The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) began dismantling about 110 stalls today (Monday), illegally located on pavements alongside the Phadung Krung Kasem Canal. They are being removed as part of the BMA’s plan to reclaim the pavement for pedestrians and to beautify the landscape along the canal.

The demolition work is being jointly undertaken by the Bureau of Public Works, the Pom Prap Sattru Phai district office and two other adjoining districts, under the supervision of Deputy Bangkok Governor Jakkapan Piwngarm.

The deputy governor said that most of the 110 vendors on the pavement erect their stalls in the morning and remove them in the evening, but there are 32 vendors who have built permanent or semi-permanent structures, prompting the city’s administration to demolish all structures.

He said, however, that most vendors are being cooperative, after city officials explained the city’s reasoning, which is that vendors can carry on with their business so long as they do not infringe on the right of pedestrians to use the pavements safely.

He insists that the demolition work will not affect vendors in Bobae Market.

There were 791 pavements illegally occupied by vendors last year, but that was reduced to 692 this year after the BMA relocated about 2,000 vendors.

Alternative trading sites have been arranged in the Phadung Krung Kasem Canal area, with the help of Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Pathumwan and Dusit district offices.

The deputy governor admitted that the BMA had to cancel its plan to relocate vendors from some pavements, because some have refused to leave as the new locations proposed are not popular with shoppers.

He did, however, gave credit for the smooth progress of the demolition work along the canal to the district chief officer of Pom Prap Sattru Phai district office and his good relationship with the vendors.