Dozens of street vendors protested at Pattaya City Hall after being fined 2,000 baht for violating a city order prohibiting sales near shopping malls.
The hawkers and bike peddlers complained that the fines were too heavy and urged city leaders to reconsider the prohibition and reach a middle ground with vendors that allows them to continue to earn a living.
City legal executives recently banned street vendors from peddling outside shopping malls and setting up shop on sidewalks and in the street on Beach Road, saying it was both encroachment on public land and was contributing to traffic congestion and litter problems.
Following the order, a large number of vendors were detained and fined for ignoring the prohibition.
Nimanong Incha, a somtam seller, said she recently was fined 2,000 baht for selling on public property. She considers the fine too much, saying a penalty of 300-500 baht would be bearable.
She said sellers now don’t know where they are allowed to sell and where they aren’t. She urged the city to clarify permissible areas.
City regulatory enforcement chief Pol. Maj. Jirawat Sukontasap told the crowd his officers were only following orders from above, but promised to take their concerns to the next city hall meeting.
