Khao San, Yaowarat skirt BMA’s ban on street food

Street food will still be allowed on certain parts of Khao San Road and Yaowarat Road, two tourist magnets, despite a newly revealed plan to ban street vendors from the capital this year, City Hall said yesterday.

The issuance came after local media reported earlier this week that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to wipe out all street food from the city by the end of this year.

The BMA was hit with a barrage of criticism this week after it started to ban street food from Thong Lor on Monday. Last month, CNN voted Bangkok the world’s No.1 city for street food for a second year running.

The food ban marks the latest measure in a clean-up campaign orchestrated by the National Council for Peace and Order that City Hall has been implementing for the last two years.

Vallop Suwandee, chairman of a group of advisers to Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, said yesterday the BMA plans to maintain certain spots on the two roads, which are among the city’s top attractions for foreign visitors.

He said the BMA is aware that Thailand has gained a strong international reputation for its street food, which ranges from gang kiew waan gai (green chicken curry) to giem ee (Chinese-style handrolled noodles).

The agency is now choosing which areas should be exempt from the ban and how to regulate them, he added.

City Hall is also working with related agencies on how to manage the issue and keep vendors in line, officials said.

The BMA will hold a press conference today to disclose its plans, it said.

PATIPAT JANTHONG People enjoy street food, literally on the street in Yaowarat Road. The thoroughfare, which is famous for its street food, will be allowed to carry on serving though City Hall has banned street vendors in many parts of the capital.