Pattaya restaurants gave away free food after being told they could only offer takeout or delivery.
July 19 was the last day dining rooms could remain open. Many restaurateurs decided to close entirely rather than try to survive on takeout and delivery orders, particularly as large food-delivery platforms charge commissions as high as 45 percent, leaving few profits for operators.
Rather than throw away their stock, some restaurants just gave away the leftover food.
Suchada Kaewkao, owner of the Krua Na Korn south curry restaurant, said that most of her customers prefer dine-in. She said Krua Na Korn will close completely for two weeks and she will re-evaluate whether to open for takeout then.
If the government is forcing restaurants to close, it should compensate owners, Suchada said.