Riverside restaurant makes waves in Thailand as diners come for a meal and a thrill

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Category: Business

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. eatery / ˈi tə ri / (n.) – a place, such as a restaurant, where people go to buy and eat food
    Example:

    The eatery across the street serves great breakfast meals.


  2. make waves / meɪk weɪvz / (idiom) – to do something new or unusual that attracts a lot of attention
    Example:

    The car company made waves in the industry by releasing a new model that’s fueled by water.


  3. dodge / dɒdʒ / (v.) – to move away quickly to avoid getting hit
    Example:

    Always look where the other team throws the ball so you can easily dodge it when it goes in your direction.


  4. atmosphere / ˈæt məsˌfɪər / (n.) – the way a place or a situation makes you feel
    Example:

    I like going to this coffee shop because of its quiet and relaxed atmosphere.


  5. factor / ˈfæk tər / (n.) – something that affects or influences an event, situation, or decision
    Example:

    Comfort is an important factor to consider when buying clothes.


Article

Read the text below.

Normally, flooding is bad for a restaurant, especially if the restaurant is on a riverside. But for Titiporn Jutimanon, it was a chance to make money.


Her restaurant, the Chao Phraya Antique Cafe, is in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok. The Chao Phraya River began rising in early October. But instead of closing in case of flooding, her eatery is making waves in Thailand.


Customers love the thrill of eating meals and dodging waves at the same time, said Titiporn. “Not only do they love the atmosphere and the barbecue pork and the view of the sunset … the flood became an additional unique factor.”


When passing boats make waves, diners have to move out of the way before the waves hit.


“It’s a fun challenge — you don’t know if you’ll get washed away somewhere while eating,” joked customer Jetdanai Boonrod, 30. (Reuters)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The restaurant continued its operations despite the rising of the Chao Phraya River. Do you agree with the owner’s decision to keep her restaurant open? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Boats sometimes make waves as they pass, and one customer of the café joked that it’s a fun challenge to dodge waves since you don’t know if you’ll get washed away somewhere while eating. What do you think of this experience (ex. fun, dangerous)? Should the restaurant be held responsible if something were to happen to the customers? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • According to the owner, customers love the thrill of eating meals and dodging waves at the same time. Given the chance, would you like to try dining in this riverside restaurant? Why or why not? If you were to eat there, what would you do to prepare (ex. wear slippers or boots, wear a raincoat)? Discuss.
  • What kind of unique dining experience would you like to try? If you were to create your own unique restaurant, what would it be like? Why? Discuss.