CHIANG MAI – A male tourist from China was arrested after sexually harassing a female intern at the Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium. Staff quickly intervened and handed him over to the police for legal action.
The incident took place late morning on 30 May at the Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium. While the intern was feeding turtles along a walkway, the tourist approached her, grabbed her from behind, and then tried to walk away as if nothing had happened. The young woman was shocked, and security cameras recorded the entire event.
Chiang Mai Zoo staff and employees acted immediately. They detained the man and called the police from Phuping Rajanivej Police Station. Officers learned that the tourist did not have any form of identification or a passport with him.
He claimed he left his documents at his hotel and also said he felt unwell. Police took him to his hotel to check his story and then planned to question him further and press charges.
Both the victim and the Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium have stated they want the case fully prosecuted. They hope this sends a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.
The Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium, located at 100 Huay Kaew Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand, is a prominent attraction within the 200-acre Chiang Mai Zoo, situated at the base of Doi Suthep mountain.
It’s the first aquarium in Southeast Asia with the world’s longest underwater tunnel, measuring 133 meters (436 feet), split evenly into a 66.5-meter freshwater tunnel and a 66.5-meter saltwater tunnel.
The tunnel, made of 2.5-inch-thick clear acrylic, can withstand water pressure at a depth of 5 meters. The aquarium spans 13,985 square meters and houses over 25,000 aquatic species, including freshwater fish from the Mekong and Chao Phraya River Basins, as well as marine life like sharks, rays, and jellyfish.
Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium Admission Hours and Ticket Prices:
- Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, including public holidays.
- Ticket Prices (as of October 2024):
- Thai adults: 300 THB, Thai children: 175 THB
- Foreign adults: 640 THB, foreign children: 375 THB
- Combo tickets for the zoo and aquarium are available for better value
