Chaos and Khao San Road: LET IT BE

[webfact]

Chaos and Khao San Road: LET IT BE

By The Nation

 

 

Thais appreciate orderliness but happily live in a general mess. Perhaps the junta expects too much

 

The government, being rooted in military discipline, prefers to keep everything neatly in order, but tidiness isn’t always beneficial to the economy, which is after all getting some needed jolts from the “disruption” so trendy these days. 

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) is firmly on the junta’s side, however, and its latest push for orderliness is aimed at Khao San Road, the city’s world-famous destination for budget travellers. In cleaning up the bustling little street, it’s draining the street of life.

 

Khao San Road, which has attracted pilgrim backpackers for decades, has by day been a lonely place since last week, when the BMA swept away the vendors’ stalls along the footpaths and imposed a 6pm-to-midnight limitation on trade. The plan is to set up distinct zones for the sale of food, clothing and miscellaneous items and for massage services. 

 

The vendors didn’t give up without a fight. On the first day last Wednesday, more than 70 per cent of them defied the ban, earning threats of fines of up to Bt2,000. The cops sat back, reasoning that the hawkers were only clogging the pavements, not the traffic lanes.

 

Chaos and the clutter that comes with it have always been part of life on Khao San. Crime slips in among the souvenir carts and tattoo stalls – you can buy fake ID cards and Oxford University diplomas there. But it’s usually a lively place and well worth a visit, especially with historic Bang Lamphu all around. But by emptying the sidewalks and barring vendors in the daytime, the BMA is choking off its life.

 

Nor is the ambition realistic. There’s nothing stopping the hawkers evicted from the 400-metre-long road setting up shop elsewhere nearby and spreading out the chaos and mess that so rile City Hall – and yet are integral elements of Thai society in general.

 

Thailand does have room for orderliness too, of course, but perhaps the junta has pushed too far since seizing power in 2014. It’s prodded the BMA to sweep away street food and straighten the collars of motorbike-taxi drivers.

 

The junta handpicked Aswin Kwanmuang, a former police officer, to govern the capital in the expectation that he’d be tougher on rule violations than Sukhumbhand Paribatra. He’s had his campaigns and they haven’t been impressive. Bangkok remains a mess in all regards – and that’s not all bad.

 

We don’t need a tough administrator or half-baked initiatives, but rather a proper examination of what constitutes social order. Most residents would say it shouldn’t be expected of Khao San Road, which foreigners obviously loved just the way it was – shabbily kinetic and cosmopolitan.

 

Most would also empathise with vendors who earn their living on the streets in the only way they know how. And if their ways are chaotic and their wares grubby, then so be it – these too are part of the City of Angels’ charm.

 

We hope that Deputy Governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul will see matters in this fairer light this week when he meets with relevant agencies to discuss the row with the hawkers of Khao San Road. Officials from the Army and Metropolitan Police will be there, as will representatives of the Tourism, Commerce and Social Development ministries. We look forward to hearing what consensus they agree on.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30351696

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-08

[Samui Bodoh]

Finally a common sense article.

 

The BMA, following the Junta's lead, seems to feel that the area should be similar to an army base, but without the charm and/or ambiance. This may be appropriate for the military types, but it is important to remember that tourists do not visit Thailand because they are enamored by military things.

 

Thailand earned its reputation as a great tourist destination many years ago not through the buildings, the discipline of its people or through the efficiencies of is transport systems, but rather through the vibrancy and fun-loving madness of its people.

 

When you kill off the concept of 'Sanuk!' in the society, as the military seems to want to do, then you also kill off the reason people visit the country.

 

Khao San road wasn't broken, stop trying to fix it.

 

Idiots.

 

[bluesofa]

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

We look forward to hearing what consensus they agree on

but as usual expect them to do nothing in reality.

 

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thais appreciate orderliness

no, they do not; far from it;

they prefer whatever 'order' suits their individual needs at that moment, the heck with any public order

[theguyfromanotherforum]

I would like to hear what danaboutthailand has to say

[Bluespunk]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

We don’t need a tough administrator or half-baked initiatives,

Got to disagree.

 

One of life's little irritations is the way stalls force people into the road, especially during the rainy season. 

 

There’s a stall at the end of my soi which completely blocks the path forcing me to walk round it to get to the path or cross to the other side. 

 

Normally this is ok, but during the rainy season the road floods very quickly and to a depth above the ankle.

 

The amount of filth floating in it is foul.

 

Really hate having to stand in it. 

Edited August 7, 2018 by Bluespunk

[utalkin2me]

One tourist family staying for a week in Krabi probably spends more money in thailand that 100 backpackers staying on khao san road. I do not blame the Thais for this. It is a good move and they are obviously saying they do not want those types of visitors any more. Have one of these backpackers push up against you on the bts before you disagree with me. 

