The tenants of Woeng Nakhon Kasem will soon bid farewell to their century-old neighbourhood after their leases terminate. The precinct, located in Bangkok's Samphanthawong district, is an area well-known to generations of Thais as the go-to shopping area for high-quality musical instruments at reasonable prices.
Woeng Nakhon Kasem, a century-old area famous for its musical instrument shops, will close to make way for the Thai Charoen Corporation's renovation plan.
Once an old Chinese market, the land was bestowed by King Rama V to Prince Paribatra Sukhumbhand. In 2012, the estate of the Paribatra family announced its plans to sell Woeng Nakhon Kasem, and ownership now lies with the Thai Charoen Corporation (TCC), which seeks to renovate it for commercialisation. The tenants of 440 units in the area will have to relocate to make room for development. Many shops have already closed down, and their front doors now bear signs detailing their new locations. Other shopkeepers have said they will be gone by this weekend.
Now that eviction is just a step away, the once-vibrant Chinese community seems bleak. Customers are making what could be their last visit to the area before it gives way to the future under TCC's plan. Many dropped by their usual noodle stalls and music shops, asking shopkeepers where and when they will be moving.
While there were many solemn faces, it seems that wherever the shops are headed, many customers will be willing to follow.
The area will soon be deserted, but there are some tenants who are not in
a hurry to leave. The long-standing Yong Seng Musical shop, for example, is still waiting for TCC to keep its promise of setting up a temporary space for tenants to continue running their businesses.
"According to the lease, we should have moved out by Oct 15," said a staff member at Yong Seng Musical. "But since the area they've prepared for us is still not finished, I guess we're not going anywhere just yet."
"We [the tenants and shops] are all going our separate ways now," added another staff member. "It will be difficult for the customers. They used to be able to get everything in one go here. That won't be possible any more."
