BMA plays down dispute over green market closure

Vendors at Jatujak Green Night Market, the nocturnal offshoot of Chatuchak Weekend Market, prepare to leave as their lease's are up. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Thursday played down reports about JJ Green Market vendors refusing to move out by the Sept 12 deadline.

Deputy Bangkok governor Chakkaphan Phewngam said City Hall is in talks with vendors over the dismantling of structures, while insisting they are no longer allowed to use the area.

He was reacting to reports that the vendors refused to take down the structures even though they were required to remove their belongings and clear the area by Wednesday.

The lease agreement between the BMA and the vendors ended on Aug 12 and the vendors had one month to clear out. The BMA has to hand the land back to the Queen Sirikit Foundation, he said.

"They are in talks about removing the structures. The vendors can no longer do business because the contracts have not been renewed," he said.

It was reported that several structures at the market remained intact and many make-shift stalls were left and appeared ready for use.

A vendor, who asked not to be named, said several vendors were told by their agents that the market would be closed on Oct 12 and they were looking for new venues.

She said business at JJ Green Market had been quiet for weeks after the BMA announcement about the closure as many thought it had already closed.

A BMA source, who asked not to be named, said the area must be returned to the foundation within two months so that the Environment Department and Public Parks Department could implement Utthayan Suan Chatuchak.

The project will see three major parks -- Chatuchak, Queen Sirikit and Wachirabenchathat -- merge into a 700-rai mega-park by 2020.

Mr Chakkaphan said the BMA expects to call for bidding in early October.