fter they received the complaint, officers went to the Pink Lady where they allegedly found handwritten bills that proved staff had charged the group of eight a total of THB114,080. The search also disclosed the fact the bar had no current licence to operate as an entertainment venue.
Commenting later, Chiang Mai police commander Veerayuth Prasopchokchai said the Pink Lady’s management had given back THB60,000. He added that the Malaysians had seemed happy with the refund and accepted they might have racked up the amount covered by the rest of the bill.
The tourists told officers they had spent four hours in the bar on Saturday and were joined by hostesses who sang for them. Police slapped the closure notice on the Pink Lady after the negative publicity came to the attention of the provincial governor.
Provincial Hall spokesperson Ubonrat Khongkrapan said the governor had asked police to take action over the complaint. Commander Prasopchokchai said the Pink Lady was unlicensed and this was the legal reason for the closure. He warned that police would crack down on any other entertainment venue accused of cheating tourists or operating unlicensed premises.
Chiang Mai shuts down rip-off karaoke lounge
News in Asia
Authorities in the Thai city of Chiang Mai have closed down a karaoke lounge for overcharging patrons. A group of Malaysian tourists complained to police in the northern city after they were presented with a bill close to US$3,000 for a few drinks and snacks at the Pink Lady.