
UDON THANI — A Chinese family of 12 has paid their 9,480-baht ($280) dinner bill after police tracked them down to a local hotel following their dine and dash incident at a Korean restaurant.
Mr. Suvanthone, 27, manager of Koki Korean Restaurant’s UD Town branch in Mueang Udon Thani, reported the incident to local police on January 26. The group had ordered premium menu items including beef ribs, marbled sirloin, snow beef, and Korean chicken soup.
According to Mr. Suvanthone’s statement, the tourist group arrived at 7:00 p.m. and left the restaurant during a busy period at 8:45 p.m. without paying. “Initially, we thought they were just going to the restroom as they had been walking in and out throughout their meal,” Suvanthone explained. CCTV footage showed the group leaving together, with one male member departing last after appearing to check for security cameras.

“This is our first dine-and-dash incident since opening three months ago,” said Suvanthone, who faced paying the bill himself – equivalent to his monthly salary – if the customers weren’t found.
The following day, Police Lt. Col. Banjong Phakhot led an investigation team to a prominent hotel where the Chinese family was staying. When confronted about the unpaid bill, the Chinese tourists laughed and spoke in Chinese before quickly producing nine 1,000-baht notes and one 500-baht note, totaling 9,480 baht, to settle their debt. Police witnessed the payment transaction.
The restaurant manager is now relieved after receiving help from the police.

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