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

Walking streets to have snack zones

HO CHI MINH CITY, 17 March 2017: Ho Chi Minh City authorities will allow vendors to sell goods and food on some street pavements in the Pham Ngu Lao Ward in District 1.

Local media reported that a draft plan, written up by city’s Department of Tourism and District 1 People’s Committee, will include upgrading infrastructure and redirecting traffic on Pham Ngu Lao and De Tham streets and turning Bui Vien into a pedestrian walkway at night.

Pham Ngu Lao Ward People’s Committee vice chairman, Cao Hong Viet, was quoted saying owners of food and drink stalls will be allowed to park vehicles, or set up vendor stalls, on pavements from 1700 at specific sections of pedestrian streets.   Read more

Ho Chi Minh City cleans up streets

HO CHI MINH CITY, 2 March 2017: Ho Chi Minh City authorities will reclaim sidewalks from vendors, roadside stalls cars, and motorbikes in a bid to clean up the city’s tourism image

Tuoi Tre News quoted the municipal Traffic Safety Committee deputy head, Nguyen Ngoc Tuong, saying it has become a ‘lifestyle’ for citizens to occupy the sidewalks to run their business.

Peddlers and roadside food vendors encroach on the city’s sidewalks to earn a living, but they are forcing pedestrians to walk on busy streets adding to traffic congestion. People use the sidewalks to park their cars, while motorbike riders take short cuts on the pavements. Read more

Yangon to open new night market

YANGON, 13 January 2017: To make Yangon more attractive to visitors, Myanmar’s former capital will open a new night market along its downtown 52nd Street.

Global New Light of Myanmar reported that the Yangon City Development Committee plans to open the night market this month.

The authorities are pushing the project claiming it is important to ensure visitors have more attractions in the evening. Read more