London [UK]: If you are planning a visit Bangkok to try out their ‘world’s best street food’, then we might have some bad news for you.
As reported by The Guardian, authorities in Bangkok are all set to ban street food from the capital’s major roads, causing a roar of criticism in a city which is famous for its affordable street food.
The movie criticised by locals and many culinary enthusiasts, thousands of vendors will disappear by the end of the year in the interests of “order and hygiene”, according to city hall.
“There will be no let-up in this operation. Every street vendor will have to move out,” said Wanlop Suwandee Chief advisor to Bangkok’s governor, in comments reported by the local Nation news portal.
Officials insist the city’s street vendors clog the foot paths, leaving little space for pedestrians and littering the streets.
The most visited city in the world, Bangkok, for decades has promoted itself as a key destination for the people obsessed with food.
Earlier, this month CNN named Bangkok as the city with the best street food on the planet, for second year in a row.
Thailand’s junta, since 2014 has been leading a campaign to ‘clean up’ and ‘return happiness’ to the country.
Tourism, which makes up an estimated 15 per cent of the economy, is buoyed by hundreds of street food tours through the subtropical city.
A Bangkok-based street food blogger, Chawadee Nualkhair feels that the ban would make Bangkok “less charming.”
She said, “Street food was still too popular with the locals. Of course, it would make Bangkok less charming. But it also takes a big chunk of cheap options away from working Thais, and closes up an avenue of work for many. Where will shop employees, construction workers and taxi drivers eat?”
Last year, renowned Soi Sukhumvit 38 food market, which had operated for nearly 40 years, was destroyed to make way for a high-priced complex of buildings.
City hall says the central district Siam had already been cleared by the police.
Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road and the backpacker haunt, the Khao San Road are next on the list.
The area’s district chief, Boontham Huiprasert, said push-cart vendors who could move around would still be tolerated but larger semi-permanent stalls with seating would have to go.
“Or if they can find a place to set up their shop without obstructing the sidewalk, such as behind the railing of the Thong Lor police station or some other private building, that would be OK too,” he said. (ANI)