Thong Khan Kham Market In Recovery
At first glance today it seems the Thong Khan Kham Market, Laos’ largest street and stall market appears to be in recovery.
I first visited Vientiane and the country’s largest market almost a month ago and only a few days before a large fire destroyed most of the market’s buildings. Today though, on my return to Vientiane, it seems the clean-up is almost over and the rebuilding has begun.
There was a small crowd observing some of the clean-up operations and what appeared to be an inspection late this afternoon. I had just arrived back in the capital after a few weeks of exploring the north and observing Pi Mai, Laos New Year celebrations in Luang Prabang.
On return to the market and the site of the clean-up I was greeted with the usual charming Laos hospitality by on-lookers. I’m happy to report spirits are high and most of the food side of the market is operating as usual.
Thousands of residents of Vientiane rely on the market for their everyday needs. Many shopkeepers were devasted by the disaster losing thousands of dollars worth of inventory. Thankfully there were no fatalities.
