On November 7, Deputy Governor Chakkapan Phewngam led the 11th Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) departmental meeting at City Hall, reviewing key city initiatives including street vendor regulation, homeless support, and public safety.
The meeting highlighted the reduction of public vendor sites to improve sidewalk accessibility and safety. Since October 2022, BMA has closed 191 vendor areas, affecting over 3,300 sellers, with another 163 sites shut down recently, removing over 2,200 vendors. Officials aim to relocate vendors to private spaces or designated “Hawker Centers” and maintain enforcement to prevent re-occupation of closed areas. Inspections also target illegal foreign vendors in popular areas like Sukhumvit.
On homelessness, BMA reported receiving 600 complaints from September 1 to October 22 through Traffy Fondue, with highest numbers in Phra Nakhon and Phayathai districts. A recent survey counted 377 homeless individuals across Bangkok, mostly male. Social welfare teams provide services at a "Drop-in" center under the Phra Pinklao Bridge, offering support, health screenings, and career counseling every Friday. Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon urged continuous support at Drop-in points and directed orderly food distribution at sites such as Ratchadamnoen and Hua Lamphong.
Additional topics included preparations for Loy Krathong celebrations, measures to fix street and canal-side lighting, and removing street obstacles.
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