A Michelin-star street food chef was fined for allegedly pulling a bait-and-switch trick to overcharge diners.

Jay Fai, 81, was ordered to pay 2,000 Baht (45.68 GBP) for overcharging a tourist for her crab omelettes, which she serves from a rundown stall in Bangkok, Thailand.

Authorities investigated the bustling restaurant on Wednesday after YouTuber Peachii and her friend Marta ordered the signature dish - advertised at 1,500 Baht (34.26 GBP) - but were stunned when their bill came to 4,000 Baht (91.36 GBP).

The restaurant claimed the meal was more expensive because the crab had come from 'a better source'.

However, the tactic is a common 'bait and switch' trick that unscrupulous businesses use to lure customers in with a basic price, then hit them with a larger bill.

The Department of Internal Trade said Jay allegedly violated the Prices of Goods and Services Act, which requires prices to be clearly displayed. The maximum penalty is 10,000 Baht (228 GBP), but the chef was made to pay only 2,000 Baht.

The Office of the Consumer Protection Board said: 'We have not yet received a direct complaint from the complainant. However, her friend said that she refused compensation but wants legal action taken against the restaurant.'

Peachii had earlier said: 'I can understand that Jai Fai's crab omelette with quality crab is expensive, but I didn't order anything special and wasn't told in advance that prices vary from the menu. The menu shows 1,500 baht per dish. I only found out when the bill came.

'When a menu shows one price but suddenly the chef adjusts the size or ingredients at will, they should write a price range from the beginning. It was delicious in the end, but it spoiled the experience.'

Restaurants that fail to display price labels face potential fines of up to 10,000 baht (227.64 GBP), while overcharging customers has the same fine.

If a restaurant is found to have engaged in price gouging, it could be penalised under Section 29 of the Price of Goods and Services Act, which carries a potential fine of up to 140,000 Baht (3, 186 GBP) along with imprisonment for up to seven years.

Jay Fai, which means 'Sister Mole' after the mark on her face, was awarded a Michelin Star in 2018 and has been visited by global celebrities such as Jack Ma, Ed Sheeran, and Lisa from Blackpink.

(1 GBP = 43.78 THB)