BANGKOK – The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has fined Raan Jay Fai, the Michelin-starred street food restaurant in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon area, 2,000 baht after the business failed to show the price of a “special” crabmeat omelette.
The issue began when a well-known YouTuber complained about being billed 4,000 baht for an omelette that was listed at 1,500 baht. This sparked outrage on social media and led to wider discussions about clear pricing across Thailand’s street food scene.
On 15 August 2025, PEACHII, a Thai YouTuber based in London with 1.6 million subscribers, posted her experience on X after dining at Raan Jay Fai. She ordered the signature crabmeat omelette (khai jeaw poo), listed for 1,500 baht (about S$60), but received a bill for 4,000 baht (S$160).
PEACHII said she was not told about any upgraded ingredients or premium option and only learned after asking that the dish featured crab from a “better source”. She said, “If the chef can change the size or ingredients at will, the menu should give a price range from the start. The food was very good but it spoiled the experience.”
Her post quickly caught attention online, with many calling for clear pricing from restaurants, especially those with Michelin recognition. Some sided with PEACHII, while others supported Jay Fai, pointing to her use of top-quality ingredients and her status in the food world.
The story came to the attention of Commerce Minister Jatuporn Buruspat, who, on 18 August, instructed the DIT to look into whether any pricing laws had been broken.
On 20 August, officials from the DIT, together with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board and police, inspected the restaurant. They found that Raan Jay Fai had not listed the price for the 4,000-baht “special” omelette, as required by Section 28 of the Prices of Goods and Services Act of 1999.
As a result, the restaurant received a 2,000-baht fine, much lower than the maximum 10,000-baht penalty. Officials told the restaurant to update its menu to show both the standard 1,500-baht omelette and the premium 4,000-baht version.
Inside Raan Jay Fai Restaurant
Jay Fai, found on Mahachai Road in Bangkok’s Old Town, stands out from the typical street food stalls. Established by Supinya Junsuta, known to most as Jay Fai or “Elder Sister Mole”, the small restaurant has gained worldwide fame.
Jay Fai, now 82, is the only chef, cooking every dish herself over hot charcoal fires and wearing ski goggles to guard her eyes. Her focus on quality and her preference for high-end seafood have earned her loyal customers and international praise.
The famous crabmeat omelette, with its crisp outer layer and tender chunks of sweet crab, has been praised by critics and celebrities. Martha Stewart once said Jay Fai was “the best cook in Thailand”. Other top choices on the menu are phad khee mao (drunken noodles), rat na talay (seafood noodles in gravy), and poo phad phong karee (crab stir-fried with curry).
Dishes at Raan Jay Fai range from 800 to 1,500 baht, much higher than Bangkok’s usual street food prices, but diners pay for quality and technique.
In 2018, Raan Jay Fai became Thailand’s first street food vendor to earn a Michelin star, an honour it has kept every year since. The award drew food lovers, tourists, and celebrities from around the world, including Jack Ma, Ed Sheeran, and Lisa from Blackpink.
The restaurant soon faced high demand, with guests waiting up to five hours, and a booking system was brought in to manage the crowds. Jay Fai’s daughter, Yuwadee Junsuta, left her job to help run the restaurant and manage the growing waves of visitors.
Despite her global reputation, Jay Fai insists on cooking alone and does not write recipes or take on other chefs. Her commitment to tradition and quality has led to countless awards, such as Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Icon Award in 2021, and a spot on the Netflix “Street Food” series. Yet, fame has brought extra pressures and more scrutiny from the public and officials.
Jay Fai Responds
Following the fine, Jay Fai and her team explained the situation. Dr Pattarapha, a regular customer who dined with PEACHII, said the 4,000-baht omelette was a special order made with top-quality crab for “VVIP” guests. Jay Fai recognized Dr Pattarapha and prepared the premium dish for her, assuming her guests wanted the best option.
“I didn’t explain this to my friend, so there was confusion,” Dr Pattarapha said. “It was just a special dish for regulars or VVIP guests.”
Yuwadee, speaking for her mother, said they regretted the misunderstanding and stressed there was no attempt to mislead. The restaurant agreed to follow the DIT’s order to clearly show both omelette prices on the menu. “We’ve always put honesty and quality first,” Yuwadee told the press. “We will make sure all prices are listed so this won’t happen again.”
The event has opened up larger debates about pricing in Thailand’s food scene, especially for places with high profiles like Jay Fai. Chanon Koetcharoen, president of the Restaurant Association, said the lack of clear rules for food pricing makes it difficult to keep restaurants in check.
He suggested the need for a central authority to look after these matters and make sure customers are treated fairly. “Every restaurant should be honest with those who dine with them,” he said.
For Jay Fai, the fine is a small setback in a long and respected career. The restaurant still pulls in crowds, with people happy to wait for a taste of her famous food.
The story acts as a reminder that even culinary legends must keep up with the growing need for transparency and trust, especially with social media watching so closely. As Jay Fai continues to cook at the age of 82, her place as the leading light of Bangkok street food remains firm, though the dispute highlights the challenge of blending tradition, fame, and modern expectations.
