Phuket vendors demand extended hours and free parking
Vendors from Phuket City Municipality Fresh Market 2 in Phuket Town gathered at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, September 10 to request officials to waive parking fees and extend the operating hours of the soon-to-open Go Wholesale fresh produce mall nearby.
The formal request was submitted by the vendors, accompanied by members of the Kon Noom Team, to Monchai Sae-Lao, Director of the Provincial Ombudsman’s Centre (Damrongdharma Centre). Monchai accepted the letter on behalf of Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat and assured the group that their concerns would be taken into account.
The vendors are urging authorities to negotiate with the operators of the new Go Wholesale mall, located on Ong Sim Pai Road, to extend its operating hours beyond the current 6am to 10am window. The vendors argue that this change is necessary to prevent overlapping hours with Fresh Market 2, which could negatively impact their sales. Many vendors rely on these sales to support their families and believe that adjusting the mall’s hours would help alleviate some financial pressure.
The group is also requesting that Phuket City Municipality waive parking fees in the Fresh Market 2 area. They believe that this measure would make it easier for customers to visit the fresh market, ultimately boosting business for local vendors, reported Phuket News.
Monchai assured the vendors that the Phuket Provincial Office would review their concerns and engage with the relevant parties, including representatives from the new Go Wholesale mall, Phuket City Municipality, and the vendors at Fresh Market 2, to find a solution.
“We will take your concerns seriously and work towards finding a resolution that benefits all parties involved.”
In related news, a Chiang Rai clothing vendor has had his prison sentence extended to a record 54 years and 6 months for lese-majeste offences, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). The appeal court’s decision on September 4, upheld Mongkol Thirakot’s earlier conviction, adding to his existing sentences to make it the longest ever under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to royal defamation.
