By Suzanne Corbett, STLSportsPage.com Food/Travel Editor
Chao Baan, the authentic Thai restaurant located in The Grove, will donate 10% of dine-in and web order carry-out sales to the Atlanta Chapter of Asian Americans Advancing Justice and Stop AAPI Hate to support initiatives to stop hate crimes, incidents of discrimination and xenophobia against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders.
The “Dining Out to #StopAAPIHate” program launches on Tuesday, March 23, and runs through April 27 on every Tuesday for dinner service from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Guests are encouraged to make reservations for socially distanced, dine-in service. Guests can also place web orders for curbside or carry-out
Chao Baan’s giveback series is personal for owner Shayn Prapaisilp, who is a member of the board of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce. The St. Louis native’s family has made an incredible impact on the city’s diverse culinary scene.
“The work that Stop AAPI Hate and the Atlanta chapter of Asian Americans Advancing Justice is more important now than ever,” said Prapaisilp, who is also chief operating officer of Global Foods Group. “As members of the Asian-American community in St. Louis, my family and I were shocked and grieved after the mass shooting in Atlanta on Tuesday. Too many acts of xenophobia and violence go unreported and unaddressed, and we hope to bring awareness and support through our dining-out efforts at Chao Baan.”
The Prapaisilp family pioneered familiarity with Thai cuisine in St. Louis through their first restaurant, King & I Thai Cuisine, which opened more than three decades ago. Then, Sue and Suchin Prapaislip opened Global Foods Market in Kirkwood, Missouri, an international grocery offering products from more than 50 countries from around the world. The family has further expanded their culinary concepts in St. Louis with the Oishi Sushi and Oishi Steakhouse restaurants. With Shayn at the helm, the Prapaisilps opened a second international market in the Delmar Loop, United Provisions, and most recently, the regional Thai restaurant, Chao Baan in The Grove.
“While my family feels grateful for the support from the St. Louis community over the last three decades, Asian-American communities across our country have been marginalized, discriminated against, and even killed for far too long,” Prapaisilp said. “It’s important for us to support the vital work of organizations who are fighting for the rights of Asian-Americans and marginalized groups across the country, like Stop AAPI Hate and the Atlanta chapter of Asian Americans Advancing Justice.”
Chao Baan’s menu highlights authentic regional Thai dishes that range from the northeast to southern regions. Signature dishes include fiery Gaeng Som soup, with white fish, papaya, chili broth, and turmeric; crunchy Khao Tad Nam Sod, made of twice-fried rice mixed with curry paste, pork sausage, ginger and cilantro; Panang Curry, red curry in coconut milk served with bell peppers, protein and garnished with makrut leaves. The beverage program features a range of drinks, from classic cocktails with Thai infusions to wines and beers.
