Chatuchak could operate on weekdays : SRT boss
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Yutthana Thapcharoen yesterday hinted at the possibility of opening the Chatuchak Market during weekdays too.
His words reflected SRT attempt to reap a lump sum of money from this worldfamous market.
Throughout its history, the Chatuchak Market has been open on weekends only. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), which founded the market, has managed the place that way for a few decades. However, BMA is going to lose the management power from January 2 after it refused to honour SRT latest demand of Bt420million in annual rent fee for the plot on which the market is located.
Yutthana said vendors would soon be invited to discussions on the new rent fees and marketdevelopment guidelines.
“We will take necessary actions relating to stalls operating illegally in the periphery of the market. We will ensure customers can get into the market conveniently,” he said.
During yesterday’s parliamentary session, Democrat MP Attawit Suwanpakdee filed an impromptu question for Transport Minister ACM Sukampol Suwannathat to answer over the SRT move to take over the management of the Chatuchak Market.
“The law allows SRT to set up a company for railway services or related businesses only. I don’t think SRT will be able to manage the Chatuchak Market,” Attawit said.
Sukampol, so far, expressed confidence that the SRT would be able to establish a company to manage its assets.
Chusak Khorruamklang, who heads the SRT projectdevelopmentandanalysis unit 1, also separately told a House committee that the SRT planned to set up a company to manage the Chatuchak Market.
However, as the establishment will not take place early next year, the SRT was preparing to hire a private company to take charge of the Chatuchak Market’s management during the 2012, he said.
Representing Yutthana, Chusak revealed the plan in front of the House committee on constitutional bodies, state enterprises, public organisations and funds.
“We know our management plan is still flawed but we are preparing to study Chulalongkorn University’s management of Siam Square,” he said.
Chaired by Democrat MP Shane Thaugsuban, the House committee expressed concerns about the apparent lack of preparation on the SRT part to efficiently manage the Chatuchak Market.
The House is planning to summon the SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharern to provide explanation himself.
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