BMA conducts survey on illegally-operated markets

BANGKOK, Feb 23 (TNA) – Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is conducting survey on the number of markets in the capital to check if any operates illegally. Thaweesak Lertpraphan, deputy BMA governor said all 50 district offices are compiling the number of markets both with licenses and without license. According to the current information, 364 markets operate with licenses in Bangkok while more than 30 markets, the highest numbers, are located in Lat Krabang district. One market is seeking permission from the authority to run the market place. The number of the markets in Bangkok will be concluded by early March. The deputy governor said if any market is found to operate illegally, the market operator has to seek permission within the timeframe, set by officials. Otherwise, it must be shut down. The survey came after a quarrel about parking space led to a house owner to smash the pick-up truck, blocking her house’s entrance. The parking problem arises with foul smell and noise from the markets around her house. Some of the markets are illegally operated. He said in the future, a new regulation may be considered to add public hearing in the requirement for the establishment of the market to prevent conflicts between local residents and market operators and shoppers. (TNA)