Thai police are investigating a possible transnational scam-network connection after a 19-year-old Russian woman was found injured in a car park at Lotus's Mae Sai in Chiang Rai on Sunday, August 9.

Mariia Tsygankova, a Russian national, was taken to Mae Sai Hospital after patrol officers found her with multiple injuries at about 3.45pm in the Zone A3 car park of the shopping centre in Wiang Phang Kham subdistrict.

Pol Col Jiraphas Saksung, superintendent of Mae Sai Police Station, said investigators had arranged an interpreter to conduct an initial interview with her at hospital.

Police examine alleged route through Myanmar

Information passed through the interpreter indicated that Tsygankova had left Russia to work in China, then flew to Thailand. She later travelled to Yangon in Myanmar before eventually reaching Tachileik, the Myanmar border town opposite Mae Sai.

Police are examining whether she had been enticed to Tachileik by a scam network offering highly paid work. Investigators suspect she may have realised she had been deceived after arriving there, or had refused to follow the group's instructions.

They believe she was then assaulted, taken across the Thai-Myanmar border through an unofficial crossing and abandoned at the Mae Sai shopping centre. Police stressed that these circumstances have not yet been independently established and remain under investigation.

CCTV review and embassy contact

Pol Lt Col Mekhin Kongsaeng, an investigation inspector at Mae Sai Police Station, has been assigned to work with tourist police and patrol officers to identify those involved.

Investigators are reviewing CCTV recordings in an effort to trace the people who brought Tsygankova to the area. Police have also contacted the Russian Embassy in Thailand so her family can be informed.

The woman was described as deeply distressed and frightened while being treated at Mae Sai Hospital. Officers have been assigned to provide security as the inquiry continues.

Across the border, authorities in Tachileik have continued operations against suspected scam networks and illegal online gambling operations.

Pictures courtesy of The Nation

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11 August 2026

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Here’s to wishing here well. It’s hard to speculate whether her problems are self induced or she really was a victim. I think she’s lucky to end up in Thailand. There are places there south of the official checkpoint/bridge where you can virtually wade across the river/creek. That is, a let’s say, an interesting and shady part of the world. Just one of many interesting, fleeting moments in a twilight zone.

• oops, wishing her well

I hope she is well and can get her life back in control- she seems to have had a tough journey to get to LOS

Unfortunately nowadays, people are becoming more and more stupid under the influence of Facebook and Telegram.

Those boobs have "hooker" writ large on them.

Her journey seems a somewhat unusual one for a Russian national. Not really the normal tourist route.

I hope she can pay for her medical treatment, otherwise she will add to the list of foreigners that Thailand blames for racking up unpaid hospital bills.

Hopefully she makes a full recovery, goes home and doesn’t do anything so stupid in her life again.

31 minutes ago, VillageIdiot said:

Those boobs have "hooker" writ large on them.

I looked as closely as I could. But I don’t see any writing. The experience was enjoyable though.

7 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

I looked as closely as I could. But I don’t see any writing. The experience was enjoyable though.

Take off those rose-colored glasses wen, then you'll see it plainly.

Just now, VillageIdiot said:

Take off those rose-colored glasses wen, then you'll see it plainly.

I was thinking of putting my glasses on and having a second look. Just to make sure.

That's a mighty rough life, no picnic in Russia either. Hope she can get squared away and on her feet.

1 hour ago, wensiensheng said:

I was thinking of putting my glasses on and having a second look. Just to make sure.

I bet the cops in the station will be Rusian around trying to get their laughing gear onto those floppers.

She'll be fine. Got elephant pants after all.

3 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Her journey seems a somewhat unusual one for a Russian national. Not really the normal tourist route.

I hope she can pay for her medical treatment, otherwise she will add to the list of foreigners that Thailand blames for racking up unpaid hospital bills.

Hopefully she makes a full recovery, goes home and doesn’t do anything so stupid in her life again.

Exactly.

Foreign scammers and prostitutes come and go.

The unpaid hospital bills and other results of their misconduct are left behind to spoil the scene for all of us.

4 hours ago, VillageIdiot said:

Those boobs have "hooker" writ large on them.

I like the cop in photo 1 taking a shot of those hooters.....

'The boys back at the station will enjoy these' 😜