Picture courtesy of Kaoded.

 

Business owners in Dan Nok’s Soi 6 and Soi 8 in Sadao district, Songkhla,have joined forces to launch a new tourism initiative dubbed “Indian Street”, a proposed landmark aimed at reviving cross-border tourism by targeting Malaysian tourists of Indian descent.

 

The initiative, led by the Hatyai-Songkhla Hotel Association and local business operators, seeks to transform a section of the border town into a vibrant cultural hub celebrating Indian heritage through architecture, food, festivals and commerce.

 

Dr. Sitthipong Sitthipatprapa, President of the Hatyai Hotel Association and a key spokesperson for the group, said the symbolic “Indian Street” sign recently installed marks just the beginning of a larger transformation. “We plan to build a grand city gate to serve as a striking entry point and create an authentic Indian ambience in the area,” he said.

 

The vision for Indian Street includes hosting cultural festivals, enhancing the annual Deepavali (Diwali) celebration, now entering its fourth year and integrating Thai and Indian cultural elements to create a unique experience for visitors. Future plans also include new events and cross-cultural programmes to broaden its appeal.

 

Dr. Sitthipong noted that Indian-Malaysian tourists, who had begun arriving in greater numbers before the COVID-19 pandemic, have since returned in significant numbers, making them an increasingly important demographic for the local tourism industry.

 

“With tourist numbers on the rise again, we felt the need to create a landmark that makes Indian visitors feel at home, a place that resonates with their identity,” he explained. “Soi 6 and Soi 8 already have venues popular among Indian tourists, so we agreed to develop the area into Indian Street to cater more directly to their interests and cultural expectations.”

 

Local business owners believe that the creation of a themed cultural zone and events tailored to this target group will not only boost tourism but also revitalise the border economy, which has struggled in recent years.

 

The Indian Street project reflects a growing trend in tourism development, where cultural specificity and inclusive design are seen as key to drawing international visitors beyond traditional tourist centres.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Kaoded 2025-08-05

 

 

 

This is just too much!

47 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

This is just too much!

Why, Indian Malaysians are a significant demographic.

That said, I doubt any of my Indian Malaysian friends would want to be seen dead there, or in Dannok for that matter.

Off topic troll post removed

38 minutes ago, Stocky said:

Why, Indian Malaysians are a significant demographic.

That said, I doubt any of my Indian Malaysian friends would want to be seen dead there, or in Dannok for that matter.

 

Considering the activity of the people in Songkhla who are predisposed to detonating bombs in public areas, their sentiments seem  appropriate.

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

Considering the activity of the people in Songkhla who are predisposed to detonating bombs in public areas, their sentiments seem  appropriate.

And when precisely do you think the last bomb went off in Dannok? I'll enlighten you, 2013. Whilst it may be fairly common in Yala, Narratiwat and Pattani within Songkhla province, with the exception of the area to the east, bombings very seldom happen here. Indeed, security is far tighter down south than the rest of Thailand with the exception of the provinces on Cambodian border.

Good news for ladyboys !

 

 

I know the Brits are the worst, but why travel to a foreign country to experience a diluted version of where you come from?

4 minutes ago, kwak250 said:

Good news for ladyboys !

Hijra in India.

 

Hopefully there will be some good snacks. looking for idly and gobi 65.

1 minute ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

I know the Brits are the worst, but why travel to a foreign country to experience a diluted version of where you come from?

Because most Thais can't afford a ticket to India.

5 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

Considering the activity of the people in Songkhla who are predisposed to detonating bombs in public areas, their sentiments seem  appropriate.

Go visit, you might learn the difference between Hindhus and Muslims. While you are at it, look up Wahhabism

5 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Because most Thais can't afford a ticket to India.

 

Never thought of it that way around.......of course...China Towns....big attractions in the UK.

24 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

Never thought of it that way around.......of course...China Towns....big attractions in the UK.

Chinatown is a big attraction in Bangkok as well.

35 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

While you are at it, look up Wahhabism

 

This is Indian Street.

Don't expect spicy Japanese food.

Troll post removed @Mike_Hunt

7 hours ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Go visit, you might learn the difference between Hindhus and Muslims. While you are at it, look up Wahhabism

 

It  appears that you have a reading comprehension deficiency and/or an inherent bias such that you are predisposed to misunderstand statements of fact.

