Something new is cooking at South County Commons.
After years of serving Thai favorites to the South County community, Tong Ta Thai Restaurant & Bar is preparing to say farewell at the end of the summer — but this is not goodbye.
This fall, a completely new restaurant concept will emerge in its place as MaLié Thai, led by new owner and chef Supasin “Mark” Chunhachachavankul.
The transformation will go well beyond a new name. MaLié will bring a fresh approach to Thai dining to South County Commons, with a reimagined menu, space and overall dining experience that combines Mark’s Thai roots and extensive international culinary background with inspiration from Rhode Island.
From Thailand to Paris, Dubai — and Now Rhode Island
Behind MaLié is a chef whose culinary journey has taken him around the world.
Born and raised in Thailand, Mark studied at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Paris, earning the school’s Grand Diplôme in both cuisine and pastry.
Early in his career in Bangkok, he completed a stage at Michelin-starred restaurant 80/20, where he was introduced to modern Thai fine dining and innovative culinary techniques. He later studied in Japan, further developing an appreciation for precision, balance and technique.
Mark’s career eventually took him to acclaimed restaurants and luxury resorts throughout Thailand, the Maldives and Dubai, including Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, Le Méridien Maldives and Hakkasan at Atlantis The Palm in Dubai, where he served as Sous Chef in a Michelin-starred dining environment.
After more than a decade of working around the globe, Mark has now made his way to Rhode Island — and South County Commons — to begin his next chapter.
A New Take on Thai
With MaLié, Mark plans to create something entirely new for South County.
The restaurant will remain rooted in the flavors and traditions of Thailand while introducing a more modern approach shaped by Mark’s international experience.
Guests can expect familiar Thai favorites alongside new creations, including dishes that bring Thai flavors and techniques to familiar American fare. Rhode Island’s identity as the Ocean State will also provide inspiration as Mark combines global influences with ingredients, flavors and ideas that reflect his new home.
The goal is not simply to replace Tong Ta with another traditional Thai restaurant.
MaLié is being envisioned as a new-age Thai dining experience — one that respects tradition while giving Mark the freedom to be creative, experiment and introduce South County diners to something they may not have experienced before.
One Last Summer with Tong Ta
Before MaLié makes its debut, there is still time to enjoy Tong Ta.
The restaurant is celebrating its final summer with a special Farewell Set Menu — “A Taste of Our Last Summer.”
The menu brings together a selection of Tong Ta favorites, beginning with crispy vegetable spring rolls, wok-seared cabbage and Thai herbal glass noodle soup, followed by guests’ choice of classic dishes including Pad Thai, pineapple fried rice, Thai fried rice, vegetable combination and green, red or yellow curry.
It’s an opportunity for longtime customers to revisit some familiar favorites and celebrate the restaurant before this chapter comes to a close.
Tong Ta’s farewell message perhaps says it best:
“The time has come for this chapter of Tong Ta to come to an end, but this is not goodbye. A new chapter is about to begin.”
Coming This Fall
Over the coming weeks, the restaurant will begin its transformation into MaLié, with a new identity, new menu and a newly imagined experience planned for a fall opening at South County Commons.
For Mark, the restaurant represents the culmination of a culinary journey that has taken him from Thailand to France, Japan, the Maldives and Dubai — and now to South Kingstown.
For South County Commons, we’re excited to welcome a new concept that brings together international culinary experience, Thai tradition and a distinctly Rhode Island influence.
And while we’re not giving away everything just yet, we can tell you this:
Something exciting is coming to South County Commons this fall. Stay tuned as we share more about MaLié Thai in the weeks ahead.