Killings at Khlong Toei, in Bangkok

Two more people have been killed at the Khlong Toei Talad.  It is one of the largest 24 hour fresh fish, fruit and vegetable markets in Bangkok.  It lies near the docks, and right next to the Khlong Toei shantytown where many of the traders live. The men (part time guards for bthe market)  were shot dead on Wednesday night, gangland style.  That makes three traders killed in the last week.The shooting occurred at the site of the market traders protest.

The protesters are all market traders, campaigning for the renewal of their licences.  The Port Authority, owners of this part of the market, have in fact sold this land for development (to Legal Professional) and the traders want this sale revoked so that they can still carry on their businesses.

I first reported on the story last November (Bangkok bomb attack) when a bomb was hurled over the expressway directly at the protesters. No one was hurt at the time.  But there has been constant harassment from 'unknown people'.

I was there this morning, the day that the two men killed will be buried. The men, Suksant Seehalert 36 and Kanok Sukkaeo 43 are lying in state at the market space (see photos).  They both worked at an ice factory in the market and volunteered as guards during their free time.

The police are out in force today because of the funeral.  Out of respect for the bereaved relatives, I did not photograph any of the friends and family.

Thje traders are bracing themselves for more attacks.  One of the vendors said "more corpses can be expected".

The police said they are "looking into" several murders they think are connected to this conflict. But as so often occurs in Bangkok, the police have resolved none of them.  The first bomb was thrown last November.  So it is unlikely that the police will "find" the attackers, although the market traders could tell them who did the killings.

In fact, one man, Saravoot Saiprasom, a security guard who works for Legal Professional (the new owners)  has surrendered to the police over the first killing of last week. He said he was not responsible for the murders of these two men.  But it is clear to the traders that he is not the ral culprit!

Life is cheap for people in this part of Bangkok.