Welcome to BangkokType — a little space where I share my love for the unique and vibrant typography found all across Bangkok.
Exploring the beauty of Bangkok, one sign at a time.
Category: Chinatown
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I’m not entirely sure what this shop sells, but since it’s located in a soi full of steel and auto-parts stores, I’d guess it’s one of them. But hey, we’re here to talk about signage not shop functions anyway right! This is a classic example of Bangkok’s store signs: bold red and gold, a favorite…
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Buay Kee is a steel supply company located in Chinatown. What’s interesting about this shop is that they actually have two branches just a short distance apart, each with a slightly different signage style. The one pictured here is likely the older branch, featuring a classic Chinatown aesthetic: dark black wood paired with beautiful golden Thai…
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Sorry, I couldn’t catch the exact name of this shop, but from what I can gather, it’s a place that sells automatic doors. The signage reads “Bangkok Auto-door” correct me if I’m wrong (and if you can read Thai, I’ll blame Google Translate if it got it wrong 😅). But what really caught my eye…
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Another hand painted vintage piece that instantly brings you back in time. I found this Thai-Chinese herbal medicine shop tucked away in a small soi, surrounded by jewelry stores. The signage is written in both Thai and Chinese, and from the Chinese characters, you get a hint of what the shop is about. What makes…
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How can we talk about signage without mentioning the creators behind them? In one of the small soi (alley in Thai) near the big roundabout in Chinatown, you’ll find several signage shops, places that design and make shop signs, lightboxes, and all kinds of advertising materials. This particular one really stood out to me. I…
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I’ve seen many handmade signages around Bangkok, but this one is particularly interesting. Why? Because it’s a diamond in the rough. It’s so tiny and understated, especially for a flashy jewelry shop. Would you even guess it’s a jewelry store just by looking at this sign? Probably not. What makes it stand out is that…
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Wow—what a vintage gem, both the shop and its signage. Heng Seng specializes in handmade Chinese prayer cushions for ceremonial use, a rare tradition that’s hard to come by these days. Their story is just as fascinating as their craft. I’ve included an article from the Bangkok Post and a link to their products if you’re interested.…
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This is a lightbox for a gold shop in Chinatown. I’ve noticed that many gold shops in Bangkok tend to use bold colors like red, yellow, green, and blue in their signage. For this particular sign, the shop name is displayed in a very bulky Thai font alongside Chinese characters. Interestingly, each language is presented…
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This lightbox belongs to a radio and speaker equipment shop in Chinatown. While the design is simple, I really appreciate the clean and well-crafted store logo “VR,” paired with the Thai script store name above it. A neat and balanced composition that stands out quietly. Location: 14 Phra Phithak Rd, Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon,…
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Another classic shop sign from Chinatown—a black wooden board with gold, gleaming letters. What stands out is its simplicity and the bold choice to mix different type styles. Unlike most shops that aim for consistency, this one embraces contrast, featuring three distinct fonts for Thai, Chinese, and English.
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This gold shop’s lightbox features a green Naga, mythical serpent-like beings revered in Thai culture as protectors associated with water, fertility, and Buddhism. It appears to serve as the shop’s unique trademark. The typography in Thai, Chinese, and English is also thoughtfully paired, creating a balanced and eye-catching design.
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Rad Na (or Lad Na) is a Thai dish featuring wide rice noodles drenched in a rich, savory pork gravy. This Chinatown restaurant specializes in it, and the Thai script on the sign is both playful and unique. Though it’s simply a green sticker, placed against the shiny metal surface, it creates a surprisingly striking…
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What a cool name for this shop, Sri Bangkok, which literally translates to “Glory Bangkok.” Like many signs in Chinatown, the storefront features Thai, English, and Chinese scripts. The fonts themselves may not be extraordinary, but the shine of the signage truly lives up to its name. A glorious piece indeed.
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I honestly have no idea what this company does, but I really admire the customized Thai and English fonts. They feel like pixel art embedded into a clay-textured concrete wall, such a unique and creative installation.
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I’ve always been a big fan of blue tones and bold black fonts. This lightbox from Saeng Manee Jewelry really caught my eye, what a beautiful Thai typeface outlined in light blue against a deep blue background. Truly a stunning piece of signage. Location: 70/1 Phahurat Rd, Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200 https://maps.app.goo.gl/9vMU5dRuCrynspP56
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This signboard is truly an antique gem, found in the heart of Chinatown. Unlike most shops that use standard Chinese typefaces, this pharmacy sign features beautifully hand-painted Chinese calligraphy, elegant, flowing, and full of character. The small Thai script beneath adds a subtle local touch, but without it, you’d easily mistake this for a signboard…
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Back in Chinatown again—one of my favorite places to wander in Bangkok. With so many old shophouses and restaurants, it really feels like stepping back in time. It’s truly one of the most unique spots in Thailand. This classic wooden signboard features only English and Chinese, with beautiful gold Chinese calligraphy that stands out perfectly.
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What an ancient signboard I stumbled upon in Chinatown! Teo Hoa Ang is a trading company on Song Wat Road — one of the trendiest streets in the area right now. Judging by the design, font, and overall look, this sign must be over 70 years old, maybe even more. I’m no antiques expert, but…
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If we’re talking about signs, we can’t skip Yawarat Road — Bangkok’s Chinatown. Every shop is lined with signs, big and small, packed tightly together in a mix of Thai and traditional Chinese. It’s a colorful and vibrant scene, especially at night when all the neon lights up. A truly magical place — that is,…
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Another piece I’m not sure where it belongs exactly, but it’s definitely somewhere in Chinatown. The Thai font is beautifully written — clean, aligned, and well-ordered. It’s clearly something from the past. How do I know? Just look at the giant mobile phone icon — dial the number and it feels like you’re calling back…
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