding more litter bins to enhance waste management. Additionally, efforts are being made to alleviate traffic congestion, focusing on tuk-tuk and taxi drivers who either block traffic or overcharge passengers.
Plans are also in place to convert Yaowarat into a pedestrian-friendly zone on selected days, install more pedestrian signals, and improve the availability of public restroom facilities in partnership with local businesses.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich has also visited the area, promoting increased public-private collaboration to install more CCTV cameras, improve signage, and refurbish footpaths to boost accessibility.
Local business owners and vendors in Yaowarat remain optimistic, hoping that the heightened interest driven by the viral music video will continue to attract tourists and invigorate the local economy. Both officials underscored the importance of these improvements during their visits, highlighting the commitment to making Yaowarat a safer and more welcoming destination for visitors.