An Australian tourist ran up a 58,000 baht bill in a Pattaya bar before fleeing. Pursued by staff and customers, he was caught exhausted and handed over to the police.
Over the weekend, an Australian tourist sat down in an establishment in Pattaya (Chonburi province) for drinks. The bill rose to around 58,000 baht (approximately €1,500). At the end of the night, when it came time to pay, the man refused to pay and made a run for it.
The owner and several people present immediately set off in pursuit along Beach Road. After a chase, during which the fugitive kept repeating that he would pay, he eventually collapsed from exhaustion. He was then apprehended and taken to the police station…
On social media, the video of the incident quickly spread and sparked numerous reactions. Many users were surprised by the size of the bill and mentioned common practices in certain Walking Street bars, where lady drinks and forced consumption can cause the tab to skyrocket in no time. Several commenters said they would also have fled faced with such a bill, while others denounced possible overcharging.
The case once again highlights the risk of unpleasant surprises in certain nightlife venues in Pattaya. Local authorities took charge of the reluctant customer.