Bangkok's Khlong Thom 'Dark Market' set to become latest casualty of junta's cleanup

[Lite Beer]

Bangkok's Khlong Thom 'Dark Market' set to become latest casualty of junta's cleanup
Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong
The Nation

Khlong Thom market

BANGKOK: -- THE CURTAIN is set to come down on Khlong Thom night market, one of Bangkok's largest street markets which dates back over three decades.

After tomorrow, the market - highly popular with street shoppers, as it has every kind of goods, either brand-new or second-hand, all at bargain prices - will be known only for what it was.

Khlong Thom is a "casualty" like other public places that have been subject to crackdowns by the Prayut government such as beaches cluttered with deck chairs and people renting umbrellas, plus street hawkers.

The government has said its intention to crack down on street hawkers is to return footpaths to pedestrians. But in the case of Khlong Thom, it is not just footpaths, because every Saturday night vendors block cars from entering nine streets in the inner city - so they can be turned into shopping venues as dusk or night falls. The market continues on from Saturday night till Sunday night.

On December 8 last year, Bangkok Metropolitan Adminis-tration advisor Wallop Suwannadi delivered an order that struck down the market, declaring that traders would be allowed to sell only till the end of last year.

The BMA will on Monday dispatch 600 police, soldiers and municipal police to ensure shoppers comply with the order.

The nine streets that make up Khlong Thom market are Charoenkrung, Worajak, Sua Pa, Plabplachai, Mahachak, Yommarajsukhum, Chao Kaorop and Srithammathirat in the Pom Prab Sattru Phai district of Bangkok.

More than 2,000 traders display their goods fully on the roads and footpaths. Some shophouses on these streets also take the opportunity to trade as thousands come to shop for inexpensive goods in this street market.

Khlong Thom is also known as the "Dark Market" because goods are laid down on streets and alleys that are not brightly illuminated. Shoppers carry torches to shine a light on items while shopping. That is why it has also been called the "Torch Market".

Others believe that the name "Dark Market" derives from the fact that some items sold there came from robberies and thefts, such as motorcycle and car parts. This is another reason police crack down on the market and vendors - to try to reduce the chance of thieves selling stolen goods.

For shoppers this market presents thrills and challenges, because if they are lucky they can get valuable items at a bargain price. Most of the goods sold are second-hand products such as clocks, watches, toy cars, mechanic tools, clothes, shoes, electrical appliances. What are most sought after by shoppers are antiques, plus old and rare items.

Debate has raged on social media as to whether the market should be shut down with opponents and supporters arguing over the plan to shift shoppers at Khlong Thom elsewhere.

Before the curtain came down, traders called on the BMA, on December 23, to allow them two more months.

The BMA has said that they can sell their goods under the expressway across the capital (but only on Sunday), plus other markets such as the old Southern Bus Terminal, the Tha Din Daeng Market, Ratchadapisek Market, Soho market, Thon Buri market and the Saithong Property's markets.

Chatchawal, 37, who sells snacks at the Khlong Thom market, said the BMA refused to talk or assist the traders and dismissed reports that the BMA had helped find other markets for traders. He said he depended on this market for his livelihood for over 20 years.

"We do not know what to do - we cannot protest because martial law is in force. I am very stressed out, as I do not know where can I make a living. Most traders in shophouses can hardly make sales on weekdays," he said.

A shopper identified only as Muay, 35, said she was mesmerised by the market - the massive variety and amount of cheap goods available, as well as just viewing. She had shopped there regularly for more than 10 years, she said.

"Where can we find a market that you can buy goods at such a bargain price? I felt so saddened by the demise of this market. I wonder why the big fuss about closing it down when the market only opens one night a week. Now where can I go on Saturday night?" she said.

Another shopper known as Too, 24, said he was a big fan of Khlong Thom. He took every chance he had if he was free on Saturday night to shop at the market.

"I was shocked upon hearing the news about the market closing. I love shopping for toys like cartoon characters, as I collect them. Goods here are so cheap - where else can you find things this cheap?'' he said.

However, Por, 30, a former resident whose house was at the heart

of Khlong Thom market, voiced delight at hearing news that the market would close.

She said every Saturday night she could not sleep because sellers put on loud music to try to lure shoppers. It upset her so much, she decided to buy a new house in the suburbs and move out.

It remains to be seen if tonight will be the last night of the Dark Market.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Bangkoks-Khlong-Thom-Dark-Market-set-to-become-lat-30255043.html

-- The Nation 2015-02-28

[retell]

Why don't they fix some of the old buildings so the streetmarkets can be held there ?

