Thai Esan Restaurant of Spring Lake, N.C.

08/20/2026

We read, loved and appreciate all the wonderful comments and wishes from EVERYONE! We already miss you all. 😢
Here’s the current state of the dining room:

08/15/2026

So many wonderful comments from you all. Flowers, coins and hugs given and photos taken. Made our hearts swell and eyes tear up.

Here's a sample of the comments posted:

"Just wanted to say thank you both for the years of food and friendship and a safe place to land when life got crazy. I really don’t know what life looks like without Thai Esan in it.
Keep pushing her to do a tik tok or YouTube. So many of us want to be able to hold on to her incredible food in our lives. Hands down best Thai around."

When Thai Esan opened twenty years ago - we weren't sure it would last or prosper. Lasted it did, and we all prospered in ways measurable and immeasurable.

To think we impacted people and the community is something that we'll take with us...wherever life leads.

Jim and Pennapa

08/14/2026

Well, friends … there are about four hours remaining before Thai Esan closes up shop.

It’s bittersweet. We’ve made so many friends, sadly lost a few along the way, but also happily welcomed a good number of little ones as they came along.

Twenty years of serving Esan-style selections to the best customers we could have asked for does take a toll. So we are stepping away on the eve of Ms. Pennapa’s 72nd birthday.

Our page will stay active for the near term. Should Ms. Pennapa decide to share her secrets in an online forum or an in-person venue - you’ll read about it here.

We will miss you all more than you know.

❤️

Jim and Pennapa.

08/11/2026

Update: for Wednesday, 12 September!

08/01/2026

Good morning, all!

Well, it's August 1st and time to make the formal announcement:

After nearly 20 continuous years of providing the area's best Thai dining, Friday, August 14th will be the last day Thai Esan Restaurant will operate.

As of now, there are no plans for another operator to come in and open another business. We'll let you know if this changes.

We love and appreciate you all.

Jim and Pennapa

07/01/2026

Good morning! As everyone prepares to enjoy the Independence Day holiday, we want to let you all know that we are open Wednesday - Friday this week (our normal schedule). Come see us!

05/28/2026

We’re closing for a family event @1:30 pm today - Thursday, 28 May. We’ll open tomorrow @ 11 am. Thank you!

01/28/2026

We’re back and open today. The weather kept us an extra day in Florida.

01/20/2026

01/18/2026

We are closed this week, 19-23 January 2026. Our eldest has turned the big Five-0, and we’re helping him celebrate!