Want A Lavish Treat? See How The Poor Live First

[Thaising]

BANGKOK - A BANGKOK restaurant is treating its biggest spenders to a US$300,000 (S$416,222) meal prepared by Michelin-starred chefs - but only after they have jetted to an elephant camp to see how the other half live.

Lebua hotels, which last year put on a sumptuous dinner with a US$29,000 per head price tag, will on April 5 fly up to 50 of their top clients to Surin province in northeastern Thailand, one of the kingdom's poorest regions.

After seeing the dwindling number of pachyderms and the impoverished lives of their handlers, the high-rollers will fly by private jet back to Bangkok where they will feast on lobster, black truffles and Roquefort ice cream.

Mr Deepak Ohri, managing director of Lebua hotels and resorts, hopes that the trip will spark an altruistic streak in the assembled bankers, casino magnates and real estate moguls.

'We're taking these people to Surin, to see how the poor people actually are living and are managing their elephants. They cannot even manage themselves and they cannot manage their elephants,' he said.

'So all these people can actually create the infrastructure in that particular location, and at similar locations all over the world.'

Unlike after last year's one-million-baht meal, no money will be given to charity, and this time Lebua will pick up the tab for the dinner prepared by French chefs Jean-Michel Lorain, Michel Trama and Alain Soliveres, who have eight Michelin stars between them.

'We are spending 10 million baht here so we are not giving any money to charity ... We don't need any donation, we need them to think, come up with some products from their companies,' Mr Ohri said.

Some may question the ethics of such a display of wealth and poverty, but Mr Ohri insists such projects help bridge the gap between the rich and poor, and predicts a warm welcome for the well-heeled foodies.

'If I am a poor person and I see a rich person is coming, it would make me very delighted because they see at last there is someone coming to look at us,' he said.

[Jandajoy]

GROSS + DISGUSTING are the first words that come to mind

[JetsetBkk]

Is Thaksin invited? Maybe he could give away some of the ฿73 billion he got for Shincorp?

GROSS + DISGUSTING are the first words that come to mind

I disagree. If it makes these super-rich people think about helping the poor, all well and good. Maybe some good will come of it.

Edited March 6, 2008 by JetsetBkk

[twschw]

OP--'If I am a poor person and I see a rich person is coming, it would make me very delighted because they see at last there is someone coming to look at us,' he said.

What a statement. Some people are so out of touch with reality. Delighted that rich people are coming to look at us--indeed.

[jstumbo]

I think if it gets the people thinking of ways that they could help the less fortunate, then it is fine with me.

[twschw]

All the rich people will do is ooh and aah, then go to their $300,000 dinner and forget what the saw earlier. They know the poor exsist. Do the really need a field trip?

[JetsetBkk]

All the rich people will do is ....

[twschw]

Could you elaborate. It is hard to respond to a smiley face.

[BigSnake]

Shocking

[madjbs]

I think it is a good idea, the type of people that sign up for this kind of thing are not going to be people that just go ooooh ahhh, it would be a lot of hassle for them to just get a meal if it was the case anyhow.

[Austhaied]

I think if it gets the people thinking of ways that they could help the less fortunate, then it is fine with me.

Exactly. How can it be in any way negative.

Hopefully (if they have any virtue or morals) they will feel that their expensive meal is extremely over the top (which it is) and they all feel like shit, before during and a long time after their precious little meal..

Edited March 6, 2008 by Austhaied

[twschw]

I think it is a good idea, the type of people that sign up for this kind of thing are not going to be people that just go ooooh ahhh, it would be a lot of hassle for them to just get a meal if it was the case anyhow.

I think if it gets the people thinking of ways that they could help the less fortunate, then it is fine with me.

Exactly. How can it be in any way negative.

Hopefully (if they have any virtue or morals) they will feel that their expensive meal is extremely over the top (which it is) and they all feel like shit, before during and a long time after their precious little meal..

You both make good points and I will concede to you wisdom. Perhaps some good will come of it. Perhaps I am getting to involved in the words used and not the message. Thanks for pointing me in a more hopeful direction.

[Austhaied]

I think it is a good idea, the type of people that sign up for this kind of thing are not going to be people that just go ooooh ahhh, it would be a lot of hassle for them to just get a meal if it was the case anyhow.

I think if it gets the people thinking of ways that they could help the less fortunate, then it is fine with me.

Exactly. How can it be in any way negative.

Hopefully (if they have any virtue or morals) they will feel that their expensive meal is extremely over the top (which it is) and they all feel like shit, before during and a long time after their precious little meal..

You both make good points and I will concede to you wisdom. Perhaps some good will come of it. Perhaps I am getting to involved in the words used and not the message. Thanks for pointing me in a more hopeful direction.

No, thank you for evolving your mind in the right direction...Forward..

Cheers.

[AlexLah]

I really did not like the Roquefort ice cream.

Gave it to some of those poor.

A good deed, or not?

Just kidding naaaaaaaaa.

[Thai at Heart]

BANGKOK - A BANGKOK restaurant is treating its biggest spenders to a US$300,000 (S$416,222) meal prepared by Michelin-starred chefs - but only after they have jetted to an elephant camp to see how the other half live.

Lebua hotels, which last year put on a sumptuous dinner with a US$29,000 per head price tag, will on April 5 fly up to 50 of their top clients to Surin province in northeastern Thailand, one of the kingdom's poorest regions.

After seeing the dwindling number of pachyderms and the impoverished lives of their handlers, the high-rollers will fly by private jet back to Bangkok where they will feast on lobster, black truffles and Roquefort ice cream.

