Traders at Chalerm Larp market in Pratunam area have gathered to block the demolition of the market on Monday, saying their dispute with the landlord, the Crown Property Bureau, is not yet finalised.
The traders gathered in front of the market on Ratchaprarop Road on Monday morning, causing traffic congestion that tailed back to surrounding areas.
Police, soldiers and representatives of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration were helping control the situation.
It was finally agreed that the Crown Property Bureau will postpone the demolition, which was earlier scheduled for today.
When the bureau’s workers arrived at the market, traders refused to allow them to put up a fence and demanded negotiations to extend the time for them to move out.
The lease on the 7 rai of land occupied by the market expired in 2014. The bureau has been negotiating with traders to get the land back. However, there are still 154 families living in the area. They have filed court cases which are still pending.
The traders said they will not move out until the last court case has been settled, according to a Phaya Thai police officer who mediated the negotiations on Monday morning.
The two sides will hold further negotiations.
