The owners of a Chiang Mai cafe, located in a former tobacco factory where patrons can observe workers sorting tobacco leaves, have responded to criticisms that they were staging a “human zoo.”
Social media was abuzz after a customer shared a photo of herself enjoying her visit to Yen.CNX cafe, with workers visible behind a glass wall meticulously sorting tobacco leaves on the floor.
The cafe, which retains its historical identity as a tobacco factory, aims to showcase the heritage and traditional methods of tobacco production, according to the owner’s statement.
The image was posted by Suwadee Punpanich, CEO of Thonburi Sermrath, a medical clinic operator from Bangkok, on her Facebook page on Wednesday.
By Friday, the post had garnered over 7,000 comments, many of which expressed dismay at the stark social divide, with some critiques labeling it a “human zoo.”
One commenter, who described themselves as a cafe enthusiast, expressed discomfort with the idea of watching workers toil in harsh conditions merely for entertainment.
Responding to the burgeoning social media discussion, Ms. Suwadee asserted on Friday her respect for local customs and appreciated the cafe’s role in highlighting traditional practices.
She disagreed with the term “human zoo,” arguing that such comments reflect superficial thinking and disrespect the workers’ pride and dignity.
In its Facebook response, the cafe noted that public interpretation had diverged from their original intent of celebrating the site’s historical significance.
The establishment is part of a family legacy that has been handed down through generations. The current owner seeks to narrate this family history while adapting it for modern accessibility.
The design of the space preserves the original architectural elements of the factory and features real workers demonstrating their craftsmanship.
“The presentation was not for entertainment. During the season from January to May every year, this is how the actual sorting of leaves is done,” the cafe owners stated.
“They were not hired for a show, and they were paid fairly.”
