In an unexpected twist of fate, a restaurant in central Thailand has turned a seasonal disaster into a remarkable success story. The Pa Jit restaurant, located in Nakhon Pathom province, has become an internet sensation after its dining area was flooded, creating a unique underwater experience for its patrons.
An Unplanned Aquarium Dining Experience
For the past 11 days, the Pa Jit restaurant has been submerged in brown floodwater after an adjacent river burst its banks. Instead of closing its doors, the establishment has welcomed a stream of customers eager to enjoy a meal while sitting in the water, surrounded by live river fish swimming around their legs.
Wait staff have adapted to the unusual conditions, carefully wading through the water in protective gear to deliver bowls of hot fish soup and chicken noodles to tables. The scene has become particularly popular with families, where enthralled toddlers can be seen gawping at the fish flapping around their thighs.
From Disaster to Doubled Profits
Owner Pornkamol Prangprempree, whose restaurant has been a riverside fixture for over three decades, initially feared the worst when the flooding began. "I thought there would be no customer for sure," she admitted, recalling the first similar incident about four years ago.
Her perspective changed dramatically when a customer posted online about the unusual phenomenon of fish swimming through the restaurant. The viral post triggered an influx of visitors, transforming what could have been a financial disaster into a booming business. Prangprempree reports that her daily profits have doubled from approximately 10,000 baht (£220) to around 20,000 baht (£440).
Customer Reactions and Wider Impact
Local resident Chomphunuth Khantaniti, 29, visited with her husband and son, explaining that she couldn't resist the unique opportunity. "I think it's good, because we can bring the children here. When the children see the fish, they become less fussy," she noted, adding that she believes this is the only place in Thailand offering such an experience.
Another customer, 63-year-old Bella Windy, came specifically to feel the fish nibbling on her feet, highlighting the natural appeal that has drawn so many visitors.
While Pa Jit enjoys its unexpected boom, the broader picture of flooding in Thailand remains serious. According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the seasonal floods have claimed 12 lives with two people still missing since late July. More than 480,000 people across 13 provinces have been affected, particularly in northern and central regions.
The restaurant can expect several more weeks of this unusual dining experience, with high tides and the tail-end of the monsoon season keeping water levels elevated. What began as a potential catastrophe has become a testament to innovative adaptation and the public's appetite for unique natural experiences.