 

I am aware of the difference between Muslims and Hindus. The exposure is not to Hindu initiated violence. Nor is wahhabism implicated in the recent violent incidents in Songkhla. The article refers to the Indian Malaysia demographic as a source of tourism. My comment is in respect to concerns for their personal safety. These visitors are prudent to be vigilant, even hesitant. Their own government says this.  After last year's multiple  attacks, the Malaysian government released this statement;

 

ARSON ATTACKS IN PATTANI, YALA AND NARATHIWAT, SOUTHERN THAILAND PROVINCES, 22 MARCH 2024

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla, is closely monitoring events following a spate of arson attacks in the southern Thailand provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat in the early hours of 22 March 2024. As of the most recent report, there were no Malaysians involved or affected by the incidents.

The Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla is actively coordinating efforts with local authorities to obtain further information.

Malaysians in the vicinity of these incidents are urged to stay vigilant and follow the latest updates and guidance provided by the local authorities. Malaysians requiring consular assistance can contact the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla at the details provided below:

CONSULATE GENERAL OF MALAYSIA IN SONGKHLA

 

Will you be wagging your finger and lecturing multiple foreign governments as well? The New Zealand Foreign Office has this warning;

Conflict:  There is an ongoing threat of violence in the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and Songkhla. Bombings and shootings are common in these provinces and over 6,500 people have been killed in an ongoing insurgency since 2004. Foreigners have been caught up in this violence in the past.

 

 

5 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

It  appears that you have a reading comprehension deficiency and/or an inherent bias such that you are predisposed to misunderstand statements of fact.

 

I am aware of the difference between Muslims and Hindus. The exposure is not to Hindu initiated violence. Nor is wahhabism implicated in the recent violent incidents in Songkhla. The article refers to the Indian Malaysia demographic as a source of tourism. My comment is in respect to concerns for their personal safety. These visitors are prudent to be vigilant, even hesitant. Their own government says this.  After last year's multiple  attacks, the Malaysian government released this statement;

 

ARSON ATTACKS IN PATTANI, YALA AND NARATHIWAT, SOUTHERN THAILAND PROVINCES, 22 MARCH 2024

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla, is closely monitoring events following a spate of arson attacks in the southern Thailand provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat in the early hours of 22 March 2024. As of the most recent report, there were no Malaysians involved or affected by the incidents.

The Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla is actively coordinating efforts with local authorities to obtain further information.

Malaysians in the vicinity of these incidents are urged to stay vigilant and follow the latest updates and guidance provided by the local authorities. Malaysians requiring consular assistance can contact the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla at the details provided below:

CONSULATE GENERAL OF MALAYSIA IN SONGKHLA

 

Will you be wagging your finger and lecturing multiple foreign governments as well? The New Zealand Foreign Office has this warning;

Conflict:  There is an ongoing threat of violence in the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and Songkhla. Bombings and shootings are common in these provinces and over 6,500 people have been killed in an ongoing insurgency since 2004. Foreigners have been caught up in this violence in the past.

I am not biased at all. The Malaysian Muslims that are executing the attacks in the South are incited by Wahabbist clerics installed by the Saudis. They are targeting the Thai government and the Buddhists in the area, not the Indians. That being said, I hope the vendors and the government take appropriate security measures. It looks like it could be an entertaining venue.

7 hours ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Because most Thais can't afford a ticket to India.

 

And most Thais are not interested in India, nor Indian culture.  Many Thais cannot afford a ticket to  Europe, but they have a far greater interest in Europe than they do India. How many Thais are fans of Indian football teams?

Have you looked at the  tourism data?

Thai visits to India - 52,000 (2023)

Thai visits to Japan - 1,000,000+ (2024)

Thai visits to China - 1,000,000+ (2025)

Thais are more likely to visit  Europe than they are India. In 2023, the 3 top Schengen Visa approvals for Thais were  Switzerland: 43,441, France: 42,715,  and Germany: 40,877

 

Thailand has a growing demographic of people with money to spend on discretionary purchases like travel. A  package tour to Japan  is 30,000 baht, and a European package is 60,000 baht. This is affordable for millions of Thais.

 

I expect that the Indian walking street will fail. They would be better served with a football themed street or a  Japanese festival, or even an Oktoberfest event.

