The Thai street cooks who get to protests first

Meet the 'CIA' -- not the world famous United States Central Intelligence Agency, but a group of Thai street food carts.

They've earned the nickname for the intelligence they gather ahead of Thailand's ongoing anti-government street protests -- so they can rush to the sites to hawk their dishes.

The so-called 'CIA' use their cell phones to study announcements by demonstrators, who usually announce protest sites at the last minute to confuse police.

When they find out the location, they can then quickly reach the site not only ahead of police, but before many protesters themselves.

"We have to follow the news very closely," this vendor says.

The street-food hawkers sell everything from fishballs and fried chicken, to dimsum and ice cream.

And with tens of thousands of demonstrators in attendance, business is booming.

This vendor says he makes about $160-192 each time.

The protests first began in July against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha -- Thailand's former military ruler.

Demonstrators want him removed from power, and they also want to curb the powers held by Thailand's King.