PUBLISHED: 24 Aug 2024 at 08: 35
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) is requesting payment of a debt of 672 million baht resulting from overdue leasing fees at Chatuchak Market from 2018 to 2022.
The union’s chairman, Sarawut Saranwong, told the media on Friday that the union had filed a petition with Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt on Thursday regarding the unpaid fees associated with Chatuchak Market’s use of State Railway of Thailand ( SRT ) land.
After the government approved in 2018 that the BMA may manage the business until 2028, Mr. Sarawut stated that the union is following up on the situation. The SRT is required to spend about 169 million baht in monthly rental fees, and the rent is subject to periodic review. Additionally, the government recommended that a contract be signed. The BMA has refused to do so, claiming particulars have not yet been discussed, Mr Sarawut said.
He added that the Office of the Attorney General has received the document commitment from the SRT for evaluation. But, the BMA also failed to sign it. The SRT next filed a civil complaint.
In June 2022, the Civil Court ruled that the BMA has paid late land use fees from Dec 1, 2018, to June 27, 2022, of about 672 million baht, through monthly instalments of about 14 million baht, starting from July 1, 2022 until the contract is signed. So, Mr. Sarawut asks the BMA to pay the fees and halt its appeal.
” If the problem remains unanswered, the SRT might have to repossess the property and handle the terrain itself”, Mr Sarawut said.
Torsak Chotimongkol, chief adviser to the Bangkok governor, said the BMA has been ready to negotiate and submitted ideas, such as debt restructuring and a rental price reduction, to find a solution. He continued,” It depends on how the SRT takes the presents,” adding that the BMA would continue to support the constitutional process even though the charm would be dropped.