Chapter 3: Founding of Thai Town

Kinarra Lampost

Though Thai Town was established in 1999 by the city of Los Angeles, it has served for over 50 years as a place where newly Thai immigrants and Thai business flourished. Thai Town consists of many Thai restaurants, markets, and imported goods. Silk is one of the main export of Thailand, and many silk products are found in this historical town.*

Driving down Hollywood Blvd. you will see many different historical sites such as the walk of fame and the TLC Chinese Theater. Once you driven pass all that towards Normandie Ave. you hit Thai Town where a Kinarra Lampost greets you. As you continue down Hollywood Blvd. you will witness a mixture of English and Thai. Silom Market stands in the middle of Thai Town housing a Thai market, restaurant, and book store. If you choose to sit down at one of the restaurants or explore the markets of Thai town you will be surprise to witness spicy food that will make you cry and 2-3 Lays potato chips flavors you never thought was possible.

Silom Market

Thai Food  

Of course, Thai immigrants was not always prominent in Los Angeles. It all started with the first waves of educated, middle class name the pioneer migration. The second mass migration of Thai immigrants was dubbed group migration, which was made possible due to reforms in the immigration laws. The last wave of migration started in the 1980's to present time, which is characterize by unskilled/semi skilled laborers.** Los Angeles International Airport, one of the largest airport in America helped usher in the mass migration.


*http://thaicdc.org/ourcommunity/thai-town/
**http://thaicdc.org/ourcommunity/
Silom Market: https://hollywoodnewbie.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/thaitown.jpg
Thai food: http://www.chiangmaithaict.com/thai-food.jpg