Emotional farewell for the three KFC outlets in the Deep South

"I come here to say farewell to Colonel Chandler because this is the last day of the services of three KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) outlets in the three southernmost provinces."

          The above statement and similar which were posted on the social media on July 15 clearly reflected the emotions of the former customers of the three KFC outlets which came to a close on July 16.

          Yum Restaurant International (Thailand) Company which operates the franchise claimed that the closure was temporary due to the unrest problem. But the main reason for the shutdown was that the three outlets did not have the Halal food certification.

          However, the real reason for the closure of the KFC outlets appeared to be unacceptable for many customers who are non-Muslims.  Hence, many of them chose to let off their frustrations in the social media.

          One message read as follows: "Welcome to the KFC Lotus branch in Jana district of Songkhla on August 28.  But why the Jana branch can be opened Central Restaurant Group that they did not incorporate Jana into the three southernmost provinces."

          The three KFC outlets were packed with customers who showed up on July 15 – the last day of the services – to give their fond farewell to the outlets and staffs.

          "We grew up along with the KFC" said one high school student as he and his friends were chewing way fried chicken at  one outlet located in Diana shopping mall in Pattani which had been in service for 15 years.  The fried chicken were sold out within hours.

          One of the customers, Mr Prasert Dannakaret, admitted that he and his family were regular customers at KFC and Pizza Hut.  From now on, he said if his family wanted to eat fried chicken, he might have to travel all the way to Hat Yai.  He asked the company management to reconsider their decision to close down the three outlets.

          The company has paid severance pay to the staff members who refused to be transferred to the other outlets outside the Deep South.  There were altogether 50 staffers at the outlet in Yala.  13 of them have agreed to be transferred to the other outlets.

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Caption : The closure of the KFC outlet in Yala