A Chiang Mai restaurant owner took to Facebook on March 24 to report a dispute with a Chinese customer who allegedly refused to pay after eating, causing law enforcement to intervene. The customer consumed a 259-baht buffet but claimed the meat was fake and that it resulted in stomach pain, thus refusing to pay and requesting a hospital visit.
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The restaurant owner, seeking resolution, called local police who attempted to mediate by negotiating a 200-baht payment. The customer initially resisted, leading to prolonged discussions, but ultimately settled on paying 160 baht when officers prepared to escalate the situation. The owner expressed gratitude towards the police for their efforts and shared images of the incident, which quickly gained traction on social media.
The incident has sparked considerable online discussion, with many noting an increase in such disputes. Comments suggested that restaurants, especially in tourist-heavy regions, consider adjusting their payment methods—such as requiring upfront payments—to prevent similar issues. This event has been highlighted as a cautionary tale for restaurant operators to enhance their payment security practices.
In another related incident in Prachin Buri, a disturbance at a local restaurant involved a drunk Chinese tourist causing a scene by removing his shirt and throwing money at other diners. This was also captured on video and resulted in a police response, further underscoring challenges faced by dining establishments in handling disruptive behavior, reported The Thaiger.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 25 Mar 2026
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