18 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Looks like she has a habit of spending money she hasn't got yet..... the guy needs to keep runnng!

That seems to be very common in Thailand. Most of the Thais are in debt and running from their debt collectors. But they keep the appearances with glamourous pictures in their social media.

10 hours ago, kickstart said:

It is not 130 people; it was 130 tables with 10 people at each table, making 1300 people.

As has been said, it is the envelopes that pay for most of the reception, normally 100 baht/person equals to 130 000 baht in this case, still 60k down, that could be found.

Thanks for contribution.

Forgot about the customary envelope donations.

On 7/18/2026 at 6:53 AM, SABloke said:

It's common to pay a deposit and then the balance after the event: This allows time for the money envelopes to be counted and usually the envelopes cover all the expenses.

Yes, 100%, sounds like the parents or new wife took the envelopes and kept them expecting the groom to pay the balance. If you want the Thai custom then do it traditionally: Only a virgin = Dowry. The Dowry is then worked out over several factors. Education, job/earnings. A good family hands the Dowry plus any money left after bills paid to the new couple to help set them up.

On 7/18/2026 at 8:10 AM, J Branche said:

Here's some sound Advice.

Stop inviting 130 people, some who are not close to a "BIG Party" to show off and entertain others when your finances can NOT support it.

Nonsense type logic. All for one night maybe 6 hours of entertainment.

Then your paying this Debt for how many years?

On 7/18/2026 at 8:10 AM, J Branche said:

Here's some sound Advice.

Stop inviting 130 people, some who are not close to a "BIG Party" to show off and entertain others when your finances can NOT support it.

Nonsense type logic. All for one night maybe 6 hours of entertainment.

Then your paying this Debt for how many years?

I think more like 700 to 1000 guests , they booked 130 tables , i have been to 4 Thai weddings and normally its 6 to 8 people sat at each table, also it wouldn't be 2,500 per person, per table sounds mire realistic

On 7/18/2026 at 8:24 AM, koolkarl said:

This is a civil matter not a criminal matter. If caterer is owed money then sue.

Why shoul the caterer sue if he can get his money faster from a foreigner by involving the police, and if necessaty immigration. IMHO, the caterer is doing exactly what i would be doing if I was in his positoon. The caterer delivered and now he wants his money, not his problem who reneged and who said what.

On 7/17/2026 at 10:20 PM, Georgealbert said:

Somsak said a Thai woman identified only as Paphada booked his company on June 9 for a wedding reception held on July 7. The order was for catering for 130 tables, charged at 2,500 baht each, making the total bill 325,000 baht.

Something in this story does not add up.

130 tables a six persons would mean that each red envelope only would need to contain less than 400 baht to fulfill the outstanding 195,000 baht -- I would , even in Isaan, expect each envelope to contain more, especially if drinks are free.

So the dowry would not even be needed to pay off this rest of the bill.

I have lived now in Isaan for 20 years and have yet to attend a large wedding especially my own so I cannot join in the regaling of all the weddings I have attended.

From all info, this was an experienced caterer in the resort area of Pak Chong. I doubt the financial arrangement was you make a deposit now and the balance is to be paid ONLY if you receive enough donations from the wedding guests to cover it.

Edited July 19Jul 19 by JerryM

On 7/18/2026 at 1:56 AM, barmatt said:

That's the best ill-fitting suit I've ever seen. 😆

Seems like he has lost a lot of weight, like 100+ pounds, but is wearing the suit he had in his heavier days.

Been to one of these formal great hall wedding receptions... a few hours later we were at a large house of one of the party having a big eating session......

On 7/18/2026 at 10:15 AM, JerryM said:

Since in the OP the caterer has already filed a complaint with the Pak Chong Police Station, it is a criminal matter.

Police have no right to get involved in a monetary dispute. Their time should be spent arresting motorcycle drivers....

46 minutes ago, koolkarl said:

Police have no right to get involved in a monetary dispute. Their time should be spent arresting motorcycle drivers....

AI overview Gemini:

Under the Thailand Criminal Code, "theft of service" generally falls under Section 341 (Cheating and Fraud). This occurs when someone dishonestly deceives another to obtain a service or cause someone else to execute or destroy a document of right.

NB as noted a police complaint has already been filed as there is a 3 month statute for reporting.

