PHOTO GALLERY: Thai restaurants opens in downtown Columbia

January 9, 2013 | 5:25 p.m. CST

Kittikoon Chompupong has opened Thip Thai Cuisine restaurant on Broadway. Chompupong is the restaurant's owner and chef.

Vegetables cook in a broth in the kitchen of Thip Thai Cuisine restaurant, which opened to the public for the first time Monday evening. | Harry Katz

Kittikoon Chompupong, left, explains a cooking method to restaurant employee Katie Hill at Thip Thai Cuisine restaurant on Monday. Chompupong is the restaurant's owner and chef. | Harry Katz

Owner and Chef Kitt Chompupong prepares Pad Thai in the kitchen of Thip Thai Restaurant. Chompupong was brought up in Thailand and has been in the restaurant business for 30 years. | Harry Katz

A bucket of rice noodles sits ready to be prepared at Thip Thai Restaurant. Located on Broadway, the restaurant combines authentic Thai food with American-style Thai cuisine.
| Harry Katz