Meet Saisunee “June” Kenyon
For Saisunee “June” Kenyon, cooking has always been about more than what’s on the plate. It’s about family, the places she’s been, the people she’s met, and the joy of sharing good food with others.
June was born in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1964 and later attended high school in Singapore before moving to the United States to study Business Administration at Oklahoma State University. After college, she returned home to Bangkok to help run her family’s garment business, which made uniforms for Catholic schools.
Working with her family also gave June the opportunity to travel throughout Thailand, visit countless restaurants, and experience different foods along the way. She loved trying new dishes and discovering new flavors, but some of her most important lessons happened much closer to home—in the kitchen with her mother. It was there that June learned to cook many of the family recipes she still holds close today.
Eventually, June made her way back to the United States and began working in restaurants while saving for something of her own. She started cooking at Angel Cruz Park in Stockton, California, where, over the next few years, familiar faces began returning again and again. What started small grew into a loyal following, and gave June the confidence to dream a little bigger.
After searching for the right place to call home, she found it in Lodi, California. In September 2026, June opened Thai Why Not!
Today, many of the dishes on the menu are inspired by the same family recipes and flavors June grew up with in Thailand. Thai Why Not! is her way of sharing a piece of home with her new community—one plate at a time.
And when June isn’t cooking? There’s a good chance she’s dancing. Salsa has been another longtime passion of hers, and if you meet her, you’ll quickly see that same energy and joy in the food she serves.
From June’s family to your table, welcome to Thai Why Not!