From Gemini regarding how a case like this is handled following a police complaint:

Because a police complaint has already been filed, the process is currently in the hands of the Royal Thai Police inquiry officers (พนักงานสอบสวน), not a judge. A Thai judge will only become involved if the police investigate and the public prosecutor officially indicts the case to the court.

However, negotiation and payment can still happen right now at the police station. In Thailand, inquiry officers routinely act as mediators for disputes involving unpaid commercial services or contract breaches (such as the recent high-profile case in Pak Chong).

On 7/18/2026 at 8:10 AM, J Branche said:

Here's some sound Advice.

Stop inviting 130 people, some who are not close to a "BIG Party" to show off and entertain others when your finances can NOT support it.

Nonsense type logic. All for one night maybe 6 hours of entertainment.

Then your paying this Debt for how many years?

The article states 130 tables, not people. Each table will commonly have 8 people, making for over 1000 guests. A sizeable wedding indeed.

4 hours ago, JerryM said:

From Gemini regarding how a case like this is handled following a police complaint:

Because a police complaint has already been filed, the process is currently in the hands of the Royal Thai Police inquiry officers (พนักงานสอบสวน), not a judge. A Thai judge will only become involved if the police investigate and the public prosecutor officially indicts the case to the court.

However, negotiation and payment can still happen right now at the police station. In Thailand, inquiry officers routinely act as mediators for disputes involving unpaid commercial services or contract breaches (such as the recent high-profile case in Pak Chong).

Do not forget that the BIB will require their "fee" as well, ahem.

1 hour ago, spongeman said:

Do not forget that the BIB will require their "fee" as well, ahem.

Thank you. I'll try not to forget.

On 7/18/2026 at 8:24 AM, koolkarl said:

This is a civil matter not a criminal matter. If caterer is owed money then sue.

Could be fraud. That would be criminal.

Beautifully tailored suit he chose for that special day. Perhaps that's where all their money went.

Surely it must be a criminal offence to appear in public wearing that.

Edited July 21Jul 21 by Liverpool Lou

16 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Could be fraud. That would be criminal.

Still a civil matter and no fraud proven.

In Thailand, "theft of service" (such as dining and dashing or dodging a hotel bill) is governed under the Thai Criminal Code as a form of cheating or fraud. Specific statutes penalize using services with prior knowledge of inability to pay, as well as defrauding workers out of their rightful wages.

Under Section 341, if someone dishonestly deceives another person to obtain a service (or property) with the intent to avoid paying for it, they can face up to 3 years in prison and/or a fine of up to 60,000 Baht.

https://www.samuiforsale.com/law-texts/thailand-penal-code.html

Or as to the phrase used by the one time President Nixon senior aide Chuck Colson:

"When you've got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow."

Edited July 22Jul 22 by JerryM

7 hours ago, koolkarl said:

On 7/21/2026 at 4:20 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

Could be fraud. That would be criminal.

Still a civil matter and no fraud proven

No civil liability proven yet either. If there was intent not to pay the balance, then there was fraud. But you're right, nothing is proven until it's been to court.

So as to the ongoing criminal vs. civil claim via Gemini:

The Korat caterer likely filed a criminal complaint rather than a civil one because under Section 341 of the Thai Criminal Code, intentionally taking goods or services knowing you cannot or will not pay constitutes criminal fraud. In Thailand, businesses frequently leverage criminal complaints for unpaid debts because they offer significantly more leverage, lower upfront costs, and faster results than civil litigation.

No Court Fees: Civil lawsuits in Thailand require the plaintiff to pay an upfront court fee of 2% of the claim amount. Criminal complaints filed through the police cost nothing to initiate

Mediation Focus: Because criminal prosecution can lead to jail time, defendants are heavily incentivized to settle the debt immediately during police mediation to have the charges dropped.

Avoiding Empty Judgments: In a civil case, even if the caterer wins, they must independently locate and seize assets through the Legal Execution Department. If the bride has no assets, a civil judgment is practically worthless

On 7/18/2026 at 12:43 AM, henryford1958 said:

Surprised the firm did not ask for full payment before the wedding. 200k it's not like a bar tab.

MerchantServices & Payment Systems

when you've been here longer you'll know how thailand rolls, guests will give the (happy) couple money in envelopes which will then be used to pay for the wedding

It seems this caterer was no neophyte. Whatever the exact arrangement, he has likely done so many times before without issue.