Heard of Sungei Road Hawker Zone? Perhaps you’d be more acquainted with its moniker “Thieves Market.” As far back as 2011, announcements of the upcoming Sungei Road MRT Station – open later this year – has gotten vendors and longtime visitors alike worried. These worries have come to fruition when today a joint statement by various agencies have slated July 10th to be the date the Thieves’ Market closes its (metaphorical) doors.
It’s been coming for a long time, as various redevelopment of the land has reduced the site to half of its original size, and the decision to completely shut down the OG flea market was mentioned to repurpose the site for future residential development use.
What is the Thieves’ Market?
It’s generally agreed that the Thieves’ Market began as a small trading site along the river back in 1930, where people peddle goods that were stolen, lost, or taken from junkyards to sell, hence earning its moniker. The name “Thieves’ Market” can also double as a pun, as purchases made there are so cheap it could be treated as a great steal.
Does it have historical significance?
Suprisingly, yes. As one of the sites that has lasted through the ages – the Japanese Occupation being one notable era – Thieves’ Market is the go-to site for various changes in Singapore’s history for acquiring goods unique to that era (Yashica film cameras, old coins, typewriters, etc).
During the aforementioned Japanese Occupation, the Market would be flooded by locals to obtain cheap household goods and merchandise as back in the day such things – which we likely have now taken for granted – were in constant short supply.
In the era right after the withdrawal of the British Forces back in the late 1960s, the market would see an influx of customers seeking army-related goods such as uniforms and boots.
What makes the Thieves’ Market stand out from other flea markets of its day (and now) is the likelihood of being the only spot where vendors do not pay rent, where customers who purchase the items do not get to test their newly bought goods, and no refunds are accepted (Especially now. Do you really want to demand a few dollars back from an 80-year-old man?).
Where can the vendors go after the closure of Thieves’ Market?
It’s the one constant worry all vendors have harboured since the announcement of Sungei Road MRT Station in 2011.
Harking back to the joint statement released earlier today, assistance will be provided to these vendors via the option to utilize lock-up stalls at Golden Mile Centre and Chinatown Market at subsidized rates post-closure of the Market.
Of the 31 original street vendors who’ve set up shop since the 1970s to 1980s, only 11 of them have continued to operate to this day. Allocation to relocate their shop for these 11 vendors are given priority and will be based on the balloting system, while other vendors will utilize the site on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Other forms of assistance will be provided by Social Service Officers and WSG should the vendors require financial and manpower help.
What will become of the historic site after its closure?
The significance of Thieves’ Market wasn’t lost on the government, as the National Heritage Board has already begun research and documentation of the flea market and its vendors to preserve memories of the site for future generations. These data can be found on NHB’s heritage site Roots.sg.
The move to shut to shut down the Thieves’ Market is justified in the joint statement, saying that despite the site sporting a “long history and holds special memories for many Singaporeans, over time, the nature of the site has changed, as reflected in both the profile of the vendors and buyers, and the type of goods sold.”
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