BMA bans all street food across Bangkok this year

[manarak]

why is it that they keep making one ridiculous rule after the other ?

[starky]

1 hour ago, JAG said:

 

More people from Issan forced back to the countryside because their livelihoods have been taken also may mean more resentment and possible opposition...

 

I know you don't think that the people have the will to rebel, but if this sort of thing continues to be done to them they may develop that will rapidly.

 

You know street food vending, street stall trading and carrying people in the back of pickups, have all developed because the near feudal conditions in which the less affluent are kept provide few or no alternatives. Banning them without providing alternatives, in transport, accessing food or making a living will really piss a lot of people off. Sooner or later...

 

Really well said. Lets hope sooner.

[edgarfriendly]

they've been saying they'll sanitize this cesspit since before i arrived some 15+ years ago

 

its now worse than it ever has been.

 

the rats and the roaches and the taxi drivers pissing everywhere make it a plague in waiting.

 

nothing will be done, and if it is it will last a month, tops

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

One strange part of this is...

 

The current Bangkok governor, appointed by the junta, who's pursuing this clear the sidewalks policy is a Thai police general in his former life.

 

Incumbent
Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang
since 18 October 2016

 

Well, guess who most/all of the street vendors, either directly or indirectly, pay monthly rent to to keep their spaces on the streets?

 

 

[elgordo38]

6 hours ago, Thechook said:

What about the millions of rats that rely on street vendors

Two or four legged????

[elgordo38]

The junta seems so obsessed with keeping the peace yet they seem to go out of their way to create an army of angry unemployed people and another army of people who will have to up the anti on what on what they pay for their grab and run meals. Then throw in the equation of tourist who like street food but will end up paying more for indoor street food (rents must be paid) Then there is a definite drop in income with regard to taxes and bribes this will not sit well. This comes on the heels of the no passengers in the back of pickup trucks. Seems like funny moves for a government hell bent on keeping the peace. Again you have militaristas in dress suits. Hark I hear the tunes of Bastille day in the distance. 

Edited April 18, 2017 by elgordo38

[hobz]

Why do I feel like this current government is trying to create laws and stuff that go after the poor? 

Taxing beer, cigarettes, forbidding people in backs of pick up trucks, and now this.. Why don't they tax the elite instead? 

[elgordo38]

1 minute ago, hobz said:

Why do I feel like this current government is trying to create laws and stuff that go after the poor? 

Taxing beer, cigarettes, forbidding people in backs of pick up trucks, and now this.. Why don't they tax the elite instead? 

Sure is not garnering them any brownie points for the next election. On the other hand it could be a pre election strike to show the populous who is in charge. 

[hobz]

Just now, elgordo38 said:

Sure is not garnering them any brownie points for the next election. On the other hand it could be a pre election strike to show the populous who is in charge. 

Yeah, I wonder if the rural masses will have anyone to vote for... I mean, isn't their party basically illegal under the current regime? I mean, they are not allowed to talk negatively about their opponents,... lol.

[elgordo38]

Just now, hobz said:

Yeah, I wonder if the rural masses will have anyone to vote for... I mean, isn't their party basically illegal under the current regime? I mean, they are not allowed to talk negatively about their opponents,... lol.

The up coming election will be like a dog race in Florida fast from beginning to end. No prisoners taken. 

[hobz]

Just now, elgordo38 said:

The up coming election will be like a dog race in Florida fast from beginning to end. No prisoners taken. 

It's been "up coming" for almost 4 years now .... is there any date now?

[elgordo38]

Just now, hobz said:

It's been "up coming" for almost 4 years now .... is there any date now?

No but the junta will no doubt not give the opposition parties a lot of time to muster their forces. It will be like jolly old England in the past. Hear yea hear yea tomorrow at this time an election will take place rain or shine. 

[elgordo38]

5 hours ago, BigBadGeordie said:

No, that is true, but at least you can vote them out!

Trading in one old clunker for another no real choices. Its like ordering off a menu where all the meals are chicken guts. 

[elgordo38]

Is this the junta's answer to relieving traffic congestion??

[hotchilli]

Trouble is when Thais get going in street fashion, hygiene goes right out of the window, I'm not talking about being ultra clean, but just check out the sidewalks when they've left.
Grease spattered rubbish laden areas just perfect for the infestation of rats.

 

Edited April 18, 2017 by hotchilli

[elgordo38]

4 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Trouble is when Thais get going in street fashion, hygiene goes right out of the window, I'm not talking about being ultra clean, but just check out the sidewalks when they've left.
Grease spattered rubbish laden areas just perfect for the infestation of rats.

 

The other side of the coin

[ajarngreg]

A proper government would never make such a clean up which will thousands of jobs away/ 

 

        Thais are so fed up with this military junta and a democracy is out of sight for the next 10 years, or so. 

 

          Even when a lot of people don't like these shops, it's part of this country and it should stay like it is.

 

          Why don't they go for the child porn DVD sellers, fake Viagra dudes and all the Arabs selling pirated goods that are visible for all?

 

        The country is going three steps back. 

[ajarngreg]

30 minutes ago, hobz said:

Why do I feel like this current government is trying to create laws and stuff that go after the poor? 

Taxing beer, cigarettes, forbidding people in backs of pick up trucks, and now this.. Why don't they tax the elite instead? 

Because they only care for themselves? 

