Stalls along the roadside at Chiang Mai’s flower market, next to Chan Samo Memorial Bridge (Khua Khaek) in Chang Moi, were pulled down on 7 October, and for a few hours it looked a lot like the end of something. Nearby residents started asking questions. Some reports said the spot had been shut to traders for good, which would be a big deal for a patch of pavement that has been selling things for more than 30 years.
Not so, apparently. The work is a teardown and rebuild, meant to improve the look of the area, and the vendors who were there before are expected to return once it’s done. Officials put the job at about a week.
The head of the work crew said demolition started that morning, after vendors had been told in advance and asked to cooperate. Chiang Mai City Municipality officials and other agencies came by to inspect during the morning. When the work wraps up, the stalls reopen as normal, only tidier: lines will be marked out for each selling zone so goods stop spilling into the walkway.
As for the rumour that this is the quiet demise of the market, the crew head said it simply isn’t true. Only around 20 stalls are affected, from beside the 7-Eleven to the bend by the bridge. Everyone beyond that carries on trading as usual.
