Deserted because of the virus: Khao San Road gets a makeover in isolation

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Deserted because of the virus: Khao San Road gets a makeover in isolation

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Few places in Thailand epitomize the gaiety of Songkran more than Khao San Road in Banglamphu, Bangkok. 

 

Each year it is central to water splashing celebrations and generates a huge amount of income. 

 

This year it is shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

 

Thai Rath found just about everything closed from restaurants to shops. There were just a few food vendors with carts.

 

Many businesses had posted for sale signs. 

 

Others just said they were shut until further notice. 

 

The daytime foreign trade and the nighttime Thai party scene has gone. 

 

Local head of the chamber of commerce Piyabutr said that they can only hope that by two months time things have started to improve. 

 

He put the loss experienced by the whole area because of the pandemic at a billion baht. 

 

Amid the desolation Thai Rath said that there were signs of progress on the makeover for Khao San. 

 

Pedestrians and road traffic are being kept apart and the whole area is being covered in ceramic tiles. This is due to finish at the end of May.

 

The question will then be, are there any tourists to enjoy the makeover, or indeed are there local people allowed out at all. 

 

Source: Thai Rath

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-04-14

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[TooBigToFit]

They definitely should get rid of the hanging wires.

[OnTheGround]

'hope that by two months time things have started to improve' 

 

Well optimistic, take into consideration that vaccine is 6-12 months away.

 

[marko kok prong]

Let's hope they are using proper non slip tiles.

[owenm]

Let's hope they've not used thin 6mm floor tiles on the road to save on costs.. Then they'll be cracking up in no time at all with the road traffic on Khaosan Rd.. But TIT.. 

[TEFLKrabi]

I agree that it’s a great time to do this, but those small bollards are going to cause so many injuries during Songkran next year.....and on a few nights out too. 
 

Hope the highways commission are reading this.

[DrTuner]

Bollards. Also known as "ball busters". Makes one feel oh so free and exotic, hitting them while munching on the greasy padthai.

 

Should bring in gazillions of tourists, I wonder why TAT is not reporting of the hordes of backpackers at the borders.

[ianezy0]

Alot of positivity on this thread. Well done guys, keep going.

just what everyone needs at this time. 

[Tropposurfer]

12 hours ago, OnTheGround said:

'hope that by two months time things have started to improve' 

 

Well optimistic, take into consideration that vaccine is 6-12 months away.

 

6to 12 months away ... your dreamin’ mate????

[Stargeezr]

Slippery when wet ceramic, what a splendid idea. Just imagine the future!

Geezer

[MaiDong]

Agreed with others here, those bollards are just going to be replaced with shabby looking temporary red and white traffic shutters/gates as/when people continue to trip over them and fall onto them - what a silly idea!

They're at a height where they're too high for carts to get over but too low for people to see them. Why not just use normal height barriers? 

[RJRS1301]

Hope the ceramic tiles have a very tough non slip surface, or be prepared for lots of face plants broken bones and dental repairs.

 

 

[RJRS1301]

13 hours ago, DrTuner said:

Bollards. Also known as "ball busters". Makes one feel oh so free and exotic, hitting them while munching on the greasy padthai.

 

Should bring in gazillions of tourists, I wonder why TAT is not reporting of the hordes of backpackers at the borders.

Sit down to eat solves part of that issue ???? 

[lust]

They should open another Central shopping centre there... That’s what the tourists came to Thailand to see!

[RJRS1301]

17 minutes ago, lust said:

They should open another Central shopping centre there... That’s what the tourists came to Thailand to see!

Oh just what is needed another shopping centre for no tourists and the locals to rack up debt.

 

[G950]

They started this work months before the country was shut down, had little to nothing to do to to Covid 19

[RJRS1301]

2 hours ago, G950 said:

They started this work months before the country was shut down, had little to nothing to do to to Covid 19

Just cleared the streets and made it easier??