Chiang Mai police banned a pancake vendor from wearing skimpy garments after her sales soared when she started wearing cleavage-revealing cardigans.
Olive Aranya Apaiso, a 23-year-old nursing student, said she was only selling 30 boxes of her treats daily, but her sales increased when she borrowed her friend’s low-cut blouse to use while working.
Local media reported that locals lined up at her stall in Chiang Mai to try the crepes and pose for pictures with her while she cooked.
However, on Friday, some fuming residents complained to police that Olive’s outfits were inappropriate.
On Friday, police officers visited her pancake stand and took her to the station to receive a lecture on food hygiene. Authorities warned Olive to respect the “city’s culture” and ordered her to change her top.
The student was released without charge but can be arrested for public indecency if she keeps wearing her outfit. In Thailand, public indecency can be punished with up to 5,000 baht.
According to Chang Phueak District Council Office’s spokesman, Chiang Mai is a cultural city “and people have expressed concern about the dress.”
The spokesperson said police had invited the woman to “discuss the matter,” adding: “We have asked the lady for co-operation, to wear a bra that is flesh-colored and an outfit that is less obscene.”
Olive used the revealing cardigans attached with a pin and tape on her nipples to prevent them from slipping out. With tears in her eyes, she told the agents that she needed to make her own money and was only trying to support herself.
She apologized for offending anyone and added: “It has only been three months since I opened but now, I have selling more than 100 boxes of the crispy pancakes a day.”
Police said the young entrepreneur should keep her hair in a net, wear an apron, wear gloves, and keep distance between customers.
Olive reportedly said she was willing to follow instructions, dress differently, cover her body more and follow hygiene rules.
Lieutenant Colonel Weerapat Khamlapich said: “The lady co-operated and no charges were made against her.” The police will check her stall to make sure she has complied with the advice, he stated.
