Farewell to Dong Khoi St's Mr Thai.

A couple of years ago I made a short video about what for me, was one of the nicest things about a stroll along Saigon's Dong Khoi St. It wasn't the colonial era buildings, or the flash new shops. It was to stop and chat with a wonderful old man, Mr Thai, who had been selling silk paintings, old coins and other trinkets on the street since the 1950s.



Mr Thai is one of those unforgettable characters that adds more spirit to a place than cafes, buildings or fancy shops ever could. And he had the most amazingly expressive face - switching between hilarity and melancholy.

Since I shot the video in 2009, Mr Thai has had a few absences from the strip but he's mostly been seated opposite the Sheraton Hotel.



I last saw him late in 2012 and he mentioned that he was exhausted. He's worked seven days till 10pm for more than sixty years. He said he hoped to stop working after Tet 2013.



I've checked to see if he's around a few times in recent weeks and it looks like he's gone for good. Some of the other sellers on the strip told me the shop Mr Thai had been selling in front of had changed hands and the new owners no longer wanted him there. I have no idea if that's true but I know it was Mr Thai's intention to take a well earned retirement.

If so Mr Thai, best wishes to you and I hope you're comfortable and well. Thanks for being such a delightful part of Saigon's fabric for so long. We'll miss you.