New Rules Restrict Street Vending to Low-Income Thais Only

[webfact]

 

In a response that has stirred both applause and dissent, new regulations from Bangkok city officials state that only low-income Thais can now set up street vendor stalls. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt signed the new rules, which exclude migrant workers from participating in one of the city’s most vibrant sectors.

 

These controversial regulations, enacted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), mandate that eligible vendors must be Thai nationals with specific economic standings.

 

To qualify, vendors must possess government welfare cards, be paying off National Housing Authority properties, and receive welfare allowances from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Crucially, their net income after business expenses must not exceed 300,000 baht annually.

 

“This policy targets supporting low-income Thais and enhancing public spaces,” explained BMA spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala.

Additional rules restrict each vendor to a single Thai assistant and impose rigorous adherence to public health standards. Vendors must also ensure pedestrian pathways remain clear, requiring between 1.5 to 2 metres of unobstructed walkway based on the street’s size, reported Thaiger.

 

Further specifications state that stalls can measure no more than 3 square metres and must be positioned with a 50 centimetre gap from the road for safety. There must also be a 3-metre emergency exit gap for every 10 stalls, as reported by the Bangkok Post.

 

These measures are set to be published in the Royal Gazette and will take effect soon after.

 

In related developments, Governor Chadchart outlined plans to further regulate street vending. The aim is to monitor vendor income, enforce tax adherence, and eventually clear pavements of hawkers, making the environment more orderly.

 

With both supporters and critics vocal about the new rules, the future of Bangkok's famed street vending culture hangs in the balance.

 

TOP: File photo

 

-- 2024-09-20

 

 

[itsari]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

 

In a response that has stirred both applause and dissent, new regulations from Bangkok city officials state that only low-income Thais can now set up street vendor stalls. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt signed the new rules, which exclude migrant workers from participating in one of the city’s most vibrant sectors.

 

These controversial regulations, enacted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), mandate that eligible vendors must be Thai nationals with specific economic standings.

 

To qualify, vendors must possess government welfare cards, be paying off National Housing Authority properties, and receive welfare allowances from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Crucially, their net income after business expenses must not exceed 300,000 baht annually.

 

“This policy targets supporting low-income Thais and enhancing public spaces,” explained BMA spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala.

 

Additional rules restrict each vendor to a single Thai assistant and impose rigorous adherence to public health standards. Vendors must also ensure pedestrian pathways remain clear, requiring between 1.5 to 2 metres of unobstructed walkway based on the street’s size, reported Thaiger.

 

Further specifications state that stalls can measure no more than 3 square metres and must be positioned with a 50 centimetre gap from the road for safety. There must also be a 3-metre emergency exit gap for every 10 stalls, as reported by the Bangkok Post.

 

These measures are set to be published in the Royal Gazette and will take effect soon after.

 

In related developments, Governor Chadchart outlined plans to further regulate street vending. The aim is to monitor vendor income, enforce tax adherence, and eventually clear pavements of hawkers, making the environment more orderly.

 

With both supporters and critics vocal about the new rules, the future of Bangkok's famed street vending culture hangs in the balance.

 

TOP: File photo

 

-- 2024-09-20

 

 

Proof of poverty to run a stall on the street appears bazaar.

Like all laws in Thailand they are made to be broken.

A gap every 10 stalls and 50 cm from the road for safety sounds great . In reality unenforceable.

[smedly]

so if you are successful as a street vendor and make good money you must stop trading , what sort of logic is that ?

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

To qualify, vendors must possess government welfare cards, be paying off National Housing Authority properties, and receive welfare allowances from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Crucially, their net income after business expenses must not exceed 300,000 baht annually.

Totally unworkable and unenforceable

 

[hotchilli]

28 minutes ago, smedly said:

so if you are successful as a street vendor and make good money you must stop trading , what sort of logic is that ?

Thai logic

[Dakhar]

Once one has hit the ceiling, one must open a 7/11.

[Classic Ray]

Thailand has more than enough laws but enforcement is based on corrupt payments or absent.

[Aussie999]

48 minutes ago, smedly said:

so if you are successful as a street vendor and make good money you must stop trading , what sort of logic is that ?

Thai logic