It was just announced that both Siam Street Night Market and Ratchadamri Night Market in Bangkok will have to go. It is such a shame, because the night markets have been such an iconic sight of the Siam precinct for so many years.
The City Hall has set the deadline for all the street vendors at these two night markets to move out by 01 August 2016
Read: Bangkok’s Iconic Pratunam Market To Lose Hundreds Of Vendors
However, this is not the end of your favourite shopping destination, as they will simply be relocated to a new area, where all 554 vendors will reside.
The new night market destination will be under the Phong Phra Ram expressway. The relocated market will span across a large area, and is able to hold up to 620 vendors with a small parking space.
Will you miss your favourite night markets? Will the relocation change the whole vibe of night shopping? It sure will. We may sometimes complain about pushing through the crowd just to get to the next stall, but that is part of the experience of Siam night market and it will definitely be different after the relocation – perhaps for the better, as it would be a lot less congested.
The main reason why the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has made the decision to relocate these stalls is simply because of space issues.
The narrow Siam street sidewalks can no longer hold such massive amounts of people. The last time we visited Bangkok, it was getting a little hard to breathe through the streets.
This relocation will ultimately make shopping a lot easier for people.
Also, the administration has decided to close down the street vending areas outside CentralWorld shopping mall, Big C Ratchadamri Superstore, Ratchaprasong Intersection and Ploenchit Road.
So, say goodbye to all your favourite night street markets. If you want a final taste of shopping here, book a ticket to Bangkok this month!
For more recommendations, read our Bangkok food & travel guides.
Im heading bangkok late next month, saw your article on night market closed down, wander where is the location, Phong Phra Ram expressway..?? Pardon me as im not local.. pls share the exact location and what do i tell the “cab”, much appreciate it, thanks
Today they have closed and are gone. It is a shame as now I will take my shopping to another location that includes street vendors. If anyone thinks this is about congestion, think again, there are many other places to look at. They are taking out the culture from what we like to see as foreigners . Sad to see this but I will go some where else for my shopping experience.