Charoen Krung Road was the first paved road in the Thai capital, built more than 150 years ago, to serve the fast-growing community of foreigners who settled on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. It was built so that foreign diplomats and foreign traders were able to easily visit the King and the government offices. The area was (and still is) a melting pot of cultures: Chinese merchants settling down building shophouses next to European diplomats and Persian traders. Although the center of commerce has now moved to other districts in the city, Charoen Krung has never left abandoned. Residents remain living their lives the way their ancestors did and walking along the alleys is like taking a trip through time. You will enjoy a small meal, rice topped with roasted duck, in a famous restaurant which has been open since 1909. The restaurant is very popular among the locals and the roasted duck melts in your mouth! (If the restaurant is closed, the guide will offer another meal).