The crabmeat supplier for Bangkok’s Michelin-starred Raan Jay Fai has defended the celebrated chef after she came under fire for charging high prices, insisting she values premium quality and pays fairly for it.
Hatsathorn Srisuk, founder of the seafood supplier Bird Market, praised Jay Fai as a benefactor to his staff and to fishing communities in Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. He said crabs for her dishes are caught under stringent, environmentally friendly conditions.
The 82-year-old street food icon, formally known as Supinya Junsuta, was recently fined 2,000 baht for failing to display the 4,000-baht price of a special version of her famed crabmeat omelette.
The dish is normally listed at 1,500 baht, but the higher-priced option was revealed after a London-based Thai influencer flagged the issue.
Authorities are not closing the case. The Department of Internal Trade confirmed it is continuing its investigation following questions over whether meals at Raan Jay Fai are overpriced in general.
Jay Fai has been instructed to provide details on the costs of ingredients, seasonings, and other items used in her dishes.
In response to the backlash, Mr. Hatsathorn took to Facebook on Saturday. “I apologise for selling expensive crab to Jay Fai,” he wrote.
He said the online attacks against the chef, whom he considers a benefactor, had compelled him to speak publicly. According to him, the steep prices reflect the challenges of harvesting high-quality crabs.
Small-scale coastal fishers using floating gillnets are responsible for the catch, he explained, adding that the crabs are brought in fresh daily without preservatives and with minimal environmental impact.
“To produce 1 kilogramme of lump crabmeat, it needs 10kg of whole crabs,” he said. “Some days, boats return with less than 100kg of crabs, which made fewer than 10 lumps.”
Prices fluctuate depending on the season and conditions, but Jay Fai, he added, always pays “the highest, fairest price” in recognition of the work behind each delivery.
“From the boat crews to crab pickers, quality sorters and delivery staff, they earned fair and decent income because of her,” Mr. Hatsathorn said.
On the failure to display the special menu price, he noted that Jay Fai had admitted her mistake and corrected it. “But if people continue to condemn her entirely, I think it’s not fair,” he said.
He stressed that Jay Fai’s role in elevating Thai street food to international acclaim should not be overlooked.
“So if you’re going to blame Jay Fai, blame me. I’m the one who sells her expensive crab,” Mr. Hatsathorn concluded.
