Photo Credit: Line Man
Food delivery platform LINE MAN Wongnai is working closely with local communities to help food merchants in Hat Yai resume operations following the recent severe flooding.
According to the Bank of Thailand, Songkhla’s gross provincial product in 2023 reached 251 billion baht, with Hat Yai contributing 70% of the total. As the economic centre of southern Thailand, Hat Yai’s restaurant sector represents 15% of the region’s business on the LINE MAN Wongnai platform, said chief executive Yod Chinsupakul.
Before the floods, between Oct 21 and Nov 20, around 2,800 restaurants were operating in the city. From Nov 27 to Jan 6, about 75% had reopened, though nearly 1,000 small restaurants remain closed.
Mr Yod said the company is supporting affected merchants, delivery drivers and customers, with a goal of helping 300–500 businesses reopen by Chinese New Year.
To reach this target, LINE MAN Wongnai has launched a cloud kitchen at Buri Sriphu Hotel, allowing damaged restaurants to temporarily operate and continue serving customers. The project, which cost 1 million baht, is equipped to support 15–20 popular restaurants that have yet to reopen and will operate for at least three months, with a possible extension.
The company has also provided soft loans via the LINE BK application to 50–100 restaurants, reduced platform fees, and offered discount coupons to 200–300 businesses to help stimulate sales.