Thread: Angry vendors block traffic and padlock Bang Rak district office

Angry vendors this morning padlocked the Bang Rak district office and temporarily blocked the Nares road in a show of protest against a crackdown of vendors in front of Wat Hua Lampong.

Pol MajGen Adul Narongsak, deputy commissioner of metropolitan police bureau, Mr Wallop Suwandee, advisory chair of Bangkok governor and Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai, an advisor to the governor, led dozens of police and municipal police to evict and remove vendors’ stalls on the footpath in front of the temple after an end of the reprieve today.

Apparently, several vendors were reluctant to move out as ordered by the officials. About 30 of them then marched to Bang Rak district office which is just a stone’s throw away to padlock the office’s front gate to prevent officials and members of the public from getting in and out of the premise. Some of them temporarily blocked the traffic on Nares road in front of the district office before they were dispersed and threatened with legal action.

Mr Wallop said that the vendors had to be evicted after they were given a reprieve. The footpath in front of the temple has to be returned to the pedestrians as the vendors have occupied the space for a long time forcing many pedestrians to walk on the road.

Meanwhile, Pol Maj-Gen Wichai said that the City Hall would not talk with the vendors again after they were given long enough time to move to elsewhere. He also said that those who shut the district office would face charges of illegal detention and causing damage to properties.

Angry vendors block traffic and padlock Bang Rak district office - Thai PBS English News

Poor wittle children.

So much for the free, open, and competitive market.

About 30 of them then marched to Bang Rak district office which is just a stone’s throw away

Probably would have been more productive to throw stones then.

Originally Posted by thaimeme

So much for the free, open, and competitive market.

But it's not a competitive market when street vendors have an inexpensive or free place to do business while others have to pay more rent for a legitimate place to sell their wares. The lawbreakers are going to come out ahead every time.

Originally Posted by misskit

Originally Posted by thaimeme

So much for the free, open, and competitive market.

But it's not a competitive market when street vendors have an inexpensive or free place to do business while others have to pay more rent for a legitimate place to sell their wares. The lawbreakers are going to come out ahead every time.

+1 well said