A row of restaurants lights up a street in Huai Khwang district.
The online debate over whether restaurants in Thailand should accept orders only in Thai highlights an underlying issue in the industry: a persistent labour shortage, as many Thais do not want to work in the sector.Well-known tech creator Pongsuk Hiranprueck recently shared on Facebook his experience at a restaurant in Bangkok, where he was served by a foreign waitress who could speak Thai, but discovered that most other staff members could not.
This is not the first time the issue has been raised. Psisamutt, a user on the X platform, said he always orders in Thai, and if a waiter or waitress does not understand him, he simply switches to someone who does. He said that since he is in Thailand, he wants to speak Thai.
Chanon Koetcharoen, president of the Restaurant Association, said his association comprises mainly SME restaurant operators. The industry is facing a significant labour shortage, as Thai nationals are typically not interested in these types of jobs.
This prompts operators to hire workers from other countries who are willing to work hard and show resilience.
