Food Carts - They Are More Then Slightly Annoying

[ruds]

There seems to be more and more of these food carts on the roads these days and they cause accidents, hold up traffic and don't believe they are even needed. If the Pattaya City Hall are serious about helping traffic flow then surely this would be an obvious place to start.

I'm sure those who use them would only have to walk 50 metres to a Family Mart or 7/11 where they have stalls set up outside selling the same food anyway. As for the all those who will lose their job, never heard of any unemployment in Pattaya so that wouldn't be an issue either, just find another job. I know of lots of restaurants constantly looking for help in the kitchen.

They do not pay any taxes, employ people or pay any rent to someone who does pay tax and employ staff so why are they even allowed to operate and compete with those who contribute.

Anyway, I know it's always been like that, so I know it will never change but I thought I'd hear the opinions of others regarding this issue.

[soi41]

You do remember, we are in Thailand??

Where streetfood is part of the culture. Gives job to many people and a cheap meal to people not so well off. Been here 10 years, and even if I normally don't eat from the carts, they have never irritated me. Live and let live!

[ruds]

They don't annoy you coz you drive a motorbike and not a car. Yes I am aware we are in Thailand hence why I added that it will probably never change. Well done on being here for 10 years. I never understand why people state that on this forum, like the longer you have been the more creditable your posts are. You will know "seeing as you have been here for 10 years" that price has nothing to do with it as anyone can eat outside a Family Marts or 7/11 for the same food at the same price.

[stewieg]

They may be annoying but they are peoples livelihood, leave them alone.

[ruds]

There are plenty of alternative jobs out there that are probably easier then pushing a cart around in the heat all day. You make it sound like they have no other option.

[johnbarpic]

If you find these street carts are annoying while driving your car. Try walking so your not sat in traffic, then you might be glad of the cart not to far to walk!!!!! Just like a local take away in your own country we all have our favourite because they do the best what ever, exactly the same in Thailnd. I would also say Street carts do not cause accidents it could be other drivers driving to fast to avoid the street carts just maybe... But then there is always the other option if you don't like the food carts book a flight home if you go quick I am sure there will be flight leaving tonight. As the other reply said it's part of Thai culture we are visitors here no right's no vote, no say, like it or lump it they are here to stay.

Take a chill pill relax & blend into the life & culture or maybe reconsider where you have chosen to live...

[pattayadingo]

I drive a car here and have done so for a long time yet I do not find these food carts annoying.

I hear and see these food carts driving round the housing estates, people hear the different sounds and know who is coming along, they nip outside and order their food. Perfect for some. Also many small businesses, like a salon I lived next door to, were often serviced by food carts.

The ice cream carts are good too. I often hear them coming and nip out to buy a Cornetto or two.

On Beach road you often see workers pop out from the bars and order food from their favourite cart, or buy fruit from one.

The person who has a mobile food cart that sells pasties and pies who I see on LK Metro provides a service I rarely see elsewhere.

As far as I see it, they are employed and providing a service. It is up to the authorities here in Thailand to decide if these people should pay taxes and have licences, not the likes of the OP .... IMHO.

And accidents? I have not seen any involving street carts, motorised or walking.

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Edited April 9, 2013 by pattayadingo

[givenall]

With more people out work they will go to self employment and this the way they do it

[jeanpierre]

They don't annoy you coz you drive a motorbike and not a car. Yes I am aware we are in Thailand hence why I added that it will probably never change. Well done on being here for 10 years. I never understand why people state that on this forum, like the longer you have been the more creditable your posts are. You will know "seeing as you have been here for 10 years" that price has nothing to do with it as anyone can eat outside a Family Marts or 7/11 for the same food at the same price.

so driving a car give you the right to look down at others? open space is for evry body even streets make part of living

go driving on the highway!!

[harrry]

You do remember, we are in Thailand??

Where streetfood is part of the culture. Gives job to many people and a cheap meal to people not so well off. Been here 10 years, and even if I normally don't eat from the carts, they have never irritated me. Live and let live!

When does culture start. In this case about 30 years ago. Prior to that there were no fixed food carts and a handful of mobile ones around a few places like the station.

[chickenslegs]

OP - Where are you going that is so important that you can't afford to be held up for a few seconds. Do you drive an ambulance?

There are approximately 99,000 other road traffic hazards that should be addressed before this one.

[shaggy1969]

Personally, I don't have a problem with them at all.

If anything I am am in awe of them because it is usually being pushed by some old dear....don't know how they manage it to tell you the truth.

I hope that the OP was just having a bad day when he wrote this thread......or maybe not

[I Like Thai]

Poor little you!

