Dip in Songkran spending seen

The Thai Restaurant Association expects Thais to travel during this year’s Songkran holiday period, but anticipates that they will spend less during their break than last year.

- KUAKUL MORNKUM

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake shook Myanmar and Thailand on March 28, and its effects are still being felt within the Thai restaurant industry, especially eateries situated in high-rise buildings, said Thaniwan Kulumongkol, president of the association.

She said some buildings in Bangkok remained closed as of April 8, which means restaurants located in those buildings were not reopened.

Some companies encouraged their employees to work from home, which has reduced foot traffic in the build-ings where they would normally work, affecting restaurants with branches in those buildings, she said.

Mrs Thaniwan said she expects people who plan to travel or visit their hometowns during the Songkran holi-day period to shop ahead with their plans.