Virus fails to kill Thais’ appetite for Japanese food
The number of Japanese restaurants in Thailand grew by 12.6 per cent this year to 4,094, the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) said on Tuesday.
More than half (2,105) are located in Bangkok. The remainder are located in Chonburi and Nonthaburi (256 each), Chiang Mai (162), Samut Prakan (129), Pathum Thani (102), Phuket (69), Songkhla (68), Nakhon Ratchasima (63) and Nakhon Pathom (56). An increase in sushi outlets was the main reason for the rise.
JETRO president Atsushi Taketani said the customer base for Japanese cuisine was expanding as people became familiar with the food.
However, high competition and the Covid-19 crisis saw 726 Japanese restaurants close this year in Thailand – the highest number since 2007.
He said Thailand's Covid-19 lockdown saw a 20-30 per cent drop in restaurant sales, forcing many out of business. Restaurants patronised by wealthy Thai customers had recovered quickly, but those dependent on foreign tourists were still struggling, he added.
Despite an uncertain outlook, Taketani said Japanese businesses had already contacted JETRO with plans to open restaurants in Thailand next year.
He added that JETRO has joined AIS, Gojek and GrabFood to organise the "Let’s eat JAPAN" promotion campaign.
This year, Japan exported food and beverages to Thailand worth almost Bt10 billion, mostly seafood, beef, apples, grapes and Japanese rice wine.