BMA moves in to evict Mahakan Fort dwellers
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The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) entered into negotiations with residents as it launched its operation to evict the Mahakan Fort community on Saturday morning.
Around 250 officials took part in the operation, including BMA "Tesakij" law enforcement officers, police from nearby stations and soldiers.
However, the besieged ancient community remained defiant and blocked the entrance to prevent officials from entering the area.
The BMA plans to turn the area into a public park to conserve the heritage fort and use the land for other public purposes.
Earlier, there were 56 households living in the Mahakan Fort but owners of only 12 houses have moved out so the BMA is scheduled to demolish their houses today. The remaining 44 house owners vowed to stay put.
