The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to reorganize the street food vendors on popular tourist streets Khaosan and Yaowarat by May 31.
By month’s end, the vendors will have to adhere to stricter regulations to ensure clean and hygienic food preparation.
Unlike in many other city centers, where the vendors are being asked to leave the main streets entirely, these two streets will be exceptions since they are such famed tourist destinations.
Bangkok Governor Assawin Kwanmuang confirmed that Khaosan and one lane of Yaowarat will be closed from 6pm until midnight daily to make room for the street food stalls. There is no word about whether the vendors can operate outside of those hours.
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It was also announced that the vendors will have to wear aprons, hats and gloves every time they handle food as well as wash and disposal of waste in designated areas, reported Thai News Bureau.
The governor also said that the Ministry of Commerce will take control of food prices and require vendors to clearly display prices in Thai, English, and Chinese. The Ministry of Labor will also become responsible for street food vendors who hire illegal non-Thai workers.
The governor added that the BMA is considering whether to manage street food on other roads in the same way it plans to do on Khaosan and Yaowarat.
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