[BKKdreaming]

I go there every weekend I am in BKK and there are only 2 sellers with used Automotive parts and I never saw anyone with motorbike parts ,

maybe they are there at 3am but not when I was there.......

Thank You Junta for putting 1000 people out of work . or telling them they can go across town where no one will find them.

The Railroad market out at Seacon square is OK, but its far from anywhere ,

Anyone know of another "Junk" market like Klong Thom ? even in another city ?

[Lite Beer]

Bangkok: One of Bangkok’s biggest street markets, “Khlong Thom”, is closing down in the face of the city administration’s firm stance that footpaths belong to pedestrians – not street stalls.

Fans of Khlong Thom have till tomorrow (Sunday) to re-visit their favorite shopping zone.

Starting from Monday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will deploy 600 police, soldiers and municipal police to ensure street hawkers no longer ply their trade from footpaths.

Khlong Thom is famous not just for incredibly low prices but also its surprisingly vast array of products. While most items on sale are secondhand, some are rare and luxury. Shoppers thus usually have fun looking for the best bargains as they dig into piles of products on street stalls.

The nine streets that make up Khlong Thom market are Charoenkrung, Worajak, Sua Pa, Plabplachai, Mahachak, Yommarajsukhum, Chao Kaorop and Srithammathirat in the Pom Prab Sattru Phai district of Bangkok. There are between 2,000 and 3,000 vendors in the zone.

Authorities have insisted that the Khlong Thom market must stop its operation because its bustling trade activities have adversely affected local residents as well as people who need to go to a hospital in the zone, causing noise and disruption of traffic.

The BMA has also explained that it does not ignore its decision’s impacts on vendors as it will help them relocate their stalls to authorized markets.

“It may be tough for them in the beginning. But after a while, they will be able to adjust and realize that the move is good for all sides,” an advisor to the BMA says.

[noitom]

Another Bangkok sewer closed. Prayuth surely has a plan to help the poor Thais hustling out a living here to fins alternative locations and/or work.

[Bluespunk]

Blocking cars? Stolen goods on sale? Keeping residents awake? Blocking pavements meant for pedestrians [who there are now more of as traffic is being kept out]?

Shutting it down?

Good move.

[ldiablo]

A recent survey suggests that 99.99% approve of the junta and it's "return happiness to the Thai people" policies.

[oneday]

Why don't they fix some of the old buildings so the streetmarkets can be held there ?

That would be too positive and may actually show that this non-elected government is really trying to bring "happiness" to the Thai people. Nah, that just can't happen.

[BKKdreaming]

A recent survey suggests that 99.99% approve of the junta and it's "return happiness to the Thai people" policies.

a long time ago there was a Twilight zone episode where a young kid ( Ron Howard) had "powers" to destroy things that made him mad

So everyone went out of their way to keep him happy or else he would destroy them......

Did they ever show that show at Army training school ?

[Strangebrew]

Maybe the PM should rethink about these markets and allow certain streets during the weekends to be shutdown to car traffic not only would it allow Thai's a place to sell there wares and earn them income it would add to the charm of the city. Also local shops in building would have more customers due to the fact of people being drawn to the area looking for bargains. The biggest benefit would be less car traffic belching pollutants into the air thus reducing smog issues. Not to mention the tourists who would visit and spend. I can see doing what your doing on Sukhumvit as being good because of the high amount of traffic but on side streets? For what purpose other than harming peoples livelihoods. The biggest draw to Bangkok is it's night life. Lots of cities worldwide set aside areas for this which not only adds charm but in return creates jobs thus reducing crime. Even the police could interact with the public in a more relaxed venue thus putting a new face on them. Take it another step you could generate income for projects by selling spaces to vendors with funds going to say planting trees around the streets of Bangkok. which would not only make the city more environmentally friendly but look a heck of a lot better.

[Xonax]

Markets like this necessarily have to take place on private land and not public roads. There are plenty of available land for lease everywhere in Bangkok, but the sellers prefer not to pay.

Edited February 28, 2015 by Xonax

[shaurene]

I think it is very sad they just try to make a living, these type of markets are all over Thailand, it puts many thousands of Thais to work and make a little living the government do not give their citizens any benefits to help them feed, the only Thais to get government assistance are the government workers.

If they are blocking certain streets it would be easy to keep them clear and any load music they can totally ban all music and any load speakers.

[Stradavarius37]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Why don't they fix some of the old buildings so the streetmarkets can be held there ?

Because its costs money.

[BKKdreaming]

when they clean

Starting from Monday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will deploy 600 police, soldiers and municipal police to ensure street hawkers no longer ply their trade from footpaths.

