BANGKOK, 15 February 2013 The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has announced a 234-million-baht plan to revamp Chatuchak (JJ) weekend market, with construction set to begin in March.
Deputy director for operations and Chatuchak market director Jaraspan Wacharothai said that after one year under the SRT’s management, the weekend market is set to undergo a landscaping renovation, with plans to improve pathways, sign posts and water management systems.
The first phase of the plan will commence in March with an initial investment of 114 million baht. Pathways will be retiled and new signs will be erected in a bid to facilitate Thai and foreign visitors. The construction is scheduled to conclude in September.
Another renovation project is poised to kick start in October, focusing on improving draining systems and roofing.
Mr Jaraspan added that the market generates over 38 million baht in revenue per month for the SRT, compared to the market’s annual revenue of 20 million baht when it was under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. He further hinted that a rent hike for trading stalls is being considered by the SRT but details have not been finalized.
