In Pictures: Will Bangkok's move to Singapore-style hawker centres kill the city's street food scene?

Ms Nampueng Thong-auam and Mr Somjai Bangsuwannarat have witnessed history on many occasions from their vantage spot in central Bangkok, Thailand. 

For four decades, the couple have run a food cart selling grilled corn, right by a major city landmark known as Victory Monument, the site of several protests over the years.

The monument, erected in 1941, commemorates Thai loss of life during a border skirmish with the French when that nation was in control of Cambodia and Laos, as well as Vietnam.

For 40 baht (US$1.20 or S$1.60), they offer you a delicious corn cob that has been lathered in coconut milk, salt and palm sugar and grilled over charcoal.  

The couple, who are both in their 70s, told CNA TODAY that they do not make much money, just enough to cover their daily expenses. 

“We are tired but we will keep doing this until we can’t do it anymore,” Ms Nampueng said. 

At their age, they are mostly unbothered by the authorities' increasing efforts to clean up the streets, but across the city, street food vendors are facing more challenges to keep their culinary art alive.

ICONIC PART OF BANGKOK LIFE

Street food sellers such as Ms Nampueng and Mr Somjai are scattered all across the Thai capital. 

For generations, these sellers have created a unique culinary scene in the city and many tourists flock to Bangkok for its famous street food. 

In recent years, though, the government has stepped up efforts to promote orderliness, improve food safety and cleanliness standards and to support low-income Thais.

Last year, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration introduced new rules to limit the number of street food vendors across the capital.