The most recent problem has persisted since Chiang Mai city municipality, police and related agencies launched coordinated patrols and arrests back in January (though to be fair these issues go back years). The operation initially dispersed the vendors, but it wasn’t long before they crept back — feeding pigeons, calling flocks together and charging tourists for photographs, all in defiance of clearly posted prohibition signs.
On Monday, reporters received complaints from local residents that vendors had returned to the plaza, roaming among foreign tourists with bags of feed and coaxing the birds back into congregating — and that pigeon numbers, which had dwindled during the crackdown, were visibly on the rise again.
An afternoon survey confirmed it. Vendors were operating across multiple spots along the Tha Pae wall, stashing feed and equipment in the gaps and corners of the ancient brickwork, operating whenever officers were absent and melting away the moment uniforms appeared.
Municipal enforcement officers subsequently moved in and arrested two men caught in the act: Ar-lae, 37, and Surasak, 52. Both have prior arrests for the same offence and both returned to the trade each time. Their method is consistent — circulate among tourists selling feed and offering photo services, disappear when officers arrive, then return.
Following the arrests, officers seized evidence and ID cards and referred both men for prosecution. A search of the plaza uncovered additional bags of feed hidden at multiple locations around the grounds. Officers say they expect the activity to continue and have committed to sustained patrols, with zero exceptions for anyone caught.
