A food influencer’s demand for prawns, drinks or ฿25,000 backfires in Nonthaburi. The restaurant owner calls police after threats of a one-star review. Officers discover the woman, 36, is wanted for fraud, with mule account and drug cases on record.
A Nonthaburi restaurant owner’s refusal to provide free food to a self-styled influencer has triggered a criminal investigation and a police hunt for a wanted woman. The suspect, 36, allegedly demanded seven dishes, four drinks or ฿25,000, threatening a one-star rating and damaging publicity. However, police checks uncovered an outstanding arrest warrant for public fraud and suspected mule bank account offences, alongside a reported history of drug offences. The woman, who claimed over 300,000 social media followers, has reportedly closed her accounts. Meanwhile, other potential victims have emerged with complaints involving money and goods. Police are preparing an attempted extortion case, while the restaurant owner presses ahead despite suffering no financial loss.
A restaurant owner in Nonthaburi has filed a criminal complaint against a purported social media influencer who allegedly demanded free food or ฿25,000. When refused, the woman threatened a damaging review and a one-star rating, according to the owner.
However, the dispute took a dramatic turn when police uncovered an outstanding arrest warrant against the 36-year-old suspect. She was already wanted over public fraud and suspected mule bank account offences.
Police also uncovered a reported history involving drug offences. Investigators are hunting the woman as further complaints emerge involving money, goods and other potential victims.
Nonthaburi restaurant owner reports influencer’s demands for free food and ฿25,000 review fee to police
The case centres on Prakai Cafe & Cuisine Bangyai, a popular restaurant in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok. Its owner, 33-year-old Sarocha Rungratsamee, known as Cake, formally lodged a criminal complaint on Monday, 26 October.
The restaurant operates in Nong Phrao Ngai subdistrict, Sai Noi district. Ms Sarocha runs the establishment alongside her husband, Patipol Jaengsutthiworawat. The couple became embroiled in the dispute after receiving an approach from a supposed food reviewer.
The woman claimed to represent a prominent social media food-review page boasting more than 300,000 followers. Initially, she offered to visit the restaurant, sample its dishes and publish promotional material. However, the proposed arrangement quickly developed into demands for complimentary food or payment. According to Ms Sarocha, the woman wanted a substantial free meal in return for publicity. Alternatively, she demanded ฿25,000 for a review.
When the restaurant refused, the woman allegedly threatened to publish damaging comments about the establishment. She also warned that she could give the business a one-star rating. The restaurant owners rejected the demands and refused to provide complimentary food.
In response, Ms Sarocha publicised the exchange through a video posted on social media. The disclosure subsequently triggered widespread attention and brought other reported complaints to light.
Woman known as Suchada used Facebook name Sophia and demanded seven dishes and four drinks free
The woman behind the approach was later identified in reports as Ms Suchada, aged 36. She had reportedly used the name Sophia on Facebook. Her associated food-review page was called Talui Kin Talui Chim, referring to eating and sampling food.
Notably, the page claimed more than 300,000 followers. That substantial audience was presented as part of the woman’s credentials when approaching the restaurant.
Details of the requested meal subsequently emerged in Thai media reports. According to Daily News, the woman wanted seven food dishes and four drinks. The drinks included two fruit juices, a coconut matcha and a matcha latte.
Separately, the food order included a large serving of grilled river prawns. All the items were expected to be provided without payment in exchange for promotional coverage.
The woman allegedly warned that refusing the arrangement would result in a ฿25,000 promotional fee. Furthermore, she threatened hostile publicity if the food failed to meet her expectations. Ms Sarocha rejected the demands and began examining the social media account.
Her inquiries uncovered complaints suggesting that other businesses and individuals had encountered similar approaches. However, she initially decided against pursuing criminal proceedings because the restaurant had suffered no direct financial loss.
Other business owners report similar approaches as restaurant owner decides to pursue criminal charges
Neither money nor complimentary food had been handed over. Consequently, Ms Sarocha believed there was little reason to pursue the matter further. That changed after she published a video detailing the approach.
The recording attracted considerable attention and generated further claims about the woman involved. In addition, several business operators reportedly contacted the restaurant owner with accounts of comparable experiences.
Some social media users questioned whether the restaurant had exaggerated the incident to generate publicity. Ms Sarocha and her husband rejected those accusations. They maintained that the demands and threats were genuine. More importantly, the information emerging about other potential victims persuaded Ms Sarocha to reconsider her original decision. She subsequently sought police intervention.
On Sunday, 25 October, the restaurant owner made an initial report at Sai Noi Police Station. The following morning, she returned to pursue formal criminal proceedings. At approximately 10 am on Monday, 26 October, she lodged a complaint against the woman. Ms Sarocha explained that the station superintendent had advised her that the conduct could constitute criminal offences.
Sai Noi police superintendent outlines attempted extortion case and further criminal offences
By that stage, she had also obtained information concerning the individual allegedly responsible. She supplied those details to investigators and requested further action. In particular, Ms Sarocha suspected that the woman had targeted numerous other businesses.
She urged anyone who had lost money or goods through the same account to contact police. The complaint therefore extended beyond the restaurant’s own experience.
