CHIANG RAI – On Thursday, Police report a foreign man caused a scene at a pharmacy on Prasop Suk Road in Rop Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai. After that, he went to the Chiang Rai City Police Station and committed an obscene act by exposing himself.
A 28-year-old woman, the girlfriend of the pharmacist who owns the shop, said the incident began around 8:40 PM. The man walked into the pharmacy smelling strongly of alcohol. He asked to buy nerve pain medication, but the store couldn’t sell what he requested. Staff offered a different option with similar effects instead.
The man became angry and accused the shop of selling fake medicine. He then threatened that if the medicine didn’t work, he would return the next day to demand a refund. He then threw money at the counter.
The woman said she couldn’t refund him because the package would have been opened and couldn’t be returned. That response seemed to escalate his behavior. She said he pulled out his phone and showed an image of a bird, claiming it was linked to a mafia group. He then threatened to have the group harm her.
The woman said he hurled insults at Thai people, pointed aggressively, and tried to intimidate her and her boyfriend. She said she felt scared and tried to call the police because she worried he might cause trouble elsewhere.
During the incident, the man called for a Grab ride. When the driver arrived, she told him to take him to the Chiang Rai City Police Station instead. Once there, officers brought him in to calm down while waiting for the tourist police to question him.
While waiting for the Tourist Police, the man took two blister packs of the medicine he had bought and slowly swallowed the pills one by one until both packs were empty. After that, he started pacing and shouting. He also exposed himself inside the police station.
The woman and the pharmacist said they plan to pursue legal action. They said the behavior was humiliating and showed no respect for the location or Thai culture.
Justin Olliffe, an Australian living in Chiang Rai, said the tourist’s actions showed disrespect toward Thailand, pharmacy staff, and local culture. He added that visitors should behave respectfully in any country they travel to.
He also condemned the act of exposing himself at the police station, calling it disgusting and very serious. He said immigration authorities should treat the matter seriously, because this kind of behavior can damage the image of other foreigners who visit or live in Thailand.
