Riverside restaurant makes waves in Thailand as flood dining goes viral

[webfact]

People eat food at a flooded restaurant, where patrons stand up from their tables every time the waves come in, on a river bank in Nonthaburi near Bangkok, Thailand, October 7, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

By Juarawee Kittisilpa

 

NONTHABURI, Thailand (Reuters) - Riverside restaurant owner Titiporn Jutimanon was convinced a bout of flooding in Thailand could be the end of a business already struggling from the pandemic.

 

But with the rising tide of the Chao Phraya river this week came an unexpected opportunity.

 

Instead of closing for the floods, Titiporn's eatery is making waves in Thailand, staying open for customers who are revelling in shin-deep dining, and the thrill of avoiding the rush of water set off as boats go by.

 

"Customers absolutely love the waves," said Titiporn, who runs the Chao Phraya Antique Cafe in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok.

 

"What I thought would be a crisis turned into an opportunity."

 

Videos have gone viral on social media of customers sitting on drenched chairs, taking mouthfuls of food as long-tail boats buzz by, then moving out of the way as waves hit.

 

About 30 northern and central provinces have been hit by flooding in recent weeks, raising levels of the famous river that flows through Bangkok.

 

Titiporn's business was forced to close during COVID-19 lockdowns, but she's glad she decided to brave the floods.

 

"Not only do they love the atmosphere and the barbecue pork and the view of the sunset ... the flood became an additional unique factor," she said.

 

"I feel so lucky that the customers love it, the flood wasn't a challenge for them to come."

 

Customers cheer and laugh as their wooden stools are knocked over by the water that breaches the restaurant.

 

It holds two sittings each day for diners to enjoy the experience when the water levels are highest.

"It's a fun challenge - you don't know if you'll get washed away somewhere while eating," joked customer Jetdanai Boonrod, 30.

 

(Reporting by Juarawee Kittisilpa; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Giles Elgood)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-10-08

 

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[lujanit]

Hard to imagine enjoying a flood if you were here in the flood of 2011. Chaos for six weeks and the aftermath was soul destroying.  Maybe people just choose to forget.  I can't.

[RichardColeman]

Wonder if it would be so popular if near a crocodile farm ? 

[Gottfrid]

Yeah, yeah, never mind the health concerns and safety risks. 

[LeatFingies]

7 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, yeah, never mind the health concerns and safety risks. 

I bet you’re fun at parties.

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, LeatFingies said:

I bet you’re fun at parties.

Yes, I am! However, I fail to see the relevance.

[LarrySR]

Monitor Lizards lurk at the waters edge up and down the waterways in Bangkok.

No way would I be sitting there.

 

 

[Stargeezr]

Considering all the stuff in the water that affects your body, I am

surprised by all the people in the picture, but then they maybe

do not know what is causing those worm like things under their skin,

like the tap worms etc.  yup only in Thailand.

  Geezer

[Tropicalevo]

57 minutes ago, LarrySR said:

Monitor Lizards lurk at the waters edge up and down the waterways in Bangkok.

No way would I be sitting there.

Monitor lizards are a lot less dangerous than soi dogs.

[JonnyF]

Must be great tucking into a sausage as a massive turd floats past your knees.

[VocalNeal]

Been there done that, not the turd. My Bangkok mates had super last Saturday ankle deep in water.

 

Has been knee deep before. Just adds to the occasion and the memories.

[khaowong1]

Oh look, a croc just grabbed grandma Nong, pass me more noodles please. 

[mfd101]

Hepatitis outbreak to follow.

[curtklay]

Stupidity beyond words. 

[SiSePuede419]

I hope they have a sink where you can wash your hands before you eat.

[wpcoe]

2 hours ago, LarrySR said:

Monitor Lizards lurk at the waters edge up and down the waterways in Bangkok.

No way would I be sitting there.

Remember the (green?) mambas that were released into the flood waters last time?  Wonder if they're still around, too.

[LarrySR]

1 hour ago, VocalNeal said:

Been there done that, not the turd. My Bangkok mates had super last Saturday ankle deep in water.

 

Has been knee deep before. Just adds to the occasion and the memories.

Yea, memories…. reminiscing about that good old staph infection or the time a monitor lizard chewed off grandmas foot. But the noodle soup was awesome. 
Those were the days. 

Edited October 8, 2021 by LarrySR

[RafPinto]

Try this in Pattaya.

You will have a few brown sausages swimming around you.

[toofarnorth]

Great stuff.  About 50 years ago we did odd things when a mini crisis arose. In Sussex the local brew house was inundated with water , no one could get in to stop the malt from malting.  The Grenadier Arms was selling very dark beer for a week or two , so muchh better than the filtered river water called lager we get here.

I only found out yesterday beer is made with hops ale is not.  I need a ride out ..................................

[cobra]

 

3 hours ago, LarrySR said:

Monitor Lizards lurk at the waters edge up and down the waterways in Bangkok.

No way would I be sitting there.

 

 

 .. there be Dragons there, ... per ancient mariner maps,  ????  

Edited October 8, 2021 by cobra

[Eric Loh]

Making good of a bad situation. Thumbs up ????

[VocalNeal]

 

1 hour ago, LarrySR said:

Yea, memories…. reminiscing about that good old staph infection or the time a monitor lizard chewed off grandmas foot. But the noodle soup was awesome. 
Those were the days. 

Try flesh the eating stuff. But that was from a hotel shower? in Malaysia. Not me by the way. One of our mates fell into a septic tank. He went to hospital for attention and is still alive.

 

If you live your life in fear of such minutia how do you have any fun?

 

Edited October 8, 2021 by VocalNeal

[chilly07]

Beats having fish tanks to choose from and greatly increases the dish of the day variety- snakes lizards crocs piranha lillies etc and the fish playfully fighting with cats and dogs under your table. No need to sweep the floors after as the tide goes out and can raise prices to those of floating restaurant. Boats can pick you up at your table

[PETERTHEEATER]

6 hours ago, LarrySR said:

Monitor Lizards lurk at the waters edge up and down the waterways in Bangkok.

No way would I be sitting there.

 

 

No worries. Hia today gone tomorrow....

[khunPer]

In-water-dining is great...???? - I've tried it, it's cool....????

 

-Yes, it's me sitting in fur in the happy hippie era during "the summer of '69"...????

[jacko45k]

So having your toes bitten by a large Mekong catfish, or having leeches stuck to your legs doesn't worry them?

[pacovl46]

Par for the course in Venice, Italy numerous times a year. ????

[Anant72]

9 hours ago, LarrySR said:

Monitor Lizards lurk at the waters edge up and down the waterways in Bangkok.

No way would I be sitting there.

 

 

Just…monitoring the situation: delicious morsel might come its way.

[PoorSucker]

It was on BBC news today.

[LongTimeLurker]

12 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, yeah, never mind the health concerns and safety risks. 

Cellulitis

 

Sepsis

 

Necrotizing Fasciitis

 

Whitmore Disease

 

Staphylococcus

 

Streppcoccus

Edited October 8, 2021 by LongTimeLurker