'CIA'-like street food vendors first on scene to feed Thai protesters

In this file photo taken on Oct 21, 2020, a street food vendor selling steamed corn uses his mobile phone as pro-democracy protesters gather for an anti-government rally in Bangkok. - AFP

BANGKOK (AFP): With an intelligence network so good they have been compared to the CIA, Thai street vendors are often first on the scene at "guerilla" democracy protests in Bangkok, where they hawk sour pork and fishballs to a democracy-hungry crowd.

After a government crackdown last week, protest groups have begun keeping the venues for their demonstrations demanding the resignation of Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha secret until the last minute, in a bid to outsmart authorities.