Mob of Isaan vendors block official opening of Chiang Mai Royal Flora 2006

Visitors being dropped off inside expo venue, leaving hundreds of stall owners along access road fuming

The main gate to Royal Flora Ratchaphruek was blocked for three hours yesterday by some 400 food and souvenir vendors protesting against "unfair" traffic rules that robbed them of customers.

"We host the world-class event, but we can't benefit from it," an angry food hawker said.

The locals had secured spots along Ratchaphruek Road leading to the expo site to cater to passers-by but complained that vehicles were not allowed to drop off visitors on the way. They slammed the event organiser for ignoring them while letting outsiders snap up food and souvenirs concessions on the expo grounds.

"We want a clear answer on how the organiser will help us. We spent a lot on rent, but can't make any money," Sakda Phreuksapan said.

He said he already paid Bt60,000 for three months' rent on a small roadside booth but sold only seven glasses of herbal drink yesterday.

One food vendor gave her wares away at the gathering.

Some traders asked for the 700-metre-long Ratchaphruek Road to be closed off to traffic from 3pm-10pm and turned into a walking street where they could market their wares. Others said they want the road to remain open but police must allow cars to stop along the road or at the private parking lots along the road.

The demonstrators dispersed after a deputy governor and the deputy provincial police commander promised to take them today to meet the governor, the director-general of the Agriculture Department, and Reed Tradex, the organiser. However, the protesters were asked to come to an agreement on their demands.

To prevent traffic jams and provide a convenient means of transport, the organiser prohibited non-official vehicles from entering the site and arranged for shuttle buses to pick up visitors and take them directly into the venue. While the traffic system was appreciated by tourists, it left the merchants outside the fairgrounds fuming.

The protestors said about 10,000 small shops had set up along Ratchaphruek Road. And they already paid high rent to the landowners because they expected that they could generate income from the international horticultural exposition. The rent ranged from Bt40,000-Bt120,000 for three months, depending on the size and location of the booth. They claimed the organisers had promised that Ratchaphruek Road would be crowded during the three months of the expo, as the road would be closed.

Preecha Sananvattananant, Reed Tradex's chief officer and project manager for event operations, activities and communications, said he was ready to follow the new traffic system arranged by police, as his company's responsibility was for only inside the expo.

"There are many ways to manage [the traffic system]. Police have to consider whether they want to keep the existing one that is comfortable for visitors," he said.

Pennapa Hongthong

The Nation

CHIANG MAI