Pn Tay's Blog: Bugis Street Now

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Bugis Street Now

Well, since we were like tourists, the bus dropped us off

at Bugis Street to shop for

souvenirs to give the guys back home.

In the 80's I remember coming here and Bugis Street was the hangout

for gays and transvestites. In the evening all the

tourists (whites) including me

waited at Bugis Street, and we were rewarded

with views of colourfully wigged

and well dressed cross-dressers who came out

for their evening meal and er....activities.

If I find the old photos, I will post them here.

See here for old photos os original Bugis Street

1980s MAKING WAY FOR URBAN RENEWAL

Rumours about the demolition of Bugis Street and the clearing of street hawking and vending to make way for a Mass Rapid Transport station began to circulate. A group of hawkers appealed to the Member of Parliament for Kampong Glam (government district for Bugis Street), against this decision. Transvestites were also warned to stay away from Bugis Street by the authorities, thus , significantly reducing the number of transvestites in the vicinity.

1985 END OF AN ERA

“Sisters” from other areas encroached into Bugis Street to solicit business but were chased away by the Bugis Street transvestites who eventually disappeared from the scene.

In the later part of 1985, Bugis Street was eventually demolished and all the street hawker stalls were cleared and the hawkers relocated to the other areas of Singapore to ply their trades. Travel agencies and tourists lamented on the loss of one of Singapore’s famous and exciting attractions. (Me, too!)

reminds me of China's Beijing Lu.
These type of shopping are a dime a dozen, I prefer the
old Bugis Street, sadly.

Bugis Street now,
it has lost its original flavour

No more "Ah Qua" in sight;

All spruced and cleaned up

1987 A REVIVAL
As part of the Singapore Tourism Board’s efforts to preserve, conserve or re-develop iconic sites and tourist attractions, the Singapore Tourism Board called for tender to re-develop Bugis Street.
1988 AN ICON RECREATED
Bugis Street Development Private Limited was awarded the project to re-develop Bugis Street which took two years.
Mid 1990s NEW ERA
In the mid 90’s, Bugis Street experienced its soft opening for business. The news was welcomed joyfully by the former hawkers and retailers, which resulted in the full occupation of the retail and entertainment outlet once again. The old, lively Bugis Street was revived.
(huh? it is nothing like the old place at all!!!)