Body found under bridge "Homeless man" Found dead under the Ping River bridge, another case following yesterday. No initial signs of assault. This brings the total to three homeless deaths over two weeks.
At 11:00 a.m. on 30 April 2026, Chiang Mai Ruamjai Foundation officials received a report from locals about the body of a homeless man found under the Khua Sri Wiang Ping bridge, which crosses the Ping River in Fa Ham Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province. They coordinated with police and medical teams to investigate.
At the scene, they found a male body about 60 years old lying on his back, with a sack containing old items and folded clothes on him. Blood was coming from his mouth. Medical teams initially estimated death occurred between midnight and 3 a.m. No wounds or signs of struggle were found, suggesting death from a pre-existing illness.
Rescue teams from the Ruamjai Foundation in Chiang Mai transported the body to the forensic hospital at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital for a detailed cause of death examination.
Pol. Col. Yanaphon Phatthanchai, Superintendent of Mae Ping Police Station, who inspected the scene, stated the deceased’s identity remains unknown. Initial questioning of nearby homeless people indicated he was a newcomer seen only since yesterday and had not been seen at that spot before. There was no interaction with others until the body was found this morning. No wounds from assault were noted. The blood from the mouth likely resulted from illness or internal injury. The deceased smelled strongly of alcohol. Authorities await autopsy results to confirm cause of death.
Yesterday, in Mueang District, an abnormal death of a homeless man was reported under the Rattanakosin Bridge about 2 kilometers away. That incident is suspected to be a disguised homicide, but recent findings suggest no connection between the two cases.
Earlier, on 17 April, near the Mae Ping Police Station and the Arcade Bus Station area, a homeless man was found dead on a fire pile made of tires in an abandoned building. Forensic results indicate it was likely an accident, as the man used the abandoned building as shelter, placing tires as a sleeping surface, and candles lit nearby likely caused a fire through negligence.
The Mae Ping Police Station area, with its overpasses and underpasses, often shelters homeless people. The Chiang Mai Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office regularly coordinates to monitor and care for them. However, many homeless individuals tend to run away and continue living in abandoned buildings. Police patrols photograph and document them. The latest deceased is believed to be a newcomer from outside the area with no record yet. Investigations will proceed to identify him and contact relatives.
Locals living under the bridge confirmed they had never seen this man before. He appeared only yesterday, and there was no conversation until his body was discovered this morning.