Street resistance: Bangkok vendors say new sidewalk rules hurt business

[NoshowJones]

This evening in my town the pavement wet market vendors had all gone. For once I could actually walk on the pavement as all the vendors had been made to move into the free spaces in the market. We found out that they're paying the same rates but customers actually have to get off their bikes and walk 20 feet into the market.

Some where allowed to stay but couldn't take up more than 20% of the pavement and no more carts in the road. Things are moving in the right direction, my wife and many other local people seemed more than happy with this improvement.

Where is this then?

[retarius]

simple, pull them down and cart them all off. They dont own the sidewalks but expect everyone to dodge all their sh*t, time for the police/govt to get tough and enforce the rules for once. This is why nothing ever gets done here, everyone knows no one will enforce the rules, as soon as they do people will realize they cannot simply do as they please. Send in the troops/police and just start removing them, any that refuse, lock them up or issue big fines.

As much as I like the markets, the fact that they roof them so low you have to walk through them bent over or you keep hitting your head or you simply have to walk down the road and dodge cars/bikes to avoid the crush is simply bullsh*t, of a night it is fine but during the day they are just too much.

Are you serious asking the [police to enforce laws? I thought the police remit was to collect tea money from poor motorcyclists.

[Tanlic]

I was on Sukhumvit road Sois 11 to 3 today and not a stall in sight.....hardly recogonised the place.

I'm gobsmacked at this.

These stall are people livelyhood and standing there for 12 to 14 hours a day they work damn hard to make a few quid for their families.

I might have got from A to B about 1 minute faster than normal.........That's not worth destroying people's livelyhood for in my book.

Anyone who's pleased to see them go have got a want in them imvho

[Tanlic]

who cares? i mean really. i live on lower sukhumvit and can not think of one instance where i was genuinely delayed or inconvenienced.

So you never try to walk from Soi 1 downwards towards Asok? I do not believe you.

I do everyday and I agree with him, you might get stuck for few seconds by some oblivious to the fact there are other people around but so what?

It's hardly the end of the world and we do live in a city. You go to MBK, Pantip, Pratunam and it's every bit as bad...........all part of city life my friend.

[NoBrainer]

simple, pull them down and cart them all off. They dont own the sidewalks but expect everyone to dodge all their sh*t, time for the police/govt to get tough and enforce the rules for once. This is why nothing ever gets done here, everyone knows no one will enforce the rules, as soon as they do people will realize they cannot simply do as they please. Send in the troops/police and just start removing them, any that refuse, lock them up or issue big fines.

As much as I like the markets, the fact that they roof them so low you have to walk through them bent over or you keep hitting your head or you simply have to walk down the road and dodge cars/bikes to avoid the crush is simply bullsh*t, of a night it is fine but during the day they are just too much.

I agree 100% with this. I would love to walk down Sukhumvit Road and be able to enjoy looking in the shop windows, and shopping without going into the malls. The way it is now, all of the shops close up because their potential customers can't even get near the shops, let alone see them.

All of these sidewalks should be completely cleared. The merchants that pay high rents for a property in the prime business district should be able to make their storefront look clean & attractive for their customers.

Now it is just a filthy mess and you can't even see the shops.

Clean this up a s a priority. Give us a nice friendly shopping street without this rif-raf of illegal vendors that act like a powerful mafia, that does what ever they want.

It would make this city look much more mature, and be a major step forward.

[wvavin]

Its tough. On one hand, its their livelihood and on the others is pedestrians' safety. The authority has to really find a good alternative for them as don't overlook this issue.

[intel4004]

who cares? i mean really. i live on lower sukhumvit and can not think of one instance where i was genuinely delayed or inconvenienced.

Don't be so bloody ridiculous. Show some awareness before making such a mindless comment. Just because it doesn't affect you...I'm alright jack!!

I live in Chiang Mai now nearly 3 months and have given up using the footpath. If it's not blocked by telegraph posts, signal boxes, parked motorbikes, broken tiles then the vendors finish the job off. I am fed up of waking on often a dirty road/gutter watching my back in case some scooter or car runs into me. I really like CM but it is one aspect of the city that if changed would make it a pleasure to get around, walking you can see and explore everything. God help disabled people here, they simply can't lead independent lives mobility wise.

[intel4004]

simple, pull them down and cart them all off. They dont own the sidewalks but expect everyone to dodge all their sh*t, time for the police/govt to get tough and enforce the rules for once. This is why nothing ever gets done here, everyone knows no one will enforce the rules, as soon as they do people will realize they cannot simply do as they please. Send in the troops/police and just start removing them, any that refuse, lock them up or issue big fines.

As much as I like the markets, the fact that they roof them so low you have to walk through them bent over or you keep hitting your head or you simply have to walk down the road and dodge cars/bikes to avoid the crush is simply bullsh*t, of a night it is fine but during the day they are just too much.

Are you serious asking the [police to enforce laws? I thought the police remit was to collect tea money from poor motorcyclists.

Unforunately with the police in Thailand it's very much a lost cause. I don't blame the guy on the beat it's the twits at the top who need to take lessons from police forces abroad on how to manage. They really need to be re-educated.

[GoNavy]

I know there are folks who are strict ........'rules are rules.' Obviously these vendors were not inquired as to suggestions on spots for making a living. They rely on the foot traffic passing by versus folks who go specifically to buy. Like the markets. I rarely to never go to browse to past the time. Too crowded and repeat repeat of items. Definitely is an issue for the citizens with none to very little safety net for financial health. Western nations seem to be prosperous because of enforced rules, certain amount of common sense and stable governments.

