Bigger issues continue to loom on the distant horizon but in the meantime let’s talk about the important things. The Suan Lum Night Bazaar is suppose to be closed tonight but I stopped by and it looks like it is still going strong - probably busier than ever given all the media attention.
I don’t really get it though. We all know that Bangkok is not in need of yet another mall/condo/lifestyle complex. I got my own lifestyle thank you very much and it involves experiencing the diversity of a vast city, that once turned into one giant condo/mall will no longer be interesting. You would think someone in the government would sort out that Thailand desperately needs to stay on top of the tourism racket and Suan Lum is a huge tourist draw. Yes I know the rich Thai are single handedly propping up Siam Paragon but it is not a tourist mecca. Yeah honey - on the way to the food court after we see a movie let’s drop in and pick up that new Porsche we always wanted. Suan Lum is amazing. Next to the park, full of cool things to do, good food and of course the shopping. Everyone who has ever visited me in Thailand asks me to take them there.
Does anyone other than the property developer think that removing Suan Lum is good for the city? Please. I hope all the shopkeepers stay put and since this is still being fought in court I also hope the government leaves them alone in the meantime. What is saddening is to know that the CPB is partially behind this. Bummer. This is all highly relevant though given what the book that shall not be named discusses. I realize there have been issues with the lease but it would seem to me that everyone should be able to sort them out and agree that the Night Bazaar is a vital part of Bangkok’s atmosphere.
Long Live Suan Lum!
Aside # 1: I can’t read this without getting grossed out thinking how someday they may have to pull my gall bladder out via my nose.
Aside # 2: We have mentioned the issues with China before but I think this dog food scare in America should be a warning to people of China’s drive to make money at all costs might not be in everyone’s best interest. This article talks about how many meat producers are using melamine as food filler instead of real protein. This a lovely quote:
“Many companies buy melamine scrap to make animal feed, such as fish feed,” said Ji Denghui, general manager of the Fujian Sanming Dinghui Chemical Company, which sells melamine. “I don’t know if there’s a regulation on it. Probably not. No law or regulation says ‘don’t do it,’ so everyone’s doing it. The laws in China are like that, aren’t they? If there’s no accident, there won’t be any regulation.”
Back to the women soon - Escape from BKK Day 2 is fermenting nicely
I couldn’t agree more. I went to Suan Lum last August & really enjoyed the night. It may not be the cheapest but the combination of the available goods, food, music & overall atmosphere really made the night. I had no need to go there last month but now wish I had. Another mall the same as the previous one & equally soulless. I just don’t get it.
View all comments by Wombat
I’m not surprised they are refusing to move. The Bangkok Post reported that vendors generate between 10,000 - 20,000B in daily sales while paying an average monthly rent between 5 - 8k.
View all comments by Pure Guava
Yes. Some serious coin.
I think it is more than that as well.
It is the principle of it all.
1. this issue is still in court and I think until their is a verdict they should not be forced out.
2. I think they also must feel immense frustration that no one is listening. Not the government, not the developers and not the CPB. Yet - the community, other than the rich Thais, have all spoken to make it clear they want the market to stay.
I think this is going to get pretty heated…
View all comments by smitty
Let me see. I’ve been to Suan Lum twice I think in the two+ years I’ve been in Bangkok. While I’ve been to Paragon probably fifty times.
Do the math.
It’s history. Can’t really stop progress can you. I hope they build a Chester’s Grill in the mall-to-be ’cause I really like that place.
Just TOO valuable with the MRT stop right underneath and all.
Sure was OK visiting/living in BKK in the wake of the 97 crash but those days are over.
90 story building though; that’s HUGE!
View all comments by Jack Dawson
I just don’t think another unwanted mall is so called “progress”
They have said all year that neither Central World, Siam Paragon and the adjoining Siam Center and Discovery are delivering nowhere near the numbers they expected.
Of course with overall tourism being down, which Thailand is bringing on by their stupid rules, I can’t see another mall somehow helping the situation any.
Bangkok should be striving to save their open spaces - not ruin them. Each to his own I guess but I see it as a bad move all the way around.
View all comments by smitty
Funny… I’ve been to Paragon maybe twice. Never spent a satang there.
I’ve been to Suan Lum probably fifty times last year. Had fun and spent money every time.
As Einstein taught us, doing the math is a relative thing.
Long live the night bazaar!
View all comments by werewolf
Is the night market still operating or has it shut down?
View all comments by Wombat
still going but the signs about telling the vendors to leave are getting more obnoxious. however some large projects around town have been getting halted due to the economic climate, bad in case you can’t tell, so maybe the developers are less antsy about it. tough call I guess but I was hoping the CPB was going to let the market live on. God knows the market will be busier than another mall.
View all comments by smitty
Thanks. Intend doing some shopping there next week. Bit difficult to assess the economic climate from sleepy South Oz though the exchange rates have not been happy reading in the last few weeks. Will get around to having a couple of drinks in the Big Mango this time.
View all comments by Wombat
I live next door to the markets, and while a couple of stalls have closed the vast majority are still going strongly, it’s still packed with shoppers and the ’singing’ (more like karaoke) still takes place in the beer garden (it still has a few month waiting list for Thais wanting to ‘perform’ on stage).
View all comments by Jase
I have to agree with you Wombat - I was back in Oz a few weeks ago, I had to go to Canberra for a business trip, was bloody freezing and I was very happy to come back to BKK, though seeing the exchange rate was painful coming back. Let’s hope it fixes itself soon so us Aussies can get more baht for the finer things in life (ie alcohol and girls)
View all comments by Jase