Bangkok: Mother's Day was bustling! Restaurants were packed to capacity, with Thai restaurants reporting an 80% increase in spending compared to normal days. Mother's Day remains a golden period for the restaurant business, as Thai families flock to take their mothers out for meals. The Thai Restaurant Association reports that many restaurants are 100% booked. Statistics show that spending on restaurants during Mother's Day 2025 is projected to be 80% higher than normal, ranking number one, with a further 5% growth forecast for 2026.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Thaniwan Kulmongkol, President of the Thai Restaurant Association, revealed that Mother's Day is a particularly important time for the restaurant business, as it's a day when family members gather together and often choose to share meals as the main activity. This results in a especially lively atmosphere, particularly at family-friendly restaurants, fine dining establishments, hotel restaurants, and restaurants with a celebratory ambiance, many of which experience 100% occupancy.
Ms. Warittha Pattanarat, Chief Marketing Officer of KTC (Krungthai Card Public Company Limited), stated that data on credit card spending as of August 12, 2025, showed that the restaurant category ranked number one with the highest spending, exceeding the average daily spending by 80%. This reflects consumers' willingness to spend more on creating shared family experiences.
For Mother's Day 2026, credit card spending in the restaurant category is projected to continue growing by approximately 5% year-on-year, despite the "Thai Helps Thai Plus" campaign offering more spending options. This is because restaurants remain a primary destination, and consumers are increasingly seeking value for money, such as using reward points for discounts or cashback.