Khlong Thom market, known for its sales of cheap electronics products on the streets, has emerged as the next target in City Hall's pavements cleanup campaign.
Speaking after an inspection of the Khlong Thom area, the Bangkok governor's chief adviser Wanlop Suwandee said thousands of street vendors have blocked both the pavements and the road.
He said the operation will ban vendors in Khlong Thom around the clock, affecting over 2,000 street merchants. All illegal structures and shop displays will be demolished in an effort to ease traffic congestion.
Vendors will be allowed to sell in the area until Dec 31, Mr Wanlop said. After that, he suggested they move to the old southern bus terminal, Sanam Luang 2 or Chatuchak 2 markets.
He said vendors have taken over two and in some cases three lanes of the roads around the market — including Luang, Worachak, Charoen Krung, Sua Pa and Phlapphla Chai roads — which has caused a traffic bottleneck.
Traffic isn't the only reason for the measures. Mr Wanlop said Khlong Thom has become a black market for illegal products backed by mafia bosses.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) adviser Vichai Sangparpai said the BMA will send the names of the mafia figures to the military as it attempts to shut down the market.
Mr Vichai said the BMA regularly receives complaints about the vendors blocking the area, adding it has been difficult for residents to gain access to their own houses and for patients getting to the nearby Klang Hospital. "It would be dangerous if a fire breaks out in the area," he said.
Khlong Thom will be the largest area to undergo the cleanup, which has also targeted Nana and other areas. The BMA says Sukhumvit Soi 3 up to Bang Na Intersection are next.