Street fighting man

The newly elected Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin yesterday launched his second term's first policy to help city residents through the tough economic times. Included was a six-month trial measure that should please street vendors, allowing them to trade through the whole week starting from October 27.

An agreement between vendors and district offices for at least two days off per month to clean the footpaths should be reached within a week, said Apirak. At the moment, street vendors are required to close their stalls once a week, usually on Monday.

Touristfriendly measures

Also included under the policy were measures to promote trade and tourism in areas such as Yoawarat, Pratunam and Bang Lampu by improving footpaths, telephone booths, traffic signs and ensuring street vendors' umbrellas are the same colour; to launch a food market at Khon Muang Plaza every Friday starting October 31 so that small producers can pass on delicacies direct to customers; and to create a calendar of activities to promote tourism and the economy.

The city will cooperate with vocational schools to produce and register "Made in Bangkok" goods and open the "Hand Made Market" in front of the BMA Contemporary Art Museum for young merchants to sell their handicrafts freeofcharge every Saturday starting from November 1, Apirak said.

Snapshot of winners, losers

Icecream seller Bancha Buakla, 43, welcomed the streetvendors measure and said it would help them handle the higher living costs.

But road sweeper Wilaiporn Onwimol, 54, said she was against it because the daily amount of garbage for the sweepers to deal with would be overwhelming.

Bangkok resident and worker Ratree (last name withheld), 28, was for the measure, reckoning it would be more convenient for her and fellow office workers to buy food and this would help street vendors in this difficult time. Another company worker in Silom area, identified only as Sopha, disagreed, complaining that street vendors occupied the footpaths forcing her to risk walking into the road. "I'd prefer them not to sell goods everyday, so that the pavement was safe to walk."