Transfer completes but questions remain over buildings and stalls

A joint committee was set to discuss what to do with the buildings and stalls built by the BMA.

Following three hours of talks, Chatuchak Market executives and SRT officials hosted a press conference Monday afternoon. 

SRT deputy governor Prasert Atthanant confirmed that the BMA had transferred the market to SRT but said no conclusion had been reached on the BMA properties and the joint committee would continue its negotiations at a later date. “The joint committee, which will meet in 12 days, will determine if the BMA properties will be demolished or if we will buy them from the BMA. If SRT ascertains that the buildings are still usable, we will assess the price and buy them. We will mainly take into consideration the benefit of the majority,” he said, adding that the issue wouldn’t affect market activities nor would it lead to the market closure, as this was only a management transition. He also said that SRT had hired two private companies to take care of security within the market compound and cleaning of the market. 

Market director Arun Sricharoon said all buildings on the land, such as the administration building and 8,000 stalls, belonged to BMA so it was BMA’s job to take care of them but was unable to answer if SRT would rent them or otherwise, pending negotiations.