Tollway coffee
A Facebook user likely did more harm than good to a small mobile coffee operator when he posted a video praising the operation which happens to be based at the side of a Bangkok expressway, probably illegally.
Selling coffee on the tollway
Online Reporters
People are asking whether it's legal to sell drinks and snacks on a Bangkok tollway after a video emerged showing amobile shop selling coffee on the expressway near the Royal Thai Mint in the Rangsit area.
The 43-second video clip was posted on Thursday by a Facebook user who went by the name Pipo 3.50 Baht.
According to the poster, the coffee shop vendor allowed him to shoot the video and police also permitted the mobileshop to sell on the tollway. If a royal motorcade passes by, the vendor can temporarily park at a nearby policebooth.
"Don't call the police to arrest the vendor. The vendor is nice, and is just making a living even though thesurroundings aren't right. We should compromise," the poster said. "It is hard to get a drink on the tollway."
However, many people questioned whether it is legal for the mobile coffee shop to sell on the actual tollway, and whether it could lead to road accidents.
On Kapook.com webboard, a user by the name of Bah Wa wrote that rules are rules and law enforcers should bestringent.
Supachai Mungprasopsukhee, a transport official in Pathum Thani, said the vendor has violated Section 44 of the Highway Act, which prohibits anyone from selling, buying and distributing goods and raising funds on public roads and pavements.
However, Mr Supachai said, the tollway booth near the Royal Thai Mint is no longer operating and motorists areallowed to take a short rest there.