Restaurant chains and delivery companies have reaped a windfall from the ongoing haze, saying their food delivery services have skyrocketed as consumers in Bangkok opt to stay indoors, fearing poor air quality.
Yod Chinsupakul, chief executive of Wongnai Media Co, said the number of food delivery orders under the Wongnai network through the Line Man app rose by 20% after widespread dust was reported in many areas of Bangkok starting late last year.
The increased orders came both from existing and new customers.
There are roughly 250,000 restaurants in the Wongnai system, with about 8.5 million users per month.
Food delivery across the country was estimated to be worth 250 billion baht last year and is believed to have doubled or tripled in value over the past few years.
The value of food delivery across the country is expected to increase 5-10 times over the next three years.
Noppadol Vashirakovit, product manager of Line Man Food Delivery, said food orders surged even though the company has not held any promotions. He said the increase stems simply from panic over the haze.
Mr Noppadol said the positive impact is likely to be short-lived.
Paisarn Aowsathaporn, executive vice-president for food business at Oishi Group Plc, operator of the Oishi restaurant chain, said food delivery under the group grew by 30% over the last few days.
"But it is too early to say the hefty increase in food delivery comes from the dust problem alone," he said, noting that most people prefer to stay home and slow their spending after Children's Day.
Prapat Siangjan, general manager of Burger King Thailand, an affiliate of Minor Food Group, said Burger King's Thong Lor branch fetched the highest number of delivery orders, with an increase of 30% since the haze began.
"The delivery orders come largely in the evening, so we may assume that the customers who order delivery during this period are afraid of the dust," Mr Prapat said.
Nadim Xavier Salhani, chief executive of Mudman, the operator of Au Bon Pain and Dunkin', said the company has yet to be negatively impacted by the dust problem.
The number of visitors to the company's restaurant chains remains unchanged because people do not alter their breakfast or lunch habits easily, Mr Salhani said.
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