A Swedish man was taken to safety by police in Chiang Mai after he was found wandering in traffic in a distressed state, with locals claiming he had been left penniless after an alleged romance scam involving a Thai woman, local news reports.
The incident took place on 10 July outside the National Blood Centre on Ratchaphakhinai Road in central Chiang Mai. Police responded after receiving reports that a foreign man was standing in the middle of the road, causing traffic to slow.
According to Thai media reports, officers found the shirtless man, believed to be around 40 years old, behaving erratically. Witnesses said he had been trying to revive a sick pigeon by blowing air into it before being persuaded to move to the roadside.
Local residents told police the man had been staying at a guesthouse in Chiang Mai for more than a month. Sources said he had developed a relationship with a Thai woman working at a karaoke or beer bar. She had deceived him and taken most of his money before disappearing.
Residents said the Swedish tourist had previously travelled regularly between Sweden and Chiang Mai and appeared to have been financially comfortable before the relationship. After allegedly losing his savings, however, they noticed a marked decline in his mental state.
According to witnesses, relatives travelled to Chiang Mai about a month ago in an attempt to persuade him to return to Sweden, but he reportedly refused.
Police calmed the man and moved him away from the road. There has been no official confirmation of the alleged fraud, and no charges have been announced against any individual.