[Jeremy50]

Backpackers will keep on coming to Thailand in the same way as a flock of sheep keep moving through a gap until the farmer actually closes the gate.  Remember, these soldiers who have somehow been allowed  to play at being a government, rather than harmlessly being confined to their army bases, have Singapore as their template for the development of Thailand, and what a dull soul-less and barack-like place THAT is.

Edited August 8, 2018 by Jeremy50
Composition.

[cmsally]

1 hour ago, utalkin2me said:

One tourist family staying for a week in Krabi probably spends more money in thailand that 100 backpackers staying on khao san road. I do not blame the Thais for this. It is a good move and they are obviously saying they do not want those types of visitors any more. Have one of these backpackers push up against you on the bts before you disagree with me. 

Can you actually come up with some hard data to prove that ?

Start by giving some data on people you know that stay in the Khaosan area..

I know one couple who spend a couple of months in the Khaosan area, they are far from poor. They come to escape the USA winter , own a lot of property there as well an art gallery . Being in small business themselves, they are big supporters of the local economy, food/gym/restaurants etc always frequent places owned by locals.

 

Another couple I know come every year and rent out an apartment in the Khaosan area for the whole year. They probably spend only 2 months of the year max. but they pay for the whole year. Again not exactly short of cash.

 

Another person I know exports back to their home country and fills containers with items (some he gets from vendors on Khaosan). He also stays around Khaosan.

 

Compared to any one of these, the average family staying in Krabi, looks like a drop in the ocean. Also it seems the "govt" has just shut down most of the hotels in Krabi, so they will probably have to stay in one of the larger places and little if any money trickles down to the local economy from these.

[mikebell]

It won't last; crackdowns never do.  Pavement vendors were cleared from Suk between Nana and Asoke.  My grandson, after a fruitless search of something affordable in Terminal 21, was delighted to find all the brandname T shirts he desired at dusk when the police clocked off for the night.

[Darcula]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thais appreciate orderliness

 

Stopped reading after this gem of pure fiction.

[sammieuk1]

When shooting at the foot make sure the long bit with a hole in it is not pointing at the face?

[stanleycoin]

Oh no.

Please keep Khao san road the same as its' always been.

At least we know where not to go, 

and it keeps all the cheap arse smelly Trash Packers in one place. 

 

Long live Khao San Road.  

 

Edited August 8, 2018 by stanleycoin

[yellowboat]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

being rooted in THAI military discipline

I would not boast they have discipline overall at all. 

 

They want to turn Bangkok into Singapore so wealthy Thais may feel less inferior when they go abroad. 

Edited August 8, 2018 by yellowboat

[PhonThong]

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Finally a common sense article.

 

The BMA, following the Junta's lead, seems to feel that the area should be similar to an army base, but without the charm and/or ambiance. This may be appropriate for the military types, but it is important to remember that tourists do not visit Thailand because they are enamored by military things.

 

Thailand earned its reputation as a great tourist destination many years ago not through the buildings, the discipline of its people or through the efficiencies of is transport systems, but rather through the vibrancy and fun-loving madness of its people.

 

When you kill off the concept of 'Sanuk!' in the society, as the military seems to want to do, then you also kill off the reason people visit the country.

 

Khao San road wasn't broken, stop trying to fix it.

 

Idiots.

 

I first came to Thailand 46 years ago. Have never been to Khao San road. That is by choice. It's just not my thing. But why you would disassemble something that has brought the tourist that specifically want to see it is beyond me. It's just not good business. 

 What's next? Walking Street in Phuket?

[Thian]

1 hour ago, Jeremy50 said:

Backpackers will keep on coming to Thailand in the same way as a flock of sheep keep moving through a gap until the farmer actually closes the gate.  Remember, these soldiers who have somehow been allowed  to play at being a government, rather than harmlessly being confined to their army bases, have Singapore as their template for the development of Thailand, and what a dull soul-less and barack-like place THAT is.

Singapore is awesome, it's Asia on Western standards.

 

The streetvendors can go to other thai cities so the backpackers can meet them there.

 

Who wants to eat from those filthy streetcarts when there's a great clean foodcourt in every mall like in singapore? 

[robblok]

2 hours ago, utalkin2me said:

One tourist family staying for a week in Krabi probably spends more money in thailand that 100 backpackers staying on khao san road. I do not blame the Thais for this. It is a good move and they are obviously saying they do not want those types of visitors any more. Have one of these backpackers push up against you on the bts before you disagree with me. 

I doubt that your number are right..  But hey I would not let facts come in the way of a good argument.

 

Lets say the family spends 10.000 per night on living and 10.000 per day on food. I would say one backpacker spends more then 200 bt per day and not all tourist families live in 10.000 bt a night lodging. 

 

I guess you just hate backpackers and try to justify your bias with false numbers. I live in BKK never had a problem with backpackers. But I am not a GOM.

[robblok]

2 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

Got to disagree.

 

One of life's little irritations is the way stalls force people into the road, especially during the rainy season. 

 

There’s a stall at the end of my soi which completely blocks the path forcing me to walk round it to get to the path or cross to the other side. 

