Business owners at the Chamchuri Square shopping mall sent a petition this week to Princess Sirindhorn asking for her help in negotiating with the mall’s management for lower rent, according to the business owners and students.
The shopowners requested lowered rent at the Property Management Office of Chulalongkorn University, as they have jurisdiction over the shopping mall.
They cite the opening of Samyan Mitrtown across the street (also built on Chulalongkorn land) and the impact of lockdown measures as their justification for a 50 per cent reduction in rent.
In their petition to the Princess Sirindhorn, they wrote that some of the businesses make only 200 baht per day and yet management has refused to lower rent even when presented with their finances.
It shows that the shopping mall’s management does not care, they said.
The business owners had previously requested the assistance of Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal in June 2019 to help coordinate with the Property Management Office of Chulalongkorn University.
Since then, management has been idle in meeting with the demands of the business owners.
The Group for Chulalongkorn Students and Small Businesses also wrote an open letter stating that the management of the shopping mall is problematic and unfair. They have not only doubled rent but also fired an 85-year-old employee.
Princess Sirindhorn is an alumnus of the university and also has influence over the board of directors.