[Bpuumike]

After a long day at the office a 200m walk to the nearest BTS takes 10 minutes through cluttered stalls, street kitchens,pornographers, pimps and paraplegic Cambodian panhandlers added to this the failing concrete on pavement uneven surface and sundry obstacles to impede those over 4th tall or a risky 90 seconds on roadside...my fix- one side for vendors one side for tired commuters who are just trying to make a living too.

[Bpuumike]

The first priority should be to fix the pavements and then worry about the vendors.

I do find the vendors very useful for buying all sorts of things not easily available in shops.

[FM505]

Vendors say new sidewalk rules hurt business

How much tax do they pay? how many actually registered as a business?

Zero...

[Panadero]

Vendors say new sidewalk rules hurt business

How much tax do they pay? how many actually registered as a business?

They pay the police everyday they operate. Thats why the police have no interest in shutting them down. Not so simple as just moving in and bulldozing

[thairastawoman]

If foreigners had balls they would also do some resistance, but it seems that it won't happen...

[muffy]

Everything goes on the sidewalks except the pedestrian .

[Greg Nixon]

I like sidewalk vendors but not when they block the sidewalk so much I am forced to walk in the traffic. Let them put their equipment in the road and let me use the sidewalk. I do not buy from vendors who block my egress.

[ChiangraiTony]

who cares? i mean really. i live on lower sukhumvit and can not think of one instance where i was genuinely delayed or inconvenienced.

Either you haven't been here long enough or wait until you're older, it can be challenging at times.

[martin carter]

Silom Road From the MRT past Pat Phong to the Bangkok Christian Hospital is almost blocked with street vendors and should be cleared both day and night

[Friendly Stranger]

I see what your saying,but soon Thailand won't be Thailand any more.

I'm not an old hand, coming here since 2002, but this "won't be Thailand" talk is a little much.

[Friendly Stranger]

simple, pull them down and cart them all off. They dont own the sidewalks but expect everyone to dodge all their sh*t, time for the police/govt to get tough and enforce the rules for once. This is why nothing ever gets done here, everyone knows no one will enforce the rules, as soon as they do people will realize they cannot simply do as they please. Send in the troops/police and just start removing them, any that refuse, lock them up or issue big fines.

As much as I like the markets, the fact that they roof them so low you have to walk through them bent over or you keep hitting your head or you simply have to walk down the road and dodge cars/bikes to avoid the crush is simply bullsh*t, of a night it is fine but during the day they are just too much.

Or make a nice fee for using the sidewalks. So for all the hassle some funds come in.

Don't they already pay a fee to the business they're in front of or to the, ahhm, cop on the beat. Not condoning what they do but just responding.

[NCC1701A]

get rid of these people... make Thailand just like the USA...

[cup-O-coffee]

How about just scrapping the ones on the footpath, and then the whiners can simply walk on by? At least these people are gainfully employed. If I am not there, then it does not bother me. If I am there and want to walk on by, then this should be made possible. If I want to browse and enter into the chaos, then I should also have that choice. There is no middle way here. The poor have no other means to eek out a living. Scrapping the whole lot of these stalls and turning the people aweay will only add to the compounding problems. It's like sucking on a bottle to get the air out. The better way is to pour water into the bottle and save your lips. Provide an alternative for these people, or prepare for the long term backlash on society.

[Bluespunk]

People need to bend A little.People always want countries to act like the country where the farang came from.I think we farangs should have no problems the way Thai's live.Thailand didn't come to us.We came to Thailand.

It's illegal according to Thai law. It's Thais enforcing the law.

[Bkungbank]

The only Amazing Thailand where pedestrian need to walk on road where is very dangarous way to avoid big buses.

We respect make a living but who respect pedestrian rights?

They should allocate soi like patpong where it doesn't affect anybody and leave the pedestrian clean and clear back to us.

[shaurene]

simple, pull them down and cart them all off. They dont own the sidewalks but expect everyone to dodge all their sh*t, time for the police/govt to get tough and enforce the rules for once. This is why nothing ever gets done here, everyone knows no one will enforce the rules, as soon as they do people wseaill realize they cannot simply do as they please. Send in the troops/police and just start removing them, any that refuse, lock them up or issue big fines.

As much as I like the markets, the fact that they roof them so low you have to walk through them bent over or you keep hitting your head or you simply have to walk down the road and dodge cars/bikes to avoid the crush is simply bullsh*t, of a night it is fine but during the day they are just too much.

I think the night time is a good % of the day to open.

[howzat]

Ha Ha Bangkok is 4th world. Nearly got knocked over by a cop on a motor cycle riding on the pavement.

Better to be in a cosmopolitan city like Bangkok where anything goes than in a sterile country like Singapore where it is illegal to chew gum.

What do you think?

[shrimpythailand]

yes they give some "charm" to say lower Sukumvit....ar ar ar i don't live downtown but trying to walk on the what is left of the sidewalk is a pain... single file as everyone walks by the stalls - and try not to get something poked in your eye as you do.... and does anyone really buy much of the stuff? and now with lots of less "tourists" ... yes I guess it is a mandatory walk by for real tourists and yes they do need to make money... oh well... they must pay some big "rent" money every month as well to the police or the shop owners they are setting up in front of as well for all the electric they use...but also clean sidewalks and it just wouldn't be Bangkok anymore...maybe Chatuchak 2 is required right downtown somewhere? 5 5 5

[shrimpythailand]

get rid of these people... make Thailand just like the USA...

Palllleeeaasseee... hope this was a sarcatic joke? gawd...

[Thaiready]

How about old rules hurt people walking.....Forced to walk in the street while dodging idiot drivers

[daveAustin]

I see what your saying,but soon Thailand won't be Thailand any more.

Good. It could do with a makeover.