BANGKOK – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) estimates that the relocation of street hawkers out of the Thon Buri side of the capital will be completed by September.
According to Mr Wallop Suwandee, Chief Advisor to the Bangkok Governor, the policy to reclaim sidewalks from vendors has so far been implemented in seven areas under the jurisdiction of four districts on the west side of the Chao Phraya River. The operation is scheduled to continue in nine more areas on August 1. The nine areas include Nakhon Luang Market, Bang Khun Si Market, Wat Amarinthararam, the Law Execution Department and Khlong Khwang Intersection.
Mr Wallop made known that there are altogether 177 spots in the Thon Buri area in need of reorganization. After negotiations with the affected vendors, the BMA has agreed to extend the deadline for them to move out to August 31. Therefore, it is expected that, by September, all main roads on the Thon Buri side will be completely free of illegal occupation.
As for the Phra Nakhon side, land plots have been rented out to the BMA by the State Railway of Thailand and the Expressway Authority of Thailand in order to accommodate street hawkers who were previously relocated from several areas, such as Pratunam, Siam Square, Silom and the Victory Monument.
