A foreign tourist in Phuket has drawn criticism after refusing to pay part of a restaurant bill at New Break Taek in Chalong, sparking a local media stir. The incident involved an 80 baht dispute over a strawberry smoothie the customer found unsatisfactory. Shared on Thai social media, the footage shows a heated exchange leading to the customer's partial payment and departure.
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Background discussions reveal the tourist, accompanied by her daughter and a Thai babysitter, ordered shrimp satay, a pineapple smoothie, and later requested a sugar-free strawberry smoothie. The total bill amounted to 455 baht. Following a complaint about portion size and taste, the restaurant offered to remake the drink, but she declined and paid only 375 baht for the satay and pineapple smoothie.
The incident has prompted a wave of online reactions, especially among local business operators in Phuket. Some suggest pre-payments, while others call for stricter legal measures against non-paying customers. Restaurant employees shared concerns about covering unpaid bills per policy, though management later absolved them after reviewing CCTV.
Looking ahead, local businesses are advised to exercise caution with foreign tourists, with some suggesting changes in billing practices. Meanwhile, this dispute marks a first for the long-standing restaurant, which prides itself on a 20-year history without similar issues.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 22 May 2026