SRT governor hints at gangs being behind Chatuchak market fire
The State Railway of Thailand will hold discussions with vendors on Thursday about the fire that broke out in Chatuchak Market on Wednesday night, SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said.
He has doubts about the cause of the fire because it took place during a downpour.
“Maybe it was caused because of the crackdown on mafia gangs operating in the market,” he said.
The incident occurred just a few days after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) handed back the management of the weekend market to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) after its commercial lease expired on January 1.
Yutthana was apparently referring to gangs who lost benefits as a result of the transfer. They had reportedly secured stall rental contracts to lease to other vendors at high prices during the BMA’s tenure.
The fire, which broke out at about 8.30pm, destroyed book stalls at the back of the market but no one was injured. Fire fighters took about an hour to extinguish the flames.
Deputy Bangkok Governor Pornthep Techapaibul inspected the site on Thursday morning. He said the BMA would be responsible for renovating the stalls, which were BMA assets.
The SRT would take care of the vendors and internal administration, he said.
Pol Maj Gen Samrueng Suwannapong, a city police commander, said forensic police had already collected evidence at the fire site. Police have not yet concluded whether it was arson or accidental.