[lovelomsak]

6 hours ago, SoilSpoil said:

Illegal food vendors force my children to walk over the main road. They are blocking the pavement frying their chicken in rancid oils and distinct smells. Its about time to give the city back to its residents.

The vendors are the residents and they and their families have probably made a living doing exactly what they are doing now. childrens educations are paid for by these bisiness,s.  In my opinion they are the heart and soul of Bangkok. People who will work their as off just to get by. In all my time here I have never heard of a person being struck by a car or motorcycle while going around a street vendor.So what damage do they do or harm to anyone? Bangkok is Bangkok love it as it is. 

[lovelomsak]

3 hours ago, stickyrice2000 said:

The only thing that makes me feel safe walking around at night is seeing these vendors on the street at night.  It will be a major atmosphere change.  What a great way to chase away travelers and make life more difficult for the poors.  Talking about hitting two birds with one stone.  Great job!

You make a very good point vendors on the street at night add to the safety of people on the street.  A deserted street at night is scary just because it is deserted,when you are the only one on it. Vendors are protection.

[JoeBloe]

I recognise that some sidewalks cannot be navigated at all. This is an issue. People need to eat, another issue.

 

They moved most of the food and other vendors from our Main street last year, to a new vendor area, indoors. Now I can walk down the sidewalk unimpeded, and when I need food, fruit or whatever I merely step inside the new allocated area for the vendors - the same folks as before plus some more. I expect they get less passing "impulse" trade though.

 

Good for me, the vendor area is at my end of the street.

 

I live in a Thai area, the people buying all this food are Thais. I am guessing that a lot of them do not have the facilities to cook or more importantly the time to buy the components and then cook at home. I can eat something different every night, freshly made and tasting way better than I could do. I think the same is true for a lot of Thais. Street food is fast food, old school.

 

What most tourists do not see is the food vendors that are not on main streets, full of Thais eating lunch or dinner. Street food is Bangkok and Thai culture, it is how vast swathes of the population get their nourishment in the cities and towns. I for one will be sad to see it go, and I think it will be impossible to fully implement it - we shall see.

 

And for the germophobes here, as far as hygiene goes, well 10 years of street food and no problems so far, zero. The only "food poisoning" instances were from an Indian restaurant down near Sukh Soi 3. My Thai gf got some dodgy prawns at a "grill" once. So, street food wins there for me. There is not really a hygiene issue (Disclaimer: I was born before antibiotics were common - my immune system works). As for cleaning up when the vendors leave for the evening, that could be improved for sure.

 

Just my $0.02

 

[chilli42]

It's a pity really.  I understand that it's chaotic and messy but it adds a character to Bangkok that is appealing.  Plus the food is often very good and will be missed.  One would wish they could find a middle way that could present a more organized face without banishment.  Bangkok will remain ugly and dirty with or without food stalls.  Wish they would put this enthusiasm into the power line mess or solving traffic conjestion.

[lovelomsak]

When I first came to Thailand there were few tourists but there were many street vendors.. That told me the vendors were there for the Thai,s. It was not a case of tourists are coming lets sell on the street. Street vendors are part and parcel of BKK. 

  I used to live near Soi Ari skytrain stop. I was appreciative of a vendor who sold noodles at night> when I would come home after 11 pm the noodle vendor would be there. Many nights before I went home I would stop for noodles or a fruit drink just so  the vendor knew I was heading home and was aware what I was doing.With out him I would have got off the train and walked home without any others on the street in the area.

[mommysboy]

5 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

Singapore successfully transitioned from street carts to food courts ages ago. I know people lament the "structure" and "loss of character", but food courts are a brilliant solution for everyone: purveyors, customers.

 

 

They are enjoyable too.  But they do close early in Bangkok. 

[Bantex]

Bangkok is famous throughout the world for its street cuisine. I have seen numerous cookery programs in various countries where famous chefs visit Bangkoks street food stalls to showcase their expertise in cooking and learn local techniques. Admittedly not all street vendors are good but in all they years I've been in Thailand, I've never had as much as an upset stomach from street food whilst I've had food poisoning from a few hotels and restaurants. Everyone on TV has seen Thais buying their breakfast, lunch etc from street vendors enroute to work but what options will they have now. When I'm out and about in Bangkok I regularly get snacks from the street vendors.

[Becker]

7 hours ago, hansnl said:

As if civilian run governments, all over the world, do such a great job.

555555! You just can't help yourself, can you.

[Kinnock]

1 hour ago, hobz said:

Why do I feel like this current government is trying to create laws and stuff that go after the poor? 

Taxing beer, cigarettes, forbidding people in backs of pick up trucks, and now this.. Why don't they tax the elite instead? 

In the words of Lord Cutler Becket; "It's just good business".  The backers own the malls, the food courts, the transport systems. 

 

Driving out the small, independent service provider is good for business.

[tso310]

Near Seacon there is a large soi, Suphaphong 1 I believe, full of street vendors in the evening. Used almost exclusively by working class Thais who don't have the time or can't cook. Have used many times, good cheap food and never any stomach problems. 

[mommysboy]

2 hours ago, hobz said:

It's been "up coming" for almost 4 years now .... is there any date now?

No date, but the decision on making the date is up and coming.

[JAG]

Why do I feel like this current government is trying to create laws and stuff that go after the poor? 
Taxing beer, cigarettes, forbidding people in backs of pick up trucks, and now this.. Why don't they tax the elite instead? 

Government of the people, by the (self regarding elite) people, for the ( self regarding elite) people.