Don't put up the rent, keep prices low, vendors say
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As management of Chatuchak Weekend Market was being transferred from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), vendors told The Nation their wishes and many concerns about the change.
“I want the new administrators not to increase rental fees, so we can sell our goods cheaply as we have done for a long time. We want to keep the market’s identity – offering goods at reasonable prices,” said Ngamta Chobchai, 53, vendor at a men’s shorts stall. She voiced concern about her needs after the State Rail body was allowed to take over running the market.
“Chatuchak Market is well known around the world, since there are various goods with reasonable prices. If the rent increases, prices of goods here will be more expensive and the market’s uniqueness will fade,” said Ngamta who has traded there for 14 years.
She has already lodged a bid with the BMA to sell at the stall, paying Bt5,000 for January, so she was worried about whether the council would return her money. There had been no official announcement of new regulations, so many vendors expressed the same concern.
The owner of “Pure Shop”, selling miniature items and clay flowers, said she didn’t know how long the SRT would allow her to sell here. Before, BMA contracts allow her to sell her wares there for 30 years.
“The SRT will hire a private company for market management. If this causes a price hike, buyers will be affected and the number of customers will drop. I want the SRT to allow the selling period for at least 20 years,” she said.
“I want the SRT to keep the market like it has been for decades,” she said.
Somsuk Wikhalin, 66, a sales person at “Sense Ceramics and Aromatic” shop, said was anxious about cleanness and security. “I want the SRT to provide a clean and secure environment like the BMA did. BMA had security staff looking after all shops here,” she said. “Unclear administration guidelines and regulations of the SRT make me feel uncomfortable.”
Bussakorn Ngamthamsiri, 30, owner of a shoe shop for men, said she didn’t want State Rail to change the rent contract because the current Bt600 fee per week was fair for her.
Meanwhile, customer Somporn Moolkasem, 19, said she loved shopping at the market because there were various goods and shops, and the prices were so cheap. She wanted State Rail to expand the market carpark and keep prices low.
Chatuchak is still crowded with Thai and foreign shoppers. Indeed, more stalls have been set up on the market’s main street.
