Climate doesn't permit walking

I recently visited this market using the free ferry service from the Central Pier at Taksin Bridge. There were long queues to board the boat around 7pm, and once there I found the market area packed solid with very happy customers and sightseers having a good time – shades of Suan Lum Night Bazaar, which I regularly visited over some years despite the ever-present threat of closure. Well, it did of course, with nothing to take its place until Asiatique was created.

The piers were very busy servicing many ferries to five-star hotels, condos and regular commuters along the river, so the station is well used and popular. The bulk of the passengers using the ferries arrive via the Skytrain, the only mass transit access to the river. It seems inconceivable that the BMA want to close it to speed up the Skytrain service to and from Siam Centre.

I timed the train from Surasak to Taksin Station and it is going to be a long walk – too long in the weather conditions in Bangkok.

Whatever the BMA proposes, I hope – but am not too hopeful – that an alternative tram system or mechanical walkway will be totally enclosed to protect passengers from the weather hazards and that it will be in place long before the station is demolished.

M Silson

Pattaya