were you born and have you always worked in yaorawat?

Yes, I was born and have always lived here. I have been working in the family business for 20 years now.

My grandfather started the business selling chestnuts from his bicycle. We later opened a shop here and, for a while, became distributors of exotic fruits. Then, we decided to concentrate on our retail business.

can you describe what the chinatown community was like?

Previously, Chinatown was a central hub for locals, where families bought larger quantities for both personal use and sharing. Now, with smaller family units and economic challenges, purchasing has shifted to smaller amounts for individual consumption.

how has the sense of community in yaorawat evolved? are people as connected as they used to be, or have you noticed more division or changes in how people relate to each other?

Many children of traditional shop owners are not taking over the family business. This has led to changes in ownership models. Some owners lease their shops or businesses to outsiders, altering the community structure and business dynamics. As a result, the sense of community has diminished. Locals once knew each other well and were closely connected. Yet, the influx of new owners – often chains – along with a changing economic landscape, has weakened the ties. When I was a child, everybody knew each other, and the atmosphere of the area was friendly – not as much now. There is still communication among the original owners, but not with the new ones.

what are the changes in terms of business composition and in clientele?

The customer base has shifted significantly. In the past, the area attracted many vendors and middlemen buying products for resale. Now, there has been a transition from predominantly wholesale activities to a mix that includes cafes and restaurants. Locals tend to shop for food during the day. At night, Chinatown becomes a popular tourist destination for those seeking to experience the local cuisine. Business owners are struggling to adapt to a more transient population.

how much influence do small business owners like yourself have over decisions about chinatown today, such as market regulations, street vending rules, or new developments? have you or other vendors been involved in discussions with local authorities or organisations about the neighbourhood’s future?

We are organised into committees, including the Chinese Traders Association, local police, and the Street Vendors Association, among others, which are coordinated by the district office. The committees and associations relay messages, insights and requests to the office, which, in turn, will design procedures and policies to solve issues and regulate operations.

We can influence the policies to a certain extent, although the responses to the issues we face are at times slow. Authorities seem to acknowledge the challenges we face – such as traffic congestion and operational challenges – but they are not always swift in responding. There are delays, which are obviously frustrating for us.

what is your view on the urban development of the area?

There is concern that the new developments will alter the character of Chinatown. There are discussions on the types of operators allowed to run businesses in the area.

On the other hand, we need to recognise that if the old, original businesses cannot withstand the test of time, change will happen. We need to acknowledge that and try to navigate changes while preserving our culture.

I am not, moreover, in favour of zoning policies, as they would limit how owners can use their property. Say, if an owner’s daughter would like to become a dentist, she should have the right to open her clinic in the building, even if it is in a ‘food’ area. And so on.

what kind of initiatives do you believe would help chinatown to preserve its authenticity and revive its social community?

Chinatown is its own world – it has everything. You can reach different areas within walking distance. It is an incredibly culturally rich area.

First and foremost, I believe it is crucial to preserve Chinatown’s original building structures and architecture to maintain its unique identity. These buildings tell a story.

There is also a desire to recreate the friendly atmosphere of the past. Of course, current economic dynamics have made this challenging, as new business owners are often less inclined to interact with long-term residents.

Older business owners are already part of associations and know one another. Perhaps new business owners should be encouraged to engage in a similar manner to build community ties.

The newcomers, many of whom are new businesspeople and operate various branches here, rarely come to mingle.

Perhaps organising mixed-business social events could help new business owners connect with established residents and foster relationships within the community.

RELATED ARTICLES