Thailand, one of the most visited countries in the world, is considered by many to be the “street food capital of the world”.
The Southeast Asian country is known for its affordable and tasty street food like Som Tam (papaya salad), the fiery Tom Yum Goong and the ever-popular Pad Thai noodles.
Over the past year, Thailand’s tourism-dependent economy has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. The country has closed off its borders to tourists and businesses across the tourism sector have been hit hard. Many are struggling to cope with the lack of income, including those working in hotels, malls, and of course, street food vendors.
Some individuals and businesses in Thailand have stepped up to lend their assistance. Philip Villa, an Italian entrepreneur and founder of Bangkok- based Thai boxing brand Yokkao, is one of those helping to support the community.
Last week, Villa and his team organised a food distribution effort that benefitted 1000 residents at various locations in Bangkok city. The effort also aimed to help the street food vendors, many of whom are affected by the global pandemic that has brought international travel to a standstill. The food aid provided many with a meal while bringing business to the food vendors who helped support the effort.
The beneficiaries each received a packet of Pad Thai noodles, an iconic and popular Thai dish. Villa hopes to extend help to the underprivileged and bring awareness to Thailand’s street food culture with the food distribution.
The tourism sector is not the only industry impacted by the pandemic. Thailand’s extensive boxing community has also been affected by the repeated lockdowns in the country. Competitive events which used to take place on a daily basis in Bangkok and provided fighters with a steady income, have been suspended for extended periods.
However, Villa and his fighters remain positive during this challenging situation. Yokkao’s fighters volunteered to help distribute all of the one thousand food packets by hand to support the cause.
Giving back has always been at the heart of Yokkao’s mission and the food distribution is just another give-back initiative from Villa. He has always believed in supporting the community since he launched Yokkao in 2010. Villa has helped gyms and fighters by providing gear and equipment, even at the very beginning, even when the company was not in profit. Last November, in the midst of the pandemic, Villa dispatched his team to Buriram province in the Northeastern region of Thailand, outfitting gyms and fighters with new training equipment as well as gear and shorts.
Thailand’s economic outlook now hinges on the reopening of borders and returning of tourists. For now, efforts such as Villa’s food distribution aid can help alleviate the situation of the pandemic-hit citizens until Thailand’s plans to reopen are fully realised.