According to an article in this friday's Bangkok Post, the company who leases the site, now used by 3,000 retail stores, was supposed to turn it over to the developers on march 31 but have not done so as yet. It appears that the developers will not pressure retail shop owners to move right away and we will allow them to gradually move out by April of 2007.
Development plans include a mix of residential condominiums, a hotel, commercial plaza, entertainment and an art and cultural centre.

thanks for the update.
what a sad news..

I am truely devestated by the news of the closing of Suan Lum Night Bazaar, but Don't worry, it is up and running as usual and still worth the trip. This is from the horse's mouth. As a shop owner there I plan to keep my shop open until the end. My friends and I have many shops in Ayuttaya Soi 8 (not an advertistment) and have made it a personal meeting place and second home. We will miss it dearly. After reading this i felt a bit sad about the possible misunderstanding that Suan Lum might not be up to standards. but i insure you that it is and we would love it if u stopped on by.

p.s. do you know if they are planning on developing a zone to rent out to old shop owners?

Hi

We will be visiting Bangkok in December. Any further news on this please?

Cathy

Was there yesterday - still alive and kicking! It also has the Bangkok Eye ferris wheel which is great fun to go on.

Other than the german biergarten, is there anywhere to eat near the market?

There are a lot of food places both stand-up and sit-down places to eat in Suan Lum, dperry-not just the biergarten-all you have to do is just walk around, and pick a place that suits your fancy.

I was having dinner last night with people who live in Bangkok. They said it was to close under Taksin's "reign" as he wanted it for development but now he has gone that is no longer an issue. Hope that's right.

Unfortunately, I don't think that's the case. The development contract was already awarded to Central Patana, and I don't think it could be easily broken. I heard just last week that it will definitely close, although there is a little bit of an outcry building about it.

Yup, today's Bangkok Post has a story about the Crown Property Bureau confirming plans to go ahead with the development of the old pre-cadet school, part of which is currently the night bazaar. Vendors have until April next year to move out.

It looks quite certain that the Night Bazaar will be close a the end of this month and I thought that some of you might enjoy reading about it's history(from "the magazine" - a Bangkok Post supplement):

History of the Plot
- The land where the Night Bazaar is located is owned by the Crown Property Bureau.

- From the late 1950s until 1999, the land hosted the Armed Forces' Preparatory School. The land was then categorised as an education zone.

- In 1999, the Crown Property Bureau moved the school.

- In 2000, P Con development received a short-term 3-year lease to develop the land. P Con opened the Suan Lum Night Bazaar in 2001.

- In 2002, the land was rezoned as "a commercial and residential" zone.

- In 2004, the Crown Property Bureau extended P Con's lease until March 2006 in order to give merchants time to move off the site.

- As the company took the fight to court, P Con has frequently told vendors that they may be able to stay, creating uncertainty and confusion among vendors.

- In November 2006, the Crown Property Bureau announced the land would be divided into three plots, one for embassies, one for commercial purposes and an additional sector for near term development. They say the overall goal is to create a new landmark development for the city.

- On February 22, 2007, the Crown Property Bureau awarded 40 rai, currently occupied by the Night Bazaar, to Central Pattana.

- The Crown Property Bureau had given vendors until April 30, 2007 to vacate.

I was berated on this topic last year when I said the market wasn't going to close in 2006. My source was a shopowner who is a friend.

Now he says his lease is good through the rest of the year.

Maybe your source is just trying to attract last minute business, for as long as he can?

Just look at your first post to this thread.

Brad - the "source" is the Bangkok Post. My "source" last year was the CEO of the Crown Property Bureau. May be your friend who is a shop owner at the Night Bazaar is only listening to P Con who is trying to fight this case with the Crown Property Bureau? Is his lease with P Con or the Crown Property?

As far as I know if they don't vacate legal action will take place and in Thailand the squatter's law does take some time to enforce so your friend can possible stay on past the date line.

For those interested here's the latest on the closure:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_....php?id=118421

Today's Bangkok Post has a front page story on the closure the above link is just a short excerpt.

Hi All,
Does anyone have any further updates on this Market? I have heard on other forums that it is still operating but no-one had any first hand experience of late.
I was a big fan of the Beer hall/Food market .It was a great place to spend some time listening to a live band and having a sip while the better half shopped and it was fine to have the kids there with me when they got sick of the shopping. Is there any other Bangkok Market that offers a similar family friendly experience?

The market is still open - sort of. The market is being suit and a lot of the vendors have move out. You can probably find beer gardens and such still operating there.

Hi! Will be going to Bangkok this friday. Is Suan Lum night market closed or are there still lots of clothes and souvenir shops? Thanks!

Just drove past there 45 minutes ago and it's still open. Fewer shops and less lively than before but still open. Just be aware that there's a ongoing eviction process going on in the Thai court since most vendors there are squatters.