Restaurant in Thailand under fire for ‘skinny discount’

A restaurant in Thailand has come under fire for allegedly discriminating against plus-sized people by offering customers a discount based on how thin they are.

Chiang Mai Breakfast World in Chiang Mai is offering to shave up to 20 per cent off customers’ bills if they can squeeze through a set of narrow vertical metal bars. The challenge feature five levels, with each gap between the bars decreasing in size.

Customers who clear the easier levels can get between five and 15 per cent off their meals, according to Thai news outlet Thaiger.

For customers who fail to clear any of these levels, a sign that reads “full price, sorry” awaits.

Netizens were quick to share their comments on the controversial promotion after a video by a pair of British travel bloggers went viral after it was posted on Instagram on April 6.

“Which one would you go through?” Ms Amina, one of the bloggers, captioned the clip, which has now racked up over 58,000 likes and over 2,000 comments.

“Better than nothing,” muttered one disappointed customer after managing to secure only a 5 per cent discount, as seen in the video.

One Instagram user joked: “I definitely think I’m getting an extra surcharge!”

While many social media users took the news in a light-hearted manner, some others were quick to call out the promotional stunt for promoting unhealthy eating habits.

A disgruntled user said: “Seriously concerning the body shaming/ weight obsession in Asia...”

Another like-minded individual added: “Not dehumanising myself for that. Wouldn’t eat there.”

Despite the backlash, the restaurant, known for serving international breakfast, maintains a 4.3 star rating, and over 1,700 reviews, on Google.

Another eatery in Jinan, eastern China, rolled out a similar stunt back in 2018, reported Thai.News, another local news outlet.

The owner, Mr Zhao Lang, offered customers free food and beer if they could pass through a 15cm wide opening at the front door.