NAKHON PATHOM, THAILAND – A small riverside restaurant about 30 kilometres west of Bangkok turned floodwaters into a business opportunity, drawing hundreds of customers who came to eat surrounded by fish.
Dining amid the floods
Eleven days after the Tha-Chin River overflowed into the Pa Jit restaurant, owner Pornkamol Prangprempree kept her doors open instead of shutting down. The eatery, long known for seafood dishes and river views, stood partially underwater as staff in waders carried steaming bowls of soup to barefoot diners sitting in the murky current.
“Pa Jit is since more than 30 years an institution on the riverbank,”
said Pornkamol Prangprempree, Owner.
“But then a guest posted online that it’s full of fish – suddenly everyone wanted to eat here.”
said Pornkamol Prangprempree, Owner.
Locals noted families travelled from neighbouring provinces to enjoy the sight of catfish darting between tables. Guests took photos, fed fish and posted videos on social media, helping the humble venue gain regional attention.
Unexpected financial surge
According to Pornkamol Prangprempree, daily revenue climbed from 10,000 baht to 20,000 baht, doubling since the flood began. The owner reported that the restaurant’s unique setting effectively transformed a potential closure into a viral success story.
“When the children see the fish, they are calm and happy. You can’t find that anywhere else in Thailand,”
said Chomphunuth Khantaniti, Visitor.
Another guest, Bella Windy, aged 63, joined from out of town to experience the aquatic setting.
“I love feeling the fish around my feet. That’s the highlight here,”
said Bella Windy, Visitor.
Wider flooding impact
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on Friday that about 480,000 people in 13 provinces, particularly in northern and central Thailand, were affected by flooding. Despite the hardship elsewhere, the Pa Jit turned its partial submersion into one of the most unusual dining attractions near Bangkok this month.
Local officials estimated that the water would remain high for several more weeks, ensuring that the restaurant’s floating dining experiment would continue until river levels drop.
- 13 provinces affected nationwide
- Approx. 480,000 residents impacted
- Daily restaurant sales rose to 20,000 baht
- Located 30 km west of Bangkok
The Pa Jit’s transformation reflected an uncommon response to disaster — one that mixed endurance with entrepreneurial pragmatism on the banks of central Thailand’s flooded Tha-Chin River.