This photo taken on April 29, 2026 shows visitors eating local street food in Chinatown in Bangkok. Across Bangkok, aromas of garlic, chilli and grilled meat drift from roadside stalls and carts, but tighter controls on vendors threaten livelihoods and the street food culture that defines the Thai capital. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with AFP story Thailand-Bangkok-food-culture-economy,FOCUS by Montira Rungjirajittranon

This photo taken on April 30, 2026 shows a street food vendor waiting for customers at the newly-opened Lumphini Hawker Centre in Bangkok. Across Bangkok, aromas of garlic, chilli and grilled meat drift from roadside stalls and carts, but tighter controls on vendors threaten livelihoods and the street food culture that defines the Thai capital. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with AFP story Thailand-Bangkok-food-culture-economy,FOCUS by Montira Rungjirajittranon

This photo taken on April 29, 2026 shows street food vendor Thitisakulthip Sang-uamsap selling fried vegetarian snacks in Chinatown in Bangkok. Across Bangkok, aromas of garlic, chilli and grilled meat drift from roadside stalls and carts, but tighter controls on vendors threaten livelihoods and the street food culture that defines the Thai capital. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with AFP story Thailand-Bangkok-food-culture-economy,FOCUS by Montira Rungjirajittranon

This photo taken on April 29, 2026 shows people eating noodles from a street food stall in Chinatown in Bangkok. Across Bangkok, aromas of garlic, chilli and grilled meat drift from roadside stalls and carts, but tighter controls on vendors threaten livelihoods and the street food culture that defines the Thai capital. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with AFP story Thailand-Bangkok-food-culture-economy,FOCUS by Montira Rungjirajittranon

This photo taken on April 29, 2026 shows people eating noodles from a street food cart in Chinatown in Bangkok. Across Bangkok, aromas of garlic, chilli and grilled meat drift from roadside stalls and carts, but tighter controls on vendors threaten livelihoods and the street food culture that defines the Thai capital. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with AFP story Thailand-Bangkok-food-culture-economy,FOCUS by Montira Rungjirajittranon

This photo taken on April 29, 2026 shows Wong Jaidee selling durian from a cart along the street in Chinatown in Bangkok. Across Bangkok, aromas of garlic, chilli and grilled meat drift from roadside stalls and carts, but tighter controls on vendors threaten livelihoods and the street food culture that defines the Thai capital. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with AFP story Thailand-Bangkok-food-culture-economy,FOCUS by Montira Rungjirajittranon

This photo taken on April 30, 2026 shows a street vendor selling fried food along Silom road in Bangkok. Across Bangkok, aromas of garlic, chilli and grilled meat drift from roadside stalls and carts, but tighter controls on vendors threaten livelihoods and the street food culture that defines the Thai capital. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with AFP story Thailand-Bangkok-food-culture-economy,FOCUS by Montira Rungjirajittranon

This photo taken on April 29, 2026 shows grilled seafood salad from a street food vendor in Chinatown in Bangkok. Across Bangkok, aromas of garlic, chilli and grilled meat drift from roadside stalls and carts, but tighter controls on vendors threaten livelihoods and the street food culture that defines the Thai capital. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP via Getty Images) / To go with AFP story Thailand-Bangkok-food-culture-economy,FOCUS by Montira Rungjirajittranon