Sidewalk vending problem on Silom road resolved, but Klong Thom remains unsolved

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Sidewalk vending problem on Silom road resolved, but Klong Thom remains unsolved



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday reached agreement with sidewalk vendors along Silom road in its plan to reorganise sidewalk vending and store displays on this busy financial and commercial street in the heart of the capital.

However its attempt to evict vendors at Klong Thom sidewalk market failed as vendors claimed the new place arranged or them to sell is far away as has no customers.

Night sidewalk or footpath vendors on Silom area gathered at the Hua Lampong school’s meeting hall yesterday after vendors heard rumours that the BMA would prohibit all kinds of vendors on Silom road. They then came to demand clarification from those responsible.

The problem arose due to misled information from an unwanted group, though BMA said the clarification with the vendors had gone well.

BMA officials said they asked the usual vendors to refrain from selling on the footpaths along Silom road only on Sunday to prevent the area from being overly crowded, as the administration has planned to organise a walking street on the road.

However, BMA officials said they would allow the vendors to register for a draw for a space on the walking street to sell their products and would allow them to open their shops longer on Monday.

But another meeting with more than 200 sidewalk vendors failed as they gathered at the Bangkok City Hall to ask about the real intention behind the change, complaining that the new location provided for them at the Bangkok’s New Southern Bus Terminal is not suitable, as there is less customers there.

They pleaded that they would be allowed to carry on their businesses at Klong Thom.

BMA, nonetheless, remained firm with its decision that the sidewalk vending and store displays at Klong Thom would be permitted to operate until the end of February only, stressing that the new location is the best possible place for their businesses.

Advisor to the Bangkok governor, Pol Maj Gen Vichai Sangpraphai said he was certain that these sidewalk vendors do not want to leave the area because they had interests in the areas.

He said there are so many problems in Klong Thom, so many robberies.

“Not to mention national security could be breached, we have lots of people from outside the country opening businesses here; Myanmar, Laotians, Cambodians, and Chinese. Besides, those living in the area have been complaining about being uncomfortable for more than a decade” he said.

There was no agreement reached although the BMA planned another meeting with more than three thousand vendors in Klong Thom area for a discussion today at the Pomprab district office to find the best way out of the situation.

(Photo : ThaiPBS File)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/sidewalk-vending-problem-silom-road-resolved-klong-thom-remains-unsolved


-- Thai PBS 2015-01-27

[Always18]

"Not to mention National Security could be breached........................."

Laughable - only in Thailand could foreign street vendors be described as a threat to National Security!

[BKKdreaming]

sending those Klong Thom sellers to BKK Siberia is a joke

the customers go to the street market , then the other stores and then to eat ,

they are not going to do that at a far away bus station