The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has introduced new regulations governing street vendors throughout the city, restricting their activities to designated areas. The move is part of an ongoing effort to manage public spaces more effectively, according to Jakkapan Phiewngam, deputy Bangkok governor.
The policy stipulates that only low-income Thai citizens will be allowed to operate as street vendors. These individuals must meet at least one of three criteria: possession of a state welfare card, participation in the Baan Mankong housing scheme, or receipt of welfare from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. In addition, vendors must show that their annual income does not exceed 300,000 baht after the first year, supported by tax filings.
Street vendors will be granted a one-year grace period to begin filing taxes if they have not done so previously. Those who exceed the income threshold of 300,000 baht will lose their right to sell on the streets, although the BMA will review this threshold annually, considering inflation and economic conditions. Priority will be given to vendors already registered in the tax system.
The BMA has also set specific spatial requirements to ensure pedestrian safety. Vendors must provide 1.5 to 2 meters of space for pedestrians, depending on the width of the street. Each stall is limited to three square meters, and they must be positioned at least 50 centimeters from the road. Furthermore, for every 10 stalls, a 3-meter gap must be maintained to serve as an emergency exit.
District offices will be responsible for selecting vendors, and in areas with limited space, a lottery system will be used to determine which vendors can operate. The BMA will evaluate the suitability of vending areas every one or two years, considering the impact on traffic flow and street layouts. Bus stops, footbridges, and entrances to public buildings will be kept clear of obstructions.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has previously expressed his intention to reduce the number of street vendors by moving them to designated areas, similar to Singapore’s hawker centers, in an effort to create cleaner and more organized public spaces. Although there are no immediate plans to expand vending zones, the BMA will continue to monitor compliance with the new regulations.
In the past two years, approximately 10,000 vendors have been removed from Bangkok’s streets, and the BMA’s long-term goal remains to establish dedicated vending centers across the city.
