The Thai Restaurant Association (TRA) said on Wednesday that sales at restaurants dropped by 80 percent with the ongoing stay-home and food delivery measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Also, with the lifting of some health control measures allowing restaurants to reopen since May 3, restaurants still have to follow disease control measures including social distancing and the limitation of customer numbers at the premises," said TRA President Thaniwan Kulmongkol.

"This limits the numbers of customers eating at restaurants. Groups of family members and friends choose food delivery services instead of sitting separately at restaurants," said Thaniwan. "This explains the 80 percent drop in restaurant sales."

She said restaurateurs are currently facing hardship as they must continue to pay rent, leading to massive lay-offs of employees.

Thaniwan hoped the government can come to an understanding of the dire situation felt by the restaurant operators and employees and will lift more restrictions to allow customers to relax and enjoy their meals.