This is the side of Instagram people are not meant to see - professional "pigeon spookers" making birds fly so tourists can get the perfect shot.

Thousands of travellers a day flock to the popular Tha Pae Gate, an historical ancient wall in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, where birds also gather.

Many recreate a popular image of themselves standing in front of the red-brick fortress with birds fluttering around them. A search on social media shows how the scene has become synonymous with the destination.

However, footage taken on Wednesday (September 25) shows how "pigeon spookers" help to stage the shot.

After receiving 20 baht (0.65USD) they then line up the pictures before stamping their feet or waving a flag to make the birds scatter around the subject.

One of the new 'pigeon spookers' is Noon, 30, who said she earns around 350 Thai baht (11.5USD) a day.

She said the money helps to ''pay for her daughter's school fees''.

Dozens more food sellers tasked with scaring the birds earn similar amounts. However, council officials in Chiang Mai are now cracking down on the bird scarers.

The number of pigeons in the area is increasing, raising concerns about the effect of the birds' waste products on the historic city walls as well as spreading disease and being a general nuisance.

Despite previous warnings and arrests, nine vendors were caught in the latest raid by police and government officials on Tuesday (September 24).

The municipality has now raised the fine to THB 20,000 for anyone caught selling bird-feed in the area.

This is the side of Instagram people are not meant to see - professional 'pigeon spookers' making the birds fly so tourists can get the person shot.

Thousands of travellers a day flock to the popular Tha Pae Gate, an historical ancient wall in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, where the birds also gather.

Many recreate a popular image of themselves standing in front of the red-brick fortress with the birds fluttering around them in a haze of grey. Search on social media shows how the scene has become synonymous with the destination.

However, footage taken this week on Wednesday (25/09) shows how pigeon feed hawkers help to stage the shot.

After receiving 20 baht (0.65USD) they then line up the pictures before stamping their feet or waving a flag to make the birds scatter around the subject.

One of the new 'pigeon spookers' is Noon, 30, who said she earns around 350 Thai baht (11.5USD) a day.

She said the money helps to ''pay for her daughter's school fees''.

Dozens more food sellers tasked with scaring the birds earn similar amounts. However, council officials in Chiang Mai are now cracking down on the bird scarers.

The number of pigeons in the area is increasing, raising concerns about the effect of the birds' waste products on the historic city walls as well as spreading disease and being a general nuisance.

Despite previous warnings and arrests, nine vendors were caught in the latest raid by police and government officials on Tuesday (24/09).

The municipality has now raised the fine to THB 20,000 for anyone caught selling bird-feed in the area.