Capt Nopporn Meesawat, Deputy Director of Internal Security for Phuket Province, chaired the session alongside the director of the Phuket Damrongtham Center (Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office).
The central focus of the meeting was on resolving concerns raised by a group of vendors at Phuket City Municipality Fresh Market 2 on Ong Sim Phai Rd, who fear the impact of the Go Wholesale shopping centre on their incomes.
The group presented a list of issues, including fears of increased competition, traffic congestion and potential economic downturn following the recent COVID-19 outbreak.
The list of concerns raised by fresh market vendors comprised:
- Fear of heightened competition with existing small stores in the vicinity.
- Economic hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to reduced income and increased debts.
- Anticipation of increased traffic congestion in the area if the Gowholesale shopping centre is constructed.
- Apprehension that the Go Wholesale shopping centre will lure customers away with lower prices, better services, promotions and convenience.
- Proposal for Go Wholesale shopping centre to consider alternative locations outside urban communities.
In response, representatives of Go Wholesale emphasised the shopping centre’s potential to boost the economy and tourism industry by creating jobs, paying taxes and stimulating the local economy.
Construction of the shopping centre is expected to create about 200 jobs and generate a total income of around B103 million a year.
The developers are committed to paying approximately B20mn a year in taxes, including sign tax, property tax and local maintenance tax, while supporting local businesses. Construction and completion of the shopping centre alone is expected to cost B400mn.
The shopping centre operator will buy products directly from local farmers, and target customers such hotel operators and large restaurants who buy in bulk.
The officials present at the meeting noted that construction of the shopping centre did not require a public meeting, but suggested the shopping centre developer address concerns and for its executives to understand the plight faced by the fresh market vendors.
Representatives from the Phuket Chamber of Commerce and Phuket branch of the Federation of Thai Industries highlighted the fundamental differences between modern trade and agricultural markets, advocating that modern trade should be located outside urban communities.
Among the proposed solutions and suggestions from the meeting was to relocate the shopping centre to an area outside the urban community, and to ensure that such large developments do not sell goods and produce that directly overlap with those sold at fresh markets.
Another suggestion was to adjust opening and closing hours of the shopping centre to differ from those of the fresh market.
Phuket officials noted they would continue to act as mediator to the issues raised over the construction of the shopping centre, “working to foster understanding among all parties and ensuring fairness in accordance with the law”, said an official report of the meeting.