PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN
200 retailers protest Makro store building
CHAIWAT SATYAEM

About 200 retailers from Prachuap Khiri Khan province protested at the provincial hall against the construction of a Makro cash-and-carry store yesterday morning. Protesters say the opening of the store by Siam Makro Plc will push their shops out of business.

The protesters, led by Sorasak Limkiatchoedchoo, were from Hua Hin and Pran Buri districts and Sam Roi Yot sub-district.

They demanded that Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor Prasong Pithoonkijja order the suspension of the store's construction and check if Siam Makro properly sought permission for the construction from relevant authorities.

Deputy Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor Sanit Bunkorsakul yesterday listened to the demands of protesters' representatives and promised to help.

The protesters demanded the province act on their demands by Aug 20, saying they will mobilise a mass rally if it does not.Yesterday's protest coincided with a rally near Government House by groups of people from several provinces against superstores.

Meanwhile, a marketing executive for Tesco Lotus, which runs several hypermarkets in the South, claimed his company's stores have been well-received in the region.

Kawin Santhakul, director and president for marketing of Tesco Lotus, said the company has hypermarkets in Surat Thani's Muang district and Koh Samui, Phuket, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla's Hat Yai district and Trang province.

Surveys in Phatthalung and Krabi found most residents in the two provinces wanted Tesco Lotus to open stores there.

The company has already secured land plots for new stores in the two provinces and is seeking permission from relevant authorities for construction, said Mr Kawin.

Bangkok Post