Food vendors have agreed to remove their stalls from Hua Hin beach to make way for local authorities to clean the area and enact new vending regulations.
The 22 food vendors have agreed to move under an eviction order imposed by the local authority, which intends to reclaim the beach in line with the junta's agenda to stamp out illegal encroachments on public beaches and forest reserves.
The vendors stand accused of encroaching on Hua Hin beach and of overcharging customers.
Last week, they petitioned the National Council for Peace and Order for help after being asked to remove makeshift stalls. But in a recent meeting with the local authority, the vendors agreed to move farther away from the beachfront.
Under the agreement, a 6-by-21-metre swathe of space would be set aside for the vendors to set up stalls to do their business.
Each operator must also leave a space of 2m between the stall and the beach to allow people to walk.
They were also required to prominently advertise their prices on display boards.
The vendors were busy demolishing their structures yesterday.
Pein Komulsilpa, 57, a food vendor, said she had hired 10 workers for 300 baht each day to pull down her stall and move her belongings into storage at her house in tambon Tuptai of Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Once all the stalls were removed, officials will demarcate the area for food selling.
Local officials said a pilot scheme for the vendors to lower food prices last weekend had received positive responses from tourists.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration yesterday gave permission to 34 vendors to sell on pavements at Bo Bae wholesale market during the daytime as part of an effort to clear space for pedestrians. Nearly 150 vendors drew lots for the permits.
Those not selected will be allowed to sell at night, said Wallop Suwannadee, chief adviser to the Bangkok governor.