Posted by Rod Fai Market (also known as train market) vendors gathered early this morning after hearing the first rumblings of a construction company hired by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to demolish the Rod Fai Market site without prior notice.
Vendors were alerted via Facebook shortly after midnight that the construction company was employing 20 workers and five backhoes to level the property on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road. It is reported that the abrupt demolition infuriated vendors and caused a physical fight between vendors and construction workers, which involved rock throwing. The SRT’s officials had to step in to stop the violence.
This surprise demolition was a sequel to last week efforts by the SRT to clear the site for construction of the Bang Sue-to-Rang Sit, “Red Line” Skytrain extension.
A noodle dealer said he was stunned and furious to see the abrupt demolition after the SRT had promised to give merchants six months to find a new location for their market.
Rot Fai Market has been a nice place to visit on weekends for the last couple of the years. Good hang out with lot of vintage, food and with great atmosphere. I’m sad to see it disappear. Here is a short video I made from the market with journalist Jan Källman last year.