Bangkok’s "floating market": doing business while respecting the environment and tradition
Chuchan Chuan, 62, has created a system of stalls on the capital’s Ladmayon canal, where local merchants display their products. However, because of river pollution, the market is likely to be stopped. Chuchan paddles down the river with his boat alone cleaning up the garbage ignored by everyone: "The pollution problem is resolved sporadically and with a person’s own hands."
Bangkok (AsisNews) - When people "saw me for the first time on a rowing boat and collecting all the garbage thrown into the canal, they thought I was mad and called me 'the old fool on the channel’”, Chuchan Chuan, 62-year old founder of the Community of Bangkok agricultural enterprise tells AsiaNews. He has created a "floating market" in Ladmayon channel, one of the many rivers that run through the capital. "The floating market and dirt - says the man - can not go together, but no one takes care of cleaning water. Only I do it. "
Known as "Uncle Chun", in 2005 the man founded a "floating trading community", building different stalls on stilts where local farmers and artisans can sell their products and exchange goods through the waterway. The market is located 20 minutes from the center of the capital, and in 2007 he won an award from the Department of Thai tourism.
The floating market is a meeting point between consumers and sellers, who are part of the same community. Local farmers will exhibit their goods: fruits, vegetables, plants and a variety of local dishes and desserts. "We sell products at competitive prices - explains Chuchan - even compared to the prices of large shopping centers". The neighborhood is now recognized as an example of a community that can preserve the environment and traditional culture.
The "enemy" is water pollution, which is usually ignored by the authorities and local residents. According Chuchan, the best way to address the problem "is getting your hands dirty, with everyone doing it piece by piece. Man is different from animals and we have the responsibility to deliver our culture, philosophy and wisdom to young people. This is why organic agriculture is so important. "
Of course, "if the canal is full of garbage, people will not travel on it. The idea that I came up with the floating market has shown the people’s interest in the canal. With the progress of transport, people are used to using the car and have forgotten rivers and boats. We must remember however that water and nature is our life". "Changing people's habits is almost impossible - recognizes Chuchan - but I started to collect rubbish and to show that when the channel is clean you can have a floating market".
"Uncle Chuchan" has other projects in mind to enrich the local community: "I also created a park where people can go to relax and exchange ideas. We also want to build a library, where everyone can make their used books available to the community. Finally, we will set up a museum that shows our background and our history to young people".
(Taken from The Redeemer)
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07/07/2007
