A popular restaurant in Patong has sacked a staff member following a public relations nightmare. After telling a customer to "wash the pot yourself" if she wanted service, the incident went viral and sparked outrage online.

The episode unfolded at the “Sam Chor Chern Chuan Chim” restaurant, a 24-hour venue, and quickly spread on TikTok. Long-time customer @cookky0030346 shared her dismay when informed of a 30-minute delay due to a scarcity of pots for the Jim Jum dish. Contrary to this claim, she saw many clay pots in front of the restaurant.

Upon questioning the staff member, she was challenged to wash a pot herself. Accepting the challenge, the customer documented her experience in the kitchen, highlighting the inadequate service. An elderly woman attempted to intervene, yet the customer proceeded to emphasise her dissatisfaction.

After the video gained traction, “Sam Chor Chern Chuan Chim Patong” released a formal apology on Facebook. Management cited a delay due to the owner's absence while confirming the staff member's immediate termination for inappropriate conduct. They pledged to raise service standards following the incident.

Looking forward, the restaurant aims to restore its reputation by addressing customer service issues. This incident has brought home the value of maintaining professional service standards in the hospitality industry, reported The Thaiger.

Key Takeaways:

• A staff member was dismissed after challenging a customer rudely.

• The incident became an online sensation, leading to widespread criticism.

• Management has apologised and promised to enhance service quality.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2026-01-02

 

 

Mountain / Molehill ?

Had a meal there last Tuesday, great food, great service & great price, no big deal re a pot... Jeez

12 minutes ago, Lokie said:

Had a meal there last Tuesday, great food, great service & great price, no big deal re a pot... Jeez

Some customers have o patience....

Wow, customer named the restaurant in a critical online post without being threatened with a defamation suit...?

Is that a one-off?

53 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

Wow, customer named the restaurant in a critical online post without being threatened with a defamation suit...?

Is that a one-off?

Took a risk. But seems the restaurant has reacted in a positive way, which is nice to see

On 1/2/2026 at 10:20 AM, webfact said:

They pledged to raise service standards following the incident.

Too late - damage done!

Not a pot to piss in.

Restaurants aren't the greatest in service manners in Thailand and why that is, is because they're usually allowed to getaway it. Thais in general don't complain about that sort of thing and just let it carry on. I don't know why they don't complain but my guess would be the loss of face they're so obsessed with or too embarrassed but way too many Thais are allowed to get away with bad service because of their lack of complaining.

19 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

Too late - damage done!

Hardly , as there are potential new customers arriving every day, which is quite normal in a tourist resort

1 hour ago, Pompeygeezer said:

Restaurants aren't the greatest in service manners in Thailand and why that is, is because they're usually allowed to getaway it. Thais in general don't complain about that sort of thing and just let it carry on. I don't know why they don't complain but my guess would be the loss of face they're so obsessed with or too embarrassed but way too many Thais are allowed to get away with bad service because of their lack of complaining.

I'm betting the complainer was an American, they are the world's worst complainers and this customer sounds like a nightmare,

Having been informed of a potential 30 minute delay the moaning woman could have simply left and eaten elsewhere rather than acting like a petulant child and creating a scene which she then broadcast on social media

I may be wrong but I imagine the waitress did not respond in the alleged manner as a result of one or two polite enquiries, Despite low wages , long hours , and difficult customers , Thais working in these places seem to have inexhaustible patience , and I often wonder how the keep their cool

The unfortunate staff member was obviously pushed beyond her limits by some pushy, entitled, "netizen" type character who, no doubt looking for "likes" could not wait to broadcast her outrage on "Tik Tok" were her "outrage " predictably went "viral" amongst all the other cretins.

She got her 15 minutes of fame whilst the waitress lost her job I hope she is satisfied now. She has described herself as a "long time customer", well hopefully not anymore, if she has the cheek to visit the place again she should be refused service and asked to leave Personally I hope she gets sued for defamation, there are too many serial complainers around these days

As to why Thais don't complain to the same degree, its probably because they are more patient and understanding in situations like this

21 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

Wow, customer named the restaurant in a critical online post without being threatened with a defamation suit...?

Is that a one-off?

hopefully it is Anybody slagging off businesses online over a minor issue like this deserves all they get, By all means complain to the owner or manager but splashing ones dissatisfaction all over the internet is a step too far in my opinion.

On 1/3/2026 at 12:27 PM, hotchilli said:

Some customers have o patience....

Very true, and it can prove to be their undoing. For example , rushing to post inflammatory complaints and comments on social media without having first educated oneself about the basics of Thailand's somewhat unique defamation laws

I hope the restaurant owner sues her and gives the waitress her job back ( if she wants it)

hahahahaha, thats awesome!

On 1/4/2026 at 3:34 AM, Bday Prang said:

I'm betting the complainer was an American, they are the world's worst complainers and this customer sounds like a nightmare,

Having been informed of a potential 30 minute delay the moaning woman could have simply left and eaten elsewhere rather than acting like a petulant child and creating a scene which she then broadcast on social media

I may be wrong but I imagine the waitress did not respond in the alleged manner as a result of one or two polite enquiries, Despite low wages , long hours , and difficult customers , Thais working in these places seem to have inexhaustible patience , and I often wonder how the keep their cool

The unfortunate staff member was obviously pushed beyond her limits by some pushy, entitled, "netizen" type character who, no doubt looking for "likes" could not wait to broadcast her outrage on "Tik Tok" were her "outrage " predictably went "viral" amongst all the other cretins.

She got her 15 minutes of fame whilst the waitress lost her job I hope she is satisfied now. She has described herself as a "long time customer", well hopefully not anymore, if she has the cheek to visit the place again she should be refused service and asked to leave Personally I hope she gets sued for defamation, there are too many serial complainers around these days

As to why Thais don't complain to the same degree, its probably because they are more patient and understanding in situations like this

I agree that they will have to put up with some customers who can be an absolute headache and believe me i know, I've worked in the restaurant business and some people just look for a reason to complain but I also know that Thais aren't great in dealing with legitimate complaints from customers. I once saw someone complain that the apple pie he got served was still frozen solid which it was, and the waitress got the complete hump with him like he was being fussy. Incredible.