Vendors at Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market are complaining of paying bribes and unfair rental rates for stalls.
Deputy Transport Minister Chatt Kuldiloke said that vendors have complained to him that Charoen Plaza Co., which lease large amounts of space from the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and then sub-leases to vendors, is gouging with rental rates and asking for “unofficial” payments.
The SRT took over management of Chatuchak early this year from the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority.
Pol Gen Chatt also said that vendors were suspicious of SRT officials working with Charoen Plaza on the scam. Roughly 700 vendors lease from the Charoen Plaza.
Pol Gen Chatt said he would set up a committee to investigate.
“Vendors have complained to the SRT but the SRT did nothing,” he told The Bangkok Post, saying that if the allegations are true, the SRT should revoke the lease to Charoen Plaza. SRT officials involved in the alleged extortion will face “severe punishment” he said.
Chatuchak Plaza Vendors Cooperative deputy chairman Phannee Maneenet said that Charoen Plaza had recently forced vendors who wanted to continue leasing from them to pay THB120,000 to 150,000 per stall in bribes.
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