CHIANG MAI, THAILAND – Police in northern Thailand questioned a Chinese tourist’s report of a street robbery after CCTV footage and immigration records failed to support his claims.
Night-time complaint near busy market
According to the Chiang Mai City Police Station (SPh. Mueang Chiang Mai), a man identified as Mr. Xiao filed a complaint on 17 March at around 11:40 p.m. The report stated that the incident had taken place near Kamphaeng Din Road in the city.
He alleged that two men on an unlicensed motorcycle had snatched his brown shoulder bag from behind. At the time, he said he had been walking from the Night Bazaar toward Kad Kom.
High-end equipment and cash listed as losses
In his statement, the tourist listed what police described as a conspicuously high-value set of belongings. These included a Sony A7M4 camera with a Sony G Master II 24–70 lens, an iPad Pro 2024 and other personal items.
He also claimed to have lost about 5,000 baht in cash and roughly 3,500 yuan, along with his Chinese passport and identification documents, which he reported as stolen.
CCTV review reveals no sign of attack
On 18 March, the investigation team reviewed several CCTV cameras along the route he had described, as well as at the entrances and exits of the alleys mentioned in the report. Police said the footage did not show any suspicious individuals matching his description.
According to the officers, there were also no visible signs of a struggle or escape on the recordings. Investigators said the material failed to support the account given by the supposed victim.
Tourist suddenly unreachable and leaves hotel
When investigators tried to reach the man by phone, the number he had provided was no longer reachable. The Tourist Police in Chiang Mai were asked to assist in making contact.
At the hotel where he was registered with immigration, staff told officers that he had been picked up by a Grab car without checking out. The driver had reportedly dropped him off at Tha Phae Gate.
Exit to Hong Kong with the “stolen” passport
Later that afternoon, police obtained travel information from the Chiang Mai Immigration Office. According to the information they received, Mr. Xiao had departed from Chiang Mai Airport on a flight to Hong Kong.
Officers said he had used the same passport that he had previously reported as stolen. Investigators viewed this as a key indication that the alleged robbery had not taken place.
Suspicion of false report for insurance purposes
Police stated that there was no evidence to support the reported robbery, leading them to believe that the tourist had deliberately given false information. They said the inquiry pointed to a fabricated account.
According to investigators, the complaint appeared to be intended to obtain official documentation for making insurance claims related to supposedly lost or stolen belongings during travel.
The case raised the question of how consistently authorities should pursue false reports filed by passing tourists once the suspect has already left the country. It also highlighted ongoing debate over whether insurers and police should demand stricter proof in travel theft cases, even if that could affect genuine victims.