Chiang Mai Airport staff help woman fooled by AI 'pilot'

A 66-year-old woman travelled alone from Lampang to Chiang Mai Airport believing she would meet a pilot named Chai, only for officials to establish that the man was an artificial intelligence-generated character she had seen on Facebook.

Chiang Mai Tourist Police and airport security officers helped the woman at the passenger terminal at about 8pm on September 16. Security staff had become concerned after noticing her waiting alone for the man.

The woman told officers she had come to Chiang Mai specifically to meet Chai, whom she believed was a real pilot.

Airport staff trace woman's family

Officials spoke with the woman and examined the circumstances before finding that the man she expected to meet was an AI-generated character.

She had reportedly watched Facebook content featuring the character repeatedly and developed romantic feelings for him, believing he was a real person. She then set out from Lampang in the hope of meeting him in person.

The woman travelled by public bus from Lampang to Chiang Mai, then arranged further transport to Chiang Mai International Airport, where she expected Chai to arrive.

Communication with officers was difficult because she mainly spoke an ethnic minority language. Police said she also appeared confused while talking to them.

Tourist Police, airport staff and a rescue team worked together to identify and contact her relatives. They eventually reached her son and explained the situation.

Her family told officials they had not known she had left Lampang or travelled to Chiang Mai.

Safe overnight stay arranged

Airport staff arranged a safe place for the woman to rest inside the terminal overnight while plans were made for her return. Officials then coordinated with her family for her to travel safely back to her home province.

Pictures courtesy of Chiang Mai News

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18 September 2026

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