Steve Vannavong photographs friends Chanhsamone Sysouphanh, left, and Abby Panyanouvong, during a visit to Thai Town on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
A planned Thai bazaar and food court in Thai Town will help revitalize the neighborhood, supporters say, and bolster the economy and bring together Armenians, Thais and Latinos. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Celeste Teddy shops at Bhan Kanom Thai sweet shop. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
A Buddhist Monk walks past a 6-foot brass, apsonsi, a mythical half-lion, half-woman figure from the Thai Ramayan Tales. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
There is no dearth of visions for Thai Town, said Chancee Martorell, executive director of the Thai Community Development Center. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
