Bangkok Chinatown: A global music star before sexy duet with Lisa
Before Thailand’s K-pop sensation Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal turned the spotlight on it with her latest single, Bangkok’s Chinatown had already played a starring role in four other international music videos.
Filmed in the neon-slicked streets of Yaowarat, Lisa’s “Rockstar” smashed records with over one million YouTube views in less than half an hour after its release on June 28.
That figure had soared beyond 88 million as of press time, making Chinatown a must-visit destination for the millions of fans around the world eager to follow in Lisa’s footsteps.
“Rockstar” was reportedly filmed over three consecutive nights between 2am and 5am, transforming the bustling Yaowarat Road into a sexy fever dream of sharp dance moves and synchronised twerking.
Lisa is far from the first artist to promote the neighbourhood to the world, however.
Suga, from South Korean boy band BTS, chose a spot nearby on Charoen Krung Road for the backdrop of last year’s hit, “Haegeum”.
Though released under his solo name of “Agust D”, the video – a gangster story shot in atmospheric Chinatown shophouses – has attracted 77 million views on YouTube since launching on April 21, 2023.
Yaowarat also added a fiery kick to “Spicy”, by South Korean girl group Aespa.
Although Chinatown appears only briefly, three minutes and nine seconds into the video, it helped the hit garner 146 million YouTube views since its release on May 8, 2023.
“Got Me Started” by Australian singer-actor Troye Sivan takes a steamy tour of Bangkok nightlife – including a massage spa – before winding up in Yaowarat. The cocktail of bare flesh, neon streets and dirty dancing has lured 3.6 million viewers since its YouTube debut on September 20 last year.
English alt-pop duo Oh Wonder, aka Anthony and Josephine Vander West, offer a different take on Yaowarat, boarding a tuk-tuk for a nighttime tour in their video "How It Goes". Despite their ill-advised decision to jump off in the middle of the road next to the iconic giant swing, the video has reached 655,970 views since being released on March 10, 2020.