 

Normally this is ok, but during the rainy season the road floods very quickly and to a depth above the ankle.

 

The amount of filth floating in it is foul.

 

Really hate having to stand in it. 

That is the problem with street vendors if not controlled, they take all the room and leave nothing for others. The problem is in Thailand its often all or nothing. You saw the same on the beaches where beach chair people took over far too much land and bothered tourists. 

 

I guess its hard to enforce some middle ground as that takes real enforcement and time.

[Fex Bluse]

1 hour ago, Darcula said:

 

Stopped reading after this gem of pure fiction.

Seriously. How detached from reality are these people? In my experience, they rather seem allergic to order. People cannot even manage walking in a straight line or up and down steps properly without trying to squeeze 4 lanes of walking traffic where there should be 2.

Edited August 8, 2018 by Fex Bluse

[robblok]

32 minutes ago, Thian said:

Singapore is awesome, it's Asia on Western standards.

 

The streetvendors can go to other thai cities so the backpackers can meet them there.

 

Who wants to eat from those filthy streetcarts when there's a great clean foodcourt in every mall like in singapore? 

I know its hard for you to imagine other people have other interests as you. But plenty of people like street food. Its not for me but I know quite a few tourists that like it far more then eating in a food court. 

[stanleycoin]

47 minutes ago, Thian said:

Singapore is awesome, it's Asia on Western standards.

 

The streetvendors can go to other thai cities so the backpackers can meet them there.

 

Who wants to eat from those filthy streetcarts when there's a great clean foodcourt in every mall like in singapore? 

Ha Ha.

Singapore is the most boring place on the planet.

full to the brim, with foreign rich twits.

the locals are so far up themselves they use toilet paper on there tongues

Next years new law,   is 12 months jail time for farting in public.

and the most disappointing Hooters i have ever been to. 

Edited August 8, 2018 by stanleycoin

[berybert]

I have never been to Khao san road because having read about it, it doesn't seem to be a place I would want to visit.

To be fair there are millions of people who seem to love going there. Now I know we have many many members here who also hate Khao san road and for some reason they are happy it is being cleaned up, I do wonder how they will feel once the backpackers decide it is no longer the place for them and they move onto neighbourhoods anew. 

I do so hope they move to places those who want Khao san to change for no reason live. 

[marko kok prong]

One point about street food vendors and i see this all over,is if they are frying things they pour the oil down the drain at the time they close up,this with all the other crap that goes in there is one of the reasons streets flood during heavy downpours.

Edited August 8, 2018 by marko kok prong
spelling

[cmsally]

I rather think that the effort is to push everyone into the malls. For example this is set up/marketed/organised to be just like street food. Of course it is not and (I will try anything once), has to be the most depressing batches of "street food" I have ever eaten.

Central Embassy "Street Food"

 

If anyone actually knows the economics behind it , it would interesting to see. For example are they hired staff or renting space etc etc

[ratcatcher]

21 minutes ago, marko kok prong said:

One point about street food vendors and i see this all over,is if they are frying things they pour the oil down the drain at the time they close up,this with all the other crap that goes in there is one of the reasons streets flood during heavy downpours.

You are spot on! Pouring used fats and other liquids down a sewer creates what they cal 'fatbergs' (not Walmart customers) and they look like this and help to block drainage. Bangkok must have some of the finest fatbergs under its streets

.

[brucec64]

4 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

Got to disagree.

 

One of life's little irritations is the way stalls force people into the road, especially during the rainy season. 

 

There’s a stall at the end of my soi which completely blocks the path forcing me to walk round it to get to the path or cross to the other side. 

 

Normally this is ok, but during the rainy season the road floods very quickly and to a depth above the ankle.

 

The amount of filth floating in it is foul.

 

Really hate having to stand in it.  

My god - you are forced to walk all the way around it? That vendor certainly should be deprived of earning a living so that you are not inconvenienced...

[brucec64]

They are trying to imitate the Singapore model, but will only achieve the boredom without the accompanying prosperity.

[Bluespunk]

12 minutes ago, brucec64 said:

My god - you are forced to walk all the way around it? That vendor certainly should be deprived of earning a living so that you are not inconvenienced...

They are blocking the whole path.

 

They should not be there. 

 

I don’t mind walking round, I do mind walking through a river of shit. 

[les Dennis]

So they were told to move, they didnt. Exactly why nobody takes authority seriously in this country. Prepare for the best "saving face' outcome of the year so far.

[CiaranKL]

4 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

Got to disagree.

 

One of life's little irritations is the way stalls force people into the road, especially during the rainy season. 

 

There’s a stall at the end of my soi which completely blocks the path forcing me to walk round it to get to the path or cross to the other side. 

 

Normally this is ok, but during the rainy season the road floods very quickly and to a depth above the ankle.

 

The amount of filth floating in it is foul.

 

Really hate having to stand in it. 

oh what an irritation it must be for you .....god help ya