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 account 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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Hey you can also go to Central and sing in the Karaoke rooms next to the claw machines in the kiddie ball house play area. It's a lot cheaper, I think 🤔

Getting ripped off by a Chiang Mai karaoke must be why it qualifies as the 3rd best City worldwide!

Promptpay, isnt that done on a mobile banking app scan the others code and the perform the transfer ....... How did they do that with a card ?

Hell has no fury like a ripped off husband's wife !

That's a night they'll never remember.

Who is so dumb and uses a credit card in such establishments...???

14 minutes ago, CecilM said:

Who is so dumb and uses a credit card in such establishments...???

From the info of them being drunk, it just could be the 'staff' being a little more than light fingered? I could well be wrong of course.

Rip roaring drunk and just asking for it.

2 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Promptpay, isnt that done on a mobile banking app scan the others code and the perform the transfer ....... How did they do that with a card ?

With the cards bank-account and the bank-app?

Me thinks the husband is telling lies . The tuk tuk just happened to take him back to same place when he had dropped his mate off and he can't remember 🙄

Sure 😄

That is why I allow each card to notify me when it is used. Better safe than sorry. I still think there’s more to the story, but I doubt the drunk guys would remember.

The venue says it was an honest bill, guv, but instead of challenging the customer we'll refund the lot. Very funny.

Any foreigner who goes to one of these karaoke joints without a Thai person who is there to make sure that they get treated properly, is completely out of his mind, or ignorant beyond the wildest levels of the imagination.

I've heard so many stories of foreigners being scalped by these joints and they are to be avoided at all costs.

1 hour ago, BerndD said:

With the cards bank-account and the bank-app?

Ok so used the phone app that was linked to the card.

Each transaction would require a QR code to scan, wonder how they got the pin to open phone and app ?

Don’t drink so much is the answer to this. If you’re that pissed, you’ll get taken advantage anywhere. He’s lucky he didn’t wake up with his underpants on backwards!

This is normal. The tuk tuk and taxis are in on the game.

3 hours ago, ronster said:

Me thinks the husband is telling lies . The tuk tuk just happened to take him back to same place when he had dropped his mate off and he can't remember 🙄

Sure 😄

There should be CCTV available for the police to review. That is why they gave back the money.

Perhaps they have never seen the movie The Hangover. Otherwise, this wouldn't have happened.

3 hours ago, Brettoj said:

He’s lucky he didn’t wake up with his underpants on backwards!

There's absolutely nothing in the report to suggest he didn't wake up with his underwear back to front. Furthermore, it's not inconceivable that this fundamental "wardrobe malfunction" was spotted by his wife and triggered this whole farcical whodunit.

its just safer with cash, i used to deliberately see to it that my wallet didnt contain more than 2000 baht before i headed to the gogo's

Never been ripped off in a karaoke, once 25 years ago another customer gave me 50baht for a taxi back to the hotel as it was raining, Hotel was right next door. If you can't sing or don't like Thai music, keep out of them.

7 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

The venue says it was an honest bill, guv, but instead of challenging the customer we'll refund the lot. Very funny.

Yes. They have been caught red handed scamming so they think a refund is all that’s required 😡 If they had not been so greedy they would probably have got away with it but once again Thai greed was their undoing. Doubt they will be prosecuted tho a brown envelope will fix everything.

1 minute ago, Reddavy said:

If they had not been so greedy they would probably have got away with it but once again Thai greed was their undoing.

One crappy karaoke shop tried to cheat a couple of Brits. Perhaps even been caught doing it before. Yet you come up with Thai greed. Painting with way too wide of a brush.

3 minutes ago, Reddavy said:

Doubt they will be prosecuted tho a brown envelope will fix everything.

The without any reason you add the biggest cliche around. Damn dude pretty ib chip on your shoulder. Perhaps you are in the wrong country

10 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Promptpay, isnt that done on a mobile banking app scan the others code and the perform the transfer ....... How did they do that with a card ?

Maybe the phone has visula recognition for access and also access to banking apps.

Just now, marin said:

One crappy karaoke shop tried to cheat a couple of Brits. Perhaps even been caught doing it before. Yet you come up with Thai greed. Painting with way too wide of a brush.

The without any reason you add the biggest cliche around. Damn dude pretty ib chip on your shoulder. Perhaps you are in the wrong country

Perhaps you should engage the small brain first. I have been living hear for over 15 years and know how these kind of outcomes transpire daily. Even the Thai wife and family understand how it works.

28 minutes ago, Reddavy said:

Perhaps you should engage the small brain first

28 minutes ago, Reddavy said:

I have been living hear for over 15 years and know how these kind of outcomes transpire daily. Even the Thai wife and family understand how it works.

I think I know who to avoid... 5555

By the way been here 37 years and know the score as well. By the way you are the first person in my life to advise me to think with my cock. Rather odd.....

Edited July 15Jul 15 by marin

33 minutes ago, Reddavy said:

Even the Thai wife and family understand how it works.

𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣 the Thai wife understands ?
Charming

getting drunk can be fun, BUT ..... being drunk , not so much.

15 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

They also raised concerns that the husband's card, which they said had a 50,000-baht limit, was charged above that amount,

Probably 50,000 baht a day limit, and it ticked over past midnight, allowing another 50,000 baht. The rest of it coming off the wife's card.

They have committed fraud. I hope they are charged and go to prison.