This paper explains the Thai urban phenomenon of 'public eating' - or the habit of purchasing and consuming food prepared outside the home. The first section outlines the foundations of Thai eating habits and traditional patterns of food retailing. Following this, the transition to a (post)industrial food system is described with particular reference to the social and environmental costs associated with these changes in agricultural production, eating habits and retailing patterns. The third and fourth sections of the paper provide detailed macro-level and ethnographic descriptions of public eating with emphasis on changing gender relations, female labour force participation and changing household dynamics. The conclusion forecasts the future of public eating and streetfoods in Thai society by providing examples of nostalgic pastiche representations of the rapidly deteriorating traditional foodways in Bangkok. This hyperreality is being marketed to the wealthy classes notwithstanding the impacts of the recent economic crisis.