Ironic Twist: Locals reject VAT while Pattaya foreigners are expected to pay without question. PATTAYA, Thailand – A video of a woman angrily confronting staff at a ramen restaurant over a 21-baht VAT charge has gone viral on Thai social media, drawing widespread criticism of her behavior. On June 8, TikTok user posted footage of the incident, which took place at a ramen shop inside a PTT gas station in the Suksawat area of Bangkok. The clip shows a middle-aged woman—now dubbed by netizens as a “rich auntie”—loudly accusing staff of overcharging her, refusing to accept the inclusion of value-added tax (VAT) on her bill. According to the post, the customer had ordered two dishes priced at 190 and 95 baht, plus a 15-baht drink, totaling 300 baht before tax. The VAT added 21 baht, bringing the final bill to 321 baht. However, the woman refused to pay, claiming the charge was incorrect and repeatedly asking, “What is VAT?” The situation escalated as the woman shouted at two female employees. Staff called for help from PTT gas station personnel, who in turn contacted the police. While waiting for officers to arrive, the woman attempted to leave without paying. A bystander who recorded the clip intervened, insisting she settle the bill first. Eventually, she paid the full amount—321 baht—using a 1,000-baht banknote. The staff returned 679 baht in change. As she left, she declared she would never return to the restaurant again and made a dramatic statement: “My shirt cost 6,000 baht, and my pants cost 50,000 baht. I’m very rich.” The incident has also sparked discussion among foreign tourists and long-term visitors in cities like Pattaya, where clear tax practices and respectful customer behavior are often expected. Many expats expressed concern over the public’s lack of understanding about basic VAT regulations and how such confrontations might reflect poorly on Thailand’s service culture. Some noted that while dual pricing remains a sensitive issue, transparent billing with tax is essential—and it’s ironic to see locals rejecting it while foreigners are expected to accept it without question. Online reaction was swift and largely unsympathetic. Viewers expressed support for the restaurant staff and condemned the customer’s public outburst and refusal to pay. Many criticized her for displaying entitlement and failing to understand a basic tax charge, while others mocked her boastful claims of wealth. VAT confusion sparks outrage—while foreigners in Pattaya pay silently.