Community leader Thawatchai Voramahakun said numerous people were interested in the protection of the community and attended the last day of a fair at the fort yesterday.

He warned that there would be an action against the BMA operation to tear down the first 12 houses in the community on Saturday but stressed it would be peaceful.

The BMA plans to turn the area into a park.

At yesterday’s fair in a compact space behind and old wall, specialty street food from communities across Bangkok was sold. The documentary, “The Human Scale”, was also screened. The film looks at ways to increase human interaction in cities.

Thawatchai said he was glad to see many people were interested in the heritage of the community – it showed that people wanted to preserve it, as it was part of the city’s history.

He said the community has been prepared for Saturday’s D-Day event for 24 years and was ready for whatever unfolds.

“We are ready now and we will prepare some action on that day to show that we are opposed to development that does not include participation by local people,” he said.

He said residents had peacefully protested their right to remain in the area for 24 years and that would remain the same on Saturday.

“We still insist that we want to look after this historic place without receiving money from the BMA, but they have to allow us to live here because this is our home,” he said.

On August 15, the BMA placed an announcement in front of the community informing residents that it will demolish 12 houses whose owners are willing to relocate – the first phase of planned relocation of the community.

The BMA promised to preserve some of the heritage houses, but emphasised everyone must go.