CHIANG MAI — Police arrested a 41-year-old businessman on Wednesday following a raid at his luxury mansion in Chiang Mai’s San Phi Suea sub-district. The suspect, identified only as Mr. Chris, is accused of installing hidden cameras in women’s restrooms at a local retail store to capture illicit footage.
During the search of the property, valued at over 10 million baht, Region 5 Police and Mae Ping investigators seized 11 high-tech remote-access cameras and multiple electronic devices. Authorities discovered a vast collection of saved clips and photos showing women using public restrooms. Pol. Maj. Gen. Thawatchai Pongwiwattanchai, Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 5, confirmed the arrest was the result of a week-long technical investigation.
The investigation began on April 16, 2026, when an employee at a store in the Mae Ping police jurisdiction discovered a suspicious device. The worker found a small camera hidden beneath a sink in the women’s restroom, positioned to face the toilet.
“Officers conducted a thorough sweep of the premises and located remote-controlled cameras hidden at four different points,” Pol. Maj. Gen. Thawatchai said. “These were placed in blind spots, such as under sinks and behind air fresheners, to ensure the best angle for recording.”
The police utilized technical forensics to track the signal and purchase history of the equipment, which eventually led them to the suspect’s residence in the Mueang district.
Evidence Seized During the Raid
Police executed a search warrant issued by the Chiang Mai Provincial Court on the morning of April 23. Inside the suspect’s home, investigators found:
- 11 Miniature Cameras: High-tech devices capable of transmitting live video feeds over long distances.
- Mobile Devices: An iPhone 16 Pro and a Vivo Y29 were used to monitor and save the footage.
- Computer Equipment: One HP laptop containing archives of the recorded material.
- Storage Media: Thousands of images and video clips involving multiple victims.
According to police reports, the suspect admitted to the charges during initial questioning. He reportedly told investigators that he learned how to install the surveillance systems by watching tutorials on YouTube.
“The suspect claimed he acted out of ‘impulsiveness’ and curiosity,” Pol. Maj. Gen. Thawatchai stated. “He had been operating the cameras for over a month, pulling data to his phone to view privately.”
Authorities have charged the man with possessing obscene materials and related voyeurism offenses. While the suspect claimed he did not distribute the footage, investigators are currently auditing his devices to ensure no content was uploaded to the internet or sold on private platforms.
Protecting Public Safety in Chiang Mai
The arrest has sparked concerns regarding privacy in public spaces across Chiang Mai. Local law enforcement officials are urging business owners to conduct regular inspections of their facilities.
“This case serves as a warning for both the public and business operators,” said Pol. Col. Yanaphon Pattanachai, Superintendent of Mae Ping Police Station. “We encourage everyone to be vigilant. If you see something unusual in a restroom, such as a misplaced air freshener or strange wiring, report it to the staff or police immediately.”
The suspect remains in custody pending further legal proceedings. Police are continuing to identify victims from the seized footage to determine if additional charges will be filed.
