Bangkok Chinatown gains popularity following Blackpink Lisa music video

By Hoang Phong July 3, 2024 | 05:01 pm PT

A tourist walks on Yaowarat Road, the main street of Chinatown in Bangkok, on March 1, 2020. Photo by AFP

Chinatown in Bangkok, famous for its vibrant street markets, authentic cuisine, and rich cultural heritage, has garnered interest from international audiences after a new music video by Blackpink's Lisa went viral.

Since its release on June 28, "Rockstar" has attracted over 60 million views, with the singer singing and dancing in front of the backdrop of the Chinatown known as Yaowarat, dotted with restaurants and food stalls serving Chinese cuisine in the heart of Bangkok.

The recent surge in popularity of the district has prompted the Thai government to extend its promotional efforts beyond Yaowarat to include nearby neighborhoods such as Sampheng market, Talat Noi, Song Wat road, and Wang Burapha, Pattaya Mail reported.

These areas will be promoted on various social media platforms, along with key annual events such as the Chinese New Year and the Vegetarian Festival, according to the government’s Department of Public Relations.

The image of Bangkok's Chinatown is featured in Lisa's music video "Rockstar."

Rudklao Intawong Suwankiri, deputy government spokeswoman, highlighted the impact of Lisa's global fanbase on Thai tourism, saying Yaowarat could become a new hotspot for visitors.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand, said the music video helped enhance "the country's image and attract a broader audience", and authorities plan to introduce new tourism activities in Chinatown to boost local businesses.

Tourism insiders called on the government to improve cleanliness and safety on Yaowarat road to accommodate this new influx of tourists.

Chinatown is in one of the oldest areas of Bangkok. Yaowarat Road is the main artery of Bangkok's Chinatown where families of Chinese descents have been operating food stalls, restaurant and market stalls for decades.

Lisa, 27, born Pranpriya Manoban in Thailand, became a member of Blackpink in 2016.

She embarked on her solo music career with the release of album "Lalisa" in 2021 and was the first K-pop artist to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify, with the song "Money".

Lisa has several times taken advantage of her social media influence to promote Thai tourism by visiting popular tourist attractions such as the resort island of Koh Samui and enjoying cuisine at Michelin-starred restaurants.