Bangkok has a long-standing reputation for being a dirty city. However, the term “dirty” can be hard to define. People have different versions of what they would deem dirty. That’s because cleanliness is subjective. So, is Bangkok a clean or dirty city?

Bangkok is not the cleanest city in the world, but it is relatively clean overall. Like any metropolis of 10 million people, some outer areas can be on the dirtier side with slums and littering. However, the downtown business district and top tourist destination spots tend to be spotless.

But, before giving verdicts about Bangkok’s cleanliness, let’s look at both ends of the spectrum – what makes Bangkok clean and what makes it dirty.

4 Reasons Why Bangkok Is a Clean City

1. Culture as the center of its cleanliness

Religion and tradition also play a significant role in the city’s cleanliness. With 40,000 temples in the city, Thai people value gloriousness with modesty and purity. Amongst all traditional attractions, Wat Pho, home to the reclining Buddha, stands out the most. Every staff member is committed to making sure that the precinct is always lovely and clean.

Cleaning practices are also highly respected, especially by Buddhist monks in the region. They sweep, polish, wash, and tidy their ways to inner peace. Thai Buddhists receive daily duties of cleaning or offering prayers at the temple, from which others are also invited to come to pay their help and respects.

On Earth Day this year, Buddhists lit 33,000 candles around the Golden Shrine, attempting a Guinness World Record for the most significant flame image. This commemorated their message of “cleanse the mind, cleanse the world.”

2. The people of Bangkok

Local people, especially the younger Thai people, are very well-disciplined, and this can be seen in the instances where there is no trash found after the mobs have been cleared from the protest sites. Moreover, several trash cans around the city are labeled as ‘recycle,’ ‘plastic,’ and ‘waste,’ an effort by the government to encourage recycling and reduce plastic.

Thai people live amongst humid and high temperatures, with no seasonal changes and annual temperatures all year round. You will often notice that when interacting with locals that Thai people have a unique code of hygiene. Thais usually shower two, three, or even four times a day.

Even before the pandemic, Thai people were wearing masks for the purpose of pollution. They were way ahead of the world when it came to sanitation and preventive measures. In the same way, national parks like Lumphini give the perfect impression of modern-day Bangkok and its people – greenery, lakes, athleisure, and wildlife.

3. Public transportation

Bangkok’s best things are its BTS (no, not the famous Kpop boy band, but an abbreviation for the Bangkok Mass Transit System) and the MRT (Metropolitan Rapid Transit). These trains are clean and can take you to almost everywhere in the city in relative comfort.

The BTS Skytrain is kept clean because of rules and regulations. Eating food is prohibited inside the train. Also, you are not allowed to bring on Durian onto the train (a popular yet smelly fruit in Thailand).

The trains can be very jam-packed with students and office goers during crowded hours but remain in good condition. The train stations are also immaculate and safe even at night. Buses are also another good option for transportation in the city, especially if you take the new air-conditioned vehicles.

The best part is that all these options are not only clean and comfortable to travel around with, but they are also very cheap. They cost only around 25-40 THB per ride, depending on the distance.

4. Luxurious and modern areas of Bangkok

Bangkok is insanely clean when it comes to its lavish, air-conditioned malls. Consuming as much power as entire provinces, they are amongst the biggest shopping malls in the world. There is no doubt that the mega malls and shopping outlets are pristine.

The same goes for outdoor markets such as Chatuchak, a place regularly visited by tourists and constitutes the most significant local market in the city.

ICONSIAM, a 750,000 square foot mall alongside the bank of the Chao Phraya River and referred to as “Mother of All Malls,” is one of those clean tourist attractions. With expensive brands such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci, the entire ground floor of Icon Siam depicts “picture-perfect Bangkok.” It is built to resemble a dream-like floating market with colorful lights, playful food stalls, and traditional clothing.

However, the same can’t be said for Bangkok’s actual floating markets, such as Damneon Sauak, with polluted green water, visible trash, and some extent of smell. Boats often get trapped amongst traffic as many tourists are asked to go along the market at once.

And, if you were to see other outdoor areas, such as the famous “Night Market” on Sukhumvit road, you would get a different perspective as well – thrifted clothes, garbage, and a crowded nightlife.

4 Reasons Why Bangkok Is a Dirty City

So, despite these systems of cleanliness, Bangkok still has its grungier side. Here are some reasons that might be responsible for its ‘dirty city’ reputation.

