Bangkok: "Uncle Manop," a notorious figure known for his repeated acts of dining and dashing, was apprehended at a Japanese restaurant in Sukhumvit 71 after faking an epileptic seizure to avoid paying his bill. The restaurant owner contacted authorities after Manop consumed over 2,000 baht worth of food and drinks and then staged a seizure on the floor.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident unfolded when Manop, described as slightly intoxicated, ordered food and sake upon entering the establishment at around 6:00 PM. Initially, he showed no signs of distress, engaging in casual conversation with the staff and chef. However, as the evening progressed, his behavior escalated, culminating in loud outbursts around 8:00 PM when the restaurant requested payment. By 9:00 PM, police and rescue workers were on the scene, where Manop feigned unconsciousness. Rescue workers resorted to using a lighter near Manop to rouse him, after which he was taken to Khlong Tan Police Station.
The restaurant owner, fed up with Manop's recurring antics, decided to press charges of restaurant fraud and drunken disorder. Despite Manop's history of similar incidents across Bangkok, previous victims often refrained from taking legal action, leaving relatives to cover his expenses. However, the owner of this Japanese establishment hoped to convey a lesson to Manop by pursuing legal recourse.
As legal proceedings advance, Manop has been detained at the Southern District Court. During his time in custody, he expressed remorse for his actions, attributing them to intoxication and extending apologies to the restaurant staff and his own family. While Manop's relatives visited him in custody, this time they did not bring financial compensation, marking a departure from past incidents.
Manop's modus operandi, involving the consumption of food and alcohol followed by a staged seizure, has earned him notoriety across Bangkok. Rescue workers familiar with his behavior note that this incident marks at least the 10th occurrence of such antics. Each time, Manop's relatives have been burdened with settling his debts, leading to previous restaurant owners opting not to file complaints. This time, however, the Japanese restaurant owner took a stand in hopes of deterring future misconduct.