Riverside restaurant makes waves in Thailand as flood dining goes viral
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[October 18, 2021]
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.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2021/Oct/18/images/ads/current/safety-tip-daily-5.png)
Titiporn's business was forced to close during COVID-19 lockdowns, but
she's glad she decided to brave the floods.
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![](../images/101821PIX/news_k55.jpg)
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
![](../images/ads/current/centraldirect_lda_SPONSOR_2021.png)
"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)
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