Mixers manufactured right on Bangkok's 'Oven Street'

Have you ever wondered where that woman who sells those delicious fried beetles and grubs bought her cart? Or who makes those beautiful mortars and pestles that we all see being used to make   tasty plates of som tam(Papaya salad)? Well neither had I until I moved to Kluai Nam Thai, a neighborhood near Phra Kanong,Bangkok. One of the many things that I have found most interesting about this area, are the streets that are geared toward the manufacturing and sale of items of a particular industry or genre. 

While dodging motorbikes and soi dogs on the sidewalk, you may find yourself stumbling onto Tin street, where Tinsmiths design and create several everyday items using tin. You may also find sois specializing in the manufacture of ceramic, iron, or sheet metal items. On Rama 4 road, seemingly every address is engaged in either making or selling kitchen appliances and utensils. As a matter of fact, the first two floors of my apartment building consist of a retail shop for all things cooking related. The next three buildings down, there are men welding, shaping, buffing, and installing electric elements on ovens, cook tops, steamers, and street vendor carts. I find this fascinating for two reasons. First, because in the western world we rarely see these hard working people who create these machines in action. They are confined to factories and warehouses outside of the city limits. Second, because I believe it encourages a sense of community. What better way to work as a team than to all have a hand in producing for a single industry? If the Restaurant industry is doing well, then the retail shops will be selling more kitchen appliances to new and current establishments. In turn, more appliances will need to be produced. This allows the entire street to work together, and profit from each others’ success. 

             Here, people enjoy their neighbors and more importantly, they need them.  With high end condos and businesses moving down Sukhumvit Road like a tsunami,they will now need each other more than ever. I wonder how long these small sois will last and if “Oven Street” will stand the test of time.  The next time you’re moseying down a street and see sparks flying from a doorway, take a look inside.  You might be surprised at how interesting it is to watch these hard working people create the things that we use on a daily basis.