I went out to some pubs last night. I don't normally like the atmosphere and the noise in Thai pubs so I don't often visit them. I had visited two pubs with no problem at all before entering this particular pub I am telling the story about.

So, there was the one causing me a little bit of head-ache. This was just that typical Thai style, noisy, cheap-looking pub you can find anywhere in Thailand.

So we enter the pub, sat down, ordered only one Leo, needed a few minutes waiting. Staff didn't seem to be bothered but after signalling a strong wish to order one of them grudgingly stepped closer then took my order, only one Leo beer.

She came back a few minutes later, chucked 1 piece of ice into my beer what I hadn't seen as I went to the toilet. I got back, drank my beer, staff disappeared, I stood up to get my beer from the trolley and filled up my glass. After finishing the beer I asked for the bill.

Now we got to the main point. She comes back and says, "176 baht". At first, I didn't know she was just joking or I misheard it. She repeats it after I kindly ask her. Still the same. I ask her to give me details why this particular Leo is shockingly overpriced. She says "Leo 120 baht, ice 50 baht" and at this point I erupt and ask, ice for 50 baht what I haven't asked for and haven't used, apart from the one single cube that she put into my glass at the beginning? She says, "yes, ice 50 baht." I say, ok, now I am not going to pay for this but need a clarification from a senior member of the staff. A women is still insinsting on the ice price and she shows me a dirty menu in which there is the ice having more prices and no other information how to read that. She says, "today is Friday, ice is 50." She can't show me proof in the menu that this is the case or not.

A guy turns up, seems to be interested and I tell him the story. He apologises and keeps saying sorry, as he thinks I shouldn't pay that much for not asking for the ice. End of story.

My friend paid them finally. I still don't know, what the additional 6 baht was. Maybe the service charge for the "excellent service?"

I have discussed the situation with my Thai friend who fully supports me on this case and agrees with my points.

I know, I am going to get told off why I have caused that little bit of flurry but these are just principles. I don't con people so I expect the same.

<deleted> ??? AU$1.54 for an ice cube thats daylight robbery and AU$3.85 for a beer am assuming it was a large one??

Always ask to see a menu otherwise they can charge whatever they want for a beer. Your lucky the beer was not 200 baht. Was ice on the menu? If not then you don't have to pay.

Always ask to see a menu otherwise they can charge whatever they want for a beer. Your lucky the beer was not 200 baht. Was ice on the menu? If not then you don't have to pay.

Yes, I will definitely ask for the price in advance. I have the habit of visiting pubs and speak their language anyway and this probably caused them a head-ache that I spotted the trick. I went there with a Thai relative. Ice is in the menu, and I have since figured out that normal ice is 30 baht and at large orders 50 baht on Fridays and Saturdays. I have only bought 1 beer and they also said that they don't normally charge for the ice when drinking 1 beer. That was plainly a mistake or negligence of the staff. This is a country in which ICE makes people very rich.