A heated drama erupted when the YouTube channel "March" of the young leading actor March Chutawut Pattarakampol posted a clip eating curry rice, but controversy arose when he said Nam Prik Kapi is not popular. Thairath Entertainment summarizes the drama as follows.
- The YouTube channel "March" posted an episode titled “Nong Kik’s Curry Rice VS P’Tawee’s Curry Rice: Which Will Win This Battle? | MARCHU EP.219,” featuring March and Prince, a fellow influencer and co-host, visiting Nong Kik’s curry rice shop and P’Tawee’s curry rice shop.Watch the clip)
- The drama began when March ate at Nong Kik’s curry rice shop and mentioned that the crew often makes stir-fried bamboo shoots, stir-fried pork with chili paste and yardlong beans, and mackerel dipped in Nam Prik Kapi, which he had never eaten and always ordered plain rice himself. He wondered if it was a popular dish, and the crew and Prince confirmed it was.
- March continued, saying he was very hungry recently, saw Nam Prik Kapi, and asked the crew if anyone really ate it. The director said no, P’A and P’Tae said no, and everyone on set said they didn’t eat it. He wanted to know if people actually eat Nam Prik Kapi.
- Prince explained that in southern curry rice shops, Nam Prik Kapi is usually given free for customers to serve themselves with vegetables, showing they like it. At this point, March said, “It’s not a popular dish,” which shocked Prince. The crew joked that March made a big statement, and Prince said this topic needs Chef Pom; how could Nam Prik Kapi not be popular?
- March then tried Nam Prik Kapi, made a grimace from the spiciness, and asked if it’s really famous. Prince almost walked off-camera but said this is a staple dish in every household.
- March also said, “I don’t think it’s in the top 10 Thai dishes,” but Prince argued it might even be top 5, joking that ancestral spirits would haunt him. He showed himself eating Nam Prik Kapi, while March asked others on the crew if they ate it; some did, some didn’t. The one who didn’t was Harley, a crew member, and March asked people not to blame him or Harley.
- This sparked lively debate online, with netizens commenting things like, “Press 9 for Nam Prik Kapi, definitely top 10 food,” “At first I didn't know which shop to pick, but you insulted Nam Prik Kapi by saying it’s not popular. Press 9 repeatedly,” “Nam Prik Kapi is a national treasure, March, ancestral spirits are crying,” “Press 9999 for Nam Prik Kapi, haha,” “It’s delicious with mackerel, fried omelet with cha-om, stir-fries, fresh dishes. March, did you grow up abroad?” “Where do you get your confidence? Your personal taste test doesn’t reflect popularity. Not liking the smell of shrimp paste doesn’t mean people don’t like the dish. Sometimes ignorance is endearing, but too often it looks unintelligent on screen,” and more.
After the drama, March responded to the issue as follows:
- Don’t call it drama. I know my general knowledge isn’t broad. I grew up with my mom telling me to eat this and that, but if I didn’t like it as a kid, I wouldn’t eat it because mom wouldn’t make me.
- Then growing up, on set I encountered Nam Prik Kapi but didn’t eat it. I wondered if many people really liked it. That day, Prince mentioned it, but I didn’t mean to disrespect Nam Prik Kapi, just spoke out of ignorance. I only recently learned there are many fans of Nam Prik Kapi. I sincerely apologize if anyone felt disrespected; that was never my intention. It’s just new knowledge for me that many people like Nam Prik Kapi.
- Was I surprised? When it went viral and people shared it, most just joked about it. Before, when I walked around, people would say hi. Now they say, “March, do you know what chili powder is made from?” or “Did you eat Nam Prik Kapi?” It’s a way to connect with viewers. When I make shows, I want to talk to the audience. This was another episode where I asked people what they think, with no intention to disrespect.
- About comments saying Nam Prik Kapi is more popular than me, of course it is. I just learned it’s popular. My friends messaged me, “March, seriously don’t know Nam Prik Kapi? I still dip mango in it.”
- March said it’s because he personally didn’t eat Nam Prik Kapi; the shrimp paste he ate was in shrimp paste fried rice, which he only recently started liking. But now he knows it’s a staple food for many of us.
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