Phahurat
Neighborhood in Bangkok, Thailand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phahurat or Pahurat (Thai: พาหุรัด, pronounced [pʰaː˧.hu˨˩.rat̚˦], lit. "gold upper arm bracelet"), sometimes described as Thailand's Little India, is an ethnic neighborhood surrounding Phahurat Road in Wang Burapha Phirom Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. The area that would become Phahurat was an enclave of Annamese (Vietnamese) immigrants who came to Siam during the reign of King Taksin (1768–1782). In 1898, a first broke out and paved way for a road[1] which was named "Bahurada", commonly spelled today as Phahurat or Pahurat (as it is pronounced), by King Chulalongkorn in remembrance of his daughter Princess Bahurada Manimaya (RTGS: Phahurat Manimai) (Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้าลูกเธอ เจ้าฟ้าพาหุรัดมณีมัย) who had died at young age.[2]
Many of today's Phahurat residents are of South Asian descent. A Sikh community settled there more than a century ago and established a textile trading center that is still thriving. The golden-domed Siri Guru Singh Sabha temple is a landmark of Phahurat. The neighborhood is also home to some South Asian Hindus and Muslims.
In terms of the road layout, Phahurat is a short street divided into two sections. The first section extends from Ban Mo Road at Ban Mo Intersection and ends at Phahurat Intersection, where it meets Tri Phet Road. The second section branches off from the west side of Chak Phet Road in the Saphan Han area and also terminates at Phahurat Intersection. Both sections are one-way streets. The second segment is known for its South Asian community and textile market, which also extends into the nearby Chak Phet and Tri Phet Roads. In contrast, the first segment is lined with jewelry and gold shops, as well as audio equipment stores, similar to those found in the Ban Mo area. The opening of the Phra Pok Klao Bridge in 1984, running parallel to the Memorial Bridge, provided more direct access to Phahurat. This development made the neighborhood more vibrant and easier to reach.
The sprawling of Chinese shops from the nearby Chinatown are slowly encroaching on Phahurat, but South Asian restaurants and businesses still dominate the area. It is home to some of Bangkok's more unusual shopping sites, including the sprawling Sampheng Market (Saphan Han), The Old Siam Plaza, and Nightingale–Olympic, with the four-storey India Emporium.
Transportation
Phahurat is located in a densely populated historical commercial area of Bangkok and is accessible by several public transport.[3]
Rapid transit
MRT (blue-line): The neighborhood is served by Sam Yot MRT station, located approximately 300 meters north of Phahurat Road.[4] The station provides direct access to the area via Exit 3 (Siri Phong Road / Unakan Intersection).
Water transport
Chao Phraya Express Boat: The area is accessible via the Chao Phraya River transport network:[5]
- Memorial Bridge Pier (N6): Located at the western end of Phahurat Road near the Memorial Bridge (Phra Phutta Yodfa Bridge).
- Pier (N5): Located nearby in Chinatown (Yaowarat), within walking distance to the eastern section of Phahurat.
Bus
Phahurat Road and the surrounding streets (such as Chakphet Road and Tri Phet Road) are major bus routes serviced by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and private operators. Key bus lines passing through or terminating near Phahurat include:[6]
- Routes: 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 21, 37, 42, 53, 73, and 82.[7]
Road connectivity
Phahurat Road connects directly to several major arterial roads in the Rattanakosin Island and Phra Nakhon districts:[8]
- Tri Phet Road – Connects to The Old Siam Plaza and the Memorial Bridge.
- Chakphet Road – Leads toward the Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market).
- Yaowarat Road – Connects Phahurat to Bangkok‘s Chinatown to the east.
Gallery
Phahurat in the scale model of Bangkok. The gold dome is of the gurdwara
Phahurat Road (second section)
Phahurat Intersection (view toward second section)
Phahurat in 1909
Atmosphere of clothing and textile stalls on Phahurat
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See also