600 ????????

I know other areas that will be next and it will just make for a boring "exotic" shopping holiday for many people when they clean up these streets too

[off road pat]

Oh Man,...this was paradise for me. I would go there every weekend when I'm in BKK. I could find everything I needed to repair some stuff.

I loved to wonder around there, but sure it was not easy....and you really had to look out for things. I usually bought a lot there before I flew back Home.

[bheard]

Think I like the idea. Walking on a footpath in Thailand is difficult enough, impossible with vendors all over it.

And perhaps the notion that a percentage of the goods are stolen has merit.

[Alwyn]

Well done General! 2000 traders join the ranks of the owners of beach bars/restaurants etc in the unemployed line. No worry, they can go to the benefits office and claim unemployment or job-seekers allowance.. Oh no. wait....

[reptile91602]

Just got back from shopping in a market way the hell out in Sena on a country raod with no body around and they do a hell of a business selling junk like the dark market. These type of markets can be successful anywhere. They don't have to be a nuisance to everyone that lives and works around them.

[iReason]

"Saturday night vendors block cars from entering nine streets in the inner city - so they can be turned into shopping venues as dusk or night falls."

"The market continues on from Saturday night till Sunday night."

Selfish arrogance. (And a boat load of tea money)

I wonder if the local Police will be reprimanded for letting it go on. Not.

I think it's safe to say, there are many alternatives to blocking nine streets.

Empty lots. Parking lots, etc.

Get organized and rent an area.

[halloween]

600 ????????

I know other areas that will be next and it will just make for a boring "exotic" shopping holiday for many people when they clean up these streets too

I really look forward to your post when a few hundred poor unemployed marketeers decide to set up outside your house, block your vehicle and street, and using your garden for a toilet. Of course, that holiday makers are getting their dose of exotic will more than make up for your inconvenience.

BTW do you know what "dark" means in Thai slang?

Edited February 28, 2015 by halloween

[FlipSide]

More in the pursuit of the homogenization of Thailand, wrecking the lives of the little 'one man show' hand to mouth vendors, knocking down classic old landmark building to build more expensive American style shopping malls that have all the same corporate boring tasteless outlets as every other shopping mall. Not everyone want to stroll, shop, eat & shit processed corporatism. Franchise or F%^&* Off, seems to be the catch cry. What happened to balance & diversity to keep the species in homeostasis? The Thai street markets are what makes Thailand special & always interesting. Look at what K Village did to the Bangkok Farmers Market, it was a thriving buzzing community spirit of healthier trading & lifestyle, squelched by the greedy shopping mall mentality. There are not enough BMA sponsored areas for the simple vendors to keep from starving, and keep Thai culture alive & well.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

Markets like this necessarily have to take place on private land and not public roads. There are plenty of available land for lease everywhere in Bangkok, but the sellers prefer not to pay.

It is most likely that they still pay. No one, and I mean no one gets to make money on the streets without the BIB getting their cut.

Areas need to be found where these people can set up shop, pay for legal licenses issued by the government and keep the sticky BIB fingers out of it.

The streets are not there to be sold by the police for their benefit and to the detriment of the rest of society!!

keep up the good work. Slow and steady gets the job done.

[MisterTee]

More in the pursuit of the homogenization of Thailand, wrecking the lives of the little 'one man show' hand to mouth vendors, knocking down classic old landmark building to build more expensive American style shopping malls that have all the same corporate boring tasteless outlets as every other shopping mall. Not everyone want to stroll, shop, eat & shit processed corporatism. Franchise or F%^&* Off, seems to be the catch cry. What happened to balance & diversity to keep the species in homeostasis? The Thai street markets are what makes Thailand special & always interesting. Look at what K Village did to the Bangkok Farmers Market, it was a thriving buzzing community spirit of healthier trading & lifestyle, squelched by the greedy shopping mall mentality. There are not enough BMA sponsored areas for the simple vendors to keep from starving, and keep Thai culture alive & well.

Good post.

Places like this make Thailand interesting... and unique.

[The manic]

Destroy the poor people's markets and build more shopping malls.Thus the unique is replaced by international corporate culture.

[MaiChai]

Urban planning and zoning comes to mind. Maybe that area should be zoned as a commercial district? Can't think anyone lives there, unless they are obsessed with making money and business?

[BuckBee]

For 30years it never been a problem.

without the traders hardly anyone will be walking around the streets anyway so makes no difference if blocked or not.

All it needed was tidying up & proper control & orginization by local council offices & wardens.

