A Chiang Mai chicken rice restaurant says it has lost more than 40% of its sales after a pickup truck driven by a man found to be over the alcohol limit crashed into its premises on 8 August. The owner of Meijong Chicken Rice, branch two, says the crash caused around 1.3 million baht in damage. While an insurer has agreed to pay 700,000 baht, the driver has asked to settle the remaining 600,000 baht in monthly instalments of 5,000 baht - a plan expected to take about 10 years. Coffee section remains closed The late-night crash happened at the restaurant on Somphot 700 Pi Road in Mae Hia, Chiang Mai. Officers at the scene later found a Ford pickup with severe front-end damage and a burst tyre. The driver, a resident of Mueang Lampang district, suffered minor injuries. Police took him for questioning and a blood-alcohol test recorded over the legal limit, The pickup struck the restaurant's coffee section, damaging its steel sliding door, ceiling, coffee-making equipment, cake display fridge, freezer, counter, tables, chairs and other items. The shop's glass frontage was also badly shattered. A month later, the coffee area is still unable to reopen and has been covered with mesh screening, according to the latest report from the site. Owner says confidence has suffered Owner Warakorn Saengsuphon said some of the chicken rice restaurant was also damaged. He said the business had closed for a week for repairs before reopening with an incomplete premises, using 200,000 baht of his own money. He said concerns among customers over the shop's condition and safety had contributed to a sales fall of more than 40%, describing the setback as having to start the business again from scratch. Compensation deal reached Warakorn said negotiations with the insurance company and the other party resulted in agreement to pay the amount claimed. The insurer agreed to provide 700,000 baht within 15 days from 4 September. The driver agreed to pay 600,000 baht, but requested the 5,000-baht monthly repayment plan. Warakorn said he had little choice but to accept it, despite believing the compensation would not fully cover the impact on the business. He urged people not to drink and drive, saying the effects extend to employees and others dependent on a business, not only those directly involved in a crash. Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath Join the discussion? 10 September 2026
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