Restaurant Owner Exposes Influencer’s Attempt to Demand Free Meals
A Nonthaburi restaurant owner has publicly addressed an incident where an influencer allegedly demanded free food in exchange for a review, threatening negative publicity if refused.
The owner of 'Prakai Cafe' in Bang Yai, Nonthaburi, recently shared a troubling experience involving an influencer who contacted the restaurant via social media. According to the owner, known as 'Cake,' the individual—who claimed to have significant followings on Facebook and TikTok—offered to review the establishment in exchange for complimentary food and drinks.
When the restaurant declined the request, the influencer allegedly responded with threats, suggesting that if they paid for their own meal and found it unsatisfactory, they would post a negative review to damage the business's reputation. The influencer reportedly stated, "I will give you one star, and it will be hard to recover. A few baht for food will bring you many customers from my page," followed by a warning that the restaurant would be "ruined."
Following the public exposure of these messages, the owner confirmed that the influencer reached out to apologize and requested that their identity remain private. While the owner initially indicated plans to file a police report, the situation appears to be de-escalating. For residents and travelers, this incident highlights the complexities of social media marketing and the importance of verifying the legitimacy of individuals claiming to represent professional review platforms. It remains to be confirmed whether any formal legal action will proceed, as the owner has opted to keep the influencer's name confidential following the apology.
