Chadchart, candidate for Bangkok governor, is not worried about losing votes from street vendors. If re-elected, he will continue organizing the vendors properly, doing what is right, returning sidewalks to the majority, and seeking appropriate areas for trading.
9 Jun 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, independent candidate for Governor of Bangkok, discussed his policy on regulating Silom Road, an economic area where organizing street vendors is crucial. Currently, Bangkok has about 20,000 vendors but only 60 official exemption points and more than 700 illegal spots. These illegal points are the root of corruption issues.
Therefore, regulation must improve by moving vendors into exemption zones and finding new locations. Recently, vendor numbers have dropped to just over 10,000, with others relocated to private centers and Bangkok’s Im Tong centers. This has made the city more orderly. Long-standing problem areas like Bobae, Lao Market, Silom, and Sukhumvit have improved. Vendors’ attitudes toward him have also gotten better, as seen during his campaign rides where no one criticized him.
Regarding the claim that vendors pay 500 baht to municipal officers to sell, Chadchart said that at exemption points, vendors pay a 500-baht annual fine plus minimal waste fees. Outside exemption zones, fines apply. Mr. Jakrapan Phiwngam, former deputy governor of Bangkok, added that outside exemption zones, district offices can fine vendors 300–500 baht per violation, after which vendors cannot sell at that location.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) have investigated and agree that if vendors outside exemption zones are fined, Bangkok must provide alternative trading areas. Currently, Bangkok is seeking new spaces for those vendors. In the future, vendors who once traded in exemption zones will be able to return to selling. Chadchart has discussed this with Bangkok officials in the final week before their terms end. Bang Rak is among the areas submitted for exemption consideration, which has been proposed to the Metropolitan Police Bureau. He stressed that exemption zones must not infringe on others’ sidewalk rights.
Asked whether the policy to crack down on sidewalk vendors might cost him votes and if he would continue it if re-elected, Chadchart responded, that it is natural for street vendors to dislike him, but he prioritizes the majority. The city must have order and mutual respect for rights. He emphasized he is not heartless; areas that can be exempted or need time to resolve will get a six-month grace period for vendors to prepare to move and find new trading spots. This approach makes the city more livable. He is not concerned about losing vendor votes because he insists on doing what is right and believes more people support an orderly city than oppose him.
Chadchart also said he wants to see pedestrians and street vendors respecting each other more, with vendors not obstructing pedestrian paths. He vows to continue this policy if re-elected. He believes sidewalk vending is a temporary job and that in the future, vendors should have stable careers by being provided private-sector trading spaces.