Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn
warns vendors that new regulations are coming and tells them to relocate their
shops inside.
Warunya Thongrod
Pattaya plans to crack down on vendors at Naklua’s Lan Po Market in an effort to
ease congestion and improve food hygiene.
Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn announced the “re-regulation” of the busy
market following long-running complaints about vendors putting up stands in
parking lots and on sidewalks in violation of market rules. Currently, Pattaya
only collects taxes and rental fees from merchants working inside the market
building.
While the outside vendors essentially are operating illegally, without permit,
Wutisak admitted it would be nearly impossible for the city to forbid them from
selling, as they’ve been doing it for so long. So, instead, the city plans to
move as many as possible inside and set up regulated areas outside where they
don’t clog paths for cars and pedestrians. Whether or not the city plans to
collect fees from the outside vendors wasn’t announced.
Wutisak said the current situation, which sees vendors surrounding the main
building and clock tower, blocking the front entrance and motorbike parking
areas in back is untenable.
Visiting the market, the deputy mayor said he warned vendors that new
regulations were coming and told them to relocate their shops inside.
“Initially, shops that have moved onto the public land should move back, while
shops at the clock tower will have to move to the same place,” he said. “Vendors
have even placed chairs and tables on the footpaths, causing more difficulties
for people. We have already informed the vendors to remove their shops within
seven days.”
Grilled-meat vendor Rinna Raksarasadorn, who admitted she was guilty of putting
tables and chairs on the sidewalk, said she agrees with the city’s move to clean
up the market.
“If tourists face difficulties, they will not want to come here to purchase
food. If regulation benefits tourists, we are more than happy to comply,” she
said.
