Foreign community inquires Thailand on street food control

BANGKOK, April 27 (TNA) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that foreign community has been asking about the government's plan to reorganise street food vendors, as well as about the upcoming Street Food Festival in June. MFA spokesperson Ms Busadee Santipitak said that the ministry has been receiving question from international countries on the report about the government's plan to reorganise street food vendors in various areas of the capital, Bangkok. She said the ministry has told the international community that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has planned to provide appropriate areas for the sellers to make their living, as well as to improve the quality and standard of the food to ensure better hygiene and cleanliness to provide more protection for consumers and more safety for pedestrians. The spokeswoman noted that the rearrangement does not mean that Thailand would reduce the importance of street food, but in turn, should help to promote more acceptance of street food among tourists and help expand the business as well. The ministry foresaw that the rearrangement is a requirement under world standard, particularly on food hygiene and cleanliness, though the people's live style must also be retained, where the BMA, together with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports would carry out the process fittingly. She said the Thai Street Food is charming because of its tastes, menu, and uniqueness, all of which are sought after by tourists, noting that there are enough quality Thai food restaurants to cater to the high demands of international tourists as well. Additionally, Ms Busadee added that Tourism and Sports Ministry is also set to organise a Street Food Festival in June to promote Thai food and tourism. (TNA)