BANGKOK, 26 March 2015 – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will be keeping illegal street vendors off Silom road during Songkran Festival this year.
Accompanied by police officers, city rangers, Bangrak district officials and officers from the 3rd cavalry squadron, Dr. Wallop Suwandee, an advisor to Bangkok Governor, yesterday traveled to Silom road to promote the legal use of public space.
According to Dr. Wallop, street hawkers have in the past breached the law by selling alcoholic drinks and festival items on the footpath of Silom Road during the Songkran festival without permission. The widespread sales of alcohol on the road last year also led to brawls and other forms of violence.
Some public spaces were also illegally rented out to small vendors during the festival without them knowing who the area really belonged to. The road was so littered with so much trash after the festival ended that the BMA had to employ a large number of people to clean up the road, the advisor said.
Police officers will be deployed to maintain law and order during this year’s festival, held between April 12 to 14. Vendors who wish to use the space for commercial purposes are required to register, at no charge whatsoever, at Bangrak District Office.
Under the regulations, the sales of alcoholic beverages and powder will be banned during the festival period. Vendors will only be allowed to sell their goods from 1 pm to 9 pm.
