Crackdown on Khao San sidewalk vendors starts August 1
Bangkok city hall on August 1 will begin a crackdown on vendors encroaching on sidewalks in the Khao San Road tourist destination, says the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration deputy-governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul.
The action results from complaints of vendors blocking sidewalks of Khao San Road, Ram Buttree Road, Sib Sam Hang Road, Tanao Road and the alleys connecting to Khao San, requiring pedestrians to walk on the roads.
While acknowledging that the atmosphere of Khao San Road has made it a famous tourist destination, Sakoltee said order must restored.
He said vendors now begin occupying the Kaho San sidewalks at dusk, completely covering the sidewalks and forcing pedestrians to risk their safety by walking among the road traffic.
The BMA also found that the main culprit in the sidwalk encroachment are the store owners whose shops border the sidewalks, and who have expanded their shops onto the sidewalk at night.
“This act is taking advantage of the public,” Sakoltee said.
He led BMA executives to inspect the area two weeks ago and the they had agreed in a subsequent meeting to start the crackdowns at the beginning of the next month.
Sakoltee said the Phra Nakhon district office has been instructed to inform shop operators on Khao San Road to stop encroaching the sidewalks, as the city administration will start strictly enforcing the law next month.