The disappearance of Bangkok's Artbox: examining the challenges of sustaining a mobile night market during the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the reasons for the shutdown of a mobile night market during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lack of tourists was obviously one of the causes but social reasons must also exist. The study investigates territoriality, collectivization and human relations in urban social s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	International journal of social economics 2023-01, Vol.50 (1), p.20-33
Main Author:	Chan, Steve Kwok-Leung
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Attachment Collectivization Consumers Coronaviruses COVID-19 Customers Disappearance Human relations Interviews Local authorities Markets Medical research Operators Pandemics Peer review Planners Qualitative research Shutdowns Sociology Territoriality Tourism Urban areas Urban studies Vendors
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Summary:	PurposeThis study aims to investigate the reasons for the shutdown of a mobile night market during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lack of tourists was obviously one of the causes but social reasons must also exist. The study investigates territoriality, collectivization and human relations in urban social spaces which are essential for the sustainability of a market than solely short-term profit and unconnected customers.Design/methodology/approachIn this study qualitative methods are used, including reviewing contents, semi-structured interviews with vendors and customers, and informant interviews.FindingsDrawing from urban space theories, this paper argues that trendy markets catering for diverse market segments sustain their business. Once the market has shifted away from local Thai customers to main tourists, it loses its base and becomes vulnerable in territoriality negotiation.Practical implicationsThe findings and model provide practice information for local authorities, town planners and night market operators in the design of open-air marketplaces. Such knowledge pinpoints the importance of connecting place and people in order to sustain a business.Originality/valueStudies on mobile marketplaces are rare. The findings address the “detaching” process and consequence from the perspective of place attachment.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-04-2021-0218
ISSN:	0306-8293 1758-6712