A majority of the Mahakan Fort community again prevented an elderly resident from complying with City Hall's order to relocate to another district on Friday, amid emotional scenes as children were sent to plead their case to remain there.
Sixty-three year-old Amporn Sampao-ngern had planned to move out of the 233-year-old fort on historical Rattanakosin Island on Friday, and a dozen soldiers, policemen and officials of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) gathered there to help her move.
Again about 30 residents formed a human shield to block the officials' entrance to the community and prevent the elderly woman from moving parts of her house out of the community.
They said they would let her move her dismantled house out next Thursday, but she would have to do it herself as the community would not let BMA officials inside to help her.
They did not try to prevent her removing personal possessions or even furniture.
Mrs Amporn asked in vain that they allow her to have the house dismantled, as the demonstrators demanded she wait for the outcome of their negotiations with the government on whether they could remain inside the 5-rai fort grounds.
As the argument continued between Mrs Amporn and the other residents, about 30 reporters gathered around BMA chief adviser Wallop Suwandee seeking his comments, the demonstrating residents sent eight children, aged 6-7 years, over to beg him for the continued existence of their community.
The reporters ask the youngsters not to interrupt the interview, but to no avail. Mr Wallop was unaware of their approach, and one of the children stumbled as they reached him.
There were immediate claims the child had been hurt, but BMA officials insisted it was an accident.
The community, as a group, also prevented another family from voluntarily dismantling its two houses and leaving on Wednesday, refusing to allow BMA officials into the area to help it.
The BMA wants to turn the area into a public park. The residents insist they should stay and that they add atmosphere to the area. The old community is a tourist drawcard, well-ranked by many guidebooks and travel websites.
Mrs Amporn Sampao-ngern argues with her neighbours as they prevent her from moving her possessions out of the Mahakan Fort community on Friday. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)
Mahakan Fort and grounds. (photo by Jiraporn Kuhakan)