Thai restaurant in Vegas remains closed after car slams into kitchen

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — More than a month has passed, and Krung Thai Restaurant remains closed to its customers. The person who drove in reverse and crashed into the kitchen area is still on the run.

The driver fled the scene near Flamingo Road and Decatur Boulevard and left a Hyundai Elantra behind, it caused significant damage to the restaurant’s kitchen and caused a gas leak.

Paul Swan told 13 Action News his restaurant will be shutdown at least for another month because the structure of the building was heavily damaged.

It is the first time in 20 years Krung Thai Restaurant closes.

The damage was so extensive, Swan guesses the insurance will cover about half a million dollars in repairs.

"We've been working daily just trying to get the receipts, the records for the insurance company," said Swan.

The entire kitchen was totaled; broken equipment, shattered plates, and other remnants still on the floor.

“We got hit [during] a bad time in the year because of the holidays, Christmas and the New Year’s," said Swan.

He was forced to holiday more than 10 holiday parties.

"We lost a lot of business throughout the holiday December is the biggest month for any restaurant business."

If any good came out of the crash, Paul found the time to give the dining area a makeover.

Currently, he is waiting for the insurance and construction permits to go through.

"New flooring, new stage, a new background, new window treatment, and new seating," said Swan as he pointed to the front of the restaurant.

Seven out of his 10 employees continue to show up for work.