A coalition of vendors, academics and NGOs on urban development has intensified its calls for the government to speed up efforts to alleviate hardship suffered by street vendors who have been purged from the city's pavements. Known as The Network of Thai Street Vendors for Sustainable Development, the group is demanding progress from a high-level committee set up early last month to consider relief measures for vendors affected by the crackdown. Chaired by the interior minister, its members include top officials from various ministries and the Bangkok governor. According to Mr Rewat, there are more than 300,000 street vendors in the city who have become part of the informal economy and instrumental in providing affordable, low-priced products to city residents. Mr Rewat said that the group will step up pressure if the committee in question fails to come up with relief measures by Nov 10.

Source: Bangkok Post October 30, 2018 23:15 UTC