Street Vendors Concerned About Government Program Participation: Key Issues Around Fuel Costs, Income Sustainability, and Tax System
Mobile food vendors in Loei province are hesitant to join government support programs, citing concerns over rising fuel costs, unpaid customer debts, and uncertainty about tax implications and income sustainability in their struggling grass
Loei — Mobile food cart vendors in Loei province are voicing concerns about participating in government programs, emphasizing the need for clarity on primary cost factors, particularly fuel prices, income sustainability, and the tax system. They describe their situation as heartbreaking, struggling with mounting debts, minimal profits, rising commodity prices, and skyrocketing living costs that are crushing the grassroots economy.
On May 16, Pancake (surname withheld), an actual mobile food cart owner, explains that profitability is not the answer when living costs are soaring. She describes her daily routine: waking early to stock her single vehicle with a complete inventory of fresh produce, preserved items, and dried goods—leafy vegetables, Chinese water spinach, basil, kale, garlic, bird's eye chili, tomatoes, eggplant varieties, curry ingredients, lemongrass, turmeric, and more—which she sells in the Namman, Kok Thong, and surrounding subdistricts of Muang Loei district.
She admits her work has become extremely difficult. Operating a mobile food cart is frightening. Comparing the current grassroots economy to one or two years ago is shocking—the situation has completely reversed. She's making sales on credit, with customers owing her 20,000 to 30,000 baht that remain unpaid.
The primary factor is skyrocketing fuel prices that show no sign of stopping. Previously, mobile cart vending was quite profitable because living costs were manageable, but now the situation is "rather grim." Fuel costs and daily fluctuating product prices are the main culprits. Some days prices spike so dramatically that it's impossible to keep up, but when she tries to adjust her selling prices accordingly, it becomes difficult. She once sold items for 20 baht but cannot raise them to 30 baht because her community consists mainly of children and elderly residents, some without family support. She must keep prices low, sometimes even offering freebies and accepting losses.
Mobile cart vendors must now cut corners to survive. Their income has shrunk by over 50%. They buy in larger quantities to secure lower wholesale prices, then accept minimal profit margins to maintain their community's purchasing power. Meanwhile, customers are cutting back drastically—from buying hundreds of baht worth to just tens—purchasing only absolute necessities.
Regarding the future, Pancake says she remains concerned and undecided about entering government programs, despite seeing benefits. She has critical questions requiring clarification: the program's scope and whether certain items qualify; whether primary costs like fuel are included; income sustainability, as this profession lacks guaranteed daily income and earns zero on non-working days; and tax implications or conditions that may arise later.
