Thai PM demands quality street food

BANGKOK, 18 May 2017: Thailand’s Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, has called on the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to push forward the promotion and quality of Bangkok’s street food venues.

Government spokesperson, Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, said the Prime Minister was pleased with the latest findings that indicated Bangkok was the most visited destination in Asia Pacific according to Mastercard Asia Pacific Destinations Index 2017.

“With Bangkok now ranked highly in several polls including best street food and fresh markets, the Prime Minister has called on the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to collaborate with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to reorganise and promote Bangkok’s street food in a tangible manner, especially in Yaowarat, and Khao San areas.” Read more

Street food faces re education

BANGKOK, 28 April 2017: Thai government agencies are easing the fears of food vendors in Bangkok and tourists, saying street food will remain on the attractions menu in the capital city, but it must undergo a revamp.

Foreign Affairs Ministry spokeswoman, Bussadee Santipitak, said the planned street food facelift aims to improve public health safety for consumers in line with international standards and to reorganise the busiest districts of the capital to ease traffic.

In the first stage, vendors will undergo training offered by the government, which will educate them on hygiene requirements. Read more

TAT pushes back on street food ban

BANGKOK, 21 April 2017: Bangkok’s street food culture will survive a crackdown on vendors, Thailand’s tourism chief vowed Thursday, assuring travellers that a city renowned for its chaotic charm was not being remodelled into a Singapore-lite.

The City Hall stunned Thais and tourists alike this week with plans to bar the capital’s world-famous food stalls from all main roads to reclaim pavements for the public.

On Thursday Tourism Authority of Thailand governor, Yuthasak Supasorn, pushed back against fears that Bangkok was being gentrified in the image of Singapore — a city that relishes orderliness but is often characterised as tame compared to its Southeast Asian rivals. Read more

Bangkok street food capital

BANGKOK, 17 March 2017: Bangkok has been named the best world city for street food by CNN.

Government spokesman Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd confirmed Bangkok continues to top the list for the second year.

Yaowarat, or Bangkok’s Chinatown, was also named one of the best neighbourhoods in the Thai capital to explore street food. Read more

Hanoi tightens food standards

HANOI, 10 February 2017: Hanoi’s Department of Health will deploy mobile food laboratories to test for unsafe food sold at restaurants and by street vendors during the traditional spring festivals.

Local media quoted the department director, Nguyen Khac Hien, saying inspection teams, would take random samples of food at restaurants and food stalls operating during the February festival period.

The crackdown is part of a campaign to improve the quality and food safety at food stalls that are popular with tourists. Read more

HCMC fine tunes street food rules

HO CHI MINH CITY, 25 April 2016: Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee in District 1 plans to allow street-food vendors to sell their products in designated areas on certain streets.

Tuoi Tre News reported the scheme will mange sidewalk food stalls, placing them in specific areas where they can be supervised.

According to the plan, street vendors will be only allowed to sell in two areas along Nguyen Van Chiem Street and at the park along the Bach Dang Harbour, and only during specific hours; 0600 to 0800 and 1100 to 1300. Read more

HCMC’s street food campaign

HO CHI MINH CITY, 14 March 2016: Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism authorities plan cosmetic touches to its street food to attract more domestic and foreign visitors.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics’ Tourism Division head, Nguyen Duc Tri, told local media that the management of street food in the city has been neglected.

“The city is famous for its food, but the most important thing is to win customers, confidence in food safety so they are happy to dine at street-side venues.” Read more

Street food on a phone

BANGKOK, 23 September 2015: Sourcing Bangkok’s  street food gets easier now the Thailand Foundation, a unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has introduced a mobile app.

Developed with assistance from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, “Street Food Bangkok” app was launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 21 September.

Foreign ambassadors and senior officials from about 20 diplomatic missions in Thailand attended the event.

Read more