DBD Director-General Thosapone Dansuputra said foodtrucks can be seen as “destinations” that stimulate the economy and boostawareness of Thai cuisine.
Food trucks may encourage tourists to visit Thailandjust to taste foods or beverages that cannot be found anywhere else, he said.
The official added that the food truck culture will also boostinteractions between Thais and foreigners, as well as create cooperationopportunities.
Many Thais and foreigners showed interest in DBD’sactivity promoting food trucks and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) atBangkok's IconSiam shopping complex from February 22-26, he said.
The five-day event generated 3 million THB (nearly90,000 USD) in revenue. DBD also cooperated with financial institutions likeKrungthai Bank, Bank of Adyudhya, Government Savings Bank, TMB Thanachart Bankand United Overseas Bank, to provide advice on requesting loans, he said.
This move was aimed at making it easier for SMEs togain loans, he said, adding that some had already applied for loans at aspecial interest rate to expand their businesses.
Nawarat Mingchareonsuk, the operator of Food TruckTeam Chang, said DBD's event helped expand the market for food truck operatorsand also helped them witness consumer behaviour. This way, she said, they canimprove their products to meet demands.
She also expressed confidence that the food truckbusiness will flourish especially since it is being highlighted in tourprogrammes./.