Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

 

Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market is set for a facelift, resulting in the relocation of 529 stallholders around the popular clock tower area by April 30. The directive, issued by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), is part of a redevelopment initiative planned by the market office.

 

The announcement was made by the market office chairman, Suksan Kittisupakorn, at BMA's head office, addressing issues of transparency regarding the market’s management and the decision not to renew stall contracts. Concerns about the remittance of rent collected from vendors between 2019 and 2023 were also tackled, with Suksan denying any irregularities and explaining that all collected fees were appropriately processed.

 

With the BMA as its operator, Chatuchak Market's underlying land is owned by the State Railway of Thailand, to which a significant annual fee is paid. The market has faced revenue dips due to reduced fees amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this, the market office insists on its right to adjust and manage vendor agreements.

 

 

The decision has sparked some discontent among vendors, leading them to petition for investigation. However, Mr. Suksan argues the relocation is necessary for enhancing accessibility and aesthetics, as the current setup has raised concerns over reduced space and ventilation.

 

Stallholders have been given the option to relocate to alternative areas within the market without the usual fees. Although only a few vendors have taken up the offer, it remains available until the April deadline. Meanwhile, legal action is being prepared against those who defaulted on their rent.

 

The redevelopment aims to transform the clock tower zone into a new tourist magnet, potentially revitalising the market's allure. The clock ticks as vendors prepare for the upcoming changes, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-19

 

 

 

8 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

However, Mr. Suksan argues the relocation is necessary for enhancing accessibility and aesthetics, as the current setup has raised concerns over reduced space and ventilation.

you could take away half of those 529 stalls and no one would know the difference. every other stall sells the same junk at a different price. 

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Concerns about the remittance of rent collected from vendors between 2019 and 2023 were also tackled, with Suksan denying any irregularities and explaining that all collected fees were appropriately processed.

Pfffff

Is this the same remodel they were talking about 10 years ago?

Or vendors could, for example, close all their shops for a few weekends in the middle of tourist peak season and let market operators explain that to tourists.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The redevelopment aims to transform the clock tower zone into a new tourist magnet

 

If I recall the proposal, the BMA wants to have decorations and performances where those soon-to-be-evicted stalls are located - apparently not understanding that people are going to Chatuchak Market because they want to experience a market. And I have no idea what the blather is about "ventilation" and so on, since there's no obvious difference between the stalls in that zone and those in any of the other zones. 

 

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Concerns about the remittance of rent collected from vendors between 2019 and 2023 were also tackled, with Suksan denying any irregularities and explaining that all collected fees were appropriately processed.

 

The concerns were "tackled" simply by denying everything, with no explanation of why records show no rent payments, when the stall holders have receipts clearly showing that they did pay rent.

Tourists go to Chatuchak for the cheap goods. Try upgrading and charging more then watch the tourists disappear.

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Concerns about the remittance of rent collected from vendors between 2019 and 2023 were also tackled, with Suksan denying any irregularities and explaining that all collected fees were appropriately processed.

Why do I have difficulty to believe that.