The One Ratchada Night Market in Bangkok permanently closed on May 5, 2025, following a sudden announcement on May 2, affecting over 130 vendors who lost their livelihoods without notice or relocation options. Located in Huai Khwang, the market was a popular tourist and local destination, known for its white tent stalls. The closure underscores broader urban redevelopment trends, rising rents, and increased competition from markets like Jodd Fairs Ratchada. Further details address the economic and social consequences of this shutdown.
An abrupt announcement on May 2, 2025, confirmed the permanent closure of The One Ratchada Night Market, one of central Bangkok’s most popular evening destinations, effective May 5. The decision, described as “unexpected” by market operators, offered no official explanation for the shutdown.
Located on Ratchadaphisek Road, the market’s closure was confirmed through a YouTube video and social media posts made by Maeil Bangkok, a local media entity, catching both vendors and visitors off guard. The market had been recognizable for its rows of stalls selling clothes and food in white tents, a layout that contributed to its unique charm and high foot traffic.
The closure directly affects over 130 vendors, who now face a sudden loss of income with no adjustment period or relocation plan provided. For many small business owners, night markets such as The One Ratchada represent their primary source of revenue, and abrupt closures raise the risk of loan defaults and economic instability among informal sector workers.
Over 130 vendors now face sudden income loss and instability, as abrupt closure leaves small businesses without support or relocation options.
The announcement, coming just before Bangkok’s peak tourism season, mirrors previous closures like DanNeramit, which were linked to declines in foreign visitors and shifting urban priorities. A key factor in these shutdowns has been the impact of demographic differences, as markets with a more diverse mix of Thai and international shoppers, such as Jodd Fairs Rama 9, have remained more resilient.
Tourists planning trips in May 2025 encountered last-minute disruptions, as the market had previously been ranked among the “16 Best Bangkok Night Markets” by travel platforms like Klook. The shutdown’s confirmation quickly spread across platforms such as Threads and YouTube, prompting widespread confusion, especially due to the “Ratchada” branding shared by multiple markets in the area.
Authorities and travel forums have since suggested alternatives like the newly launched Jodd Fairs Ratchada, which boasts a 20-year lease and larger, more permanent infrastructure.
Operationally, The One Ratchada’s lack of permanent structures may have contributed to its vulnerability amid fierce competition from newer, larger night markets, including Jodd Fairs Ratchada with over 1,500 shops.
The closure also aligns with ongoing urban redevelopment trends in the Rama 9 area, reflecting broader economic shifts and rising commercial rents. Despite the outcry on Thai social media and the significant cultural loss for local communities in Huai Khwang and Din Daeng, no government assistance or vendor protest activity has been reported.
The long-term implications highlight challenges in market sustainability, vendor resilience, and tourism’s fluctuating role in Bangkok’s street economy.
