Sweet deceit: Thai dessert seller left out of pocket in pudding fraud
Deal turns sour as vendor left chasing payment after large online order disappears
A Thai dessert vendor has accused a market vendor of fraud, claiming she ordered desserts worth 3,800 baht but failed to pay.
Anusara, a 31 year old homemaker and dessert maker, reported the issue to the police yesterday, May 5. She invested several thousand baht in making 470 boxes of Thai desserts for Phornchanok, a 25 year old vendor at the Save One Market in Nonthaburi, who had contacted her via Facebook on May 3.
Anusara was instructed to deliver the desserts to the market booth on May 4, expecting immediate payment upon delivery. However, Phornchanok delayed payment, citing various excuses and promised to settle the amount by 5pm.
Despite delivering the desserts as agreed, Anusara could not reach Phornchanok afterwards. Consequently, Anusara retrieved her desserts and lodged a complaint with the Pak Kret Police Station.
Anusara explained she trusted Phornchanok because they had previously agreed on a similar transaction at the end of April. On that occasion, Phornchanok had paid a deposit and settled the remaining balance upon delivery, which went smoothly.
When Phornchanok contacted Anusara again on May 3, Anusara requested a deposit but Phornchanok offered excuses and promised to transfer the deposit by midnight. Trusting her, Anusara invested in ingredients and prepared the desserts, but the payment never arrived.
Upon delivering the desserts to the market, Anusara was told to leave them with Phornchanok’s employee and collect the payment at 5pm. When attempts to contact Phornchanok failed, Anusara decided to retrieve her desserts and use them as evidence at the police station.
Anusara later discovered that Phornchanok had a questionable reputation. Phornchanok, initially an employee at the market, opened a competing shop and allegedly encouraged other employees to leave and join her. Anusara believes Phornchanok intentionally deceived her to procure desserts without investing.
The media also interviewed Arif, a partner at a chicken noodle and Isaan food restaurant, who employed Phornchanok. Unaware of Phornchanok’s activities, he had only hired her less than a month ago for 400 baht (US$12) per day.
Arif suspected Phornchanok due to discrepancies in sales and stock levels, and the missing funds not deposited into the restaurant’s account. Moreover, Phornchanok allegedly encouraged other employees to leave.
Arif expressed frustration that Phornchanok opened a restaurant selling the same food types as his, directly opposite his stall. He believes she joined his restaurant to learn his recipes and open a competing business.
Arif hired Phornchanok through Facebook amid a staffing shortage and did not require a damage deposit, trusting her without reservations, reported KhaoSod.
Arif plans to review his restaurant’s accounts for irregularities during Phornchanok’s employment. Should he find any evidence of wrongdoing, he will take legal action. He clarified his restaurant’s disassociation from Phornchanok and will not be held accountable for any damages she may cause.
Latest Thailand News
Follow The Thaiger on Google News:
