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Amiable Frenchman turns heads as he serves up Thai street food with Gallic charm

Published: 29 Dec 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Samuel Montassier turns heads at the Chalerm Buri intersection in Yaowarat but it's not the yum woonsen, or spicy vermicelli salad, he sells that grabs the attention of passersby.

Frenchman Samuel Montassier cooksyum woonsen (spicy vermicelli salad) at his roadside stall in the Yaowarat area. CHUMPORN SANGVILERT

Rather, it's that a "farang" is selling the popular Thai street food.

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rva
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Discussion 38 : 29 Dec 2012 at 18.1038
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As far as the legality of Sam's employment goes... I'm sure he's doing something right. Look at that busy intersection, and it is implied in the article that so many people already knows who he is. He's so well known that if there was a problem he would have been out of business long before this article was posted.
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OldThaiHand
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Discussion 37 : 29 Dec 2012 at 16.5437
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"The way I (as a retiree) see it: this boy is 42 years old and never had a serious job."
Disc. 30

Let's see. He's not back in France living on welfare. He seems to have made his own way in life and survived some tough times, without imposing on anyone. He's started a business with his wife and used the novelty of a Farang making Thai food as a smart marketing strategy. He's devoted to his wife, treats his customers with respect and makes everyone happy.

I'd say he's actually a pretty good role-model.
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Rab.Madar
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Discussion 36 : 29 Dec 2012 at 16.3436
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D31, rva. "D24 Dao: Does EVERYTHING have to be about "The Fugitive"?"
I'm glad that I'm not the only one thats fed up with it.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 35 : 29 Dec 2012 at 16.3135
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More power to him, but If I were Samuel, I would not be trying to attract attention. The boys in brown will surely want a cut. Also, if the local competition gets envious, he may be in for some trouble.
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Silkpit
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Discussion 34 : 29 Dec 2012 at 15.5434
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Dick Farang,
Your comments surpass your pseudonym by far. It seems to me you are jealous of what the French men is achieving. Happy New Year Dick!
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Rab.Madar
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Discussion 33 : 29 Dec 2012 at 15.4333
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Heres a guy working hard to make a living, enjoying what hes doing and making a lot of people happy too.
When there are foreign 'bar managers', 'sex mongers' and 'mafia' all over Thailand, why should anybody worry about one innocent guy ?
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rva
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Discussion 32 : 29 Dec 2012 at 15.2332
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D24 Dao: Does EVERYTHING have to be about "The Fugitive"?
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rva
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Discussion 31 : 29 Dec 2012 at 15.2131
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A neat story. But half of you act like he has offended you personally. What are you going to do? Go down there and fight him? Why don't you all lighten up?
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DickFarang
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Discussion 30 : 29 Dec 2012 at 14.5130
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The way I (as a retiree) see it: this boy is 42 years old and never had a serious job.

Not what I would call a role model.
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DickFarang
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Discussion 29 : 29 Dec 2012 at 14.4229
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@ Discussion 12 (rontorre):

I guess he has got neither because he has always struggled to survive financially.

Moreover, a permanent resident still needs a work permit to work.
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