Foreign tourist filmed leaving Phuket steakhouse restaurant through back door without paying

The incident occurred at around 9 p.m. at the steak restaurant in Choeng Talay area, The Phuket Times reported on its Facebook page.

According to the post, the man ordered what was described as the restaurant’s most premium steak, weighing about 500 grams.

After finishing the meal, he reportedly walked toward the restroom and did not return, Tiger news site reported.

Beefsteak prices in Phuket vary widely depending on quality, typically ranging from 200-500 baht (US$6-14) for local beef or casual dining, to more than 1,000-3,800 baht for imported cuts such as Wagyu beef, or fine-dining options, according to Tripadvisor.

The Phuket Times‘s Facebook page said the customer exited through a door near the bathroom and left the restaurant on a motorcycle.

CCTV footage shared in the post shows the man dining alone before getting up and walking toward the rear of the restaurant where the restroom is located.

In the video, a waitress later checks the table but does not appear to immediately realize that the customer had left without paying, reportedly assuming he had gone to the restroom.

In March last year, two foreign couples allegedly left restaurants on the island without settling their bills, one totaling 1,823 baht and another 467 baht.

In January last year, a Russia couple was accused of leaving several restaurants across Phuket without paying. Some restaurant owners also alleged that the pair sometimes asked for free food, claiming they had no money.