Residents of Bangkok's Chinatown will gather to protest against a construction of shopping complex near the community's century-old Chinese temple, The Nation reported on Saturday.

Residents in Bangkok's China Town on Friday announced a plan to gather on May 21 to show their opposition to a plan to develop a hotel and shopping complex right next to the area's most famous Chinese temple, Leng Noei Yi.

Built more than a century ago, the "Leng Noei Yi" attracts a huge number of people each year. It is particularly crowded during the Chinese New Year festival.

"We plan to stage a peaceful march to show our pure power," The Nation quoted temple board member Pisitchanon Niwattanakul . He is also the director of Mangkorn Kamalawas School, which is located in the temple's compound.

Mangkorn Kamalawas is the Thai name of Leng Noei Yi.

The temple's abbot said Leng Noei Yi's surroundings should not be altered.

On a plot right next to the temple is a building once used as a tea parlor.

A resident said the community around the temple was one of Bangkok's oldest. Excessive Westernisation should not be allowed, he said. Leng Noei Yi board member, Suthi Jintananareumit said the temple was prepared to negotiate and might offer compensation for damage caused if the project were forced to stop.