The Commerce Ministry has launched an investigation into Michelin-starred street food icon Jay Fai after a Thai-London YouTuber claimed she was charged 4,000 baht for a crab omelette listed at 1,500 baht.
The YouTuber, known as PEACHII, shared her experience on social media, saying she was never informed of any premium upgrade and only discovered the inflated price when the bill arrived. The post quickly went viral, sparking heated debate over transparency and fairness at one of Bangkok’s most celebrated eateries.
Public reaction has been divided. Supporters defended Jay Fai’s reputation, noting her use of premium seafood and decades of culinary expertise. Critics, however, argued that such a steep increase was unjustified if not clearly communicated, with many pointing out that the menu clearly listed the dish at 1,500 baht.
Youtuber PEACHII said she wouldn’t have had a problem paying if she knew about the price-hike beforehand
The case has drawn further scrutiny because of how prices at the restaurant have changed since it earned a Michelin star in 2018. Before international recognition, Jay Fai’s crab omelette reportedly cost around 400 to 500 baht. After the award, the price rose to 1,000 to 1,500 baht, and now, in this disputed instance, 4,000 baht.
The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) confirmed it is examining whether the restaurant violated consumer protection laws. Officials attempted to inspect the restaurant earlier this week but found it closed, and plan to return on Wednesday to question Jay Fai directly.
If found guilty of charging more than the listed price or failing to display a clear price range for premium ingredients, the restaurant could face fines of up to 20,000 baht.
Jay Fai, whose real name is Supinya Junsuta, rose from modest beginnings to become a global culinary figure, credited with elevating Bangkok’s street food to international acclaim. The current probe, however, has put the spotlight on questions of transparency and consumer rights at one of Thailand’s most famous dining spots.
