Chiang Mai Karaoke Refunds British Tourists After 150,000 Baht Dispute
A Chiang Mai karaoke bar refunded nearly 150,000 baht to two British tourists after police mediation, following allegations of inflated charges for drinks and female staff company at their table.
Two British tourists, accompanied by their lawyer, filed a complaint after allegedly being charged nearly 150,000 baht by a karaoke bar in central Chiang Mai. The bar owner insisted customers were charged according to actual service and the establishment's rates. Following police mediation at Chiang Mai City Station, where both parties were questioned further and given opportunity to negotiate, the bar agreed to refund the full amount.
The case began on June 28 when the victim, a British resident living with his Thai wife in Hang Dong district, took a visiting English friend to dine and socialize in the Nimmanhaemin area before heading to the karaoke bar in the old city. The victim's wife reported that both men were heavily intoxicated. After their first payment of under 1,000 baht, they attempted to leave but were persuaded by staff to stay until the husband threatened to call police, allowing them to exit.
Later, they called a tuk-tuk to drop off their friend at a hotel before returning home to Hang Dong. However, the wife claimed the driver brought her husband back to the same karaoke bar despite his severely intoxicated state. The next morning, she discovered over 120,000 baht charged to her husband's credit card and approximately 26,000 baht to her own card—nearly 150,000 baht in total—prompting a police report.
The victim noted multiple transactions within a short timeframe, with some transfers to mobile payment accounts not registered under the bar's name, suggesting irregularities. The bar stated the two tourists genuinely used services, requesting many female staff members to sit and drink at their table at 700 baht per person per hour for approximately 4-5 hours, with the total calculated the following morning.
The victim disputed the excessive charges and the multiple unequal transaction entries, questioning why a credit card with a 50,000 baht limit was charged beyond that and how his wife's card was used. He also requested investigation into the tuk-tuk driver's role, noting phone location data showed multiple stops around the city before returning to the karaoke bar, questioning whether other individuals were involved.
Investigators are currently gathering evidence, including statements from both parties, financial transaction records, and related information.
