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Published on October 31, 2007

Police yesterday vowed to take action against those involved in a bloody clash at Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market, the scene of violence since a quarrel between current leaseholders and long-time stall owners erupted late last year.

The violence early yesterday left two people in a critical condition.

Thiti Saengboonchan, 35, sustained a knife wound to the neck.

Bang Sue police inspector Lt-Colonel Wanchai Chujit said Thiti was attacked after he shot Permsap Ruangsaeng, 20.

"With some other men, Thiti was guarding the market when a group of workers, including Permsap from the Thanasarnsombat Company, arrived to dismantle a house inside the market," Wanchai said.

Thanasarnsombat won the right to manage land on which the market is located. However, after winning the licence from the State Railway of Thailand, long-time stall owners have refused to relocate and have often confronted Thanasarnsombat staff.

Wanchai said shots were heard at around 2am, about two hours after police arbitrated a conflict between groups led by Thiti and Permsap.

"During the mediation, it was agreed the company would start dismantling the house around midday. But then the confrontation erupted," Wanchai said.

He said it was unclear what sparked the clash. "We will question both men when they recover," Wanchai said.

Both men, after their recovery and being able to be questioned by police, would be charged with assault. No compromises between both sides would be allowed, he said, as the offence was a felony.

Metropolitan Police Division II deputy commander Colonel Charoen Srisasalak believed many more would be arrested.

"At the scene, we found a shotgun and three samurai swords," he said.

Following the incident, police and Army personnel were deployed to the market to prevent further violence.

Crime Suppression Division superintendent Colonel Worayut Sukawat said a unit had been assigned to assist local police.

The market hit the headlines last November when more than 100 men with bulldozers attempted to destroy stalls. Then, on July 12 this year, several people were charged with arson after allegedly setting fire to stalls. 

The Nation