Gelato Shop Owner Defends Pricing, Explains Photo Ban Rules
Jelato gelato shop owner Krishnan Sripoomi broke silence on pricing and photography ban controversy, clarifying his rules aim to preserve product quality by preventing melting during social media documentation of the 400-500 baht servings.
Krishnan Sripoomi, owner of gelato shop Jelato, has faced days of heated online debate over pricing, customer rules, and social media commentary on Thai consumer mindset. On July 19, he broke his silence for the first time, addressing all the controversy surrounding bans on chewing and photography, defending his pricing, and reiterating that everything he does aims to ensure customers experience the best product possible.
When asked what he wanted to clarify first amid the drama, Krishnan explained: "Let me talk about eating. The reason I ask people not to chew is that I want them to take small spoonfuls and not take photos—it will melt. I'm serious. I work in my own kitchen, and when I make it, the taste of gelato is very intense. When eating, I want each spoonful to be perfect. Photography is normally fine, but this is what I truly intended. A 400-500 baht cup of gelato—I want customers to take it and eat it without it melting, with every spoonful being delicious and perfect. That's my goal. But I can't force customers. I'm just explaining my intention."
When asked if his rules were about protecting content or recipe secrets, Krishnan denied it: "It has nothing to do with recipe theft. This is about not taking photos while eating. My shop is like a fish tank now—everyone films and takes pictures, which is normal. But my intention is clear: I want every customer to enjoy every spoonful. We all know that when you photograph food and leave it, the quality isn't the same. But with my gelato, which is expensive, I want customers to have a good experience."
He also addressed the viral video of a younger person chewing gelato with millions of views, saying they were just playing around at his shop. Krishnan emphasized that content creators visit daily and they joke together, which has helped his shop gain visibility.
Regarding his controversial post about Thai consumer mindset, Krishnan explained his genuine intention: "I felt that if we had two countries or two families, one where people focus on doing good things would develop, while the other with restrictions wouldn't progress. This discourages people who want to make quality products. That's my real thought. Please listen without drama. In your own home with your family, when you do anything... it's about removing restrictions."
