Chiang Mai Riders Block Sidewalks, Draw Online Outrage
Food delivery riders in Chiang Mai provoked public anger by parking their motorcycles on sidewalks and posting a defiant message online. Netizens complained about illegal sidewalk obstruction, noisy modified exhausts, littering, and damage to the city’s tourism image, urging police to act. Authorities are being called to enforce parking laws and check for altered vehicles to restore order.
On October 19, 2069 (2026 in the Gregorian calendar), reporters said the incident had become a hot topic online after photos showed a group of delivery riders in Chiang Mai lining up their motorcycles on the sidewalk and sitting together at night. The post that ignited the controversy featured a blunt caption: 'We’re not killing anyone, we’re not asking for your food, so why are you making such a fuss?' Many internet users reacted harshly, citing several problems: illegal occupation of public footpaths, noise from illegally modified exhaust systems, littering and smoking that tarnish Chiang Mai’s reputation as a tourist destination, and the negative impact on honest fellow riders whose livelihoods suffer when customers feel unsafe. Commenters also rejected the riders’ logic, arguing that even if no one is killed, misusing public space and creating noise pollution violates others’ rights and is unacceptable. Netizens urged the Chang Phueak Police Station and the Department of Land Transport to promptly inspect the gathering spots, especially Nimman Road Soi 7, enforce bans on sidewalk parking, check for altered motorcycles and loud exhausts, punish offenders, restore peace to residents, and prevent similar behavior from spreading.
