Crackdown on homeless, hawkers in Sanam Luang

BMA Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday commented on the Sanam Luang regulations to punish littering persons and prohibit the homeless from sheltering in the area.

The implementation of the regulations will take a year to materialise as the area has many influential figures, he said, citing as evidence that when fairs are held, the area around Sanam Luang is reserved by certain groups to lease to vendors. He said that would be dealt with by legal measures while the longterm solution would be vocational training and assistance from related agencies to the homeless.

Sukhumbhand said he would seek cooperation with Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai for solutions to the homeless issue after the fiscal year 2010 budget determination is complete.

While Issara said he was willing to work with the BMA on the issue, he believed that it could best be solved by sending the homeless back to their hometowns and having them undergo vocational training.

He said his office was also willing to provide shelter to the homeless upon request.