1. Flooding

Floods are a massive problem in Bangkok. They bring more traffic jams due to road blockages, hygiene problems from the dirty water, and of course, familiar sights of cars breaking down on the roadsides.

The city expansion projects and the poor infrastructure designs are the main reasons Bangkok and its nearby areas are constantly experiencing floods every year.

If you visit Bangkok during Thailand’s rainy season prepare to see roads flooded in the city center. Particularly in September and October, when there is a heavy downpour, Bangkok’s streets turn into rivers very quickly. You are guaranteed to get your feet wet. To make matters worse, the drains rise so the water is a murky brown.

The chances are that if you experience a flood while visiting Bangkok, your verdict will lean towards the narrative of Bangkok being a dirty place. 

2. Slums and street vendors

There are problems with the cleanliness of the city when it comes to homelessness. And this goes beyond the homeless people you see on the streets or sleeping under bus stops. In 2020, 6.8% of Thailand’s population lived below the national poverty line. (Source)

Khlong Toey:

Even though it’s a rare sight to see slums in an ever-developing city like Bangkok, areas such as Khlong Toey exist right in the heart of the city. Khlong Toey area is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and consists of relatively low and swamp-like land. The majority of the homes there are on stilts over the polluted, stagnant water. This area is also prone to flooding during the rainy season.

There are over 100,000 residents in the Khlong Toey area, and many of them still do not own the homes in which they live, although they have been living there for decades.

Street Food:

As for the street vendors, they were once considered the backbone of the city’s roadside economy. Since 2016, the Bangkok Administration (BMA) has moved 20,000 street vendors across 478 locations, admitting hygiene issues and poor maintenance.

Since then, there has been an emphasis on the importance of street food for low-income workers and customers who travel far to come work in the city. While working to improve these measures, the vendors are expected to keep their stations clean.

3. Air pollution

Even long before the Covid started in 2020, masks were worn regularly due to the PM rate of 2.5 in the city. In January 2019, the government ordered many schools to be closed due to a particularly heavy haze that lasted for several weeks. (Source)

It is common in Bangkok to see smog and experience hazy weather, especially during the dry seasons. The notoriously famous Bangkok traffic is one of the main factors in causing air pollution, the factories located near the outskirts of Bangkok, and the construction sites in the city.

During the rainy season, the air quality index shows positive results, but with rain comes another main problem in this city: flooding. Even with the air pollution problem, Bangkok ranked 48th out of 68 cities in Thailand for a clean database record. (Source) 

4. Governmental awareness

It is no surprise that with 20 million annual tourists and a congested population, Bangkok is suffering from being at its most clean level. However, the city is working on significant projects to help solve this issue.

Enter Bangkok 250 is a project initiated under the Urban Design and Development Center, hoping to tackle urban regeneration and make Bangkok more “livable” by 2032.

This includes one of the significant problems that formed Chaophraya Sky Park. This project also promises to reduce greenhouse gases by 20-30% by the year 2030. With 11 new parks to open up, this is just the beginning of the future vision for Bangkok.

The UN is also working closely to tackle Bangkok’s air pollution impact, which was reduced by 22% since the cleaning and isolation measures induced during the pandemic.

Bangkok’s Dirty Reputation: Truth or Misconception? 

It is evident that Bangkok is a city of many perspectives. With its occasional garbage and pollution, the city might not be as clean as the likes of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Tokyo.

However, compared to other countries in the developing SEA region, Bangkok has its fair share of cleanliness. It is home to some of the most popular tourist attractions globally, which are luxurious, polished, and spotless places to visit.

While Bangkok is working to tackle its population, measures are being taken to ensure that the city becomes “green,” environmentally friendly, and cleaner than ever before. It is expected that the government will continue to self-clean and preserve the city’s beauty.

But whatever you think about Bangkok’s level of cleanliness, there is no doubt that the city’s grungier sides all add to its unique character.

Like always, if you want to discover more about Thailand, stay guided with ThaiGuider. You might learn something you never knew about this unique country.

The post Is Bangkok a Clean or Dirty City? (Truth vs. Reputation) appeared first on ThaiGuider.

Contrary to all assumptions, street food in Thailand is no riskier than eating a famous cuisine. You are just as likely to get food poisoning from a luxury restaurant. The only difference with street food is that you can see the food being prepared right before you.

This article will discuss why Thailand’s street food is safe to consume, as long as you follow a local guide to healthy eating.

