Police in Chiang Mai arrested three Chinese men for allegedly working without permits after complaints from local residents about a large Chinese film crew operating in Hang Dong district.
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The arrests took place on 19 May 2026 after residents in the Nam Phrae area of Hang Dong reported loud noise and disruption caused by overnight filming activity near the irrigation canal road. Officers from Hang Dong Police Station, tourist police, and investigation units inspected the location and found a large film production crew unloading equipment for filming.
According to police, the production itself had obtained the required permission to film in the area. However, officers discovered that three Chinese nationals working on the set did not have valid work permits. The men were arrested on charges of being foreign nationals working without permission under Thailand’s Foreign Workers Management Emergency Decree B.E. 2560 and amendments introduced in 2018.
The operation was led by Pol Col Jakriyut Chotiwachiraphong, superintendent of Hang Dong Police Station, together with Pol Lt Col Ekkhanit Khajijit, deputy investigation superintendent, Pol Lt Col Anek Sripho, superintendent of prevention and suppression, and Pol Lt Col Avirut Sukyaem of Tourist Police Division 2.
The case has drawn attention in Chiang Mai, where authorities have recently increased scrutiny of foreign-operated productions and business activities. Residents in the area reportedly contacted police after becoming frustrated with the noise created by the large night-time production crew.
Police said the three suspects would face further legal proceedings. No additional details about the film production or the identities of those arrested were released.
The arrests come less than two weeks after authorities in Hang Dong raided an unlicensed Chinese vertical drama series production on 8 May 2026. In that earlier case, tourist police and local officers arrested members of a film crew accused of operating without official filming permission.
The latest incident is likely to increase pressure on authorities to monitor foreign productions more closely, particularly in Chiang Mai, where complaints involving Chinese-run businesses and entertainment projects have become more visible in recent months.
Amarin reported that officials have not announced whether additional inspections or enforcement operations will follow, but police said investigations into foreign workers and filming activities in the district would continue.
Picture courtesy of Amarin
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 20 May 2026