Saphan Lek market clean-up ‘too hasty’
The city’s success in claiming back Khlong Ong Ang near Saphan Lek market from traders has failed to recognise the area’s historical significance, says Thai Rath columnist Lom Plien Thit.
The city demolished their stalls which had obscured the canal for years. Now the canal has been liberated, netizens are asking what the city should do with the site, which is undergoing a facelift.
The columnist said netizens are interested in the clean-up campaign, with images of the canal going viral on social media.
The writer, however, doubted city administrators have the vision to transform the venue into a new tourist spot of Bangkok.
He said Khlong Ong Ang is part of a canal system around the so-called Rattanakosin island extending from Khlong Bang Lamphu at Phan Fah Leelas bridge and flowing into the Chao Phraya River near Wat Bopitpimook.
Khlong Ong Ang’s name derives from the fact the place used to be a trading centre of earthenware such as water jars of the Mon and Chinese people. But Thais preferred to call it Saphan Lek after the construction of a steel bridge across the canal linking Charoen Krung and Yaowaraj roads.
Lom recalled that, when he was young, he would visit Saphan Lek at night to eat out because there were so many outlets offering an assortment of good foods. It was a joint for night owls.
He liked visiting an icecream outlet which made coconut icecream topped with frozen fresh egg.
Lom recalled that, in the evening, traders would converge at the venue with a wide variety of products, including antique ware, on sale at discount prices.
The market offered products which were often hard to find anywhere else, although in recent times it also turned into a hub for video games, before its eventual demolition.
Lom said he felt sorry the city demolished the market at the request of the National Council for Peace and Order without giving much thought to the site’s significance.
Saphan Lek market, said the writer, helped the economy, especially at the grassroots level.
He said the city should have found a new location for the stalls. The relocated market could offer second-hand products or knock-off goods attractive to tourists.
As for Khlong Ong Ang, Lom said the city administration should turn it into a shopping street, if it can be done in an orderly manner. Who knows, he said, one day Khlong Ong Ang could become a another city highlight, perhaps rivalling that of Khao San Road.
Foam peril shrinks
The sight of hundreds of krathong filling and blocking waterways after the Loy Krathong festival on Wednesday is prompting netizens to ask if the festival is still relevant, Mthai reports.
Many raised concerns over water pollution caused by the festival which was primarily aimed at paying homage to the River Goddess.
They said the sight of so many floats left behind in waterways demonstrated the irony of the festival.
Scientist Jessada Denduangboripant noted on Wednesday that floating a krathong is an act of water pollution.
When he posted a message last year about how krathong could pollute the waterways, he suggested revellers release fish into the rivers instead. “This way, we can preserve the tradition and prevent harm to our environment,” he said.
The scientist said he was bombarded with criticism after posting his message last year. “Many unfriended me on social media.”
He shrugged that off, saying it’s a fact floats released during the festival harm the environment, especially the sea.
“Some of the garbage from the festival will flow into the sea,” Mr Jessada said.
Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday thanked city residents for using fewer foam krathong this year, a sign that people care about the environment, Matichon said.
In a Facebook message, the governor said more than 825,600 floats were released on Wednesday night. Of the total, 71,000 or 8.6% were made of foam, compared to 10% last year.
The remaining krathong were made from natural materials, he said.
MR Sukhumbhand said the total number of krathong released last year and collected by city staff was about 982,060, and 9.72% or about 96,000 were made from foam.
He said krathong made from natural materials would go to a landfill, while the foam type would be sent to recycling facilities.
A large amount of krathong also were found in major rivers in many provinces yesterday including Phitsanulok and Songkhla’s Hat Yai provinces. Municipal workers were instructed to clear the rubbish in one day.
Meanwhile, netizens are complaining about people who snatch coins from the floats, saying they are getting more daring and seem to care little for the feelings of the floats’ owners.
Facebook user IceLing Rawisara posted a clip showing the coin snatchers at work.
Unlike in the old days when coin-taking was more discreet, the snatchers did not bother to wait until the owners of the floats had left the spot.
Instead, they took the coins almost right after the floats were released, netizens said.