Richardson, Texas — After nearly 40 years of serving Thai cuisine to the Dallas-Fort Worth community, longtime Richardson restaurant Thai Soon is preparing to close its doors later this month. The announcement has left generations of customers saying goodbye to a restaurant that became part of the area’s culinary history.
Thai Soon Announces Its Final Day
Thai Soon announced on its Facebook page that its final day of business will be Aug. 23.
The restaurant will also continue operating on Sundays until it permanently closes, giving longtime customers additional opportunities to visit one of their favorite local spots before the doors shut for good.
The closure comes after the restaurant experienced recent struggles with making rent, according to the announcement.
For many customers, the news marks the end of a remarkably long run for a restaurant that has served the DFW area since the late 1980s.
Restaurant Began in Dallas in 1987
Thai Soon’s story began in 1987, when Soontaree Chanchaisri founded the restaurant.
The business originally operated on Lower Greenville in Dallas and made its mark as the area’s first Thai vegetarian restaurant.
After spending 15 successful years in Dallas, Thai Soon relocated to Richardson, where it continued building its relationship with customers.
The restaurant has served the Richardson community since 2001, meaning its current location has been part of the area’s dining scene for more than two decades.
Owner Shares Emotional Goodbye
Owner Ararin “Irean” Wongchingchai shared an emotional message with customers following the closure announcement.
She said getting to know customers over the years had been one of the most meaningful parts of running the restaurant.
The restaurant’s mission, she explained, was always centered on serving healthy food made with fresh ingredients to the community.
Wongchingchai described the decision to close as “the most difficult decision of my life.”
She also suggested that the closure may not be the final chapter for her family’s culinary traditions, saying she would continue looking for other ways to share her mother’s cuisine.
A Community Favorite Says Goodbye
For longtime customers, Thai Soon’s closure represents more than the loss of another restaurant.
The business has been part of the DFW dining scene through multiple generations, surviving changing food trends and shifts in the local restaurant industry.
Its nearly four-decade history began when Thai vegetarian dining was still relatively uncommon in the Dallas area. Over the years, Thai Soon developed a loyal following in both Dallas and Richardson.
The restaurant’s final weeks are now expected to bring longtime customers back for one more meal, a final conversation with familiar staff, and a chance to say goodbye.
Thai Soon Leaves Door Open for the Future
Although the Richardson restaurant is closing, Wongchingchai’s message offered a hopeful note for customers who have grown attached to the family’s food.
She said she intends to continue exploring ways to share her mother’s recipes and cuisine, suggesting that the restaurant’s closure may not necessarily mean the end of the culinary tradition behind Thai Soon.
For now, however, customers have until Aug. 23 to visit the Richardson location.
After nearly 40 years in the DFW community, Thai Soon’s farewell is sure to be an emotional one for the many customers who made the restaurant part of their lives.
Have you ever visited Thai Soon or had a favorite dish there? Share your memories and favorite local restaurants in the comments below.
