Phahurat

Lonely Planet review

Fabric and gem traders set up shop in this small but bustling Little India, where everything from Bollywood movies to bindis is sold by enthusiastic small-time traders. Behind the more obvious storefronts are winding alleys that criss-cross Khlong Ong Ang, where merchants grab a bite to eat or make travel arrangements for trips home - it's a great area to just wander, stopping for masala tea or lassi as you go.

Bangkok is a cultural melting pot and there's no better evidence of this than Phahurat, on the edge of Chinatown. A wide variety of Indian goods are available in this small area, ranging from an astonishing array of silks to Thai shoulder bags. The choice is amazing, the haggling is fierce and the bargains can be unbelievable - if you're good enough, that is. Head down little alleys into the 'bowels' of this area and you'll find foodstuffs, household items and a thriving culture that might ordinarily pass by unnoticed. Phahurat lies west of Chinatown towards the river.