Pattaya markets given ultimatum

In a meeting at Pattaya City Hall last week, operators of local market stalls were invited to discuss regulations with the Ministry of Public Health concerning new laws on what will be expected of them in keeping their stalls clean and hygienic would affect them.

The meeting ended with a warning form the Ministry, saying any market operators that did not comply with the standards set forth within 150 days would face losing their operating licence.

Chatchawan Chimtin, head of the heath department told a reporter from the Pattaya Mail that the new regulations were passed down on January 7th, and operators have had enough time to quite literally clean up their act. Chatchawan told the newspaper that 60 days after the meeting, health inspectors would be investigating 15 Pattaya markets. Offenders will have 150 days to bring their business up to standard, where further offence will result in a suspension of their licence.

The regulations now recognize two types of market, the permanent markets under an enclosed space, and the unstructured or market fairs. Rules for permanent markets are more serious and if implemented, will assure all produce purchased in them is clean and hygienic.