A Michelin-starred Thai street food chef is busy again as tourists return to the country.

Jay Fai, 77, rocketed to popularity when the prestigious restaurant guide included her as one of its first-ever street outlets.

The cook, whose nickname means ’Sister Mole’ after her appearance, was inundated with bookings and customers needed to join a waiting list to eat at her rundown shop in the Chinatown area of Bangkok.

Restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic prevented holidaymakers from entering Thailand and restaurants were also closed.

However, Jay Fai is back behind the wok again on Friday, April 9 wearing her trademark ski goggles to prevent spices from hitting her in the eyes.

Jay Fai, whose full name is Supinya Chansuta, told delighted customers she was ‘very happy’ to be cooking again.

The chef said: ‘I’m so happy to open again. I just want to cook for my customers. That’s what makes me happy.’

Jay Fai received the restaurant award but later complained that visitors had overrun her restaurant and even the Tax Man had snooped around.

She previously said: ‘They were asking me how much money I make per day, asking so many questions, it made me feel I did something wrong.

‘I don’t know what I can do about them. It is so stressful. All of this makes me wish I could give the Michelin star back.’