Chiang Mai tourist police arrested a man selling bird food and filming clips at Tha Phae Gate in central Chiang Mai after he made offensive gestures—raising his middle finger and sticking out his tongue—toward Chinese tourists, claiming he was insulted first.
Following a viral social media clip showing a man who sells bird food and offers photography services to tourists at Tha Phae Gate plaza in central Chiang Mai, arguing and behaving inappropriately toward tourists, including provocatively sticking out his tongue at them, the incident sparked criticism about its negative impact on Chiang Mai's tourism image.
On 23 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Police Lieutenant Colonel Awirut Sukyam, Investigation Officer, Division 2, Tourist Police Division 2, led tourist police officers along with officers from Muang Chiang Mai Police Station to inspect the area and successfully arrested Mr. Somchai, 31, a resident of Chiang Rai province, near the scene. They seized the clothes he wore on the day as evidence.
During questioning, Mr. Somchai admitted he was the person in the clip, explaining that prior to the incident, two groups of Chinese tourists simultaneously asked to take photos. He served the first group first, which displeased the second group who then verbally confronted him in Chinese. Since he understands and speaks Chinese, he lost his temper, responded back, and showed the middle finger as seen in the video.
Additional reports reveal that Mr. Somchai rented a luxury hotel opposite Tha Phae Gate to live in. During the day, he films clips for Chinese tourists, earning several thousand baht daily, enough to comfortably afford his hotel room. He has been based around Tha Phae Gate for a long time, frequently involved in disputes with Chinese tourists, and has previously been arrested and charged.
Initially, authorities handed Mr. Somchai over to investigators at Muang Chiang Mai Police Station, charging him with "causing public nuisance." He was held at the station before being brought to Chiang Mai Provincial Court on 24 Feb 2026 GMT+7 to proceed with legal actions. Tourist police emphasized they will intensify oversight to maintain order at key tourist spots to prevent incidents that harm the tourism atmosphere.