Two perspectives on the salted fried shrimp drama where 5 pieces cost 2,000 baht. The customer claims there was no prior price notification, whereas the restaurant insists the price was listed on the menu. They say the price is reasonable compared to the shrimp's quality and size, viewing the issue as a misunderstanding and welcoming feedback for improvement.
On 23 December 2025 GMT+7, reports emerged of a Facebook user posting that she went to a restaurant where staff recommended the salted fried shrimp dish. She ordered 5 pieces, but the staff did not inform her of the price or weigh the shrimp for her. When the bill came, the shrimp alone cost 5,000 baht for 2.5 kilograms (each shrimp about half a kilogram). She confirmed the restaurant neither informed her of the price nor showed the weight. She said she had never encountered such a price before when ordering shrimp. Other menu items were reasonably priced. She admitted she was at fault for not asking the price due to hunger. This post was widely shared and sparked significant public criticism.
The reporter contacted Ms. Pang (pseudonym), the original poster, who said on 20 December she was running errands near a university in Khlong 16, Nakhon Nayok. On her way back, she stopped at a roadside restaurant and felt the menu prices were reasonable, so she ordered steamed sea bass with lime, stir-fried squid with curry powder, and a large seafood fried rice. The restaurant then offered the salted fried shrimp and asked how many pieces she wanted. They proposed 4, but since there were 5 people, she said 5 pieces. She admitted she did not ask how many pieces per kilogram. After eating, the bill showed 5 shrimp costing 5,000 baht for 2.5 kilograms. The restaurant did not weigh the shrimp in front of her or inform her of the price. She was shocked, as she thought the shrimp dish would not exceed 1,000 baht.
After leaving the restaurant feeling suspicious, she called to inquire about the high price. The restaurant said the price ranged from 1,800 to 2,000 baht per kilogram. They admitted staff had not informed her of the per-kilogram price or weighed the shrimp in front of her. The restaurant then reduced the price to 1,800 baht per kilogram, effectively refunding 500 baht. She thought the entire shrimp dish cost 1,800 baht but was told the price was per kilogram. She shared her experience online. She also learned the restaurant planned to take legal action, which surprised her as a consumer. She said if sued, she would file a complaint with relevant authorities.
The reporter visited the restaurant located along Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road, Khlong 10, Bueng Sanan Subdistrict, Thanyaburi District, Pathum Thani Province. The restaurant is well-known in Pathum Thani. The manager showed the reporter the large river prawns involved in the controversy and explained the customer’s post about the seemingly high shrimp price was likely a misunderstanding. The customer might not be familiar with prices for large river prawns, which typically cost a lot at about 2 prawns per kilogram. The manager said it would be clearer to say the shrimp cost 2,000 baht per kilogram for 2 prawns rather than 5 pieces for 5,000 baht.
Regarding photos making the shrimp appear small, the manager explained this was due to the customer’s hand positioning and camera angle. The customer admitted to lacking photography knowledge. The manager reaffirmed the quality and price, noting the restaurant has operated for over 40 years and is well known with regular customers who understand market prices. He also considered the restaurant’s prices very reasonable given the shrimp’s quality and size and said prices have not increased for a long time.
On shrimp breed differences, the manager emphasized the restaurant uses large river prawns (giant freshwater prawns), not white shrimp or black tiger shrimp, which vary in price by size. Regarding the controversy, the manager said he does not intend to take legal action against the customer but sees the issue as a misunderstanding. He welcomes feedback for improvement and invites customers to come and verify the quality themselves at the restaurant.