Foreign man runs from Phuket phone shop without paying repair bill

A foreign man was captured on CCTV footage running away from a phone repair shop in Patong, Phuket on August 21 after allegedly taking his repaired device without paying the bill, according to a video shared by TikTok user tonmai_pkt. The man had gone to the shop to have his phone repaired but did not have sufficient funds to cover the cost once the work was finished.

In the video, the individual is seen talking with an employee while holding the restored phone. Following this, he appears to rummage through his possessions and retrieve a 20 baht banknote. Despite the employee pointing out that 20 baht was insufficient, the man declined to return the phone and swiftly departed the establishment.

An employee attempted to chase after him, but was unable to make contact. So far, it remains uncertain if any shop property was lost or taken, and the man's intentions have not been verified. Further details from the shop or police are required to fully understand the events. The video has garnered a range of reactions, with some suggesting that phone repair shops should collect payment or a deposit before returning devices, while others questioned the appropriate response to such situations in Phuket and called for action.

Some comments even called for the man's visa to be revoked and his embassy to be notified, while others criticized tourists who lack funds for visiting Thailand, accusing them of causing issues for others.