After razing an extension market that had occupied the footpath for almost 20 years, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) is renovating a walkway at Klong Toey Market on Rama IV Road.
The street-side business, known as Rim Khlong Hua Lamphong Market, or Talat Lao for little, has long existed in the area.
By April, the road repairs around the industry will be finished, giving one of the city’s oldest new markets a cleaner and more organized appearance.
The Lao Market has a route of over 100 meters that has been occupied by Bangkok’s government, Chadchart Sittipunt, since 2005.
Following complaints that pedestrians were forced to walk on the road and losing accidents, the BMA implemented a plan to eliminate all stalls from the area.
Additionally, vendors were accused of dumping their waste directly into the river, making it a dump site, and infuriating the canal’s health.
The area was initially designated as a transitory vendor zone, with almost 100 stalls selling food and supplies, with a focus on northeastern cuisine.
On Aug 30 2018, the Klong Toey District Office fully revoked the momentary merchant rights.
Sellers continued to set up road stalls until December of last year when the district office mobilized more than 100 officials, including Klong Toey and near stations ‘ police officers, to regain the area after several months of stall owners were given several times to leave.
Before the road was destroyed, sellers occupied the space inside the Lao Market.
Officials properly eradicated the business structures and cleared the area. While most sellers agreed to leave and go back to their communities, others moved their businesses to Klong Toey Market.
Somjet Kaewklay, the head of the area law enforcement part at Klong Toey District Office, stated,” This is the beginning of an effort to improve the environment around Klong Toey Market, which is one of the governor’s methods for regulating city stalls.”
The BMA wants to make the road along Ratchadaphisek Road, from Klong Toey Intersection to Na Ranong Intersection, more peaceful and transfer the room to pedestrians.
According to him,” We will improve not only the road along Rama IV Road but also all streets around Klong Toey Market,” adding that fresh cement walkways and wheelchair-accessible stairs will be installed in accordance with universal design concepts.
” All road repairs will be completed by the end of April”, he confirmed.
” This job has cost only a few million baht, but the rewards will be important. Klong Toey Market will have more appealing landscaping and yet roads. He added that there will be designated parking lots that won’t block transportation, making it easier for both consumers and pedestrians.
Chaturon Hundee, 57, welcomed the changes, noting that the market’s outside had formerly been repulsive. My parents frequently took me to Klong Toey Market during the Chinese New Year as a child. We had to buy large quantities of poultry, duck, and bacon because the costs were so cheap. However, walking round was hard, and the floor was usually wet and dirty. I’m pleased to see these modifications– at the very least, it will be easier for commuters like myself to slip through”, he said.
Wittaya Saejung, a meat merchant at Klong Toey Market for over 30 years, expressed help for the repairs, although he sympathised with the suppliers forced to relocate.
He also emphasized the need for designated supply truck driving spaces to reduce place traffic.
” If feasible, there should be federal officials overseeing neatness, especially now that so many international visitors visit the business”, he suggested.
Jakkapan Phiewngam, lieutenant governor of Bangkok, who oversees city merchant policies, said that the BMA has a plan to progressively eliminate temporary merchant zones, especially on commuter walkways, to maintain cleanliness and order in the town.
” Nearly 20 years ago, there were 683 designated places where 20, 771 sellers operated city booths. Afterwards, the Metropolitan Police Bureau requested the destruction of all of these areas. By 2010, the BMA had safely cancelled the lot, leaving only 61 places with 3, 723 sellers. Yet, despite restrictions, 9, 996 suppliers continued to set up booths unlawfully in 323 spots”, he noted.
He continued,” We will proceed to restore public sidewalks to keep our town orderly and clear, just like we have done in the Klong Toey Market.”