A Chiang Mai karaoke venue has refunded almost 150,000 baht to two British nationals after they complained to police about a series of charges following a night out.
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The venue's owner agreed to return the full amount after online criticism, according to the latest report. The business had maintained that the men were charged for services actually used and at its stated rates.
The complaint was made by the wife of one of the men and their lawyer. Police at Chiang Mai City Police Station arranged further questioning and talks between the parties shortly after midnight on 13 July 2026, before the refund was made.
How the disputed bill arose
The case dates back to 28 June, when a British man living with his wife in Hang Dong district took a British friend for food and drinks in the Nimmanhemin area. They later went to a karaoke venue at Chiang Mai's old city moat.
Picture courtesy of Manager Online
The wife said both men were heavily intoxicated. She said they initially used the venue and paid less than 1,000 baht, but staff encouraged them to stay when they tried to leave.
According to her account, her husband threatened he would call police before they were finally able to leave. The pair then took a tuk-tuk to drop the friend at his hotel, with the driver meant to take her husband home to Hang Dong.
She alleged, however, that the driver took him back to the same karaoke venue while he was so drunk he was barely conscious.
The following day, the couple found several charges of more than 120,000 baht on the husband's credit card and about 26,000 baht on another card belonging to his wife.
They said financial institutions had indicated there were several transactions within a short period. Some transactions reportedly involved some transfers to a PromptPay account held in an individual's name rather than the venue's name.
Venue disputes the allegation
The karaoke business told investigators that the two tourists had used its services and invited a large number of female staff to drink at their table. It said the charge was 700 baht per person per hour, over around four to five hours.
The complainants questioned why multiple charges of differing amounts had been made rather than one normal payment. They also raised concerns that the husband's card, which they said had a 50,000-baht limit, was charged above that amount, and that the wife's card was also used.
They have asked police to examine the tuk-tuk driver's role, citing mobile phone route data which they said showed the vehicle travelling around several parts of the city before returning to the karaoke venue.
Investigators are still gathering statements, banking records and other evidence to determine whether legal action is warranted.
For foreign residents and visitors, the case underlines the importance of checking card transactions promptly after a night out, particularly where alcohol is involved. The report also said members of the public want police and local authorities to check whether karaoke venues have the required operating licences, amid concern that inflated prices could damage Chiang Mai's reputation.
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15 July 2026
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