Phahurat Road, directly south of Chinatown, is Bangkok's Indian quarter — a dense concentration of Sikh and Hindu communities that have been trading here since the 19th century. The streets are lined with Indian textile merchants selling sari fabric, embroidered cloth, and costume jewellery; spice shops perfume the air; and the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, one of Bangkok's oldest Sikh temples, stands at the neighbourhood's heart.
The eating is as good as anywhere in the Indian subcontinent for the price. Small restaurants serve Punjabi, South Indian, and Thai-Muslim food; the roti canai with curry dhal is particularly worth seeking out. The area blends seamlessly into Chinatown's street life while maintaining its own distinct character.