Comparing the economic and social security of franchise street vendors and independent street vendors : case studies of Klong Toei Community in Bangkok, Thailand

Informal economy workers suffer from a lack of social protection. However, most of independent street vendors in Thailand work informally with little social protection. Number of franchise enterprise businesses on the street is increasing and may indicate good opportunities for independent street vendor to convert themselves into the franchise street vendors due to similar nature of their work. This research attempts to answer the following questions: Why does independent street work as an independent street vendor? Which is the better choice between being an independent street vendor or franchise street vendor in the aspects of economic and social security? In order to investigate these issues further, this research conducts comparative study between franchise street vendors and independent street vendors. In this case study, two franchise enterprises were selected: 5 Dao (Ha Dao, Five Star Grilled Chicken) and Chay 4 (Chay See, Chaysee Bamee Kieaw Thai Noodle). The researcher also analyzed independent street vendors with the same category of the food and the size of the food stall with franchise vendors. It was discovered independent street vendors are confident in owning their own businesses while franchise street vendors believe they will earn higher income than independent street vendors. In regards to the economic security aspect, franchise street vendors work less but earn more. For the social security aspect, both independent street vendors and franchise street vendors experienced the same conditions even though independent street vendors were more aware of it.