Khaosan Future Remains In Limbo

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Khaosan Future Remains In Limbo

By Jintamas Saksornchai, Staff Reporter

 

Khaosan vendors wait Monday in front of City Hall to protest a ban on selling during the day. Photo: Yada Pornpetrumpa / Facebook

 

BANGKOK — Khaosan vendors on Tuesday slammed City Hall for breaking another promise to compromise by refusing to budge on a daytime ban on sidewalk sales.

 

Dozens of vendors who marched on City Hall yesterday to protest the new limitation were not met by any ranking officials and went home with a promise their petition would be considered. The deputy governor who spearheaded the push to shut down the popular street market last month responded later, saying the decision was final.

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2018/08/21/khaosan-future-remains-in-limbo/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2018-08-21

[ChrisY1]

Gen Aswin living up to his name.....and his usual sheer stupidity!

[JordanKonal]

What on earth was the point of this daytime ban in a iconic tourist area? Just stupidity, and interference for the sake of it. 

[connda]

2 hours ago, JordanKonal said:

What on earth was the point of this daytime ban in a iconic tourist area? Just stupidity, and interference for the sake of it. 

The 'point' is that this is an exercise in the use of control.  Once you've over-taken a government at the end of a M-16, then you have Power.  And what good is Power if you can't wield it?  And for whatever reason (probably in the form of unwanted competition) the street vendors who are micro-entrepreneurs have caught the eye of those holding the reins of power, and that power is being used to all but wipe them off the face of the Thai cultural, societal, and economic scene.  It's sad because the street markets where an iconic symbol of a thriving market economy that lifted the otherwise disenfranchised poor and lower-class Thais out of abject poverty and into a lower-middle class or middle class existence.  So now they are being sent right back into poverty.  I wonder how that ends up playing out in the long-term?

[NoshowJones]

3 hours ago, JordanKonal said:

What on earth was the point of this daytime ban in a iconic tourist area? Just stupidity, and interference for the sake of it. 

I would agree with you, but vendors should not be blocking the pavements. I do not know if that is the case at Khaosan Road.

I would think the best idea would be to make it a full time Walking Street, but again, this may not be possible, I do not know the situation with the roads round about, and how it would affect the traffic.

[Bangkok Barry]

27 minutes ago, connda said:

The 'point' is that this is an exercise in the use of control.  Once you've over-taken a government at the end of a M-16, then you have Power.  And what good is Power if you can't wield it?  And for whatever reason (probably in the form of unwanted competition) the street vendors who are micro-entrepreneurs have caught the eye of those holding the reins of power, and that power is being used to all but wipe them off the face of the Thai cultural, societal, and economic scene.  It's sad because the street markets where an iconic symbol of a thriving market economy that lifted the otherwise disenfranchised poor and lower-class Thais out of abject poverty and into a lower-middle class or middle class existence.  So now they are being sent right back into poverty.  I wonder how that ends up playing out in the long-term?

 

It's also an exercise in upholding the law, which is something the military government has started to do ever since it took power. Or do you condone corrupt officials turning a blind eye, and then complain about the lawlessness and corruption in the country?

And my understanding is that traders are still allowed there in the evening anyway, when the vast majority of people visit.

[yellowboat]

Inserting one's foot in one's mouth, shooting one's self in the foot, killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.  This junta is easily described via the use cliches .   Most brain dead things are.    They just seem to hate things that are Thai, or there is some petty jealousy of these vendors. 

[CLW]

If I would be one of the affected people, I would tell the governor to f*** off with his stupid rule.

[Ks45672]

23 minutes ago, CLW said:

If I would be one of the affected people, I would tell the governor to f*** off with his stupid rule.

Most of them are selling counterfeit merchandise AS WELL AS Blocking the pavement and the road

 

They are lucky their trading wasn't totally cancelled 

[hotchilli]

35 minutes ago, Ks45672 said:

Most of them are selling counterfeit merchandise AS WELL AS Blocking the pavement and the road

 

They are lucky their trading wasn't totally cancelled 

Maybe that's the solution... let them trade but each & every day they're checked for what they're selling & prosecuted if against the law.

If it's genuine then ok, if it's fake bye bye !

[Ks45672]

1 minute ago, hotchilli said:

Maybe that's the solution... let them trade but each & every day they're checked for what they're selling & prosecuted if against the law.

If it's genuine then ok, if it's fake bye bye !

Personally I have no issue with the fake t-shirt sellers, sunglasses and baseball hats etc 

 

I don't think anyone buying a Nike shirt for 100 thb thinks it's real anyway

 

Just saying, the sellers should be thankful they are allowed to remain during the peak hours as many of them are breaking other laws as well as the ones regarding blocking roads and pavements 

 

 

 

[CLW]

Most of them are selling counterfeit merchandise AS WELL AS Blocking the pavement and the road
 
They are lucky their trading wasn't totally cancelled 

Point 1, yes they do sell counterfeit goods but where in Thailand not?
You could close whole shopping malls in Bangkok if this rule is enforced.

Point 2, blocking the road. The last time I've been to KSR is seven years ago. But at that time I was under the impression it is / was a walking street / pedestrian zone. Don't know about now...

[MaxLee]

9 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

Gen Aswin living up to his name.....and his usual sheer stupidity!

The dear PM and former general who must not be named will be here for Aswin's rescue soon...

[yellowboat]

5 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

It's also an exercise in upholding the law, which is something the military government has started to do ever since it took power. Or do you condone corrupt officials turning a blind eye, and then complain about the lawlessness and corruption in the country?

And my understanding is that traders are still allowed there in the evening anyway, when the vast majority of people visit.

I would condone understanding and respect of a place that synonymous with ones first night in Bangkok.   A place that has a carnival feel.  That is what the BMA does not get is that it means a lot to people who work there and go there.  BMA is doing far more harm to something good than it is trying to help.  Laws are meaningless if they ruin something.  It is obvious the BMA hates KSR or it would look at ways to make it better rather than marginalize it. 

[sanemax]

4 hours ago, CLW said:

If I would be one of the affected people, I would tell the governor to f*** off with his stupid rule.

That wouldn't be a severe enough response .

You should SHOUT at him , telling him to f*** off , then call him a "nazi c***" , wave your hands around and also throw things about . let him know that you are serious about this issue

[madusa]

Go to any city what do you find ? The largest gathering of fools are found working in City Hall.