The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday lodged a police complaint against vendors at the Ple market after they relocated next to the so-called "axe aunts" in the Seri Villa Housing Estate in Bangkok's Prawet district.
Prawet district director Thanasit said yesterday the district had laid a complaint with Prawet police against the vendors after they failed to comply with the Central Administrative Court's injunction against the markets surrounding the home of three sisters, of whom two attacked a pickup truck which was parked in their driveway in February with an axe and pole.
The three are Boonsri, Ratanachat and Ranee Saengyoktrakan.
Tessakit (city inspectors) were also stationed across from the house in surrounding areas to ensure the vendors move away. An inspection will be conducted today.
Mr Thanasit said about 70 vendors were reported to have operated at the Ple market, one of the five markets which were earlier dismantled in accordance with the court order on May 16.
The move came after one of the sisters living in the house yesterday posted photos of vendors at the market on the Facebook page Debbie Saengyoktrakan. Along with the photos was a message, "After the court issued the injunction, beside my home as you see. Today we start with this again ... in another two or three years ... don't want to imagine ... (sigh) despite orders from the court and the Bangkok governor."
Mr Thanasit said the district had received cooperation from vendors for the market's demolition after the injunction was issued.
The district at the time also told them that they were not allowed to operate their businesses in the disputed areas.
Ms Ratanachat said yesterday vendors have run their vending stalls since Thursday and their numbers had increased over the weekend, particularly at the Ple market next to her house.
She said the old problems were recurring as her house and several neighbours' were blocked by vehicles of customers at the market. Pavements were also obstructed by vendors' pickup trucks.
Ms Ratanachat said she was puzzled as the court declared that all commercial activities must be banned, but they ignored the court's order and operated their businesses as before.
"How will our society live when people don't respect the court and the law. If so, I have to stand up and fight," she said.
In February, Ms Boonsri and her sister used an axe and a metal pole to damage a pickup truck that was blocking their driveway.
The sisters live next door to one of the five markets, and complained they had been forced to put up with the frequent blocking of their driveway for years.
The court on May 16 ordered the dismantling of markets in the housing estate and awarded compensation to the sisters.