Two foreign tourists have been fined after being caught spray-painting a school fence and public property in Chiang Mai, with police saying the pair also agreed to pay compensation for the damage. The arrests followed a report from a member of the public, who alerted officers after seeing two men using spray paint on the fence of a school in central Chiang Mai during the early hours of July 11.

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Police from Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station responded to the report at about 12.40am. Officers found the two men actively spray-painting the school fence and ordered them to stop before taking them into custody.

The suspects were identified as 32-year-old British national Mr Elliot and 27-year-old New Zealand national Mr Keegan. They were charged under Thailand’s Cleanliness and Orderliness Act B.E. 2535 (1992), as amended, which prohibits scratching, writing, spray-painting or otherwise marking walls, roads, trees, buildings adjoining roads and other public property.

Investigators later imposed fines of 3,000 baht on each man through a settlement process. In addition to the fines, both tourists agreed to compensate the affected school for the damage, paying 4,000 baht.

According to Chiang Mai Provincial Police, the pair apologised for their actions, explaining that they had acted out of high spirits and promising not to repeat the behaviour. Police said both men accepted responsibility for the damage and agreed to cover the cost of repairs.

The operation involved officers led by Pol Col Pratchaya Thisala, superintendent of Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station, together with Pol Lt Col Tattavee Danphitaktrakul, deputy superintendent for prevention and suppression, and Pol Lt Col Wisanu Nuanmusid, inspector for prevention and suppression. Patrol officers led by Pol Capt Chatchawan Tanta responded to the public report and made the arrests at the scene.

The case highlights continued enforcement of laws protecting public property and maintaining cleanliness in public areas. Police have encouraged residents and visitors to report similar offences, with the latest arrests resulting directly from information provided by a concerned citizen.

No further charges or legal proceedings have been announced beyond the fines and compensation already imposed. The case has been concluded through the legal settlement process, with both tourists accepting responsibility for their actions.

Pictures courtesy of ตำรวจภูธรจังหวัดเชียงใหม่

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13 July 2026

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27 and 32? Part of the Crips or Bloods perhaps? Seems this happened awhile back also. What sort of mentality does one have to spray paint graffiti in another country?

30 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

27 and 32? What sort of mentality does one have to spray paint graffiti in another country?

I'm in favor of guerilla street art, like Banksey.

But this scribbled crap is just pure gang wannabe vandalism.

Dumb people scribble the same old crap, artists create something new. 😄

Edited July 12Jul 12 by SiSePuede419
Artist definition

1 minute ago, SiSePuede419 said:

I'm in favor of guerilla street art, like Banksey.

But this scribbled crap is just pure gang wannabe vandalism.

Dumb people scribble the same old crap, artists create something new. 😄

Sure thing. There are many paintings on buildings all over, especially in California, that depict religions and moral themes, and of the people living there, that no one dare touch, but this is just destruction of property and uncalled for.

"... explaining that they had acted out of high spirits and promising not to repeat the behaviour..."

Somehow, I don't think Grace Hopper intened the quote attributed to her to be used for this type of scenario!

Why would one even think to do this?

"Do you fancy going out for a Thai meal tonight? No, let's go and vandalise some school property instead...."

I would not only fine them and get them to remove the graffiti, but jail them for 3 months and then deport them.

Punishments are too soft nowadays....

The suspects were identified as 32-year-old British national Mr Elliot and 27-year-old New Zealand national Mr Keegan.

Man Babies.

Get them out.

All you have to say is 'sorry and pinky promise not to do it again' ??????????

18 minutes ago, Jim Waldron said:

"... explaining that they had acted out of high spirits and promising not to repeat the behaviour..."

Somehow, I don't think Grace Hopper intened the quote attributed to her to be used for this type of scenario!

High spirits and going to spray paint school walls don't seem to go together.

37 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

High spirits and going to spray paint school walls don't seem to go together.

I don't know, Maybe, if they can still stand after drinking that much!

Utterly pathetic. That grown adults can do this kind of thing is almost beyond belief. Fine and deport, with a ban on any future visits to Thailand.

Should have charged them also with "working without a work permit"

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

I would not only fine them and get them to remove the graffiti, but jail them for 3 months and then deport them.

3 months in jail? You are too kind. 3 years in prison and make it an international news story as a warning to all the other paint sniffing braindead numbskulls.

Making Mums and pops proud. Looks a case of more Dumba**es.

3 hours ago, rocketboy2 said:

Man Babies.

Get them out.

Jail them for at least one month first.

6 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Part of the Crips or Bloods perhaps

As British and New Zealand nationalities?

Stupid people never learn. But then again, how much graffiti was already on the wall?

55 minutes ago, CM Dad said:

Jail them for at least one month first.

Make them clean it spotlessly with a toothbrush.

6 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

What sort of mentality does one have to spray paint graffiti in another country?

The same mentality as those who come to Thailand to have sex on the beaches, or to export marijuana to the UK in their luggage.

2 hours ago, ArchieBunker said:

3 months in jail? You are too kind. 3 years in prison and make it an international news story as a warning to all the other paint sniffing braindead numbskulls.

Would have to post it on tiktok to have any worldwide viewing.

Flogging, like done in Singapore, would be the better way to teach this "artists".

1 hour ago, CM Dad said:

Jail them for at least one month first.

A little bit harsh.

But hey, why not.

Let them have a taste of fish head soup everyday and sleeping next to the toilet in the cell. Very nice.

Edited July 13Jul 13 by rocketboy2

6 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

All you have to say is 'sorry and pinky promise not to do it again' ??????????

What else would you expect them to do bearing in mind that they've both been fined and they've got to pay compensation to the school?

3 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

tterly pathetic. That grown adults can do this kind of thing is almost beyond belief

Almost beyond belief? It appears from your comment that you've never come across graffiti before! "Grown adults" are doing it all the time, worldwide (except maybe in Singapore).

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

What else would you expect them to do bearing in mind that they've both been fined and they've got to pay compensation to the school?

They have committed a criminal offense in Thailand.

Fine. Compensation. Deportation. Black listed.

Edited July 13Jul 13 by KhunHeineken

2 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"Grown adults" are doing it all the time, worldwide

Oh, that's ok then.

Would you like it done to your property? No, I didn't think so.

2 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

What else would you expect them to do bearing in mind that they've both been fined and they've got to pay compensation to the school?

They have committed a criminal offense in Thailand.

Fine. Compensation. Deportation. Black listed

They have been fined, they have had to pay compensation. Committing minor crimes in Thailand does not automatically mean deportation.

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

Oh, that's ok then.

Would you like it done to your property? No, I didn't think so.

If the punishments fit the crimes, more people wouldn't commit them. Paying a fine plus bringing the walls back to their original condition, with them paying, can teach a lesson. Those who aren't rich learn when cash is lost. The same thing would world with the millions of traffic violators here. Taking money from a person who has little is a very good learning tool. Could save a lot of lives also. The jails should have dangerous criminals.

Edited July 13Jul 13 by fredwiggy

6 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

High spirits and going to spray paint school walls don't seem to go together.

Dunno about that. Everclear or cask strength?

5 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

They have been fined, they have had to pay compensation. Committing minor crimes in Thailand does not automatically mean deportation.

I don't see damage to property as a minor crime.

They should be deported.