Abstract
Abstract Food insecurity is often associated with low-income or marginalized populations or vulnerability characteristics, yet less attention has been given to formally employed urban workers. This study explores food insecurity among private-sector office workers in Bangkok’s central business district (CBD). Using a qualitative research design, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 office employees and analyzed through qualitative content analysis within the framework of the four pillars of food security (FS). The findings point out that food insecurity in this group does not primarily manifest as hunger or food shortage. It is reflected in constrained access to affordable nutritious food, reduced dietary quality, and instability in food consumption across the month. Economic precarity, commuting costs, family financial obligations, and rigid working schedules interact to shape everyday food choices. Among the four pillars of FS, access, utilization, and stability appear most affected, while the physical availability of food in the city is not the central concern. The study suggests that food insecurity among formally employed urban workers may take the form of moderate or “hidden” insecurity characterized by dietary compromise rather than hunger. These findings contribute to discussions on urban inequality, labor precarity, and equitable food environments in rapidly expanding metropolitan areas.