Young Buriram Councilman, Son of Former Mayor, Claims Bar Owner Choked Him After Song Request Dispute

A 35-year-old Buriram City Council member named Phasuphong Sawatdiput, son of a former mayor of Isaan Municipality, filed a complaint on May 13, 2025, claiming he was treated unfairly by a well-known bar owner. Phasuphong recounted that on the evening of May 12 around 8 p.m., he was enjoying drinks alone at the bar while a live band performed. He requested a song through a server and tipped 100 baht for the musician. During the first break, the musician played his request, but during the second break, when he made another request and tipped another 100 baht, the musician refused. When Phasuphong asked the server to inquire why, the singer responded mockingly through the microphone: "This customer is strange, if we can't play the song, he just keeps asking." Angered by the public criticism, Phasuphong confronted the singer, demanding his tip back. A man identified as Mek (pseudonym), the bar owner, then emerged and choked Phasuphong by the neck, pushing him against a wall. After struggling free, Phasuphong ran outside. Police soon arrived at the scene and escorted him away. He has since filed a report at the local police station.

Mek, the bar owner, declined to comment directly but posted a statement on the bar's Facebook page apologizing to all customers for the disturbance caused by "one individual" on May 12. The post claimed the person created chaos and disrupted other customers' dining experience. The bar owner alleged that the individual continued posting damaging messages on social media and stated the bar had contacted his family to resolve the matter. The post concluded with a warning that if the harassment continued, the bar would pursue legal action to protect its reputation and rights.