Roadside Fried-Banana Vendors Blamed For Traffic Jams; Snack Buyer's Will Be Fined Bt500

[webfact]

STREET FOOD

Buying treats may become expensive

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- To discourage people from patronising roadside fried-banana vendors, whose presence is being blamed for traffic jams, Nanglueng Police Station said those caught buying the snacks will be fined Bt500 from today.

This decision was made at a recent meeting of district officials, police and the owners of the six licensed fried-banana stalls in the area. People are urged to take pictures of those seen illicitly buying or selling the snacks and mail it to [email protected] or Pom Prap District Office's Facebook page. The pictures will be used as evidence so that the offenders can be slapped with a fine.

Owners of licensed stalls must submit a list of authorised vendors, complete with photographs, to the district office.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 27

[mike123ca]

Bad idea, people who are going around carrying camera,s might be suspected of snitching.

Let the police do their job if it is illegal to sell by the roadside.

[Notstupid30]

Hub of fried-banana vendors ...

Edited November 26, 2012 by metisdead
: Bold removed.

[kurnell]

But those bananas taste great. Best in bkk they claim

[Beetlejuice]

So lets put this into perspective.

If I am on the road and I see someone buying or selling some fried bananas, and decide to take a photo of the offender, then send the photo into the police and they will immediately conduct a nationwide hunt for these master criminals?

Why not just ban the roadside vendors in the first place and save all the bother? I mean, it can’t be too difficult to find these vendors, just give them a caution and tell them to move on.

[Mosha]

Or for a monthly contribution business as usual. Why don't they clear the pavements on Sukhumvit? You can't walk more than 6' without having to wait for someone coming the other way.

[DP25]

That area has horrible traffic jams, but banana vendors aren't the cause of it. They are selling there because the traffic is gridlocked during the day.

The 500 baht fine for people buying bananas is interesting. That area is on the way from Khao San Road to the city center, so lots of tourists who won't know about the 500 baht fine.

[Soupdragon]

That area has horrible traffic jams, but banana vendors aren't the cause of it. They are selling there because the traffic is gridlocked during the day.

The 500 baht fine for people buying bananas is interesting. That area is on the way from Khao San Road to the city center, so lots of tourists who won't know about the 500 baht fine.

Exactly. People are not stopping their cars to buy bananas, they are buying bananas because the traffic has stopped.

[Curt1591]

Let the police do their job if it is illegal to sell by the roadside.

Why don't they clear the pavements on Sukhumvit? You can't walk more than 6' without having to wait for someone coming the other way.

Or for a monthly contribution business as usual.

Street vending is illegal in Bangkok. All street vendors pay a "license fee" to bypass this law. This "crackdown" simply indicates a more substantial contribution was made.

Now, this area will be held up from violators negotiating their fines. That should create more congestion than banana vending. But, at least they found a creative, new, revenue stream!

[angsta]

The Thai Police are a joke, plain and simple. Why are we in anyway surprised at this rubbish...

How is the Red Bull Police killer doing, still not on remand I take it??

So if you're a poor banana seller watch out, if you're a millionaire cop killer then mai pen rai.

[davejones]

Or for a monthly contribution business as usual. Why don't they clear the pavements on Sukhumvit? You can't walk more than 6' without having to wait for someone coming the other way.

But that's half the fun of living in Bangkok. Why come to a crazy city if you don't like crazy cities. Go live somewhere normal where the streets are clear.

[davejones]

That area has horrible traffic jams, but banana vendors aren't the cause of it. They are selling there because the traffic is gridlocked during the day.

The 500 baht fine for people buying bananas is interesting. That area is on the way from Khao San Road to the city center, so lots of tourists who won't know about the 500 baht fine.

Tourists don't tend to drive cars when on holiday, so it won't affect them. And ignorance of the law is no defence.

[davejones]

That area has horrible traffic jams, but banana vendors aren't the cause of it. They are selling there because the traffic is gridlocked during the day.

The 500 baht fine for people buying bananas is interesting. That area is on the way from Khao San Road to the city center, so lots of tourists who won't know about the 500 baht fine.

Exactly. People are not stopping their cars to buy bananas, they are buying bananas because the traffic has stopped.

But when the traffic starts moving, some people are still buying bananas and cause further hold-ups. It happens with other sellers, and not just banana sellers. But the solution is to ban the sellers not fine the drivers.

[Mosha]

Or for a monthly contribution business as usual. Why don't they clear the pavements on Sukhumvit? You can't walk more than 6' without having to wait for someone coming the other way.

