If you’ve ever wandered down the bustling streets of Bangkok, you might’ve stumbled across the famed Lao Market in the Klong Toey district. Its vibrant atmosphere and colorful stalls were once a staple of local life. But as Monday dawned, the scene was one of transition rather than tradition. In a move that’s both a nod to urban planning and an upsetting farewell to long-time vendors, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) began dismantling the market. The goal? To widen the pavement and install a brand-new bus stop, right along the bustling inbound lane of Rama IV Road.
Back in 2005, when the world was more complacent, a small space near the Klong Hua Lamphong was designated as a temporary vending spot. Well, temporary turned into two decades, and the area morphed into a thriving marketplace. But as the concrete jungle’s arteries clogged with the foot traffic of vendors and buyers alike, city planners decided it was time to turn a new leaf.
The path to the demolition wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. Vendors, faces weathered with the trials of economic downturns, particularly those brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, resisted with the might of those protecting their livelihoods. Understanding these woes, the district extended the deadline a few times, but Dec 1 became the unavoidable D-Day.
On Monday, amidst the sounds of breaking tiles and dismantled roofs, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt paid a visit to the scene. With a familiar air of empathetic authority, he acknowledged the plight of the sellers, saying, “I understand the vendors, but this area should have been the pavement. Pedestrians need space too.” His words resonated with the dual necessity of preserving both livelihood and city order.
In a demonstration of respect for cooperation, Governor Chadchart extended his gratitude to everyone involved in the relocation efforts. He noted that most of the market’s vendors had already secured spots at the nearby Klong Toey Market 2. “Once these stalls come down,” he remarked, “the pavement will blossom into a spacious passage of over 300 meters, crowned by a sleek new bus stop. It’s quite the clean sweep for our city’s look.”
Bangkok Deputy Governor Chakkaphan Phewngam reported that the last curtain call for 51 remaining vendors had wrapped up Saturday night. Come the first blush of Monday morning, officials from various city departments, from public works to city law enforcement, played their parts in ballads of hammers and drills to start the market’s transformation. It’s a dismantling endeavor that’s set to take three whole days.
Following the grand unshackling of the structures, the public works team will weave their own magic to refurbish the footpath, while City Law Enforcement keeps the theatrical rumblings of order in check.
The transformation doesn’t end with just a wider sidewalk. A landscape improvement plan is in full swing, promising to breathe life back into this stretch of urban land. Contributing to this electrifying endeavor are teams from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, who have already disconnected power and water supplies. The National Telecom folks also played their part by whisking away communication cables on Sunday.
While the physical stalls may have vanished from Lao Market, life for these resourceful traders is far from over. Thanks to some nifty coordination from Klong Toey district, Klong Toey Market 2 now has room to accommodate around 320 of the displaced vendors. As for Bangkok, it marches on, carrying its ever-transforming tapestry in swathes of history woven alongside progress.
It’s sad to see the Lao Market go. It was a part of Bangkok’s identity!
I agree, but urban development is also important. We need more space for pedestrians.
True, but couldn’t they have found a better solution that preserved the market?
The market was outdated and blocking everything. It was about time for a change.
I see your point, but cultural heritage matters too!
Nobody cares about these small vendors? They really got a tough deal here.
They were offered new places at Klong Toey Market 2. That’s fair, don’t you think?
Fair? Maybe, but it’s not the same. They built a community there!
With the new bus stop, maybe it will be easier to get around the city. Progress is a must!
At what cost? People lost their businesses overnight!
I understand, but this ultimately benefits the majority. It’s a tough balance.
I’m excited to see the new city landscape. These improvements were long overdue.
Excited? People lost jobs. How can this be exciting?
The government at least extended deadlines. They’ve shown some empathy in a tough situation.
I just hope it doesn’t lose its charm without these local markets. Modern doesn’t have to mean bland.
Good point, Tom! Authentic experiences are what make cities vibrant.
What’s next? Another shopping mall? The city’s charm is fading.
More likely better infrastructure, not malls. Let’s focus on the positives!
Can’t believe this happened. So many memories! I remember visiting as a kid.
Same here, it’s like losing a piece of our family history.
Visited once, it was charming, but the conditions were poor. Improvements are necessary.
The market’s demolition is a metaphor for the loss of cultural identity in urban development.
Must be hard for the vendors, but it seems like the old area wasn’t built for the long term.
Hope they don’t just replace it with generic buildings that lack character.
From what I read, it seems like they’re planning something quite notable!
City planning needs foresight, but respecting the past should also be a priority!
I hate that we’ll lose the vibrant market scenes. Was part of Bangkok’s charm.
Let’s hope they incorporate cultural elements in the new design.
They could have simply relocated instead of demolishing. A missed opportunity for sure.
As much as I loved the market, the congestion was unbearable. This change will help overall.