Unsanctioned Vendors in the Khlong Thom Market Protest Eviction

[Jacob Maslow]

Khlong Thom Market evictions began today with vendors refusing to leave and protesting. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is helping vendors relocate.

Announced in December, all unauthorized merchants setting up shop in the Khlong Thom Market were told that they would be removed on March 2^nd. Many of the sidewalk merchants did not take the claims by city officials seriously.

Improving traffic and city congestion is the goal of removing the vendors, states the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

Police and soldiers were dispatched to the market to clear out any vendors that were unauthorized. Groups of vendors were seen resisting removal and protesting. Vendors have stressed concerns that they will not be able to maintain their livelihoods without being allowed to sell their goods in the market.

Earlier announcements stated that there were 600 police and soldiers deployed to the area to remove the vendors.

The new rules have been tailored to these concerns. The city has stated that they plan to create new streets where vendors can sell their goods at specific times. Vendors have stated that the new streets did not have nearly enough foot traffic as Khlong Thom. Rent concerns were also stated as prices are much higher than in the famous market.

There have been six walking streets opened to the vendors. Each street will have its own emphasis to allow for vendors to compete with each other. The streets will allow vendors in the following categories: organic products, factory products, restaurants, OTOP merchandise, manufactured goods, and one for community merchandise.

Vendors are allowed to suggest new walking streets that they believe will provide optimal walking traffic. Many suggestions have been denied by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration due to the suggested stress falling under the Express Authority of Thailand’s control.

The nine streets that make up the market were home to 2,000 – 3,000 vendors. Relocating all of these vendors is the responsibility of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and will take some time, states the administration.

-- 2015-03-03

[BKKdreaming]

anyone have the list and location of these streets ?

[NeverSure]

I'm not sure. I was thinking maybe along the Khlong Thom Center, maybe some of those streets like soi choakhamrop since it's named Khlong Thom Market?

[monkeycountry]

"Vendors have stated that the new streets did not have nearly enough foot traffic as Khlong Thom"

In other words, the current streets have plenty of foot traffic, which the vendors have completely blocked with their illegal stalls. I bet not one vendor is concerned that all these pedestrians, many of whom probably live or work in the area, cannot use the footpaths for their intended purpose - to walk on.

Therefore there is no reason to worry about the vendors when they are kicked out. Goodbye and thank you BMA.

[The manic]

An unelected government using semi military thugs to beat and brutalise poor market vendors. Amazing Thailand.

[iReason]

"Vendors have stated that the new streets did not have nearly enough foot traffic as Khlong Thom."

Or, did it cross their simple minds that:

#1 There is more foot traffic because the arrogant sellers have blocked 9 streets to traffic?

#2 There is more foot traffic because people come there to shop?

"Rent concerns were also stated as prices are much higher than in the famous market."

Stop bitching. Party over.

Organise and move.

The same shoppers who enjoy your cheap junk will follow you.

[monkeycountry]

An unelected government using semi military thugs to beat and brutalise poor market vendors. Amazing Thailand.

Poor illegal vendors who block the streets for the people who have paid to live there and use the footpaths to walk on. The only amazing part is that the vendors managed to stay there as long as they did before getting kicked out. Try opening a shop on a random street in the west without a permit, and see how long it will take before the police shuts you down.

[dapperdan]

"Vendors have stated that the new streets did not have nearly enough foot traffic as Khlong Thom"

In other words, the current streets have plenty of foot traffic, which the vendors have completely blocked with their illegal stalls. I bet not one vendor is concerned that all these pedestrians, many of whom probably live or work in the area, cannot use the footpaths for their intended purpose - to walk on.

Therefore there is no reason to worry about the vendors when they are kicked out. Goodbye and thank you BMA.

The only reason anyone would walk there is to buy from the vendors, especially Sunday. People take buses from all over BKK to shop there for good deals. It's a Thai thing and I rarely see a Falang. The dictators want to throw the baby out with the bath water.

[monkeycountry]

"Vendors have stated that the new streets did not have nearly enough foot traffic as Khlong Thom"

In other words, the current streets have plenty of foot traffic, which the vendors have completely blocked with their illegal stalls. I bet not one vendor is concerned that all these pedestrians, many of whom probably live or work in the area, cannot use the footpaths for their intended purpose - to walk on.

Therefore there is no reason to worry about the vendors when they are kicked out. Goodbye and thank you BMA.

The only reason anyone would walk there is to buy from the vendors, especially Sunday. People take buses from all over BKK to shop there for good deals. It's a Thai thing and I rarely see a Falang. The dictators want to throw the baby out with the bath water.

You may be right, I would not know, but If the only people who walk there are those who come to shop, and they take busses from all over Bangkok to get there, then it makes no sense for the vendors to issue the above complaint: "Vendors have stated that the new streets did not have nearly enough foot traffic as Khlong Thom".

[ldiablo]

Poor vendors who probably don't pay any taxes towards the country, upset and protesting because people who do pay taxes to the country are fed up with not being able to use a city owned piece of property.

[BKKdreaming]

Somehow I read it that these new streets for selling were not in the Khlong Thom area,

But if they are going to continue this all around BKK and the rest of Thailand they are going to have a BIG job,

Edited March 3, 2015 by BKKdreaming