Pahurat
|
The golden dome of the Sikh temple
Pahurat Little India is the area bounded by Pahurat Road, Chakraphet Road and Triphet Road, just west of Yaowarat, Chinatown Bangkok.
Pahurat Road was constructed in 1898 and named after Somdet Chaofah Pahurat Maneemai, the son of King Rama V.The Indians moved into this area shortly after the road was built and the area soon grew into an Indian community.
Pahurat Road – the dome of the Sikh temple is just visible at top left
Bangkok's Little India is well known for its wide range of textiles, silk, cotton, wool and cashmere along Pahurat Road, Triphet Road and Chakraphet Road. Besides textiles, these shops sell a wide collection of statues and pictures of Indian deities, Indian CDs, VCDs, bracelets, trinkets and sandals.
Inside textiles alley
What's more fascinating is the area behind Pahurat Road; an area about 200m by 100m, packed with stalls selling more of what's displayed in the main streets. In this labyrinth of narrow lanes, barely wide enough for a person to pass through, is the Pahurat textile market.
Buy Indian saris online
Bales and bales of textiles
Though Pahurat Little India is predominantly Indian, mainly Sikh, there're also several Thai shops. The sounds of fluent Thai, Punjabi and other Indian dialects provide a harmonious cultural blend. In the back lanes, the strains of Hindi music and the piquant aroma of Indian food fill the air.
Don’t lose you bearings
Careful you don't lose your bearings when you are walking through these shops. You could enter a shop on one side and emerge into a complete different lane.
Found your way out?
Read what Bangkok residents and visitors have to say about Pahurat Little India
Get cheap flights and special airfares to Bangkok
Located at the heart of the community is a six story Sikh temple, Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha, a white building trimmed in gold and topped with a glittering golden dome.
Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha Temple
The temple was built in 1932 and it's reputed to be one of the largest Sikh temples outside India.
What used to be the ATM department store next to the Sikh temple is undergoing a complete overhaul. It's not known what is going to be on the site. Soi ATM leading to the Sikh temple is now rather messy owing to the construction work.
On the other side of Little India is the Old Siam Plaza, a spacious shopping center with an old colonial design that's in stark contrast to the congestion just across the street.
Old Siam Plaza
Pahurat Little India, the home of the Thai-Indian community, is one of the many communities that make up the rich cultural mosaic of Bangkok.
Bookmark Pahurat Little India
Blink
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Google
Simpy
Spurl
Technorati
Y! MyWebUpdate on Soi ATM - October 2007
Our first visit to Pahurat was two years ago. They were then rebuilding the department store next to the Sikh temple. Today, the new building is up though the interior is still incomplete. It’s going to be the India Emporium which covers up the entire side of the Sikh temple. The golden dome is only visible from a limited angle. Compare this with the older photo.
The dome visible from this angle – the India Emporium is on the right
As a result of this new building, Soi ATM is now reduced by more than half its original width.
All that’s left of Soi ATM 2007
To get there, please see map to Pahurat Little India and for other Bangkok Communities.
