Prawet vendors complain after court evicts them

Five hundred vendors at five controversial markets in Bangkok’s Prawet district have moved to a new location after a court ordered their eviction.

But vendors are complaining that business at the new spot near the Seri Villa Housing Estate is slow.

The eviction complied with a May 16 ruling by the Central Administrative Court which ordered the markets to be dismantled.

According to the ruling, the housing estate had long been designated for residential use only and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) “was wrong to permit the establishment of the markets there”.

The markets surrounded the home of two sisters — branded in the media as the “axe aunts” — who sued the BMA and market operators for breaking land use ordinances.

They had filed complaints against markets about pollution, noise and hygiene. Out of frustration, they attacked a pickup truck parked in their driveway in February with an axe and a metal pole.

Bangkok deputy governor Thaweesak Lertprapan, accompanied by local police, military officers and reporters, yesterday inspected the markets to ensure the vendors had moved on.

The deputy governor then proceeded to a new marketplace in front of Soi Srinakharin 53 in tambon Nong Bon of the district. Located 1km away from the old spot, the area has been provided by the BMA. Mr Thaweesak spent an hour talking to vendors about their business after they relocated.

About 300 vendors out of 500 reportedly decided to move to the new site. They have been there for about two weeks and found business to be slow because the new spot was less convenient.

Prawet district director Thanasit Metpunmuang said yesterday his office is trying to find ways to help the vendors.