BANGKOK, Thailand — The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has unveiled plans for the Lumphini Hawker Centre, a dedicated facility intended to formalize and regulate the city’s renowned street food sector. Construction began in June 2025 on Ratchadamri Road, adjacent to Lumphini Park, with completion targeted for early 2026.
Project Details and Vendor Support
The Lumphini Hawker Centre will accommodate 88 vendors per shift, operating in two rotations from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 4 p.m. to midnight. According to Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, a BMA spokesperson, the centre is designed to support low-income earners while enhancing food safety and hygiene standards. Priority will be given to vendors previously relocated from Sarasin Road, with stalls reserved for Thai nationals earning less than 180,000 baht annually or those holding a State Welfare Card.
Public Opinion and Policy Context
The initiative follows ongoing debate over street vending in Bangkok. A recent Nida Poll indicated that more than 92% of residents purchase food from street vendors for convenience and affordability, yet 59% believe vending should be limited to wide sidewalks. This reflects persistent concerns regarding public space usage and pedestrian accessibility.
Regulatory Background and Future Implications
A previous effort in 2016 under former Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra led to the removal of over 10,000 vendors from 23 districts. The BMA now seeks to balance regulation with the hawker centre model, drawing inspiration from Singapore’s approach to managing street food. Officials have stated that stricter regulations will be enforced elsewhere in the city, restricting street vending to designated zones to maintain clear pedestrian pathways.
The Lumphini Hawker Centre is expected to serve as a strategic model for managing Bangkok’s dynamic street food culture, offering regulated, accessible, and safe dining options while addressing the needs of both vendors and the wider public.
