AFTER A Chinese influencer who speaks Thai shared a video clip revealing that he was asked to pay for a meal at a restaurant in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district in Chinese yuan not Thai baht went viral online Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said officials are already monitoring this situation, Workpoint TV and Amarin TV said today (June 3).
Mr. Ping, the Chinese influencer who has been in Thailand for 10 years and has a Thai girlfriend, said after the two of them finished having some noodles at this restaurant they asked to pay by scanning QR code but the waitress said this was not possible because they did not have a Thai bank account. The couple was then told they could pay in Chinese yuan via Alipay or WeChat.
However, in converting the 325-baht bill into yuan currency an extra 50 baht was added, which Ping and his girlfriend refused to pay. In the end the waitress brought a QR code and allowed them to pay in Thai baht.
Ping asked whether Huai Khwang has now turned into a Chinese province.
A Workpoint TV reporter surveying Pracharat Bamphen road in this district saw that most of the shops there had large Chinese signs and in going into some restaurants noticed that there were large stickers announcing acceptance of payment by WeChat and Alipay but none stating that they accept QR payment via Thai banks.
In addressing this issue Anutin said arrests are being made daily for accepting Chinese yuan instead of Thai baht with all illegal activities targeted including those involving influential groups.
He accepted that there have been complaints of harassment by government officials with action also taken against some of them within the law and they are all fairly treated. Those found to be innocent were allowed to continue in their jobs while others transferred to the headquarters to facilitate investigation as is the normal procedure.
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Top and Front Page – Shops and restaurants with Chinese signs at Pracharat Bamphen road. Photos – PPTVHD36
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