A bartender in Thailand was filmed shaving a woman’s head after she allegedly attempted to leave a bar without paying her bill.
According to Viral Press, the woman was reportedly known among clubs and restaurants in Bangkok’s Pinklao area for allegedly leaving venues without settling her tabs.
The incident reportedly took place on August 25, when the woman allegedly used a fake ID to enter a popular bar. She is said to have racked up a bill of 60,000 baht — approximately $1,812 USD — before allegedly attempting to leave the venue without paying.
A bartender shaved a female customer’s head after she allegedly attempted to leave without paying her bill on August 25 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The woman was reportedly caught before she could get away and brought back to the bar, where staff demanded that she settle the outstanding tab.
Unable to pay, she allegedly agreed to have her hair shaved off rather than be handed over to police.
Footage from the incident shows the woman, wearing a strapless white dress, appearing to agree to what was described as a “hair purchase contract.”
A man filming the exchange can be heard telling her: “I am not taking advantage of you. This is the market rate. I will attach this for you. I am adding extra for this as well. Okay?”
The customer reportedly agreed to have her head shaved rather than be handed over to police after allegedly racking up a 60,000 baht bill.
Footage shows the bartender using electric clippers to remove her thick, shoulder-length hair, which was reportedly set to be donated.
The unusual punishment has since sparked a divided reaction, with some questioning whether the bar’s response went too far.
Chalida “Ton Or” Phalamat, founder of Thailand’s Be One Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that works on child abuse cases, criticised the bar’s handling of the incident.
“They contacted me to apologise and admitted that the manager had acted out of anger and impulsiveness,” she said. “They also said they would contact the victim’s family to discuss compensation.
“I sympathise with them and understand that they need to make a profit, but the way they handled this was clearly unlawful. A hair purchase contract made under duress is void, and shaving someone’s head against their will can amount to assault, coercion and unlawful detention.”
The incident is not the first controversial forced haircut reported in Bangkok in recent months.
Chalida said Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security had been asked to investigate the latest case, while urging businesses not to resort to “mob rule over the law.”
On May 10, a gay man named Abdulloh, also known as Madam Loh, was reportedly forced to shave his head after comments mocking Islamic verses sparked outrage among members of the Muslim community.
A crowd confronted Abdulloh before Police Colonel Jetsada Yangnok intervened and mediated a standoff that reportedly lasted nearly three hours.
Abdulloh later apologised and was escorted to Wang Thonglang Police Station for his safety.
