Control of Chatuchak market passes to SRT
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The Cabinet on Tuesday ended the row between Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the State Railway of Thailand over the rights to operate the country's most famous weekend market, Chatuchak.
Deputy Transport Minister Chad Kuladilok noted that the Cabinet had passed a resolution to return the market to SRT, the actual landowner, and acknowledged that the state agency would set up a subsidiary to operate the 68-rai market.
“The Transport Ministry will call for a meeting with the Finance Ministry, the National Economic and Social Development Board and the State Enterprise Policy Committee to finalise the capital that the new subsidiary will require. The decision will then be re-submitted to the Cabinet,” Chad said.
Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra has been adamant that the market would remain under Bangkok’s control, even though the lease would expire on January 2.
Chad said that the SRT would discuss with BMA the return of the land on January 2.
The state agency would also negotiate with vendors over the rents, which must be reasonable for both sides, he said, admitting that the SRT needs to operate the market efficiently due to huge debts.
During the first two months of next year while negotiations are going on, rents will be waived for all vendors.
