Michelin-starred Thai chef Jay Fai fined for ‘VVIP special’ crab omelette priced at Rs 10k

Jay Fai was subsequently fined 2,000 baht for failing to display the special price on her menu.

The infamous crab omelette (Source: Instagram/@jayfaibangkok)

CNA Lifestyle reported that a regular patron, Dr Pattarapha Chadit, had accompanied Peachii and Martha to the restaurant and placed the order. Pattarapha explained that Jay Fai often recognised long-time customers and prepared customised dishes for them. “I didn’t explain this to my friend, so a misunderstanding occurred,” Pattarapha said, adding that the chef’s cooking was “just special service for familiar patrons or VVIP customers”.

Legal fallout

The viral complaint prompted Thai Commerce Minister Jatuporn Buruspat to direct the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) to investigate.

According to Bangkok Post, the 82-year-old chef has already paid the fine, though inquiries are still ongoing to determine whether the dish was overpriced. Under Thai consumer law, overcharging can carry a jail term of up to seven years, a fine of up to 140,000 baht, or both.

Officials have also asked the restaurant to provide detailed explanations of the ingredients and cost structure to assess whether its pricing is reasonable, the report added.