The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday stood firm over its edict that all vendors at JJ Green Market must relocate immediately despite their plea for one more month to operate.
City Hall's stance came after a meeting with representatives of vendors from "Green Vintage" who wanted to use the area until Oct 12 which is when they said their lease agreements ended.
Chak Kanchanakat, the vendors' representative, led some 100 vendors to lodge a petition with Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang and held talks with the governor's representatives.
According to Mr Chak, his group used an open-air area to do businesses and leased the space from a third party. Most of them had been moved there as part of City Hall's campaign to reclaim the pavements from vendors.
He insisted they were told their leases would expire on Oct 12 and asked for more time or even just a few extra days.
"Is it possible to allow the vendors to sell and clear their stock? We don't object to the relocation," he said.
A vendor identified only as Tor said he was relocated to JJ Green from Siam Square and is now in trouble following the latest relocation order.
He said JJ Green Market had become well-known because of these vendors but now they were being forced to find new venues.
However, Pol Maj Gen Phanurat Meepian, adviser to the governor, insisted the vendors were given one month's notice to relocate after the lease agreement expired on Aug 12.
He said that City Hall did not want the land back for commercial development but that it must be handed over to the Queen Sirikit Park Foundation for the Utthayan Suan Chatuchak project.
Supakorn Veerasuvipakorn, a BMA official, said officers have been deployed at JJ Green Market around-the-clock to step up security after the deadline to move out expired on Wednesday.
He said vendors are must register with the BMA before Sunday to enter the area to remove their belongings.
Kriangpol Phattanarat, the governor's secretary, said he will forward the vendors' petition to the governor but asked the vendors to comply with the BMA's instructions first.
