Earlier this month, Kung Fu Plaza was visited by none other than Pornchita Na Songkhla (nicknamed Benz), one of the most talented and famous Thai entertainers in the world. She is known in Thailand for her acting, modeling, and singing.

Benz visited Kung Fu Plaza during a 5-day visit to the United States with executives from Thai TV Color Channel 3. Reportedly, the actress and executives had planned the trip to coincide with the 83rd Annual Academy Awards.

A few months before, another television star, Kasama Nissaipan, had visited the restaurant. Nissaipan is best known as a leading actor in the 1980s and 1990s.

"Benz" Pornchita Na Songkhla Becomes The Newest Celebrity To Visit Kung Fu Plaza.

"It was such an honor for us to have Benz include Kung Fu Plaza during her visit to America," said Alan Wong, general manager of Kung Fu Plaza. "She was very gracious and even took a tour of the kitchen before joining her party for dinner."

Unlike on American television shows, actors and actresses in Thailand strongly identify with a single station. Other than a few early shows on Channel 7, Benz has been a longtime favorite on Channel 3. Two years after debuting in Nang Ay in 1995, the channel cast her in four shows — Talay Prae, Fah Sarng Tee Klarng Dohng, Fun Tai Tawan, and Sai Darranee.

Most recently, Benz signed on as one of the judges of Thailand's Got Talent. This new show is based on Britain's Got Talent, the popular television concept created by Simon Cowell.

The program is going to great lengths to include a cinematic feel. The first part of the program features a selection of the best acts chosen from almost 10,000 would-be contestants. Joining Benz on the panel will be actor Nirut Sirijanya and TV producer Pinyo Rutham.

"They told us it only made sense for Thailand to work with Cowell to create a Thai version of the show," said Wong. "Like everywhere else in the world, the Thai people were very taken by the success of Susan Boyle, who made a name for herself in the British version of the show. Maybe now we can find an amazing Thai celebrity who will win the hearts of the world."

While Benz is known through her affiliation with Thai Channel 3, it doesn't preclude other projects. She is one of the more popular models in Thailand and even has her own makeup line. She has also appeared in two Thai movies —  Zapp (2006) and Jaew (English title, Maid, 2004). The latter is a comedy that portrays Benz as a maid and a spy.

"Kung Fu Plaza has become a must-visit stop in Las Vegas because so many people know we believe in serving authentic Thai cuisine as many people might remember it while growing up in Thailand," said Wong. "At the same time, we are making some progressive changes like adding WiFi and supporting VH1's Save The Music Foundation."

Kung Fu Plaza is the oldest and most authentic Thai restaurant in Las Vegas. It was founded in 1973 after the Wong family moved to the United States from Thailand. The Wong family has gone to great lengths to preserve traditional Thai recipes that attract native Thai people while also serving Chinese staples that are especially familiar in the United States.