Tourist Police Bust Illegal Chinese Web Series Production in Chiang Mai, Arrest 8 Producers and Actors
Tourist police arrested eight Chinese nationals in Chiang Mai after busting an illegal web series production operating without permits or work authorization in a residential property.
Tourist police raided a film production site in Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai on May 8, after receiving a tip about Chinese nationals illegally filming a web series inside a residential property. Officers discovered a Chinese crew and Thai interpreters shooting without proper permits or government oversight. The individuals had entered as tourists and lacked work authorization. During questioning, the suspects admitted to being producers and actors filming a "vertical series," a trending format, and selected Chiang Mai because of its famous tourism appeal to Chinese visitors. Authorities informed the suspects that all film production in Thailand must comply with the Film and Video Act of 2008, requiring government supervision and committee approval of scripts to prevent misleading content or damage to the country's image. Violations carry penalties up to 1 million baht. All eight Chinese nationals were taken into custody and referred to Hang Dong Police Station on charges of unauthorized foreign work. The unauthorized film production matter will be referred to the Film and Video Committee under the Department of Tourism for further legal proceedings.
