Bangkok's Chinatown is very different in the day vs at night.

Shop till you drop in the 1km long back-lane called "SamPheng", on the south-side parallel to Yaowarat Rd. Shops there open as early as 6:30am.

Also, in the West end, at Merry-King building for Camera equipment.

Around the Klang Hospital for leather, and around "The Old Siam" for Electronics, Guns and accessories.

On weekends, there is an additional "Street Bazaar" around the Khlong Thom Plaza. It used to be open at night, but has been reduced to operate during most of daylight hours only. Activities simmer down at 5pm. You can buy a huge assortment of items here.

Then the evening will burst to life as food places stay open till late, centering around the Tesco-Lotus outlet on Yaowarat Road.

Songkran Festival is next week. Typically, it is the hottest day of the year.

Hope this helps, and I hope you enjoy Bangkok's Chinatown.

Personally I prefer to go at dawn (evening)... this way, i can go there for shopping and once the shops closes around 6 to 7pm, Just nice to look for good food there as the restaurant usually start open around 5:30pm to 6pm. Street food also plentiful in the evening. So, if you asked me, go there before 5pm and come back after dinner and street foods...

Both day and night are good to visit but if I had to pick one it is night time. The place is buzzing. There are lots of street food places that are excellent and at a good price. The street scene with all the neon make it very scenic. Easy transport there via MRT that delivers you to Hua Lamphong station a 5 minute walk from Chinatown, or via the Saen Saep Klong khlong water taxi plus 30 minute walk or Tuk Tuk if the walk is too much. Taxis are frequent but they are very busy.

Have a good trip.

At nighttime

I went in day time and it was very hot. Night would be cooler.

I like the night trip as you can meet many tourists and local at the same time. Local street food are available and you could even find some new intro such as toasted soft buns and desserts which are not available in the day. Cheers and have fun in your night adventure! :)

Night view would be much better.

We went in the day & it was terribly hot. It would be cooler & more comfortable to visit open air attractions in the night time eg Chinatown, street markets,etc.

Keep the daytime for visits to shopping malls & similar enclosed attractions

I would suggest getting there in day time since certain shops will be closed at night. Indeed, I prefer reserving sometime for night life in elsewhere at Bangkok.

probably at night but i think it is more fun if you go with someone but it is alot of eating and alot of markets everywhere