Mr Wanlop said he had evidence that tessakit in some districts had informed vendors that they had to stop selling goods on public walkways for the time being and wait for “the severe storm” to pass by, then they would be able to return to streetside trading.
He did not give the names or workplaces of the officers but said they would face disciplinary action. He said the policy to return public space occupied by vendors to pedestrians would be implemented permanently. District chiefs had been told to warn their subordinates to refrain from giving false information to or exploiting the vendors. MR Sukhumbhand has insisted that vendors cleared from certain locations would never be allowed to return.
He said the BMA had met with fierce opposition from the vendors as it tried to solve the long-standing problem. But the situation had calmed down and the scheme was successful as it was carried out at the “right time”. “I call on the concerned authorities to continue to regulate street vendors. Do not be soft-hearted over things that are illegal,” he said.