BMA gears up for five new ‘walking streets’
City Hall is preparing five areas in the capital to host new “walking streets”.
Speaking at City Hall yesterday, Vallop Suwandee, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) chief adviser, said the five areas included Chaeng Watthana Soi 5, under Rama IX Bridge, Bang Khunnon Road, and Ramkhamhaeng Soi 24. The last spot will be either Khao San or Yaowarat roads.
The exact location and time and days have not yet been decided but they will likely be held between Fridays and Sundays, he said, and will not all be on the same day.
The chief adviser said the additional five streets would follow t he successful walking street events held on Silom Road on Sundays since Dec 16.
The concept of the walking streets will be similar to the pilot project which allow street vendors to set up their stalls at certain times during the week, Mr Vallop said.
The project aims to boost spending and help find space for street vendors who have been evicted by the BMA campaign, backed by the military government, to reclaim city footpaths and public areas.
BMA adviser Vichai Sangparpai said cultural perspective will be added to the walking streets in the five areas. Cultural performances will be staged and products sold will have to be from that area only.
Mr Vichai said the walking streets project will get going next month.
Mr Vallop and Mr Vichai inspected pavements along Sukhumvit Road from Ploenchit to Bang Na yesterday, as a part of a clean-up campaign. The inspection covered Klong Toey, Watthana, Phra Khanong and Bang Na districts.
After the inspection, Mr Vallop said a large number of vendors and building owners between Asok and Phra Khanong intersections were still ignoring the BMA’s order to remove all illegal structures, including canopies and drainage pipes, from pavements.
Landlords and vendors will have another 15 days, starting today, to comply, he said.
The next spot will be the market in front of Manangkasila Mansion, after the Supreme Administrative Court ruled on Jan 9 in favour of City Hall to cancel a temporary permit. Vendors who had been temporarily allowed to trade in the area have refused to move despite several efforts by the BMA to reclaim the pavements.