What about a compromise solution for food vendors?
The war between the BMA and street vendors and consumers has started. What will be the consequences of City Hall’s ban on street vendors? Here is my take:
The winner(s): Convenience stores and possibly landlords of food hawker centres if we adopt the Singapore model.
The losers: Street vendors. Most will be forced to pay higher rents and/or relocate to non-prime areas with lower traffic. Raising food prices will drive consumers elsewhere. Sales will drop. Thus, many street vendors will lose their livelihoods.
Consumers: As most eat within proximity of their work and residence, they will pay higher prices of food available in their vicinity – unless of course they patronise convenience stores.
Compromise solution: What if street vendors’ hygiene is upgraded, pavement rules clearly defined, and they pay some form of tax? This would enable street vendors to continue plying their trade from the same location. All parties win – the government, vendors, consumers, as well as tourism and the economy.
Edward Kitlertsirivatana
