This photo taken on April 29, 2026 shows people eating 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 29, 2026 shows street food vendors 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 preparing noodles 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 people ordering grilled seafood from street vendors 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 street food vendors moving their carts before evening rush hour 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 seafood 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 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