 

1 minute ago, Patong2021 said:

 

And most Thais are not interested in India, nor Indian culture.  Many Thais cannot afford a ticket to  Europe, but they have a far greater interest in Europe than they do India. How many Thais are fans of Indian football teams?

Have you looked at the  tourism data?

Thai visits to India - 52,000 (2023)

Thai visits to Japan - 1,000,000+ (2024)

Thai visits to China - 1,000,000+ (2025)

Thais are more likely to visit  Europe than they are India. In 2023, the 3 top Schengen Visa approvals for Thais were  Switzerland: 43,441, France: 42,715,  and Germany: 40,877

 

Thailand has a growing demographic of people with money to spend on discretionary purchases like travel. A  package tour to Japan  is 30,000 baht, and a European package is 60,000 baht. This is affordable for millions of Thais.

 

The Indian walking street  will fail.

 

And your panties are in a twist over this why?

 

It seems like a reasonable idea, most Thais are OK with India with a little exposure. It is the source of Buddhism after all.

10 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

I am aware of the difference between Muslims and Hindus. The exposure is not to Hindu initiated violence. Nor is wahhabism implicated in the recent violent incidents in Songkhla. The article refers to the Indian Malaysia demographic as a source of tourism. My comment is in respect to concerns for their personal safety. These visitors are prudent to be vigilant, even hesitant. Their own government says this.  After last year's multiple  attacks, the Malaysian government released this statement;

Malaysians are savvy enough and fully aware of the conflict the other side of the border, they're not frightened westerners. I'm not sure what 'recent violent incidents in Songkhla' you're referring to, there haven't been any in Dannok (the town in question) since 2013.

10 hours ago, cjinchiangrai said:

The Malaysian Muslims that are executing the attacks in the South

They're Thai-Malay not Malaysian. 

On 8/5/2025 at 11:24 PM, Patong2021 said:

 

It  appears that you have a reading comprehension deficiency and/or an inherent bias such that you are predisposed to misunderstand statements of fact.

 

I am aware of the difference between Muslims and Hindus. The exposure is not to Hindu initiated violence. Nor is wahhabism implicated in the recent violent incidents in Songkhla. The article refers to the Indian Malaysia demographic as a source of tourism. My comment is in respect to concerns for their personal safety. These visitors are prudent to be vigilant, even hesitant. Their own government says this.  After last year's multiple  attacks, the Malaysian government released this statement;

 

ARSON ATTACKS IN PATTANI, YALA AND NARATHIWAT, SOUTHERN THAILAND PROVINCES, 22 MARCH 2024

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla, is closely monitoring events following a spate of arson attacks in the southern Thailand provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat in the early hours of 22 March 2024. As of the most recent report, there were no Malaysians involved or affected by the incidents.

The Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla is actively coordinating efforts with local authorities to obtain further information.

Malaysians in the vicinity of these incidents are urged to stay vigilant and follow the latest updates and guidance provided by the local authorities. Malaysians requiring consular assistance can contact the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla at the details provided below:

CONSULATE GENERAL OF MALAYSIA IN SONGKHLA

 

Will you be wagging your finger and lecturing multiple foreign governments as well? The New Zealand Foreign Office has this warning;

Conflict:  There is an ongoing threat of violence in the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and Songkhla. Bombings and shootings are common in these provinces and over 6,500 people have been killed in an ongoing insurgency since 2004. Foreigners have been caught up in this violence in the past.

 

Mate, you have more chance of getting hit by a bus crossing the road in BKK than being exposed to insurgency violence in Songkhla. 

 

As someone living in Southern Thailand I always chuckle when I see farangs p***ing their pants when talking about the south. Dudes, it ain't no longer 2004-2010! The south is much safer than folks give it credit for.

Dannok has long been ground zero for Malaysian guys cruising for chicks. Why would they come visit if it was dangerous territory, y'all?!

 

I am as British as apple pie but I still feel safe wherever I go.

Malaysians do not need to go to Thailand's India Street, they have their own in nearly every sizable town.

To me Sadao means border crossing and cars filled with Malaysian and Singapore lads seeking entertainment.  If Malaysian families decide to do a day trip to Hat Yai or Sadao I doubt that they'd be interested in an India Street.