In Bangkok, a million baht dinner clashes with philosophy of moderation

Reuters

Published: February 9, 2007

BANGKOK: A $29,000-a-head gourmet dinner in Bangkok is making some Thais feel a bit sick.

Fifteen international high-rollers from the world of real estate, casinos and shipping have already booked seats for the black-tie dinner Saturday, which comes with a price tag of 1 million baht, or $29,240, plus 17 percent service and tax.

"It's an absolute waste of money," said Sommai Promjan, 48, who makes a living selling ice cream from a street cart near the neoclassical State Tower that will host the event. "You could buy a house with that."

Organizers of "Epicurean Masters of the World II," designed to promote Thailand as a destination for the mega- rich, are not naming their guests.

Six three-star Michelin chefs from France, Germany and Italy, and some of the world's finest wines, were flown in specially for the 11-course extravaganza at the rooftop Mezzaluna restaurant.

However, locals think the gourmets are being taken for a ride, saying everybody knows the best food in Thailand costs just 30 baht and is cooked in a wok welded to a street cart and served at a fold-up metal table on the pavement.

"It's all the same," said Pornpilai Chareonsimaporn, who runs an eatery in State Tower's shadow. "Chicken is still chicken, pork is still pork. They may have lobster, but we have prawns."

The Mezzaluna manager, Deepak Ohri, defended the all-European menu and said it was impossible to start making price comparisons.

"We are not selling a meal — we are selling the whole experience," he said. "You cannot put a value on the experience."

However, many locals are unhappy, especially because of the dinner's apparent clash with the philosophy of moderation espoused by their revered king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, which the leaders of the coup last year against the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, promote heavily.

To counter such criticism, Ohri said all profits from the dinner would be going to Médecins Sans Frontières and the Chaipattana Foundation — a rural development charity set up by the king.

Well this is making me very sick also until there is a proof that the last statement has been fulfilled and how much. That should be a very good promotion for the organizers!