The order was implemented in accordance with the 1992 royal decree on land expropriation.

In 2004, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled the BMA could demolish structures in the community. The city plans to turn Mahakan Fort into a canal-front historical park.

The BMA advised residents they could ask the Phra Nakhon District Office for help moving out.

Residents were told the BMA and the National Housing Authority would open a booth at Mahajetsadabodin Plaza on April 19 to help them to find them new homes.

In related news, a 100-strong group of Pak Klong Market vendors and flower farmers yesterday urged the prime minister to postpone the market’s re-regulation until the end of 2017.

They submitted the petition at a centre set up to receive public complaints in the PM’s permanent secretary office, claiming the city’s order for daytime vendors to move out by Friday and night-time vendors by July 1 would severely affect shopowners and farmers.

BMA Deputy Governor Pol General Asawin Kwanmuang, who inspected the Pak Klong Market yesterday, said some vendors had rented an area near Wat Liab to sell goods at a venue they called the Pak Klong Tri Phetch Market, with 74 stalls supporting 148 vendors day and night.

Thanking the vendors for their understanding, he said the city would collect garbage at the site three times per day, install CCTV cameras and have police direct traffic there.