SUNDAY MARKET

Chatuchak could operate on weekdays: SRT boss

The Nation

Photo : Watcharachai Klaipong

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Yutthana Thapcharoen yesterday hinted at the possibility of opening the Chatuchak Market during weekdays too.

His words reflected SRT attempt to reap a lump sum of money from this worldfamous market.

Throughout its history, the Chatuchak Market has been open on weekends only. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), which founded the market, has managed the place that way for a few decades. However, BMA is going to lose the management power from January 2 after it refused to honour SRT latest demand of Bt420million in annual rent fee for the plot on which the market is located.

Yutthana said vendors would soon be invited to discussions on the new rent fees and marketdevelopment guidelines.

"We will take necessary actions relating to stalls operating illegally in the periphery of the market. We will ensure customers can get into the market conveniently," he said.

During yesterday's parliamentary session, Democrat MP Attawit Suwanpakdee filed an impromptu question for Transport Minister ACM Sukampol Suwannathat to answer over the SRT move to take over the management of the Chatuchak Market.

"The law allows SRT to set up a company for railway services or related businesses only. I don't think SRT will be able to manage the Chatuchak Market," Attawit said.

Sukampol, so far, expressed confidence that the SRT would be able to establish a company to manage its assets.

Chusak Khorruamklang, who heads the SRT projectdevelopmentandanalysis unit 1, also separately told a House committee that the SRT planned to set up a company to manage the Chatuchak Market.

However, as the establishment will not take place early next year, the SRT was preparing to hire a private company to take charge of the Chatuchak Market's management during the 2012, he said.

Representing Yutthana, Chusak revealed the plan in front of the House committee on constitutional bodies, state enterprises, public organisations and funds.

"We know our management plan is still flawed but we are preparing to study Chulalongkorn University's management of Siam Square," he said.

Chaired by Democrat MP Shane Thaugsuban, the House committee expressed concerns about the apparent lack of preparation on the SRT part to efficiently manage the Chatuchak Market.

The House is planning to summon the SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharern to provide explanation himself.

-- The Nation 2011-12-30

So...effectively remove the burnt in tourist-name-suffix 'weekend market' in 'Jatujak weekend market'?

Go on...

I think Chatuchak sellers do not want to sell on week days, and they makke in 2 days what others would make in a full week...

(and some hhave shops at some other markets)

But do you know how much costs the rent of a small shop there ?

Thanks.

Of course BMA are now crying. If you check the rental contracts, you will probably find, that BMA officials have rented most of the stalls, and are re-renting at a price that is often 20-25 times higher than what they are actually paying. Shop-owners in Chatuchak are currently being ripped off, with extremely high rents.

I find it to be a good idea, to let SRT take over the management of the market, and as first thing cancel all current contracts, if the lessee are not the actual shop-owner.

Of course BMA are now crying. If you check the rental contracts, you will probably find, that BMA officials have rented most of the stalls, and are re-renting at a price that is often 20-25 times higher than what they are actually paying. Shop-owners in Chatuchak are currently being ripped off, with extremely high rents.

I find it to be a good idea, to let SRT take over the management of the market, and as first thing cancel all current contracts, if the lessee are not the actual shop-owner.

SRT's lack of planning concerning the managment of JJ doesn't inspire much confidence I would mean. After all, they had only five years to prepare.

About 20% of JJ or CC market IS open 7 days a week. Look into the animal or antique sections, they are always there, plus, Wednesdays and Thursdays they are open for the sale of plants, flowers, trees and bushes. If you have not visited it, try it!

Will vendors still be illegally selling endangered wildlife under the SRT management plan?

Perhaps something could be done about this disgusting, immoral and blatant illegal behaviour at last?

The animal and antique sections which are open all week are outside of Jatujak Market. On Wednesday and Thursday the plant sellers bring their plants in and sell them on the streets inside the market. There are only three or four plant sellers that are in the same place on Wed-Thu and on the weekends.

Did I read that correctly? It sounds like SRT wants to actually improve the market. Sounds good to me!

If it is open for a few more days then perhaps it would not be so crowded. I would assume the shop owners could potentially earn even more money.