Thailand

Destination of the week

Phahurat

Thailand's Little India

Location: Phahurat Road, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok.

Phahurat often known as Thailand's Little India, is a small Indian community on the fringe of Chinatown.

Many of Phahurat residents are of South Asian descent. Most of the merchants are Indian Sikhs whose community settled down in the area a century ago and established a textile trading center that is still thriving today. It is known as the best place to come and buy fabrics and to enjoy Indian cuisine.

Their temple, the golden-domed Siri Guru Singh Sabha, is a landmark of Phahurat. In addition to the Sikh community, the neighborhood is also home to a number of South Asian Hindus and Muslims.

Although the sprawling of Chinese shops from the nearby Chinatown are slowly spilling over into Phahurat, South Asian restaurants and businesses are still prevalent in the area. The area is also the site of some of the more unusual markets and shopping malls in Bangkok, including the sprawling Sampeng Market, the colonial-styled The Old Siam Plaza, and the new four-storey India Emporium.

There are many vendors selling ready made goods including shoulder bags which are at unbelievable low prices. The Indian community in Thailand shops here for the essential wedding gowns and wedding souvenirs.

In every nook and cranny there is someone doing business. This may be selling trinkets, tour packages to India, household items, spices and delicious Indian desserts.

Wander off the main streets and into the many alleyways, you could come across surprisingly good Indian food.

Getting there

Little India or Phahurat is located on Phahurat Road and Chakapet Road, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok opposite The Old Siam Plaza and Central Wangburapa Department Store.

For more information, please visit www.tourismthailand.org

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