Irish Tourist Offers Cannabis Instead of Cash in Pattaya Taxi Dispute
A late-night taxi fare dispute in Pattaya made headlines this week after an Irish tourist allegedly tried to settle his bill with a packet of cannabis instead of paying the full fare.
The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of July 15, involved 34-year-old Mr. Matthew from Northern Ireland and Thai taxi driver Mr. Prajuab Yumekha, 54. The pair’s clash exposed cultural misunderstandings, legal sensitivities, and the risks of travelling without enough cash.
A Ride from Airport Turns Sour
Mr. Prajuab picked up Matthew and his wife from Suvarnabhumi Airport shortly after midnight, agreeing to drive them to a hotel in central Pattaya for a fare of ฿2,000. The journey itself was uneventful. Trouble only began when they reached the hotel around 1:30 a.m.
When it came time to pay, the couple claimed they lacked enough cash. Together, they offered only ฿950 — about half the fare. Frustrated but hoping to resolve matters, Prajuab asked for the remaining ฿1,050.
That’s when, according to Prajuab, the tourist produced a large packet of cannabis, suggesting it could make up the difference.
“I’ve helped passengers who didn’t have money before,” Prajuab later told reporters. “But this made me feel discouraged.”
A Tense Disagreement
Instead of accepting the offer, Prajuab refused outright. He felt disrespected and said it flipped the usual narrative he’d heard about Thai drivers mistreating tourists.
“In real life, I’m facing foreigners who take advantage of us. Who will help us?” he asked.
Rather than continue negotiations, Matthew and his wife reportedly rushed into their hotel, leaving Prajuab standing outside, unpaid.
Frustrated and feeling taken advantage of, the driver drove directly to Pattaya City Police Station and filed a formal complaint.
Police Step In to Resolve the Dispute
Tourist Police and Pattaya officers took the incident seriously. They summoned Matthew later that day for questioning.
During his statement, the tourist insisted he’d meant no disrespect. He claimed he’d simply run out of cash and asked the driver to stop at an ATM along the way, a request he said Prajuab had declined.
As for the cannabis, Matthew argued that the situation had been misunderstood. He claimed he was merely holding it while speaking to a friend and had not seriously intended to use it as payment.
Police officers mediated calmly between both sides, emphasizing mutual respect and cultural sensitivity.
Ultimately, Matthew agreed to pay the full ฿2,000 fare in cash at the police station. Prajuab accepted the payment, and no further charges were filed. Both parties left the station peacefully, and the matter was officially closed.
Cultural Misunderstandings and Legal Risks
Though resolved without criminal charges, the case shone a spotlight on the delicate balance between Thailand’s evolving cannabis laws and longstanding cultural norms.
Cannabis possession is partially legal in Thailand under new regulations, but public use and unlicensed possession remain illegal and socially sensitive. Offering cannabis as a form of payment falls well outside acceptable practice.
The dispute also highlights the challenges faced by taxi drivers who deal with tourists unfamiliar with local customs or who fail to carry enough cash.
Authorities have urged tourists to plan ahead for travel expenses and to avoid offering anything other than legal currency as payment.
Lessons for Travellers
This unusual episode serves as a reminder that even small misunderstandings can quickly escalate into police matters in a foreign country.
Travelers visiting Thailand are strongly advised to:
- Carry enough local currency for transportation costs.
- Understand that cannabis, while legal in some contexts, remains restricted.
- Avoid using goods or substances as barter, especially those regulated by law.
- Maintain respectful communication with local service providers.
For Mr. Prajuab, the incident was unsettling but ended positively once he received his payment.
“I just want my fare. I didn’t want trouble,” he said.
For Matthew, it’s likely an unforgettable—and expensive—lesson about navigating cultural differences abroad.
