After lunch and a few beers at a well know Bangkok pub I attempted to pay the bill with a credit card but was told 'machine broken', and I needed to pay cash. As I did not have enough cash and there was not an ATM machine within walking distance (to my knowledge), I told the staff that the credit card was all I had. The waitress and the cashier exchanged frowns before they insisted that the machine was really broken and they could not accept a credit card. I showed them the contents of my wallet, and told them, no problem I can come back tomorrow and pay as I knew the boss and would call him to confirm that this was ok. Surprise, surprise, the credit card machine jumped to life and I was able to make the transaction. The pub was all but empty at the time and the farang boss was not due until later in the day so this and the fact that the credit card machine suddenly started working when I tried to call their boss makes me think that the girls were probably on the take. This 'machine broken' story seems to be a common occurrence as it has happened to me before on a number of occasions, in pubs, despite the fact that I mostly pay cash. I find that this also happens a lot at petrol/gas stations.

either they are on the take " ie keeping the money " or protecting your boss against the 3% surcharge off a credit card

Yes the surcharge is the problem, and for some pubs or bars it is even more than 3% as it is a risk market.

So nothing to do with girls order from the boss.

Was this pub in silom by any chance?

Yes the surcharge is the problem, and for some pubs or bars it is even more than 3% as it is a risk market.

So nothing to do with girls order from the boss.

Sorry I don't understand how the restaurant is at risk if the diner doesnt pay his credit card bill?

Was this pub in silom by any chance?

Nope, Thonglor soi 13