Fah presents a delicious “Kohn Keb Fuen”
dish.
Manoon Makpol
With a Matthayom 3 education, Fah quickly realized
she’d never become the doctor she once dreamed of becoming. But 9 years
after moving to Pattaya, she now sees a chance for a bright future.
Fah, 29, who finished of school after Matthayom 3,
eventually was lured to Pattaya. She quickly discovered the city’s
fabled party atmosphere wasn’t what she expected. She realized that
being uneducated, she’d “have to fight harder.”
She spent the following years in low-paying jobs,
working as a dishwasher, waitress and hotel receptionist, never earning
more than 5,000 baht per month. But after becoming friends with a singer
named Ae, the two decided to pool what money they had and open a
restaurant.
Champ, just 24, has been
cooking in Pattaya for three years.
Khon Keb Fuen opened behind central Pattaya’s Big C
Extra seven months ago. Serving dishes from Issan, where the Carabao
song the restaurant is named for takes place, the eatery is simple, but
employs a young chef who has put unique twists on favorite northeastern
recipes.
Champ, just 24, has been cooking in Pattaya for three
years, but said he never saved any money until he met Fah. Her desire to
“build things together,” as the song “Kohn Keb Fuen” implores, has
motivated him and now he’s earning a good living doing what he likes.
With dishes like stewed eggs in seafood and stir
fried eggs with squid, the restaurant has earned a reputation for good
food. And Fah said her prices, which start at 59 baht and top out at 500
baht, have made it an affordable choice. The restaurant doesn’t sell
alcohol, but guests can bring their own liquor and pay for mixers. For
directions or information, contact Fah at 087-484-967.
