18-year-old ends up bald after trading her hair for unpaid $2,300 bill at Thai bar

An 18-year-old woman with the pseudonym Muay recently had her head shaved bald after she was unable to pay her bill at a host bar in Bangkok, Thailand.

Footage of her having her long hair cut off by the bar's manager have been circulating online, sparking debate on whether it was right for the latter to do so.

Thai media reported that the manager took her to the police after shaving her head, accusing her of not paying a bill amounting 60,000 baht (S$2,300).

According to the manager, Muay had used a fake ID to enter the venue and later had no money to cover the bill. The manager then reportedly had her sign a contract agreeing to sell her hair, cut from root to tip, for 3,000 baht.

Meanwhile, Muay's 34-year-old mother, disputed the manager's account of the incident.

She told Khaosod and Amarin TV the bar had suggested that Muay work there as a cleaner to pay it off.

Later on, they proposed waiving the bill in exchange for Muay's hair.

Both mother and daughter claimed they did not know her entire head would be shaved. Muay also said the manager had grabbed her arm and pushed her.

He has since denied their allegations and doubled down on Muay's mother agreeing to his arrangement.

Muay had also been accused of having trouble paying at other host bars, and the manager said he intended for the haircut to be a warning for her to not repeat such behaviours at other establishments.

He has reportedly apologised for the incident and circulation of the footage, which Bangkok Post said was posted by Thai activist Chalida Phalamat. Phalamat said: "shaving Muay's head was excessive and unlawful".

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