[steve187]

come to Thailand and moan about the food carts, next you will be moaning about the Thai's eating rice instead of chips, or there are too many motorcycles

I know SAS have finished flights to Thailand, but there are plenty of others flying out all day long

[shaggy1969]

Maybe the people with the food carts are thinking that there are too many whinging Falangs on the road.

[Fgis]

Somebody who complain about food stalls should go home...

This is the best of Asia !

[balloon chaser]

I eat from the food carts every day. Your post is insulting.

[guzzi850m2]

Ruds so far you are the only one finding them annoying so why don't you just give it up man.

I don't have a problem with them either when driving my truck and everybody gives them space

which is part of Thai culture.

These people operating them are doing a honest living which one can only respect.

[MyTHaiMyKe]

Ruds

Quit complaining, if you don't like it, go back to where you came from. Noone is forcing you to live here!

[banglay]

There are plenty of alternative jobs out there that are probably easier then pushing a cart around in the heat all day. You make it sound like they have no other option.

There are plenty of alternative countries around the world where you would not be annoy be Thai's making a living in there own country.....You make it sound like you have no other option but to stay and complain.

[Asiantravel]

I think it's a bit drastic to eliminate them because they serve the needs of so many people.

But it would be so much easier if they could simply obey road rules, such as not going against the traffic flow and simply looking behind them and checking the road is clear before pulling out.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

When does culture start. In this case about 30 years ago. Prior to that there were no fixed food carts and a handful of mobile ones around a few places like the station.

I remember there being plenty of street food vendors in Thailand 35 years ago (at least in the parts I went to). They didnt have the Styrofoam bowls and plastic spoons etc, but apart from that they were pretty much the same.

[stewieg]

There are plenty of alternative jobs out there that are probably easier then pushing a cart around in the heat all day. You make it sound like they have no other option.

Some of them would not have any other option, true. I've seen a lot of older people pushing these carts.

[Ulysses G.]

When does culture start. In this case about 30 years ago. Prior to that there were no fixed food carts and a handful of mobile ones around a few places like the station.

I remember there being plenty of street food vendors in Thailand 35 years ago (at least in the parts I went to). They didnt have the Styrofoam bowls and plastic spoons etc, but apart from that they were pretty much the same.

Of course there were.

[Exsexyman]

"If Pattaya City Hall are serious about helping traffic flow then surely this would be an obvious place to start". The obvious place to start would be to get rid of at least 50% of the baht buses, which wouldn't be missed. At least half of them at any given time are always empty, driving around the town all day clogging up the traffic, belching out noxious fumes. The food carts pale into insignificance compared to them. As many have already noted, they are part of the culture here, in my view a very attractive part, and are very popular, providing a good service. Some of the tastiest food i have eaten here has been from these vendors. As for your remarks about them "not paying any taxes", "employ people or pay any rent to someone who does pay tax and employ staff", 'why are they even allowed to operate and compete with those who contribute", etc, do you own a restaurant by any chance?

[somtampet]

You do remember, we are in Thailand??

Where streetfood is part of the culture. Gives job to many people and a cheap meal to people not so well off. Been here 10 years, and even if I normally don't eat from the carts, they have never irritated me. Live and let live!

Good post,and yes,we are in Thailand lol.Do u honestly believe that the traffic jams in Pattaya are partly due to food carts hehehehehehehe,what a pile of horse manure

[Mobi]

Living on the 'Darkside', one of the major causes of a slow-down in traffic flow are the literally hundreds of motorcycle / side-car combinations that flood the local sois.

Motorcycles also often tend to slow the traffic but sooner or later you can usually get past them.

Not so with these combinations, which often go at painfully slow speeds and take up as much width of road as a 4 wheeled vehicle.

BUT.... however irritating this can be - especially when a couple of vehicles immediately behind the side-car stubbornly refuse any opportunities to over-take and thus create a line of a dozen or more slow moving vehicles in their wake- I always say to myself:

"This is Thailand, this is their culture, and these poor guys are just trying to earn a crust or two to feed their families."

So I try to stay patient, exercise a little 'Jai Yen Yen', and tell myself, "it matters little if my journey time takes a few minutes longer."

What is the inconvenience of a slightly longer journey time when compared to these guys' needs to earn a few Baht?

[fasteddie]

TIT! close the door on your way out.

[Potosi]

Mobi, you are a sarcastic guy. I like that. It is detrimental to the maintenance of a family when a food cart and its operator is run over by racing trucks, buses, car, which are Thai culture as well. Who cares?

[Yahooka]

The food carts are one of the things here that makes LOS different and better than the West.But I`ll guess in the future they will be gone and it will end up same as back home....car gridlock,shopping centers,Mc Donalds everywhere....oh,and in addition you can throw in as an extra value of living here all the dog crap and the smell of puke from the sewers !!!

I just cant wait....must buy property here now !!!!!!!!