SNACK

A Marriage Of Like Minds

Over time, their mentorship turned partnership turned into something even more. In the pragmatic way they communicate about their business, Thep asked Nan if she wanted to marry him in 2020 and form a NEW partnership. She contemplated the proposal—and these are her own words— eventually said, “Yeah, ok, that will be fine.” And as matter of fact as it sounds, she says it with soft eyes and a big smile.

Appropriately, the couple was married in their restaurant in October of 2020. Two staff members catered the wedding, celebrating with the couple and coming out of the kitchen to watch the ceremony. Thep and Nan then bought their first house together—the first home either of them had ever been able to call their own. The same giving spirit that has been the foundation of their relationship is also the cornerstone for how they live their life. After buying their home, the couple purchased a second home to provide free housing for some of their employees. Other employees get assistance for housing costs, and the owners also provide many free meals to employees.

“We have a passion for helping our staff achieve their dreams. We are so thankful that since coming to America we have been able to succeed, and we want that for others!” the Choomnafais say. “We believe everyone should have a chance at the American dream.” One example of that dreammaking was a scholarship of $4,000 given to one of their employees for cosmetology school. “Helping Courtney go to cosmetology school gives us so much joy,” Nan comments.

The most full-circle move, however, has been the establishment of a charity that provides financial support for children in Thailand—like Nan—who attend public school. It was public school, says Nan, that provided hope for her and her peers. This new project, called the Hope, Hugs, and Opportunities Project, provides money, education, scholarships, and food to school children in the US, Thailand, and beyond. In February of 2023, the owners donated 200 orders of food to the school that Nan attended as a child. They’ve now contributed financially to six different schools in Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya. They’ve also sponsored programs and donated food to local schools.

Their giving isn’t limited to school children, however, and the impact of their generosity extends both near and far. In December of 2022, they catered meals for First Baptist Barlow’s International Mission Study Program. In 2021 at the height of the pandemic, they donated meals to Mercy Health Hospital and Baptist Health Paducah, and they donated meals to Mayfield relief workers after the tornado hit.

“By coming to the US, we have been able to achieve our dreams, and we are so thankful for that. When we came here, we started with nothing. America has been a wonderful country that gave us a chance,” they state.

“Because we have so much support from our wonderful customers, we have been able to start the Hope, Hugs and Opportunities project which allows us support others. We want our community to know that by supporting Thai@US, they are by extension, serving everyone who is impacted by our mission.”

Each time I’ve left the Choomnafai’s restaurant, it’s been with a free Thai iced tea and/or food in hand. Thep carefully makes the food in the back while Nan thanks me for the time and asks about coming back with my kids. Her final statement as I left on my last visit really says it all. “Who knows when I’ll be rich. I choose to give NOW because I don’t know when that day is coming, and I’m not going to wait for it.”