If you have ever walked on the street of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or another population location in Thailand, you probably would have come across Thai people eating on the street. To many international visitors, street food may look strange. Therefore, you may want to know why so many Thai people are on the street.
In general, Thai people eat on the street for so many reasons. Firstly, street food is cheap; hence, it is the most affordable way for people to eat. Secondly, Thais eat on the street because it is usually more convenient than preparing and eating food at home. Other reasons include the deliciousness of the food and access to varieties of food.
However, before you join Thais to eat street food, you should be aware of certain points. In this article, we will show you some important tips to consider before eating on the street in Thailand.
Reasons lots of individuals eat on the street in Thailand
Now, let’s explain why so many Thai people eat on the street in detail.
- It is cheaper
When compared to preparing and eating dishes at home, street food is cheaper. With street food, everything will be prepared by the seller in large quantities. Hence, the seller can sell the food at affordable costs to the buyers.
Generally, lots of workers are poorly paid in Thailand. Many people don’t make more than 350 Thai Baht (about 10 USD) per day. Therefore, people are always looking for the best way to manage their money to take care of their bills. According to Adventurouskate.com, you can buy a serving of Thai street food for around 30 Thai Baht (less than 1 USD). Of course, cooking at home will be costlier than street food. So, it is not strange that lots of Thai people prefer to eat on the street.
- It is convenient
For people working in big cities such as Bangkok, it is always important to leave home early to get to work on time. Besides, lots of Thais work odd shifts or long hours. Therefore, they cannot afford to spend hours working at home. As a result of this, the only practical and convenient option for them to eat is to buy street food.
Apart from the fact that street food gets rid of spending time cooking, it also helps them to avoid doing dishes or cleaning up the kitchen. In addition, numerous apartments in Bangkok are small with tiny or no kitchen. So, it is only reasonable for people to eat on the street.
- The food is delicious
Another reason for eating on the street in Thailand is that the dishes are usually delicious. Most of the food sellers are amazing cooks with a vast wealth of experience in preparing Thai food. Therefore, they are capable of making the most amazing Thai food people can ask for. Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that many people like eating on the street in the country.
- It is safe
Eating on the street in Thailand is safe. According to Tielandtothailand.com, you don’t have to worry too much about safety. This is because the meals are usually prepared in hygienic conditions. Besides, the quality of the food is nice. Since Thai people eat street food without any issue, many of them prefer to eat on the street than cook at home.
However, if you are a foreigner, you need to be cautious when trying street food. This is because your body may not be used to some of the ingredients used for preparing the food.
- It offers a wide range of food options
From pad Thai to papaya salad, dumplings, banana roti, massaman curry, and sticky rice, you can find tons of food options on the street. In Thailand, you will see lots of food street sellers in the same area offering numerous dishes. Of course, it cannot be easy for anyone to prepare so many meals at home alone. Even most restaurants don’t have menus that offer as many meals as a collection of street food stalls. So, when looking for different Thai meals to eat, Thai people like to go to the street to check out the available options.
- It encourages socialization
In Thailand, eating on the street is more than just getting rid of hunger; it is a means of socialization. When Thai people come together to eat on the street, they sometimes eat as a family and socialize with others around them. In fact, lots of friends have been made and numerous relationships have started from eating on the street in the Land of Smiles.
Tips for eating on the street in Thailand
Having known why many Thai people eat on the street, you may also want to try out street food during your visit to Thailand. As noted by Stuff.co.nz, you should follow the tips below when buying Thai street food:
- Only patronize food stalls with lots of local customers
Most locals know the best and most hygienic food stalls. Therefore, they prefer buying their meals from such stalls. If you want to eat safe street food, buy from where the locals are buying. Try to visit the stalls at the regular local meal times to see where locals are eating their meals.
- Watch the seller as they cook your food
In Thailand, the vendor will likely cook the street food in your presence. So, you have to pay attention to the preparation process. Make sure the cooking area is clean and hygienic. Also, ensure the ingredients are in good condition.
- Talk about your allergies
Are you allergic to any food ingredients? Then, you should tell the food vendor before they start making your meals. This is to ensure that they don’t add such ingredients to your food.
- Go for food with fewer ingredients
Since you are just trying out street food in Thailand, you should choose dishes with fewer ingredients. This will lower the risk of allergies and also make it easy for your body to get accustomed to street food.
Conclusion
Now, you know the reasons why many Thai people eat on the street. You can also try out the delicious and safe Thai street dishes on your next visit to the country.
