When Floods Turned Into a Table‑top Take‑away!
Picture this: the mighty Chao Phraya River is saying “hello” to a few extra inches of water in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, and a local café’s owner is ready to roll with it. Instead of shuttering the doors, Tradky Titiporn Jutimanon has turned a potential disaster into a culinary splash‑in.
The Ripple Effect
During the Covid-19 lockdown, the antique‑themed café had to stay closed. Now, with the river rising, the owner is keeping the place open, letting patrons revel in a “shin‑deep” dining experience that feels both adventurous and oddly relaxing.
· A sea‑of‑water menu item
Customers sit on wet chairs, savor barbecue pork while long‑tail boats glide by, and wait for the waves to break—almost like part of a live theatre show.
· Social media snow‑balled
One video, showing diners clutching their plates as the river’s tide nudges their wooden stools, hit a wave of likes and shares.
Why the Tides Make a Difference
“What I thought would be a crisis turned into an opportunity,” said Titiporn. She explains how the flood has turned her café into a “unique factor” people adore. Besides the sunset view, the atmosphere leans on the lighter side of a sudden water level, making customers enjoy the experience as if they’re on a water‑boarding tour—just without the board.
Customer Reactions
- “They love the waves,” says Titiporn.
- Customers cheer, laugh, and even bow to the water that gently nudges their stools.
- Inside the café, two big sessions per day allow diners to experience the splash when the river’s level peaks.
A Food‑and‑Water Challenge
Not everyone is ready for a wave in the middle of their lunch. But one regular, Jetdanai Boonrod, 30, joked, “It’s a fun challenge—you don’t know if you’ll get washed away while eating.”
Bottom Line
From a looming flood to a culinary adventure, Titiporn’s café was an unlikely success story that reminds us that when life throws a wave, sometimes it’s best to surf right back to the table.
