Fairytale fiasco: Thai wedding woe as caterer goes AWOL, bride’s big day ruined

A fairytale Thai wedding in Chaiyaphum turned into a nightmare when the hired caterer failed to show up, leaving the bride and her family to scramble for a last-minute solution.

The bride, 24 year old Sukanya Chaiwongsa shared her distress on social media as she recounted the disastrous day on November 25, when she had to resort to serving hotpot to her 500 guests. The caterer’s no-show led to a police report and a demand for compensation for the damages incurred.

Sukanya expressed her disappointment and frustration on her Facebook page.

“Our wedding day, which was supposed to be the happiest day, turned into a day of tears. We even ended up at the police station. The reception ended at 3pm, and by the time we returned home, all the guests had left. All we saw was a dismal scene. Our meticulously planned event ended up in shambles.”

Sukanya further detailed her interactions with the caterer, who had been hired for the event and had received an advance payment. However, on the eve of the Thai wedding day, the caterer requested an additional 12,000 baht, claiming it was for water supply.

Although suspicious, Sukanya transferred an additional 6,000 baht as the caterer had already set up tables and dishes at the venue.

Seeking Justice

As the wedding day dawned, the caterer contacted Sukanya again, claiming a tyre puncture had delayed the food delivery. An hour later, the caterer requested Sukanya to send a vehicle to pick up the food.

With increasing anxiety and the caterer’s vague responses, Sukanya and her family decided to buy food from the market to serve their guests. With limited time and options, they managed to get only a few dishes and a hot pot.

Sukanya admitted the experience was emotionally draining for her and her family. The disappointment was amplified by the presence of 500 guests who had nothing to eat. Some guests were understanding, while others complained.

The caterer later contacted Sukanya, criticising her for posting the incident on social media and asked her to delete the post. She, however, refused to do so until she was compensated for the damages, reported KhaoSod.

In total, Sukanya lost 46,000 baht due to the caterer’s no-show. A police report has been filed, and the authorities are deciding whether this case should be treated as civil or criminal. A decision is expected by December 1.

Meanwhile, Sukanya is advised to seek legal assistance. Despite the caterer’s assurance of showing up at the police station, Sukanya remains doubtful and is determined to seek justice for the ordeal she endured on what should have been her happiest day.