Shop or Walk? Bangkok's downtown Skywalks paralyzed by vendors

[webfact]

Shop or Walk? Downtown Skywalks paralyzed by vendors
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- It's hard to fault anyone for wanting to make a baht, but the same can be said of everyone else's desire to get to work or home.

A chorus of complaint is rising among Thai netizens who are sick of people selling stuff along the BTS Skywalks, sometimes crowding both sides of the path. Important walkways which would already be congested by commuters at the Victory Monument, Chong Nonsi and Ratchadamri BTS stations have become notorious flea markets, despite signs prohibiting such behavior. Now question is raised whether the municipal police will move to take care of the problem.

Although the posted signs threaten THB 2,000 fines, vendors hawk their wares with impunity from inside corporate chain stands as well as temporary mats placed on the ground. [read more...]

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2013/10/15/shop-or-walk-downtown-skywalks-paralyzed-vendors


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2013-10-15

[laurentbkk]

yes its a real pain in the ....... not to mention Silom around 6pm you can hardly walk on the pavement from Dusit to Saladaeng .... I know they try to make a living but ...

[soi41]

"Now the question is raised, whether the munipal police will move to take care of the problem"

Do your own maths:

Rent from 200 illegal vendors at 100 baht/day is more than 7 million/year for the BIB's warchest.

Income from people walking = 0

The vendors are staying!!

[gchurch259]

I have put my 2 cents worth in on this subject before. I like to walk on Sukumvit and Wireless, but all the vendors and their customers or on lookers block all the walk. Then there are the motocycles. I agree everybody needs to work, but I think they should set-up flea markets in the vacant lots on Sukumvit and keep the vendors off the sidewalk. Next is beggars.

Jerry

[steveyinasia]

Has anyone tried to walk in Siam on the opposite side of the road to Siam Discovery...impossible. Coming down from the BTS one is met by a traffic jam of people because vendors have encroached as far as possible into the walkways that it is impossible to get anywhere. Again nothing with happen whilst there is money to be made by the administrators of the area. Try driving down Sukhumvit Soi 11 at night, the portable bars have made their way off the side walk and onto half the road, it's getting ridiculous.

[rumbo1]

It appears to be similar in most big towns , the worst part is having no choice but to risk your life by walking on the road to get past and we all know how dangerous the roads are especially in the dark

[oMega69]

Easy MOVE to PP !

[little mary sunshine]

Only reason this is happening is because it is ALLOWED to happen by the BTS

Management. If the authorities would conficate all the goods

from the vendors and donate charity this would solve the problem.

[HardenedSoul]

The worst for me is the little stretch in front of Asoke BTS/MRT next to Terminal 21.

Seriously, the width of the space people have to walk through is less than 3 meters without these infernal obstacles but then you get these dumbasses setting up stalls selling clothes, flowers, food and freakin' Viagra, it forces everyone to slow to a crawl with single, alternate line traffic.

I'm absolutely gobsmacked at how the Thais don't kick off.

[petedk]

Has anyone tried to walk in Siam on the opposite side of the road to Siam Discovery...impossible. Coming down from the BTS one is met by a traffic jam of people because vendors have encroached as far as possible into the walkways that it is impossible to get anywhere. Again nothing with happen whilst there is money to be made by the administrators of the area. Try driving down Sukhumvit Soi 11 at night, the portable bars have made their way off the side walk and onto half the road, it's getting ridiculous.

Yes!

I join the growing number of people who now walk on the road in order to get past.

I remember a couple of years ago the authorities removed the vendors and put those ridiculous plant holders up so that the vendors wouldn't return. It didn't take long before the vendors dismantled them and returned.

[petedk]

On Thong Lor opposite Soi 10 there is a street vendor (restaurant) which completely blocks the footpath.

Recently I walked along there and was forced to walk on the road. The cop started screaming at me (and others) to get back on the footpath. I mean there was NO room to walk because of the tables and chairs.

Back on topic.

I remember when they first built the skywalks and said that vendors won't be allowed to use them. I said it wouldn't be long before people started selling their products on the skywalks.

I'm just waiting to see motorbikes up there.

Edited October 15, 2013 by petedk

[mdmayes]

It wouldn't be so bad if one side of the 3 m sidewalk had 1 m used by the vendors. The problem is when both sides (2 m) of the 3 m side walk are used and only 1 m left for foot traffic and shoppers.

Hey...thats Bangkok.

[isawasnake]

The thing I dont get here, is all of Bangkok is like this for the most part. And I can't even fathom a Thai complaining about it, they seem to walk about that pace when there is nobody in the way.

[Benmart]

The thing I dont get here, is all of Bangkok is like this for the most part. And I can't even fathom a Thai complaining about it, they seem to walk about that pace when there is nobody in the way.

We all walk at our own pace, heading to the ultimate destination which is the end of our mortality. The goal is to arrive there and be remembered as a good person.

Edited October 15, 2013 by Benmart

[tingtongteesood]

There is an answer, just walk through the middle of their mat making sure to break as much as possible, or else push their crap out the way to make more space so people can get past.

[snooky]

There is an answer, just walk through the middle of their mat making sure to break as much as possible, or else push their crap out the way to make more space so people can get past.

And you will quickly find out how it feels to

a) Have the living crap beat out of you by scores of vendors and their helpers whether they were involved or not - or

the police will arrest you and your bill be will about equal to the value of everything within sight, broken or not!

Vendors seem to be immune!

Edited October 15, 2013 by snooky

[CharlieH]

Its the beggars that are dangerous, always sitting on the steps with small children, seen many literally fall over them as they decend the flight of steps.

[isawasnake]

There is an answer, just walk through the middle of their mat making sure to break as much as possible, or else push their crap out the way to make more space so people can get past.

Who the hell are you.... Ghandi? I am sure even Ghandi would be annoyed at the pace Thai people walk anyway, he may even lash out.

[Benmart]

There is an answer, just walk through the middle of their mat making sure to break as much as possible, or else push their crap out the way to make more space so people can get past.

Who the hell are you.... Ghandi? I am sure even Ghandi would be annoyed at the pace Thai people walk anyway, he may even lash out.

Are you sure he would? Please consult your crystal ball and let us know what his view is on this subject

.

[kindvall1]

The worst part for me is the bit connecting Siam station with the wide skywalk leading towards CentralWorld and Chidlom. Just at the really narrow part is where the vendors put out their goods, leading to standstill at the intersection in the middle where there's are stairs from the street joining.

Walking from CentralWorld over to Pratunam is doable in daytime, but when the food stalls open at dusk you have to either navigate the road traffic or try to cruise around the tables and carts.

Edited October 16, 2013 by kindvall1

[razorramone]

They do my head in... around centralworld, siam square. I don't stand on their stuff, but I'm not polite about pushing my way through them and anyone buying from them.

[TheSpade]

The worst I've seen isn't even in the BTS walkways.

Outside the Nana BTS can be torture. Tons of stalls on one side selling sex toys, vigra and other crap and bars and restaurants with their touts on the other. In the middle is Middle Eastern families that seem oblivious to the fact there's 3,000 people behind them trying to get past whilst they leisurely look at porno DVDs and dildos.

One guy parked his wheelchair bound wife in the middle of the pavement the last time I was in the area and there was no possible way round between her and her seriously obese husband.

I tried to explain to him I was wanting past and not just there for the good of my health but he didn't seem to care. Try explaining to 3,000 Thai's queued up behind you that some fat bloke and his disabled wife won't move for anyone.

Also on Ratchaprarop Road down where all the hotels popular with Indian and Arabs are can be horrible too. There's market stalls on both sides of the very narrow pavement and it's all enclosed so you can't even skip out onto the road and go round it. On both sides of the main road it's the same. Very claustrophobic.

[isawasnake]

There is an answer, just walk through the middle of their mat making sure to break as much as possible, or else push their crap out the way to make more space so people can get past.

Who the hell are you.... Ghandi? I am sure even Ghandi would be annoyed at the pace Thai people walk anyway, he may even lash out.

Are you sure he would? Please consult your crystal ball and let us know what his view is on this subject

.

100% affirmed. If Ghandi got caught behind a meandering, texting Thai he'd be compelled to resort to physical abuse.

[Lakegeneve]

Only reason this is happening is because it is ALLOWED to happen by the BTS

Management. If the authorities would conficate all the goods

from the vendors and donate charity this would solve the problem.

Sorry LMS but the first sentence is completely incorrect. The BTSC which runs the BTS only manages the station precinct and the stairs, escalators leading up to the concourse level.

The pedestrian links, or skywalks, are under the jurisdiction of the BMA district officers (referred to as 'municipal police' in the article) unless they are a private link such as a few leading into shopping centers. These are the BMA officials collecting unofficial rents from the vendors.

However, the 3 pics shown are of the Victory Monument pedestrian link which runs from the north side of the BTS station around the east side of VM. Vendors play a cat and mouse with officials here, they'll quickly pack up when the district officers arrive and then set up again once they depart. They do on occasion confiscate all goods from vendors who are caught. Sometimes money is paid and vendors just stay.

You'll notice that the main pedestrian link/skywalk between Chitlom and Siam stations NEVER has vendors as it was partially funded by private funds (Central & Ratchaprasong traders Assoc) along with the BMA. It is patrolled by private security.

The loss of public side walk space, primarily to vendors has been a real problem for a number of years. Vendors who typically also park their vehicles for free all evening/night on the inside lanes of Silom, Sukhumvit and Ratchadamri roads (outside Centralworld) causing consequential traffic problems. Both district officers and the police to stop this but they don't.

In a city where vehicles are completely prioritised over pedestrians, if even this issue cannot be solved there is little hope for the pedestrians losing their walking space.......

[harrry]

The worst I've seen isn't even in the BTS walkways. Outside the Nana BTS can be torture. Tons of stalls on one side selling sex toys, vigra and other crap and bars and restaurants with their touts on the other. In the middle is Middle Eastern families that seem oblivious to the fact there's 3,000 people behind them trying to get past whilst they leisurely look at porno DVDs and dildos. One guy parked his wheelchair bound wife in the middle of the pavement the last time I was in the area and there was no possible way round between her and her seriously obese husband. I tried to explain to him I was wanting past and not just there for the good of my health but he didn't seem to care. Try explaining to 3,000 Thai's queued up behind you that some fat bloke and his disabled wife won't move for anyone. Also on Ratchaprarop Road down where all the hotels popular with Indian and Arabs are can be horrible too. There's market stalls on both sides of the very narrow pavement and it's all enclosed so you can't even skip out onto the road and go round it. On both sides of the main road it's the same. Very claustrophobic.

So you blame the wheelchair. That is why there is supposed to be sufficient room for it and another to easily pass. It is a walkway not a market. Put the blame where it lies and it is not on the people with the wheelchair.

Edited October 19, 2013 by harrry

[LuckyLew]

The thing I dont get here, is all of Bangkok is like this for the most part. And I can't even fathom a Thai complaining about it, they seem to walk about that pace when there is nobody in the way.

We all walk at our own pace, heading to the ultimate destination which is the end of our mortality. The goal is to arrive there and be remembered as a good person.

How can I arrive there when the vendors are blocking the entrance to the pearly gates?

[TheSpade]

The worst I've seen isn't even in the BTS walkways. Outside the Nana BTS can be torture. Tons of stalls on one side selling sex toys, vigra and other crap and bars and restaurants with their touts on the other. In the middle is Middle Eastern families that seem oblivious to the fact there's 3,000 people behind them trying to get past whilst they leisurely look at porno DVDs and dildos. One guy parked his wheelchair bound wife in the middle of the pavement the last time I was in the area and there was no possible way round between her and her seriously obese husband. I tried to explain to him I was wanting past and not just there for the good of my health but he didn't seem to care. Try explaining to 3,000 Thai's queued up behind you that some fat bloke and his disabled wife won't move for anyone. Also on Ratchaprarop Road down where all the hotels popular with Indian and Arabs are can be horrible too. There's market stalls on both sides of the very narrow pavement and it's all enclosed so you can't even skip out onto the road and go round it. On both sides of the main road it's the same. Very claustrophobic.

So you blame the wheelchair. That is why there is supposed to be sufficient room for it and another to easily pass. It is a walkway not a market. Put the blame where it lies and it is not on the people with the wheelchair.

Common sense would tell you that if you're pushing a wheel chair in a crowded foot path with 3,000 people behind you that you don't stop, park the wheelchair bang in the middle of the street and meander off to browse sex toys instead of allowing people to get past.

When pointed out we'd like to get past he ignored everyone and continued haggling over a 12 inch dildo.

[harrry]

The worst I've seen isn't even in the BTS walkways. Outside the Nana BTS can be torture. Tons of stalls on one side selling sex toys, vigra and other crap and bars and restaurants with their touts on the other. In the middle is Middle Eastern families that seem oblivious to the fact there's 3,000 people behind them trying to get past whilst they leisurely look at porno DVDs and dildos. One guy parked his wheelchair bound wife in the middle of the pavement the last time I was in the area and there was no possible way round between her and her seriously obese husband. I tried to explain to him I was wanting past and not just there for the good of my health but he didn't seem to care. Try explaining to 3,000 Thai's queued up behind you that some fat bloke and his disabled wife won't move for anyone. Also on Ratchaprarop Road down where all the hotels popular with Indian and Arabs are can be horrible too. There's market stalls on both sides of the very narrow pavement and it's all enclosed so you can't even skip out onto the road and go round it. On both sides of the main road it's the same. Very claustrophobic.

So you blame the wheelchair. That is why there is supposed to be sufficient room for it and another to easily pass. It is a walkway not a market. Put the blame where it lies and it is not on the people with the wheelchair.

Common sense would tell you that if you're pushing a wheel chair in a crowded foot path with 3,000 people behind you that you don't stop, park the wheelchair bang in the middle of the street and meander off to browse sex toys instead of allowing people to get past.

When pointed out we'd like to get past he ignored everyone and continued haggling over a 12 inch dildo.

Common sense says that person has as much right to be there as you and much more than the sellers.

[millwall_fan]

I agree it's annoying (I live near Victory monument) but If there were affordable pitches for ordinary people to hawk their wares in decent locations they might not need feel the need to hawk on the skytrain walkways. I'm afraid that whilst the wild disparities in wealth in this country pervade, ordinary working class capitalists will need to sell their products away from the excessive rents charged by greedy landlords. ....or is there a better way?