The eviction order, issued by a committee in charge of resolving encroachment issues, came into effect yesterday.
Restaurant owner Suwet Chanchanteuk said the 51 operators had agreed to demolish the eateries, and so far, 20 of them had been partially torn down. Asking for a two-month extension on the deadline, the group is also asking for new premises, possibly at 315 rai (50.5-hectare) of Army-owned land 3 kilometres away on Mitraparap Highway.