Pa Jit Thai Restaurant: A culinary experience amidst floodwaters

A riverside restaurant in Nakhon Pathom turned the floods into an opportunity, attracting diners with a unique dining experience as fish swim beneath their feet.

Unique culinary experience amidst floodwaters

In Nakhon Pathom province, about 30 kilometers from Bangkok, Pa Jit restaurant on the banks of the Tha Chin River is becoming a destination that has attracted global attention. Instead of closing due to flooding, the restaurant offers a unique experience: diners enjoy their meals while floodwaters rise and schools of fish swim around their feet.

Since the Tha Chin River overflowed, Pa Jit has been bustling with customers. In the flooded space, waiters in boots carefully move between tables to bring fish soup and chicken noodles to customers. Diners, especially children, are delighted when river fish wriggle between their feet, creating a scene that is both strange and funny.

Diners at Pa Jit restaurant enjoy their meal while fish swim in the flooded Tha Chin River (Thailand). Photo: AP.

"I think this is good because I can bring children here. They will be less upset when they see fish," said Chomphunuth Khantaniti, a 29-year-old diner.

Turn challenges into business opportunities

Pornkamol Prangprempree, owner of Pa Jit Restaurant, said the establishment has been in operation for more than 30 years. When it first flooded four years ago, she was worried about losing customers. But things changed after a social media post of fish swimming in the restaurant went viral.

Immediately, many people came to experience it. The unusual flooding situation not only did not cause damage but also helped the restaurant's revenue double, from about 10,000 baht (309 USD) to 20,000 baht (618 USD) per day.

Unusual floods even doubled restaurant revenue. Photo: AP.

Bright spot in the general difficult context

Pa Jit’s success is a positive story, but it comes amid severe flooding in other parts of Thailand. Since late July, floods have killed 12 people and left two missing, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. A November 14 report said more than 480,000 people in 13 provinces, mainly in the north and central regions, have been affected.

Pa Jit Restaurant is expected to remain flooded for several more weeks due to the impact of high tides and the end of the monsoon season. The restaurant’s story shows the power of social media and the adaptability of local businesses, turning the challenge of natural disasters into a unique advantage to attract customers and sustain business.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/nha-hang-pa-jit-thai-lan-trai-nghiem-am-thuc-giua-dong-nuoc-lu-403044.html