More stolen goods are sold at MBK & Pantip so not a great help.

Street trading is a huge part of thai way of life & part of what makes living & holidaying here intersting & easy.

It also is huge loss of income & trading which will have big implication to many people & businesses.

[bangrak]

It are only 'small fishes' going to be chased away here. But so far so good. Does it mean they're going to stop their ILLEGAL activities? Burn a few joss sticks at the temple for it, but of course not! Those traders in all what's 'dark' stuff will plant theirs 'tent' elsewhere, hoping the 'authorities', and the RTA, will be 'tempted' (bribed or shacking off) to allow it in there, until the circus starts again a few months later...

'Small fishes' I said, and that's the main issue: have any of the big, wealthy, 'influential', families, and gangs, behind all of the goods on offer in that 'trade', and the officials/RTP making the retail possible, organising it, at a price, ever been arrested, prosecuted, found guilty, jailed, assets seized? Dream on! (There was a Maj. Gen,, once, who stepped outside of 'the code' and was brought down, what happened to him in fact?)

Take any, every, side of Thai big business, from real estate and farming on the sunny side, to all others, way down, to the darkest of drugs' trade: has any of the 'big guys' (families, clans) been brought down, any? Their names are known, always the same, by 'the people', they're 'respected', and feared, they have 'legit' activities, they are part of the admired (by greedy materialist minds...) 'new elite', most of Chinese descent, and living according to ancient Chinese traditions (f... them all and let only our family, and people prevail), the mediatised 'jet set' of the large Thai cities spending big in the limelight... Who's gonna stop them? Not any one I've seen yet on the scene, with their way-way-high 'protectors'...

[bangrak]

I go there every weekend I am in BKK and there are only 2 sellers with used Automotive parts and I never saw anyone with motorbike parts ,

maybe they are there at 3am but not when I was there.......

Thank You Junta for putting 1000 people out of work . or telling them they can go across town where no one will find them.

The Railroad market out at Seacon square is OK, but its far from anywhere ,

Anyone know of another "Junk" market like Klong Thom ? even in another city ?

Do you only like illegal activities in Thailand? Is this why you're staying here? Do you think Thailand needs copied, fake, stolen, dangerous, illegal goods, let's add prostitution and drugs to it, to be an attractive place for 'tourists'? For sure there are 'small guys', barely, making a living from it (instead of any decent 'job', making them sweat at work to earn a decent living), but dirty, wealthy, people making a fortune out of it? Is that your vision of Thailand? Then you might be one of the many (Farangs) many of my friends and myself would like to see out of this country, and never coming back! Thailand has so much more to offer, but, in that, I'd agree with you, sooo much has been corrupted by the shockwaves of materialism insiduously introduced by the US here, there might not be a way back to better times, it might be too late. And shame on you when you contributed to that perversion of a beautiful nation then!

[The manic]

Street trading is the heart of Asian trading. Malls are American and too expensive

[bangrak]

Maybe the PM should rethink about these markets and allow certain streets during the weekends to be shutdown to car traffic not only would it allow Thai's a place to sell there wares and earn them income it would add to the charm of the city. Also local shops in building would have more customers due to the fact of people being drawn to the area looking for bargains. The biggest benefit would be less car traffic belching pollutants into the air thus reducing smog issues. Not to mention the tourists who would visit and spend. I can see doing what your doing on Sukhumvit as being good because of the high amount of traffic but on side streets? For what purpose other than harming peoples livelihoods. The biggest draw to Bangkok is it's night life. Lots of cities worldwide set aside areas for this which not only adds charm but in return creates jobs thus reducing crime. Even the police could interact with the public in a more relaxed venue thus putting a new face on them. Take it another step you could generate income for projects by selling spaces to vendors with funds going to say planting trees around the streets of Bangkok. which would not only make the city more environmentally friendly but look a heck of a lot better.

What 'wares'? What 'bargains'? What 'income'? What 'benefits'? What 'livelyhoods'? TRASH!

...Which 'tourists'? Which 'interactions' between crime, police, and people? Which honest, decent 'nightlife'? When THAT 'only adds charm to a city' for you, you'd better go home and try that TRASH there!

A VAST majority of Thais are good, decent, people, and they're fed up big time with all that TRASH, and longstayers among the, erm, decent, Farangs follow them in it, me among them.

Have it in any major city of your home-country, when you can convince compatriots with common sense about it, and then see whether it'd bring decent jobs, 'quality tourists', 'reduce crime' (LOL), and some trees can grow from it!

(N.B.: what you might like to smoke are the leafs from a shrub, not from a tree, joking of course)