About 440 police officers took to the footpaths of Silom Road on Saturday to enforce a new ban on daytime vending.
No more view like this during daytime if authorities have their way. (File photo by Julladit Onlamun)
Starting from Saturday, small vendors will be able to sell their wares only from 7pm to 2am daily. They must take down their stalls during daylight hours.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials said they had found new spots for 244 of the 286 targeted stalls along the road, while vendors at another 60 stalls had agreed to sell only at night.
The footpaths of Silom Road, a major business and commercial artery, for years have been almost impossible for pedestrians to navigate because of the presence of so many vendors.
Authorities said police would strictly enforce the law against any vendors who violate the new agreement and attempt to set up stalls on the footpaths.
In the future, after everything is in order, Silom will be turned into a walking street, along with other spots in Bangkok, said Pol Maj Gen Vichai Sangprapai, an adviser to the Bangkok governor.
To date, BMA officials say they have restored order in nine of the 13 designated areas in the capital.
"We believe vendors and pedestrians will be able to adjust to the new order in a month," said Pol Maj Gen Vichai.