Sungei Road Thieves' Market is gone, a casualty of Singapore's constant quest for progress and modernisation. Join me on this nostalgic walk down memory lane as we re-live the Happy Days of this market.

Popularly known as 'Thieves Market', this flea market was shutdown by the authorities on 10 July 2017 after 80 years of recycling second-hand goods. This market started in the mid 1930s and peddlers need not pay rent. Stolen or smuggled goods were sold here in the early years. It was an open secret that if you had any item stolen, you could probably buy it back at this market. In 1982, the Environment Ministry tore down the market and relocated the peddlers to nearby places. However by the late 1980s, the peddlers returned and the place was bustling again. In 2012, the peddlers formed an Association called 'Association for the Recycling of Second Hand Goods'. An online petition was also started to save Sungei Road Thieves' Market that year. On July 10, 2017, Sungei Road Thieves Market was finally closed with a ceremony. After 80 long years, this market is now history. I have walked this market several times over the years and am glad to have recorded this video for memories. Goodbye Thieves' Market.

Please wear headsets/earbuds to hear the sounds and feel the vibes. Have a good look at the items on display for sale. Are these junks or treasure? The market wouldn't have lasted for 80 years if these are junks. This is just my thoughts. Please leave your thoughts in the comments below as I love to hear from you. Part 2: Where are they now? will be uploaded soon. Thank you for watching 😊

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/eWw1tXWFxLY2zN4GA
MRT: Rochor (DTL) & Jalan Besar (DTL)

Camera: iPhone 7plus
Editing: Final Cut Pro X
Recording date: July 9, 2017
#singapore #sungeiroad