A strict Japanese man in Udon Thani criticized a flower vendor for not including a cage after releasing 100 sparrows as a merit-making act. The vendor was alarmed by his aggressive behavior and called police to mediate.
At 16:00 on 3 Feb 2026 GMT+7, the Rompho Radio Center at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station received a report of a Japanese man arguing with a sacred flower vendor at the Udon Thani City Pillar Shrine on Athabodi Road, Udon Thani Municipality. Upon receiving the report, Lt. Thirayothin Sapsin, Deputy Patrol Inspector, and Sgt. Nikom Horsert, Deputy Inspector of the Tourism Police Unit 2, Region 5, along with patrol officers from unit 191, rushed to the scene.
Upon arrival, they found Mr. Yamaguchi, 37, Japanese, sitting holding a sparrow cage in front of the deity Thao Wessuwan near the entrance of the City Pillar Shrine. Ms. Sirichanan, 45, a sacred flower vendor from Mak Khaeng Subdistrict, Udon Thani City, pointed out the Japanese man to the officers, explaining that they had just argued but communication was difficult. The man then approached her in a manner seeming confrontational or harassing, causing her to flee behind the shrine. Mr. Yamaguchi had previously been in the news twice—once for being caught stealing a speaker at a hotel, and once for causing disturbances at a temple in central Udon Thani.
Mr. Yamaguchi explained through an interpreter that he had arrived by motorized tricycle to await a court hearing in Udon Thani regarding a theft case. He was there to report as scheduled and wanted to resolve the matter to regain his documents and passport. While waiting, he visited the City Pillar Shrine to pray for relief from his troubles. He noticed sparrows caged at a flower stall and wished to release them. He intended to keep the birdcage and had already paid for the birds.
Ms. Sirichanan, the flower vendor, recounted that while selling, the Japanese man asked about the birds. She told him each bird cost 25 baht. They struggled to communicate since she did not speak his language. She told him there were 100 birds for 2,500 baht but offered a discount to 2,000 baht, which he agreed to pay. After releasing the birds, she asked for the cage back, but he reacted angrily, approached her while yelling. She was frightened and ran away to notify the police, fearing harm. The 2,000 baht was for the birds only, excluding the cage. She did not understand why he became so upset. She has sold there for a year on behalf of her son and never faced such a situation before.
Ms. Supaporn Thatthumlae, 49, secretary to the president of the City Pillar Shrine Foundation, said the incident stemmed from a communication misunderstanding. The Japanese man believed the 2,000 baht covered both 100 birds and the cage. After police mediation, the issue was resolved. She also announced that vendors are requested to refrain from selling animals for release at this location, as it is a prominent site in Udon Thani visited by many locals and tourists, to prevent future disturbances. However, lottery sales are still permitted with coordination through the foundation.
Police initially mediated, and Ms. Sirichanan confirmed she would not press charges and allowed Mr. Yamaguchi to keep the birdcage. They then parted ways. Mr. Yamaguchi took the cage back to his motorized tricycle parked opposite the City Pillar Shrine and proceeded to the court to report as scheduled.