Mr Deepak Ohri, managing director of Lebua hotels and resorts, hopes that the trip will spark an altruistic streak in the assembled bankers, casino magnates and real estate moguls.

'We're taking these people to Surin, to see how the poor people actually are living and are managing their elephants. They cannot even manage themselves and they cannot manage their elephants,' he said.

'So all these people can actually create the infrastructure in that particular location, and at similar locations all over the world.'

Unlike after last year's one-million-baht meal, no money will be given to charity, and this time Lebua will pick up the tab for the dinner prepared by French chefs Jean-Michel Lorain, Michel Trama and Alain Soliveres, who have eight Michelin stars between them.

'We are spending 10 million baht here so we are not giving any money to charity ... We don't need any donation, we need them to think, come up with some products from their companies,' Mr Ohri said.

Some may question the ethics of such a display of wealth and poverty, but Mr Ohri insists such projects help bridge the gap between the rich and poor, and predicts a warm welcome for the well-heeled foodies.

'If I am a poor person and I see a rich person is coming, it would make me very delighted because they see at last there is someone coming to look at us,' he said.

This guy is absolutely off his head.

I hope to shame my guests into helping to alleviate global poverty by eating a really overpriced dinner. What a marketing guru this bloke must be. What exactly would be the attraction for his eaters when they can eat in these guys restaraunts for less???

[cclub75]

'If I am a poor person and I see a rich person is coming, it would make me very delighted because they see at last there is someone coming to look at us,' he said.

It's huge.

"at last".

[cmsally]

Makes you wonder what the marketing strategy for this dinner was

Their invitation probably just says - " pre dinner excursion to see ancient cultural mahouting skills in the rural area of North Eastern Thailand"

Little do they know

[Thai at Heart]

'If I am a poor person and I see a rich person is coming, it would make me very delighted because they see at last there is someone coming to look at us,' he said.

It's huge.

"at last".

The poor impoverished of Surin must be waiting for baited breath for their esteemed zoo handlers. What planet is this guy from?????????? Maybe with luck one of the elephants that they are so incompetent at handling will go a little beserk and sit on this blokes merc hopefully with him inside.

[madjbs]

Whats the big deal? I imagine the people of Surin look forward to the event and hope something good may come of it.

Edited March 6, 2008 by madjbs

[Deesurin]

I hope that one of these rich fa*ts has a moment of "heart" and desides to by pass the meal and donate his $$ to the poor elephant handlers who can't "take care" of themselves or their elephants.

What rubbish!

These "poor folk" are by far better off and happyer in Surin, than what ever rock these "rich" crawled out under.

Wish I was back at my village to orgainize a wellcoming commity or better still gather a group of "poor people" to go to Bangkok and "watch the rich eat"

Deesurin

[HS Mauberley]

What’s the big deal with a bunch of rich <deleted> going to gawp at some poor people before spunking $300,000 on a dinner? The answer’s in the question.

[Thai at Heart]

I hope that is a rhetorical question.

400,000 USD per head after a budget of 10mn. Maybe, just maybe this is a shameless, exploitative, low down, shallow PURE MONEY MAKING EXERCISE? or is he going to donate his profits for the development of Surin?

[madjbs]

We don't need any donation, we need them to think, come up with some products from their companies,' Mr Ohri said.

This is the interesting part, this kind of thing can sometimes be really beneficial to the local people.

All those that scoff... lets hear what you are doing to help the poor and people that could use a hand.

Edited March 6, 2008 by madjbs

[Deesurin]

Do you think "they" will get out of their limo's or just gawk ay the "poor" through the tinted windows?? Mustn't step in the elephant sh*T

[Thai at Heart]

We don't need any donation, we need them to think, come up with some products from their companies,' Mr Ohri said.

This is the interesting part, this kind of thing can sometimes be really beneficial to the local people.

All those that scoff... lets hear what you are doing to help the poor and people that could use a hand.

In his besteemed and selfless way, Mr. Ohri will stand to make a very grand profit from the entire exercise whilst hoping that his esteemed guests put their hands in their pockets. Oh the selfless act of giving just makes me weep.

As for me, I don't have to explain what I do in terms helping the nation in my own way. I am questioning exactly what My Ohri is expecting to give?

[Thai at Heart]

Do you think "they" will get out of their limo's or just gawk ay the "poor" through the tinted windows?? Mustn't step in the elephant sh*T

Any person with a heart wouldn't go anywhere near this ghastly venture.

[Austhaied]

We don't need any donation, we need them to think, come up with some products from their companies,' Mr Ohri said.

This is the interesting part, this kind of thing can sometimes be really beneficial to the local people.

All those that scoff... lets hear what you are doing to help the poor and people that could use a hand.

I certainly not a "scoffer" my any means. However, my family donated foodstuffs , toiletries, stationary, etc, to a childrens home in Lamphun (Croston House).. It's our way of giving a little back when we can. And guess what ?? It feels great.

If i had the 300,000 USD per head, i would buy Croston House the 10 rai plot they are thinking of buying.

Now that will be a benefit to the local people.

It's all relative.

[mark lamai]

one simple way to eliminate poor people in Surin is to put them on the menu.

let the rich enjoy a unique dining experience and eradicate poverty at the same time.

[madjbs]

Sorry Austhaied, that was not directed a you, I agree with you in hoping these rich guys feel even a slight bit of guilt over spending such ridiculous amounts of money over a meal when there is much better things they could be doing with it.

[Deesurin]

one simple way to eliminate poor people in Surin is to put them on the menu.

let the rich enjoy a unique dining experience and eradicate poverty at the same time.

Jesus!! Don't give them any ideas