The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Public Online Interest in Food Priorities in Thailand: A Google Trends Analysis During ‘National Hard’ and ‘Localized Soft’ Lockdown

OBJECTIVES: Thailand has experienced two waves of COVID-19 pandemic with different levels of restrictive measures has been adopted. The first wave led to a ‘national hard’ shutdown with only essential merchandise and takeaway foods were allowed to serve, while a ‘localized soft’ measure with no restrictions on the operating of food supply chains have been implemented in the second wave. The study aimed to investigate the effects of these tiered lockdowns on public online interest in food priorities in Thailanders. METHODS: The Google query's search volume related to food priorities were extracted from a duration of December 1, 2019, to February 1, 2021. Searches were conducted in Thai. A time-series analysis of structural change in linear regression models with Chow test was performed. RESULTS: Results revealed that when the official statement of COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdown were released, trending online searches in relation to foodstuff dramatically increased independently with the level of adopted restrictions. Examining 1-month lockdown period, the changes in search frequency were more likely to be greater in ‘national hard’ than ‘localized soft’ measures, with the magnitude of differences ranged from 10% to 30% depends on distinct keywords. The searches reached the highest volume within one to two weeks after the announcement. Interests in essential food items related to health motivation appeared with higher frequency such as vegetables, fruits, and legumes as well as main protein sources like fish, pork, chicken. Searches for long-lasting foodstuffs such as sticky rice, corn, flour, bread, egg, tofu, packaged noodles, canned foods, frozen foods, milk, and dairy products were likewise more popular. Besides, comfort foods were also received more attention during the lockdown period (cakes, desserts, pizza, sausages, fried foods). Contrarily, interest was reduced among short shelf-life foods (seafood). CONCLUSIONS: The contribution of this study provides initial insights into food-seeking behavioral changes during ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ pandemic lockdown in Thailand. COVID-19 has dramatically changed Thai consumer's lifestyle and their food concerns as well as the motivations behind them. Further studies are needed to explore the long-lasting impacts of food consumption behavior on the ‘new normality’. FUNDING SOURCES: This research received no funding.