Thai street food is cheap yet incredibly delicious; a typical Thai meal will cost you around 30-100 baht ($1-3). Walking around the city, you will come across various street vendors servicing snacks, drinks, and meals; noodles, grilled pork, fried dishes, smoothies, and fruits are some of the popular options.

Is Street Food Safe? Watch Your Food Being Cooked

One of the essential elements of the culinary world involves sanitary precautions and ingredients. As humans, we strive for food that not only makes us complete but is healthy for us to consume; allergies, diseases, and even pandemics are factors that have us second-guessing our meal choices. One of the most significant advantages of street food is that we can see what is happening before our eyes.

High-end restaurants are well-known for meeting the standards of the elite class; air-conditioning, a pleasing aroma, classical music, luxurious menus, expensive cutlery, and food presentation are elements that qualify to be pristine. The only difference is that we cannot see how the food is prepared and whether or not we will get what we asked for until it reaches our table.

In Thailand, most street vendors make fresh food that is made just before us. All food is cut, grilled, and seasoned right in front of the customers. This way, locals and tourists can see the ingredients used and whether or not the worker took precautionary measures, washed their hands, or touched something terrible. Additionally, this allows the customer to see if the dishes and utensils being used are clean.

Street vendors in Thailand usually consist of 1-2 people per stall, so it is essential to witness how the worker interacts with other customers; do they touch the money with the same hands that were preparing the food? Small interactions like such can give context to how cautious the street vendor is.

What You Should Stay Cautious Of When Eating Street Food

Although most street vendors provide healthy alternatives such as ice cream, waffles, crackers, and chips, vegetables and fruit can easily carry bacteria. It is safer to buy fruits that come with a peel; dragon fruit, mangosteen, and pineapple are examples.

Another essential element is the temperature; you must adequately heat all meals to avoid uncooked food. The longer you wait, the larger the risk; eat cooked foods as soon as they come off the heat, near or above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tourists are also quick to question the spiciness of Thai foods, which is why street vendors make it more easily convenient for the customers to tell the server what level of spice they prefer.

Additionally, it is better to avoid juices and smoothies commonly made of tap water; factory-produced ice is available at some stalls. Moreover, sauces are additional condiments offered at stalls; these are not always fresh as they are meant to be refrigerated.

Lastly, you should consider eating small amounts or simple dishes if you worry about getting sick. Street vendors have a variety of options and size requirements, such as snacks, appetizers, and meals. You can always opt for a smaller meal when taste-testing; some might offer you a taste of their food anyways.

Stay Safe by Finding Popular Stalls That Specialize in Dishes

Locals are experienced in knowing the best and safest places to eat. You will find that thousands of people prefer street food; it is one of the most convenient places to eat, especially for lower-income or employees who only have short lunch breaks from work.

Many are quick to know what dishes have been sitting there for hours or those made fresh. It is best to follow in their footsteps and see what most locals prefer to eat on a daily basis.

When looking for street vendors in Thailand, consider the local time that people generally go to eat. If you are a tourist looking to experiment, you might have the freshest food during those three meal periods – keeping in mind that Thai’s eat rather early.

Another essential element is looking for street vendors that specialize in one to two dishes. This means that they will be working with the same ingredients and materials throughout their business; food will be made fresh and healthy, and full attention will be given to those specific meals.

Remember that not all food vendors are the same; if you go to the more poor areas of the city, you will not find the same attraction as those who specialize in the tourism business.

Popular tourist food vendors are found in Khao San Road, Soi Cowboy, and Patpong. Some of these even offer you the opportunity to cook the food on your own. However, many of these markets are famous for providing unique foods such as scorpions, crickets, and forms – not an option for the faint-hearted.

8 Famous Street Food Dishes You Should Try

With a bewildering variety of food options, Thailand is the world’s top destination for street food. Thai’s are well known for incorporating ingredients such as lemon grade, fish sauce, and using a lot of limes and chilies within their meals. If you are a tourist looking to try some of the best dishes, here are just a few promising options:

1. Papaya Salad

Papaya Salad is a spicy salad made from shredded unripe papaya. It originates from ethnic Lao people and is a common Thai cuisine. Known as one of the healthiest foods in the country, it contains a large number of vegetables, fresh herbs, spices, and lean proteins. Regardless, Thai dishes are always high in defined cards, sugars, and salt.

Som Tam is a popular green papaya salad; it has the benefits of any vegetable salad and is full of fiber and minerals.

