A host bar manager in Thailand has come under fire after allegedly shaving an 18-year-old customer’s head over an unpaid 60,000 baht (around S$2,300) bill.
Footage of the incident later circulated online, drawing criticism over how the dispute was handled.
The manager has since apologised, but maintained that an agreement had been reached with the woman’s mother to take her hair in exchange for waiving the debt.
The case gained attention on Thursday (27 Aug) after Chalida Phalamat of the Pen Nueng Foundation shared footage she had received of the incident.
According to Ms Chalida, the clip showed a host bar manager shaving a female customer’s head with electric clippers before she was taken to a police station over the unpaid bill.
Source: Chalida Phalamat on Facebook
Ms Chalida said she wanted to hear both sides of the story, adding that even if the woman had deliberately run up the bill without paying, the footage was still shocking.
She also questioned whether the matter should have been left to the authorities instead, noting that the person who shaved her head could potentially face criminal charges.
In a later Facebook video, Ms Chalida also questioned an explanation that the hair was intended for donation, pointing out that it had already been cut short before the rest was shaved off.
The customer, identified by the pseudonym Ms Muay, went to Bang Yi Khan Police Station with her 34-year-old mother, Ms Fah, on Friday (28 Aug) to lodge a complaint.
Ms Muay told Thai media that she first discovered host bars through TikTok and later visited three establishments.
She admitted altering the year of birth on her national identification card to gain entry. Under Thai law, alcohol cannot be sold to anyone under 20.
According to Daily News, she said she spent 13,000 baht (around S$500) at the first bar, before accumulating a 30,000 baht (around S$1,200) debt at another venue in Rama III, where her phone was retained.
At the third bar, in the Arun Amarin area, she ordered more than 200 drinks worth around 60,000 baht but was unable to pay.
Source: Robert Popa’s Images on Canva, for illustration purposes only
Ms Muay alleged that the third venue gave her a choice between being physically assaulted or having her head shaved in exchange for clearing the debt.
She said she signed an agreement believing her hair would only be cut short, but her head was instead shaved completely bald.
She also said the online backlash that followed the video’s circulation became so severe that she contemplated harming herself.
Her mother acknowledged agreeing to an arrangement involving the sale of her daughter’s hair, but said she had not expected her to be shaved bald.
Source: Chalida Phalamat on Facebook
She also said her daughter returned home without shoes.
The Bangkok Post reported that Ms Fah had offered to repay the bill in instalments but was refused.
She also alleged that her daughter had bruises and other signs of physical violence.
The bar manager, identified as 30-year-old Mr Earth, later apologised over the leaked video but denied physically assaulting Ms Muay or forcibly dragging her.
Source: Chalida Phalamat on Facebook
He said Ms Muay arrived at the venue at around 8pm on Tuesday (25 Aug), after presenting the altered ID during checks.
According to Mr Earth, she initially ordered 50 drinks for one host before inviting others to join her, eventually ordering more than 200 drinks.
He said the venue had receipts and order records to support the 60,000-baht total, and claimed Ms Muay remained coherent despite drinking alcohol.
Staff attempted to settle the bill at around midnight, but she allegedly asked for more time to contact her family.
Mr Earth said the bar waited until around 8am.
At one point, Ms Muay allegedly claimed to have about 50,000 baht (around S$1,900) in her bank account, but was ultimately unable to make payment even after the venue offered to accompany her to a bank.
Source: Codrut Evelina’s Images on Canva, for illustration purposes only
Mr Earth said discussions over other repayment options, including having Ms Muay work off the debt, were unsuccessful.
He then proposed taking her hair in exchange for cancelling the full 60,000-baht bill, and maintained that an agreement had been reached with her mother.
He denied uploading the shaving video himself and said he was willing to enter mediation and take responsibility for any wrongdoing.
Ms Chalida has also called on Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to check on Ms Muay’s welfare.
She said the manager had agreed to contact the family to apologise and discuss compensation.
Ms Muay and her mother have since lodged a police complaint over the incident.
Also read: Muslim transgender woman allegedly mocks Quran during livestream, shaves head after Bangkok protest
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Featured image adapted from Chalida Phalamat on Facebook and Chalida Phalamat on Facebook.