Saraburi Motorcycle Taxi Stand Ordered to Remove Steel Canopy
Saraburi's city mayor ordered motorcycle taxi drivers to demolish an illegal steel canopy at their stand near the hospital after street vendors complained about encroachment on public road space.
The Saraburi City Mayor has ordered motorcycle taxi drivers to demolish a steel canopy structure in front of Saraburi Hospital after resolving a dispute with street vendors. The vendors had complained about the encroachment onto public road space. The motorcycle taxi leader promised to comply and avoid causing inconvenience to the public.
On July 27, 2025, a clash broke out between street vendors and motorcycle taxi drivers on Municipal Road 4 in Pak Phraeo subdistrict, Saraburi city, after the drivers erected an iron fence around their parking area, blocking vendors from bringing their carts in to sell. The incident went viral on social media.
After an investigation by City Mayor Dr. Panupong Thiphayaset and District Officer Chinnaacharya Rosiakrashakdi, both sides agreed to resolve the matter. The taxi drivers agreed to remove the fence and partially dismantle the canopy to allow cart access, while vendors helped pay for labor. However, public pressure mounted to remove the permanent steel structure that encroached on the road, which is illegal.
Today, the mayor ordered the complete demolition of the steel canopy. When the reporter arrived at the scene, workers were already removing the structure while the motorcycle taxi drivers watched from a distance, having relocated their vehicles to the opposite side of the street. The taxi stand leader said they fully comply with the mayor's order to satisfy all parties, but asked for public sympathy. The motorcycle taxi stand will remain in place, though drivers will now rely on umbrellas for shelter as they continue their livelihood.
