The Samphanthawong district director has defended the weekend market held along the banks of the recently reclaimed Khlong Ong Ang last weekend, saying it was a one-time only event, requested by locals.
Photos of the event have been shared on social media and slammed by netizens, who said district officers had only just cleared traders from the public area and were now letting them back again to trade at the weekend market.
Manas Prachuapchinda, the district director, said he received a letter from a member of the public last week proposing a weekend night market. He approved it himself, but said future such requests would be sent to the BMA for a decision.
If approved, the market must also be arranged in line with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA) development plan, he said.
Mr Manas was commenting after Wanlop Suwandee, chief adviser to the Bangkok governor, had threatened to punish authorities if they fail to enforce the city's policy, including the push to keep traders out of public areas.
Mr Wanlop instructed the district offices to strictly enforce the law against traders after vending stalls were again found in several areas such as the Victory Monument, Ramkhamhaeng road, Khlong Thom and Saphan Lek markets. District officials including municipal officers who fail to perform their duties will face disciplinary action, he added, speaking after a meeting on the clean-up campaign with 50 directors at City Hall yesterday.
In bad news for the prospects of future markets, Mr Wanlop denied the BMA was proposing to allow vendors to occupy the banks of Khlong Ong Ang or the Saphan Lek market.
He said the BMA is attempting to reclaim roads and pavements from street vendors in several areas of the city.
Apart from the Pak Khlong Talat flower market in which vendors will be banned from the pavement on Feb 29, a clean-up campaign will be launched in Banglamphu, Pratunam, Siam Square, and areas under the Rama VII Bridge.
The BMA says more than 14,000 vendors have moved out of 39 public areas in 21 districts to new places provided by the city.