Police Colonel Nattadecha Thanisaphatrapong, superintendent of Sai Noi Police Station, confirmed that officers were preparing an attempted extortion case. Investigators were also considering offences involving intimidation, harassment and disruptive behaviour.
Under the penalties cited by police, extortion can carry imprisonment of up to five years. Meanwhile, Section 392 of Thailand’s Criminal Code covers intimidation causing fear or alarm. The offence carries up to one month’s imprisonment or a fine of ฿10,000.
Separately, Section 397 covers harassment and related conduct, with a possible fine of ฿5,000. However, police have not finalised the charges arising from the restaurant complaint. Colonel Nattadecha said the precise offences would depend on further evidence. He also questioned whether the woman was genuinely operating as a food influencer. Instead, he suggested that the approach appeared consistent with fraudulent activity targeting restaurant owners.
Police uncover outstanding fraud warrant and drug-related history while investigating influencer claims
Investigators began examining the social media accounts and communications used to approach businesses. Ms Sarocha separately suspected that the woman might have acquired an established page with numerous followers.
Such an account could provide apparent credibility when approaching restaurants for promotional arrangements. However, police have not established that the page was purchased or that promotional deposits were fraudulently obtained.
The investigation then took a significant turn when officers checked the suspect’s criminal background. On Monday, 26 October, police disclosed that an outstanding arrest warrant had already been issued against the woman. The warrant was linked to a separate case at Bang Bua Thong Police Station in Nonthaburi. According to investigators, that case involved public fraud and suspected involvement with mule bank accounts.
Furthermore, background checks uncovered a reported history involving drug-related offences. The disclosures widened the investigation considerably. Police were no longer examining only threats concerning complimentary meals and restaurant reviews.
Instead, they were pursuing a woman already wanted in connection with separate criminal allegations. The suspect was reportedly evading arrest, prompting officers to intensify efforts to locate her.
Channel 8 reports further complaints over money and goods as suspect closes social media accounts
On another front, local Thai TV Channel 8 reported additional complaints involving money and goods allegedly obtained from other individuals. These included allegations concerning amulets and second-hand clothing.
According to the reports, some individuals had been persuaded to transfer money or send products. However, the available information does not establish convictions arising from those complaints. Investigators were examining the allegations alongside the restaurant owner’s formal complaint.
The woman’s reported involvement with mule bank accounts added another element to the police investigation. Such accounts are frequently used to receive or transfer money associated with fraudulent transactions. Nevertheless, the precise circumstances of the earlier case have not been fully disclosed. The outstanding warrant provided police with a separate basis for pursuing the suspect.
Meanwhile, the social media accounts associated with the restaurant approach reportedly disappeared following the publicity. Channel 8 reported that investigators had identified the woman through her online accounts before they were closed. The Facebook identity Sophia had reportedly been used to contact the Nonthaburi restaurant. A related TikTok account was also deactivated following the controversy.
Woman reportedly apologises by telephone but restaurant owner presses ahead with criminal complaint
Another development emerged when a woman contacted the restaurant by telephone after the dispute became public. According to Manager Online, the caller claimed responsibility for the original messages. She reportedly apologised to the restaurant owners.
Furthermore, she asked them not to disclose her identity or the name of the social media page. However, the apology did not prevent the owner from pursuing criminal proceedings.
By then, Ms Sarocha had received information suggesting that other businesses might have been approached. She wanted investigators to examine the accounts involved and establish whether additional offences had occurred. The restaurant owner also rejected suggestions that she had manufactured the controversy to promote her establishment. She maintained that the subsequent complaints had persuaded her to take formal action.
Significantly, the restaurant had suffered no direct financial loss from the approach. No money had been transferred, and the owners had not provided the requested complimentary meal. Nevertheless, the alleged threats remained central to the police complaint. Investigators were examining whether the conduct amounted to attempted extortion or other offences under the Criminal Code.
Police continue hunt for wanted woman as extortion and intimidation allegations remain under inquiry
Colonel Nattadecha confirmed that officers were gathering evidence concerning the demands and threats. In parallel, investigators were examining previous complaints and the outstanding arrest warrant.
The separate Bang Bua Thong case involved allegations of public fraud and mule account activity. Police also referred to previous drug-related cases, although the available reports do not establish resulting convictions.
As of Tuesday, 27 October, there was no confirmed report that the suspect had been arrested over the restaurant complaint. Nor had police confirmed final charges arising from the latest allegations.
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Officers were continuing to pursue the woman while examining evidence supplied by Ms Sarocha. The investigation remains active, with attempted extortion, intimidation and harassment among the offences under consideration.
The case has moved far beyond its original dispute over complimentary meals. What began with demands for seven dishes, four drinks and a ฿25,000 review fee has developed into a criminal investigation.
Police are pursuing a 36-year-old woman already wanted under a separate fraud-related arrest warrant. Meanwhile, investigators are examining previous complaints involving money, goods and suspected mule bank account activity. The restaurant owner’s refusal to provide free food has led to police scrutiny of a suspect linked to several other criminal allegations.
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Further reading:
Pot shop worker attacks UK man on his motorbike over 29,200 baht fraud on Monday in broad daylight
Senior Bangkok police officer charged with armed robbery of Pathum Thani cannabis shop this week