2. Pad Thai

Pad Thai is a traditional meal consisting of fried Thai noodles. This is the most famous street food made of stir-fried rice noodles, tamarind, tofu, shrimp, shallots, fish sauce, palm sugar, lime, red chili peppers, peanuts, and vegetables.

The flavor of the dish is centered around a sweet-savory fusion. It is salty, nutty, and sweet. They also come in different varieties with some using fish, others chicken, and even tofu.

3. Khao Pad

Kaho Pad is famous Thai jasmine rice; it includes meat, soy sauce, fish sauce, salt, sugar, chili, and vegetables. Known as a famous side dish, it is a typical restaurant and street food; it is a blend of seafood, meats, and rice cooked in oil.

4. Khao Soi

Khao Soi is a bowl of egg noodles, served with children in a curry soup. This is a unique dish that Myanmar has influenced across the border. It is popularly eaten in the roadside stalls of Chiang Mai.

5. Thai Omelette

A super simple dish is the breakfast Thai omelet; it is also eaten as a snack. While adding fish sauce and sweet chili for more flavor, this is one of the country’s most popular and cheap breakfasts.

6. Poh Pia Tod

Poh Pia Tod is Thailand’s most popular spring roll; they come in various fillings like vegetables, rice noodles, and meat.

7. Guay Tiew Nam Kohn

Guay Tiew Nam Kohn is Thai beef noodles. Served as a mixture of light broth and egg noodles, these are famous all across East Asia. It was adapted from a Chinese cuisine that Thai’s recreated with their own style; they also use meatballs, dumplings, roast pork, and egg pastry as their essential components.

8. Mango Sticky Rice and Coconut Ice Cream

If you are looking for something sweet, mango sticky rice and coconut ice cream are the two top traditional desserts for those with a sweet tooth. Mango sticky rice originated from Thailand, where South and Southeast Asians enjoy the conventional meal, also referred to as Khao Neow Ma Muang; a traditional summer dessert made of coconut milk, sugar/palm sugar, mangoes, and rice.

Coconuts also contribute to Thailand’s economy and are used in a variety of dishes and drinks. They also served as an essential economic crop in Thailand for centuries; the milk refreshers are known to provide essential fiber.

How the Government is Working to Make Street Food Even Safer

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recently worked under the World Health Organization (WHO) to discuss the improvement of Thailand’s street vendors. It was found that most locals do not have the time to cook home meals or commute long distances during work hours. For this reason, thousands of locals are dependent on street stalls. This is a plus for the tourism business, where foreigners can get a taste of Thailand’s unique culture while walking down the streets.

The international help ensures that there would be good sanitation of all street vendors in Thailand, especially since its initiation in 1989. The Department of Health and Ministry of Public Health, alongside the Tourism Authority of Thailand, is working to initiate the “Clean Food Good Taste” project.

The project is designed to:

• Reduce the risk of food-borne diseases
• Promote clean and sanitary food services
• Support local authorities and tourists in managing safe food to be consumed

The project also provides a few safety tips for tourists and locals who regularly visit or are new to street food.

1. Always visit busy restaurants: stalls with more attention are also quick to finish with their food supply, so they always come with fresh ingredients.
2. Ask questions before you order: mention any allergies, spiciness levels, or whether you require something to be without MSG, halal, less sweet, or not sweet.
3. Aim for stalls that are not crawling with flies.
4. Avoid drinking water other than bottled water with the concern of poorly produced ice or use of tap water.
5. Pick clean stalls; do not risk unsanitary precautions for the sake of a quick bite.
6. Always bring medicine from home. Additionally, Thai pharmacies offer cheap alternatives, but this can become difficult to ask for with the language barrier.
7. Maybe don’t go for food experimentation right before a flight!

Conclusion

All in all, street food can be a questionable option, but ultimately it’s mostly safe, as long as you take the proper precautions. Like many other countries, Thailand is not the cleanest in the world; however, they are working under initiatives and challenges to adapt to the changing generation.

Especially since the rise of the pandemic, it has been an immense challenge for the government to make street vendors even cleaner than they were before. As street vendors continue to fight for their place, they are working to improve their sanitary standards.

As the tourism business is soon to open up again, all food must be tasty and presentable. It all depends on picking the right stall and being open to communication and change. Ultimately, it comes down to making intelligent decisions for food choices. One wrong decision can get you sick from anywhere!

The post Is Street Food Safe to Eat in Thailand? (8 Popular Dishes) appeared first on ThaiGuider.