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 Sunday at 10:22 PM1 day 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).