CHIANG MAI — 7 May 2026, Thai tourist police arrested eight Chinese nationals during a raid on an illegal film set in Chiang Mai where a Chinese “vertical series” was allegedly being produced without official permission.
The operation followed a nationwide crackdown ordered by the Royal Thai Police targeting criminal activity linked to foreign tourists.
Tourist Police Bureau Commissioner Lt. Gen. Saksira Pueak-am instructed units across the country to intensify inspections of foreign visitors, while investigators under Tourist Police Division 2 launched an inquiry after receiving reports of unauthorised filming at a house in Hang Dong district.
Police said they found a group of Chinese crew members and a Thai interpreter actively filming scenes inside the property.
Authorities said the group failed to produce filming permits required under Thai law and no government officials were supervising the production as mandated. Investigators also found that the Chinese nationals had entered Thailand as tourists and did not possess work permits.
One suspect, identified by police as Ms Wei, reportedly admitted she was working as both producer and actress for a “vertical series”, a short-form drama format that has recently grown in popularity online.
She told investigators the production team selected Chiang Mai because of its popularity among Chinese tourists and its well-known tourist attractions.
Police informed the suspects that film production in Thailand is regulated under the 2008 Film and Video Act, which requires official approval, script review and government supervision during filming to prevent content that could damage the country’s image.
Violations can carry fines of up to 1 million baht.
The eight Chinese nationals were handed over to investigators at Hang Dong police station to face charges of working in Thailand without permission.
Authorities said additional legal action regarding the unauthorised film production would be referred to the Film and Video Committee under the Tourism Department for further consideration.
Tourist police urged the public to report suspicious behaviour involving foreign nationals through the 1155 Tourist Police hotline or the Thailand Tourist Police application, available 24 hours a day.
