A foreign man in Chiang Mai sparked a police chase after stealing a police motorcycle and jumping into the Ping River to evade arrest. On March 16, Chiang Mai police and rescue teams initiated a search for the unidentified man, but as yet, he remains missing, and his nationality is unknown. The dramatic escape began after the man took the motorcycle from Suan Dok Temple and led police towards the 5th Army Area Bridge.

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The chase ended at the Mahidol Road bridge in the Pa Daet subdistrict, where the suspect abandoned the bike and leaped into the river. Despite an intensive hour-long search by officers and rescue teams, he was not found, raising suspicions that he is still hiding nearby. No motive has been revealed, and authorities have not succeeded in identifying the individual involved in the incident.

Channel 7's report on the situation highlighted the lengths to which the police have gone to track down the suspect, emphasizing their persistence in continuing the search in the vicinity. Presently, the authorities are focused on efforts to locate the foreign man, ensuring public safety, and determining the motive behind the theft. The event has sparked concern about security around police equipment and potential risks posed by unidentified individuals.

Future developments in the case hinge on the discovery of the man and any potential leads that may arise. Police are likely to step up security measures and continue investigations, with a focus on identifying the suspect swiftly. The incident underscores the unpredictability of such crimes and the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracking down elusive offenders, reported The Thaiger.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 16 Mar 2026

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Jason Bourne has landed.

Hardly rates as the Great Escape!

This weeks Idiot price

He maybe dead

3 hours ago, hanbla said:

This weeks Idiot price

Price?

2 hours ago, bunnjohn said:

He maybe dead

...bit of a stick in the mud they say.

My oh my...that weed from local produce, seems to be getting stronger and worse daily.

2 hours ago, Sigmund said:

My oh my...that weed from local produce, seems to be getting stronger and worse daily.

Then just stop using any of it!

All the tourist craziness used to just be in the south so it's sad to see these people are coming to Chiang Mai and doing these types of things. If it happens enough the locals sour on all of us. In the last 5 years or so it feels like an exponential increase of people and types I never saw before in the past. Really disappointing development.

8 hours ago, roo860 said:

Price?

He meant "prize", I suppose.

4 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

All the tourist craziness used to just be in the south so it's sad to see these people are coming to Chiang Mai and doing these types of things. If it happens enough the locals sour on all of us. In the last 5 years or so it feels like an exponential increase of people and types I never saw before in the past. Really disappointing development.

That's what happens when Thailand pushes for more and more tourist each year no matter what the actual cost to Thailand is.

The suspect was described as being extremely short and known to be a psychic practitioner .

A citywide bulletin has been issued :

" Small medium at large ! "

22 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

Hardly rates as the Great Escape!

True . That would have been me getting out of my home country and moving to thailand 30 years ago.

On 3/16/2026 at 5:44 PM, snoop1130 said:

No motive has been revealed

How about "stealing a police motorcycle?"

When travelling I have met many crazy people, and this is something a Ozzy would do for fun, and usually get away with it.

21 hours ago, roo860 said:

Price?

Prize sorry... bloody autocorrect 😂

3 hours ago, Hummin said:

When travelling I have met many crazy people, and this is something a Ozzy would do for fun, and usually get away with it.

Yes, young Aussies can get up to some absurdly crazy stunts thinking it's just fun. Years ago when I was living down South we'd get the young RAAF guys from Butterworth come up for raging weekends. Streaking was common, they'd strip stark naked and run around the streets for a few minutes. One crazy drunk young guy had a long strip of toilet paper held between the cheeks of his butt and it was on fire as he ran around naked. We'd laugh watching these antics but at the same time I felt they were certainly creating a lot of resentment with the Thais who also saw these things.

3 hours ago, grain said:

Yes, young Aussies can get up to some absurdly crazy stunts thinking it's just fun. Years ago when I was living down South we'd get the young RAAF guys from Butterworth come up for raging weekends. Streaking was common, they'd strip stark naked and run around the streets for a few minutes. One crazy drunk young guy had a long strip of toilet paper held between the cheeks of his butt and it was on fire as he ran around naked. We'd laugh watching these antics but at the same time I felt they were certainly creating a lot of resentment with the Thais who also saw these things.

Ah,the dance of the flaming <deleted>.

We had to run around the club and drink 4 half pint beers before being allowed to pull the paper out.

Really classy joint.