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Bangkok Restaurant Scandal: Birthday Salmon Rice Cake Advert vs Reality
A Japanese restaurant in Bangkok has come under intense public scrutiny after a customer’s shared disappointment with a birthday promotion went viral on social media. The incident on Monday was shared by a popular Thai consumer rights Facebook group.
The customer recounted a visit to a well-known à la carte Japanese restaurant, attracted there by an online promotion offering a complimentary "salmon rice cake" for birthday celebrants. The promotional image showcased an aesthetically pleasing and appetising dish – a neatly arranged rice cake topped with a heap of fresh salmon.
However, the reality contrasted starkly with the advertisement, according to the disgruntled customer. Upon arrival and presentation of the birthday offer, the customer was served a dish that bore little resemblance to the promotion photo, both in presentation and quality. The disappointed diners were so underwhelmed, the poster said, it nearly reduced them to tears.
"I saw a birthday promotion from a Japanese restaurant in Bangkok – not a buffet – offering a free salmon rice cake. The promotional image looked beautiful and delicious, so I decided to give it a try," the post said. "But when it arrived, what I received was the dish on the right. I felt like crying. I even posted a thank-you message on their Facebook page saying, ‘Thank you for the birthday cake’, but they deleted my comment and blocked me. I genuinely wanted to thank them – why wouldn’t they want other customers to see that?"
The post quickly garnered widespread attention, prompting a flurry of comments and debate online. While some users sympathised with the customer’s disappointment, others offered mixed opinions, with comments ranging from, “It’s not that bad – a birthday gift is still a kind gesture,” to “It looks inedible, I’d be afraid of getting food poisoning," and even, “That salmon looks like jelly".
The controversy has sparked renewed discussion about truth in advertising, consumer expectations and corporate accountability in promotional advertising. In this article, we will delve deeper into the incident, exploring the reasons behind the restaurant’s actions and the implications for consumers.
Why Do Restaurants Mislead Customers with Promotional Images?
Restaurants often use high-quality images to promote their dishes and attract customers. However, these images may not always accurately represent the actual product served. In some cases, restaurants may use images from other sources or create artificial scenes to make the dish look more appealing.
In the case of the Japanese restaurant in Bangkok, it is unclear whether the promotional image was actually taken at the restaurant or if it was sourced from another location. The restaurant’s actions suggest that they may have been trying to mislead customers into thinking that the salmon rice cake was a high-quality dish when, in reality, it was not.
Consumer Expectations and Corporate Accountability
The incident highlights the importance of truth in advertising and corporate accountability. Consumers have the right to expect that promotional images accurately represent the product being advertised. Restaurants have a responsibility to ensure that their promotions are honest and transparent.
In this case, the restaurant’s actions were unacceptable. By deleting the customer’s comment and blocking them on Facebook, the restaurant attempted to silence the customer and prevent other consumers from seeing the discrepancy between the promotion image and the actual product served.
Implications for Consumers
The incident has significant implications for consumers. It highlights the need for consumers to be cautious when viewing promotional images online. Consumers should not assume that a promotional image accurately represents the product being advertised. Instead, they should research the restaurant and read reviews from other customers to get a more accurate idea of what to expect.
Furthermore, consumers have the right to express their dissatisfaction with a product or service. In this case, the customer’s comment was deleted, but it highlights the importance of allowing consumers to share their experiences and opinions online.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the Japanese restaurant in Bangkok has sparked renewed discussion about truth in advertising, consumer expectations and corporate accountability in promotional advertising. It is essential for restaurants to ensure that their promotions are honest and transparent, and for consumers to be cautious when viewing promotional images online. By working together, we can create a more accountable and transparent food industry.
This article will continue to explore the incident in detail, examining the reasons behind the restaurant’s actions and the implications for consumers. We will also discuss the importance of truth in advertising and corporate accountability, highlighting the need for restaurants to ensure that their promotions are honest and transparent.