A man from the United States, who was not named by authorities, was caught attempting to steal second-hand clothing and footwear from a shop near a market area in Chiang Mai on 12 March 2026. The incident occurred around 11.00am near the Rim Ping shopping area in Wat Ket Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai District. Police were alerted after the shop owner reported that the man tried to leave without paying.

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According to the Provincial Police Region 5 radio centre (191), officers from tourist police, immigration police and patrol units from Mae Ping Police Station were dispatched to the scene. They found the shop owner and the American man along with items believed to have been taken from the store. The goods included a pair of second-hand shoes and a pair of trousers.

The shop owner told police the man arrived on a rented motorcycle and stopped in front of the second-hand clothing and footwear shop. While browsing items in the store, the man allegedly removed his own worn shoes and replaced them with a pair of shoes displayed for sale on the shop shelf. He then left his old shoes behind and attempted to walk away wearing the shop’s footwear.

At the same time, the man was also seen picking up a pair of second-hand trousers as he was moving toward the exit. A staff member noticed the behaviour and alerted the shop owner before the man could leave the premises. The tourist initially denied stealing anything and claimed he intended to purchase the trousers.

However, when confronted with footage from the shop’s CCTV system showing him switching the shoes and attempting to leave without paying, the man admitted what had happened. He then asked to return to his accommodation to collect cash in order to pay for the items.

Immigration officers escorted the tourist to retrieve the money, after which he paid the shop a total of 2,000 baht for the goods. The shop owner decided not to pursue legal action after receiving compensation for the items. Instead, the owner asked the man not to repeat such behaviour.

Authorities confirmed that the matter was resolved after the payment was made and the goods were accounted for. No further legal action was taken. Khaosod reported that police reminded residents and visitors to respect local laws and businesses while living and travelling in Thailand.

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 13 Mar 2026

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Must have thought he was in Wallmart back home!

42 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Must have thought he was in Wallmart back home!

Are you referring to a Walmart that is located in California?

Surprisingly compassionate way of dealing with a thief.

Bet he flip flops on his excuses !

Couldn't use his EBT 😊

Used shoes in a tropical climate, no thanks.

Second hand shoes and trousers for 2000 baht? You can get pants and a good pair of shows for less than 200 Baht. Sad he was reduced to this, maybe his woman took him for everything.

GO - FUND - ME !

No problem, I have a lot of used shoes and pants and if I have to, an old t-shirt. I can fax you everything...

I had new Nike tennis shoes stolen in Chiang Mai after I took them off to enter a temple. Left behind were a battered pair of New Balance two sizes too small that I needed to wear until I could purchase replacements. Two farang men and a Thai woman were leaving the temple as my girlfriend and I were entering and no one else was around.

Probably he will be back at it again if his only punishment is to pay for the items.

Although 2,000 baht sounds a lot for second hand clothes/shoes so maybe there is an element of a “fine” included.

1 hour ago, Effective altruism said:

Are you referring to a Walmart that is located in California?

Philly actually, but I get your point!

58 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Second hand shoes and trousers for 2000 baht? You can get pants and a good pair of shows for less than 200 Baht. Sad he was reduced to this, maybe his woman took him for everything.

Maybe. But it seems she didn’t take him for the 2k baht that he eventually used to pay for the goods. So maybe not.

10 minutes ago, BerndD said:

GO - FUND - ME !

No problem, I have a lot of used shoes and pants and if I have to, an old t-shirt. I can fax you everything...

Ive already donated a used condom for him.

We're trying to keep up with the Brits here.

What a complete imbecile. That being said petty theft in the U.S. is rampant, so yes, Walmart Wally was probably so used to doing this at home he figured he'd do it here. Dumba**.

53 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Second hand shoes and trousers for 2000 baht? You can get pants and a good pair of shows for less than 200 Baht. Sad he was reduced to this, maybe his woman took him for everything.

When someone steals say from 7-11 and they get caught they have to pay ten times the worth

of the goods they take.

By paying this usually a bigger fine and/or going to court is avoided.

10 minutes ago, jvs said:

When someone steals say from 7-11 and they get caught they have to pay ten times the worth

of the goods they take.

By paying this usually a bigger fine and/or going to court is avoided.

The 2000 baht was for the shoes and trousers, which is why I said it seemed like way too much for second hand clothes. Going to court you might be made to pay more.

That man has no sole.

If he had the money at home obviously he was thieving. He should have been given a big fine and deported. We know this will definitely happen again. Sad Sod

Those shoes do go with his tee & track suit trousers though. BiB must have checked his Visa so he is ok there. Still they should monitor these deadbeats pensioners who live one SS check to the next.

56 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

The 2000 baht was for the shoes and trousers, which is why I said it seemed like way too much for second hand clothes. Going to court you might be made to pay more.

That is what i said?

2 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Maybe. But it seems she didn’t take him for the 2k baht that he eventually used to pay for the goods. So maybe not.

How destitute do you have to be to steal second hand shoes in Thailand?

The mind boggles

3 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

You can get pants and a good pair of shows for less than 200 Baht

Really? from where? I'm assuming that you mean trousers and shoes, yes?

2 hours ago, Real Name Hidden said:

I had new Nike tennis shoes stolen in Chiang Mai after I took them off to enter a temple. Left behind were a battered pair of New Balance two sizes too small that I needed to wear until I could purchase replacements. Two farang men and a Thai woman were leaving the temple as my girlfriend and I were entering and no one else was around.

You had to wear a pair of shoes that was two sizes too small? I don't think so, if the shoes were really two sizes too small there's no way you would have been able to put them on.

1 minute ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Really? from where? I'm assuming that you mean trousers and shoes, yes?

In all my time here I have seen many places, markets, in many towns, shopping with my girlfriend, who knew all the places to go as she's been doing it all her life, and seen from new to second hand clothes of all types. Imported from other countries, including the US, and from 10 Baht on up. Many pants, jeans and shorts are 20-50- baht, shirts 10-20 and shoes from 20-100 baht, some looking very new. Along with these are sellers with new items, comparable to the local Lotus and Big-C stores prices.

2 hours ago, jvs said:

When someone steals say from 7-11 and they get caught they have to pay ten times the worth

of the goods they take

Really? Where is that mandated?

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

You had to wear a pair of shoes that was two sizes too small? I don't think so, if the shoes were really two sizes too small there's no way you would have been able to put them on.

I'm sure i would lie about it. My toes were doubled under and I had to waddle like a penguin.

The guy must be desperate i think he needs to think about going home before he commits a more serious crime and gets locked up

5 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

In all my time here I have seen many places, markets, in many towns, shopping with my girlfriend, who knew all the places to go as she's been doing it all her life, and seen from new to second hand clothes of all types. Imported from other countries, including the US, and from 10 Baht on up. Many pants, jeans and shorts are 20-50- baht, shirts 10-20 and shoes from 20-100 baht, some looking very new. Along with these are sellers with new items, comparable to the local Lotus and Big-C stores prices.

"I have seen...new to second hand clothes of all types. Imported from other countries, including the US, and from 10 Baht"

New, imported clothes for B10? Not a chance.

1 minute ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"I have seen...new to second hand clothes of all types. Imported from other countries, including the US, and from 10 Baht"

New, imported clothes for B10? Not a chance.

Read again. ON UP. New AND second hand clothes. They sell both, new at new prices, and second hand, at second hand prices. "Along with these are sellers with new items, comparable to the local Lotus and Big-C stores prices"................ 10 Baht on up means 10 baht to new prices, and most are second hand clothes and shoes very cheap, at 10-50 baht.