Golden Eel Brings Luck to Kamphaeng Phet Restaurant
A restaurant owner in Kamphaeng Phet caught a rare golden eel and displayed it in his eatery, prompting a surge of customers who believe the creature brings good luck. Villagers have flocked to see the eel, praying for lucky numbers from incense sticks and the fish’s markings, with some citing numbers like 5, 4, 2 and the address 23/2 for lottery hopes. The owner says the unexpected influx has been both surprising and fortunate for his business.
When reporters arrived at the Riverside Kitchen restaurant in Ban Khomnghak, Thanonkrath subdistrict, Mueang district, Kamphaeng Phet, they found owner Suchat Thongmon, 56, excited about his catch. He said he normally fishes daily in the Ping River for cooking ingredients, but the golden eel—about 80 cm long and brighter than ordinary eels—was a lucky find. Since placing the eel in the restaurant, customer traffic has surged unusually, something he had never seen before. Word spread, and villagers began arriving to view the eel, some offering flower garlands and incense while praying for lucky numbers. They also studied the eel’s markings, interpreting them as different numbers. Many lit nine incense sticks, bowed, and noted the numbers that appeared—5, 4, 2—while also recording the restaurant’s address, 23/2, as another potential lucky combination for the upcoming lottery draw.
