A restaurant in Thailand has sparked debate online by offering customers a ‘skinny discount’ if they can squeeze through metal bars of varying widths.
Tourists Amina @amonthego and Alex @alexwandersyt, from the UK, couldn’t hide their shock after stumbling across the gimmick at Chiang Mai Breakfast World.
The ‘skinny discount’ bars featured five categories: a 20 per cent discount on food for the smallest customers, with wider bars offering 15, 10 and five per cent discounts.
The set of bars with the largest gap simply read ‘full price, sorry’.
A video shared by the bloggers to Instagram yesterday has already racked up nearly eight million views.
The footage featured a restaurant-goer trying to fit between the thin bars to earn a 15 per cent discount on his meal.
Joking, his friend tried to help him out by kicking him through, while another jibed, ‘you need some butter!’
Having no luck, he then tried the 10 per cent bars, despite worries that he would ‘get stuck’.
A restaurant in Thailand has sparked debate online by offering customers a ‘skinny discount’ if they can squeeze through metal bars of varying widths
In the end, he succeeded in getting through the five per cent discount gap, admitting, ‘it’s better than nothing, I suppose’.
The idea has sparked debate online, as some people saw the funny side – but others warned that it could potentially ‘discriminate’ against those of larger sizes.
One person joked: ‘What if I don’t fit in the full price?’;
‘In America this place would get sued sadly’;
‘Imagine trying to force yourself in for a little discount, injuring your self for what a little percentage’;
‘We need this across all places restaurants, travel’
One person wrote: ‘Wouldn’t eat there. That’s really discriminating.’
‘I don’t think it’s that deep it’s a bit of fun,’ Alex, who had posted the video, replied.
The bars offered five spaces – each of which came with a different discount. The largest gap read ‘full price, sorry’
Footage posted on social media showed a restaurant-goer trying to fit between the thin bars to earn a discount
However the commenter argued: ‘It’s only fun for those people who fit. For other people it’s discriminating.
‘Why would someone need to pay more just because they aren’t a size 0? Do they get bigger portions or how does it work?’
Another said: ‘What’s wrong with you? This can promote eating disorders. let people enjoy their food and have a healthy weight.’
Despite the controversy, Breakfast World, boasts a rating of 4.5 on trip advisor and describes itself as a ‘little garden restaurant’ offering international breakfast options.
A video posted on the Retired Global Life YouTube channel in 2023 showed that the restaurant’s skinniest option used to offer ‘food for free’.
Channel owners Randy and Joy, who is from Chiang Mai, praised the owners for their ‘sense of humour’.
There was an added notice on the entrance, saying: ‘How much discount do you get?
‘Our “fully electronic and computer controlled” discount system for visitors over 18 years of age only.’
The idea has sparked debate online, as some people saw the funny side – but others warned that it could potentially ‘discriminate’ against those of larger sizes
Trying out the bars, Randy said: ‘I’m always embarrassed, I’m such a skinny guy.
‘No matter what I do, I can’t gain weight. But maybe for once in my life this is going to pay off!’
It’s not the first time the light-hearted gimmick has been used as an advertising tool for eateries.
In 2018, Zhao Lang, the owner of a restaurant in east China, claimed that the promotion campaign serves as a reminder for people to watch their diet.
The restaurant in Jinan city offers customers free food and beer – if they can enter the eatery by fitting through a gap that is only 15cm (5.9in) wide.
A sign marking the width of the bars determines the different types of discounts.
Inspired by similar challenges trending online recently, Mr Zhao intended the campaign as an entertaining challenge as well as a warning to those who are considered ‘overweight’.
‘So many people have told me that they’ve failed losing weight – just because they can’t quit drinking beer,’ he said.
Another restaurant in Jinan city offered customers free food and beer – if they can enter the eatery by fitting through a gap
‘Maybe this could serve as a reminder to them to keep an eye on their diet.’
If a person can fit through the smallest gap, he or she can enjoy a free meal and free drinks for the entire table.
The next level of difficulty is at 18cm (7in) – the successful contender will win five beers.
Customers who can fit through the third gap – at 25cm (9.8in) – will be given one free beer.
The next pair of bars, with a width of 30cm (11.8in), offers no discount but a message for those who can fit through: ‘Your figure is just average – you shouldn’t ask for more.’
The last pair of bars – which are ‘exceptionally wide’ according to owner Zhao Lang – poses a question to the customer: ‘Are you sure you should be drinking beer?’
Video clips showed customers’ hilarious attempts to win the biggest prize – free food and drinks – with some demonstrating effortlessly while some getting stuck in the 15cm-wide bars.
‘At least one person can make it through the narrowest set of bars every day,’ Mr Zhao told MailOnline. ‘They are all female customers.’
As for the next level of difficulty, 20 people have managed to squeeze through so far.
Mr Zhao said the promotion campaign drew crowds lining up to do the ‘metal gate challenge’.