But that's half the fun of living in Bangkok. Why come to a crazy city if you don't like crazy cities. Go live somewhere normal where the streets are clear.

I do, I only visit that cesspit when I need to go to the embassy

[mania]

People are urged to take pictures of those seen illicitly buying or selling the snacks and mail it to [email protected]

Oh this has so much potential for fun

[Mosha]

People are urged to take pictures of those seen illicitly buying or selling the snacks and mail it to [email protected]

Oh this has so much potential for fun

Doesn't the OP break forum rules?

[Semper]

Or for a monthly contribution business as usual. Why don't they clear the pavements on Sukhumvit? You can't walk more than 6' without having to wait for someone coming the other way.

But that's half the fun of living in Bangkok. Why come to a crazy city if you don't like crazy cities. Go live somewhere normal where the streets are clear.

I do, I only visit that cesspit when I need to go to the embassy

You're not the only one!

[Honkie]

Bad idea, people who are going around carrying camera,s might be suspected of snitching.

Let the police do their job if it is illegal to sell by the roadside.

Bad idea, people who are going around carrying camera,s might be suspected of snitching.

Let the police do their job if it is illegal to sell by the roadside.

Police do their job ????????/...... that will be the day.....

[JeremyBowskill]

Banana sellers should only work at police helmet check points, problem solved.

[GentlemanJim]

In the meantime, can drivers also take photographs of drivers who crash their cars whilst taking photographs of car drivers buying fried bananas. And can other drivers also take photographs of car............................

Meanwhile the Chief of police will be asking for a 100 Million baht budget increase in order to purchase advanced facial recognition software (2 grand on ebay) in order that they can apprehend up to 20 offenders a week and charge them 500 baht. By sheer coincidence the Chief of Police's son has opened up a mobile Sandwich and donut sales franchise in the Pom Prap district. Asked to comment the Chief said 'Only banana sales are included in this extensive clampdown, anyone sending in photographs of sandwich and donut salesmen will also be fined 500 baht for using their phones whilst driving.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Why not just ban the roadside vendors in the first place and save all the bother? I mean, it can’t be too difficult to find these vendors, just give them a caution and tell them to move on.

Because there is a lot less money to be made that way.

[manfrommanteo]

[email protected] let's send him an email.......of something.......a violation? of traffic? anything.

[bigbamboo]

And there was me thinking it was caused by poor traffic management and too many cars.

I guess you learn something new every day.

[ratcatcher]

This thread gives new meaning to the old saying "Going bananas"

[GentlemanJim]

[email protected] let's send him an email.......of something.......a violation? of traffic? anything.

It does leave it open for hundreds of people to be sending in all kinds of comedy shots of bags of fried bananas being handed over Surly people wouldn't do that would they LoL

[OzMick]

[email protected] let's send him an email.......of something.......a violation? of traffic? anything.

I'm sure some of us could find some interesting banana related pictures to send them anonymously. I'm searching for a monkey in a police cap holding a banana.

[jcw]

So lets put this into perspective.

If I am on the road and I see someone buying or selling some fried bananas, and decide to take a photo of the offender, then send the photo into the police and they will immediately conduct a nationwide hunt for these master criminals?

Why not just ban the roadside vendors in the first place and save all the bother? I mean, it can’t be too difficult to find these vendors, just give them a caution and tell them to move on.

Keep logic out of it

You would have thought that with a police box on every major intersection, it would be easy to see a shop !!!

I thought these Police Monkeys would have like bananas?

Edited November 27, 2012 by jcw

[bigbamboo]

So lets put this into perspective.

If I am on the road and I see someone buying or selling some fried bananas, and decide to take a photo of the offender, then send the photo into the police and they will immediately conduct a nationwide hunt for these master criminals?

Why not just ban the roadside vendors in the first place and save all the bother? I mean, it can’t be too difficult to find these vendors, just give them a caution and tell them to move on.

Keep logic out of it

You would have thought that with a police box on every major intersection, it would be easy to see a shop !!!

I thought these Police Monkeys would have like bananas?

Especially the ones with a lucky red banknote stuffed inside the bag.

[ratcatcher]

[email protected] let's send him an email.......of something.......a violation? of traffic? anything.

I'm sure some of us could find some interesting banana related pictures to send them anonymously. I'm searching for a monkey in a police cap holding a banana.

Undercover? Of course.

[chooka]

wouldn't it be easier to ban the vendors from the roadside than handing out 500 baht fines to those buying the product? Oh wait silly me, no tea money in that.