“It is honestly really sad and depressing to see night markets going extinct in Singapore” — Netizen shares nostalgic photo of Toa Payoh vegetable night market before closure

SINGAPORE: An online user recently started a thread on a news forum dedicated to a recent photo shoot at the Toa Payoh night market, reportedly up for closure.

A netizen recently visited the Toa Payoh night vegetable market for a photoshoot and shared the shots with other Singaporeans on Monday (June 26). “Recently, I went to the Toa Payoh vegetable night market to photograph, and speak with some of the individuals working there ahead of its closure,” the netizen wrote.

In the comments section, the photographer shared more insights on the event, including new learnings from engaging in conversation with one of the uncles at the market.

“The boss of Sheng Siong, apparently had sold vegetables there before, in the past,” the netizen shared. “Not sure which one it was, but that was all I was told. I didn’t ask for more information on which boss, it was just some friendly banter to better know them. Now, I have no knowledge of how true what they told me is, but that’s just what I’ve been told.”

The online user also shared the story of other vegetable sellers, saying, “Many of the vegetable wholesalers have moved out, retired, or found their wealth.” The netizen also showed a different side of the business. “Now while it may not look like a very cushy job, you can make a pretty good buck from what I’ve heard just literally selling vegetables,” the comment read. “Some of them have factories in Johor Bahru…one of the sellers, he literally drove there in a pretty shiny Mercedes.”

The pre-closure photoshoot has garnered more than 250 upvotes on Reddit. Other netizens commented on the thread to share their two cents on the closure. To one, the reported closure is sad news.

“It is honestly really sad (and) depressing to see night markets whether vegetables, the pasar Malams, or whichever variation of nighttime tent selling, going extinct or in the process of doing so in Singapore,” the comment read.

Another found the narrative of vegetable sellers who have become wealthy to be something noteworthy, saying, “Vegetable sellers can be become that rich huh. Don’t know why some parents look down on these people and tell their kids not to be like them..

Hello Redditporeans! Recently, I went to the Toa Payoh vegetable night market to photograph, and speak with some of the individuals working there ahead of its closure!
by u/bangsphoto in singapore