Thai Place Restaurant to close after 35 years in business

Surin Thamwiwat teared up as she talked about saying goodbye to customers, many who she’s known for more than three decades.

“When I talk to customers and tell them we are closing they cry and then I cry,” said Surin, sitting next to her beloved husband, Santi Thamwiwat inside Thai Place Restaurant in Pine on Friday. “I am going to miss them. It was a tough decision. I loved cooking for them.”

The final of six Thai Restaurants the couple owns is closing Oct. 19.

The couple, both 80 and of O’Hara, decided it is time after 35 years. They’ve been working long hours for years and they had to navigate the covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which they said has changed the restaurant industry.

In retirement, they plan to spend time with their two daughters Dr. Kanitta Charoensiri, director of Schiffert Health Center at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., and Susie Wilojanapa of O’Hara, their grandchildren, and take a cruise. They’ve enjoyed taking various cruises all over the world.

“It is time, but it’s bittersweet,” Wilojanapa said. “My parents are sad. So many people I have talked to over the years have said they have dined at one of our restaurants. My parents took a big risk and they were so successful because they love doing this. They wanted the restaurants to be a gateway for employees to have the experience to open their own restaurants, which some of them did. When we talked about closing, we didn’t want to just close the doors and be done. We wanted to have some time to say goodbye.”

The couple hadn’t planned on spending their lives in Pittsburgh, but they fell in love it.

They came here to attend the University of Pittsburgh in 1967 as scholar graduate students from Bangkok, Thailand. After completing their studies, Santi worked as an engineer at Westinghouse, PennDOT and Duquesne Light. Surin was a microbiologist in cancer research at Mercy Hospital.

Surinnever forgot about wanting to own a restaurant. She recalled when the family was living in Squirrel Hill, she made a few dishes for a food festival at St. Rosalia Grade School in Greenfield for her daughters’ school. Everyone loved her cooking.

The couple waited until the girls finished high school. And when they heard there was a restaurant closing in Harmar, they decided to open the first authentic Thai restaurant in the area.

Both continued to work full time at their professional jobs for years until Surinwas able to devote herself full time at the restaurant.

She had a vision for what she wanted because her family in Thailand had a catering background. She developed the menu of specialties such as pad thai, pad see ew, thai fried rice, sweet & sour and General Tso’s.

She also convinced three professional chefs from five-star hotels in Thailand to come to Pittsburgh.

After the Harmar location they opened five more — Thai Place Shadyside, Thai Place Fox Chapel, Thai Place Café in Oakland and then in Pine.

They’ve been recognized with numerous awards and served celebrities such as the band U2, tennis stars Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King, actor Peter Falk and Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu.

Some of their employees went on to open their own restaurants.

“I told her this would he hard,” her husband said. “But she really, really wanted to do it, so I supported her. I have mixed feelings about leaving, but it’s time. She is the best cook and everyone loves the way she cooks.”

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | TribLive

Five authenic Thai sauces created by Surin Thamwiwat will be available for sale at various Giant Eagle Market Districts and online at thaiplacepgh.com.

Some of her dishes will be available when the new owner opens in the Pine restaurant space, she said.

And a line of five sauces she created will still be available on their website where there are also recipes.

The sauces are also at Giant Eagle Market District stores in Shadyside, The Waterworks mall, Murrysville, Bethel Park, Settlers Ridge, Wexford and at the Oriental Market on McKnight Road and the Oriental Market and Jungle Jim’s International Market in Cincinnati, Ohio.

“These sauces capture the essence of our cuisine and allow you to bring the flavors of Thai Place into your own home,” according to a note to customers from the couple. “We hope they will continue to bring joy and deliciousness to your meals. We are immensely proud of the role we have played in the culinary landscape of Pittsburgh and the lasting impact we have made.

“Our journey has been filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable experiences.”

They shared a message on Facebook.

“We are so grateful for your loyal support over the years and we will miss serving you in our restaurants,” Santi Thamwiwat said. “We look forward to seeing you in these final weeks and celebrating the legacy of Thai Place together.”

“We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for choosing to dine with us for decades,” Surin Thamwiwat. “I like to make people happy with food. It is about going the extra mile for customers. We have made a lot of friends here.

“I met them when they were dating, and then married, and then had children, and then grandchildren.”

Surin began to tear up again.

Thai Place Wexford is located at 12009 Perry Highway, Pine.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Details: 724-935-8866