General
Khon Kaen Vendors Protest Sudden Eviction Notice at Bueng Kaen Nakhon
Over 100 vendors from the Bueng Kaen Nakhon market in Khon Kaen have petitioned provincial authorities following a sudden three-day eviction notice issued by the municipality.
On August 26, 2026, more than 100 vendors gathered at the Khon Kaen Provincial Hall to file a formal complaint with the Damrongtham Center. The protest follows a directive from the Khon Kaen Municipality ordering the immediate closure and relocation of the Bueng Kaen Nakhon lakeside market to facilitate landscape and infrastructure improvements.
According to Khaosod Online, vendors were given only three days to vacate the premises. Representative Wacharee Kemkaman stated that approximately 250 businesses have operated in the area for over two decades. The vendors expressed significant distress, citing the lack of prior consultation and the absence of clear information regarding the construction timeline, the availability of temporary relocation sites, or guarantees regarding their right to return once the project is completed.
For residents and visitors, this development may impact access to the popular lakeside market area, which has long served as a local commercial hub. While the municipality intends to renovate the site, the sudden nature of the order has created uncertainty for the local economy. It remains to be confirmed how the municipality will address the vendors' demands for a transition plan and whether the renovation schedule will be adjusted to accommodate those currently operating in the space.