Street vendors 'here to stay': BMA
published : 24 Sep 2020 at 09:34
writer: Gary Boyle
ORIGINAL SOURCE/WRITER: Supoj Wancharoen
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) insists major street vendor sites on Yaowarat Road and Khao San Road will be allowed to stay.
"City Hall will not wipe out all street vendors," deputy Bangkok governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul said.
"Major street vending spots in Yaowarat Road and Khao San Road will remain as they are -- unique and highly significant for tourism and community identity."
Mr Sakoltee held a press conference yesterday to allay concerns of street vendors following a cabinet decision on Tuesday.
The cabinet approved a BMA proposal to regulate street vendors.
City Hall proposed to conduct three phases of street vendor regulation over three years.
For the first six months, the BMA will order all 50 districts to cancel street vendor sites and provide alternative spaces, likely to be state plots, and will stop collecting rental space fees.
For the second phase, the BMA will decide on the location of new trading areas in 50 districts. For the final phase, the BMA will revise laws on public health and the environment to manage street vendors.
The BMA has already approved three new permitted areas in Bang Khunthian, Phaya Thai, and Prawet districts which will be opened next month.
City Hall is considering opening new street vendor sites in Chatuchak, Klong Toey and Bang Kho Laem districts.
"So, street vendors who have lost space in the cancelled areas can move to the new market spaces without paying rental fees," Mr Sakoltee said, explaining the move.
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Vocabulary
- allay: to make some feel less of something, like worry, fear or doubt - ขจัดความสงสัย ขจัดความกังวล
- cabinet: the group of government ministers who make and approve government policy - คณะรัฐมนตรี
- governor: a person who is chosen to be in charge of the government of a state or province or a government agency - ผู้ว่าการรัฐ, ผู้ว่าราชการจังหวัด
- law (noun): a rule that deals with a particular crime, agreement, etc. - กฎหมาย, ระเบียบ, กฎข้อบังคับ
- regulate: to control an activity officially - ควบคุม
- significant: important - สำคัญ
- site: a place where something happened - ที่เกิดเหตุ
- unique: very special, unusual or good - ที่มีลักษณะพิเศษ เป็นเอกลักษณ์
- vendor: someone who sells something, but often not in a shop - พ่อค้าแม่ค้าแผงลอย
- wipe out: to get rid of or kill off something completely - กำจัดให้หมดไป