Tourists come to Thailand for the food and then for the shopping. Hospitality and street food bring a large amount of money to the people as well as the country’s economy.
A 2023 study by the Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) of the National Institutes of Health, USA, shows that culinary tourism has become a trend of the global tourism industry in the 21st century. Streets as defined by NCBI are service activities, eating and drinking in public places, including stalls and street vendors at local markets, roadsides, and festivals. Carts are often used to prepare and sell freshly prepared meals.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reports that there were 1,460 million international tourists in 2019 and brought in revenue from dining of 1,481 billion USD. During travel, spending on food accounts for more than 30% of total expenses.
In Thailand, spending on food by international tourists was about 8.8 billion USD out of an average total tourism revenue of more than 71 billion USD before the epidemic. This shows that culinary tourism plays an important role in Thailand’s total economic revenue.
Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, an official at the General Department of Tourism, said the main reason tourists come to Thailand is food, followed by shopping and the hospitality of the people.
Many tourist destinations are targeting street food as a tourism marketing strategy. About 20% of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) budget is spent on promoting culinary tourism. More than 150,000 food service providers are operating in Thailand with a market capitalization of nearly 1 billion baht (about 27 million USD). There are about 103,000 street food traders, accounting for nearly 70% of the total number of food businesses. Tourists to Thailand spend about 20% of their travel budget on food and drinks.
“The coexistence of street food and tourist experiences is an attraction that connects tourists to locals,” the NCBI report wrote.
NCBI also created a survey table for international visitors to rate the street food system in Thailand. Most visitors appreciate the pleasant atmosphere that street food areas bring, affordable prices, fresh food, friendly staff attitude, and attractive aromas.
The power of street food in Thailand is not just a way to eat quickly but also a way of life. From the bustling night markets of Bangkok to small villages in the countryside, street food is the force that brings people together as people gather to enjoy food.
Besides, street stalls also help many Thai people earn enough money to feed their families, even have a surplus.
“Street food is having a significant impact on the Thai economy. It creates jobs, brings in foreign currency and helps create a more vibrant food culture,” said the leading website in Thailand in providing travel information and reviews.
From the development of street food, the Thai tourism industry has created an equally attractive product: street food tours. This is the perfect choice if you want to explore Thailand in a unique and interesting way.
“Street food vendors are the economic lifeblood of Thailand. Living in Thailand, you cannot help but realize the indispensable role street food plays for both locals and tourists” , according to ChiangMaicitylife, the leading travel website in Chiang Mai.
The owner of a small stall selling fried chicken with sticky rice in Chiang Mai said each meal costs 50 baht. Before the epidemic, they earned 8,000 baht per day. Minus the costs, the daily profit is 2,500 baht. They open 6 days a week, earning 65,000 baht (nearly 1,800 USD) each month. This amount of money is enough for them to feed their family and save to buy a car, buy a house and pay for their two children to go to school. Income from the stall is double the average monthly income of Thai people, according to data from SCMP. After the epidemic, stall owners earn less, about 39,000 baht per month. However, this money still helps their family make ends meet.
“No matter what dish you choose, it will still be the most delicious and cheapest dish on your trip,” Elliot Rhodes, an Australian, shares his love for Thai street food.