Northern Thailand News
Northern Thailand news, Chiang Mai news, business, tourism, and culture—stay updated with breaking stories, local events, and travel insights from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai, and beyond. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Northern Thailand news source.
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Chiang Mai military seize 12.2 million meth pills
Early this morning morning saw the seizure of over 12 million methamphetamine pills by military personnel in the Wiang Haeng district of Chiang Mai. The Pha Muang task force’s rangers of the Royal Thai Army discovered two suspicious pickup trucks parked in a garden along the Ban Mai Muang Jod road in the Piang Luang Tambon at around 5am, today,…
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Debt debacle: Thai man attacked, forced to settle loan shark score for ex-employee (video)
A Thai man sought justice for himself after he was attacked and forced to pay an 8,000 baht debt to the loan sharks on behalf of his former employee. A video of the victim, 50 year old Kan, subjected to a brutal assault by a group of 20 loan sharks was shared on Thai social media. The video shows a…
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Chiang Mai abbot accused of physically and sexually abusing novices
Police rescued three Lao novices from a temple in Mae Rim district, northern Chiang Mai province after the abbot was accused of physically and sexually abusing them. Sex toys, G-strings and beer were found in the abbot’s accommodation. A 20 year old Lao man, Tawanchai, sought help from officers at Mae Rim Police Station after his 12 year old brother,…
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Sticky rice bonanza: Thai community in Nakhon Phanom cashes in on Khao Mao harvest
The annual rice harvest has proven to be a golden opportunity for the Thai community in Nakhon Phanom in northeastern Thailand. This is especially true for a group of people who are making a substantial income by producing and selling traditional sticky rice known as Khao Mao. This business generates several million baht every year. One such group is led…
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Chanthaburi philanthropist’s Mercedes-Benz sparks lottery frenzy in Roi Et
The generosity of a wealthy philanthropist from Chanthaburi sparked a lottery frenzy in Roi Et province. The benefactor donated a red-plate Mercedes-Benz, valued at 2,540,000 baht, to a revered monk, Phra Khru Udompanyasarn of Wat Ban Nong Ruea in Roi Et. The vehicle’s registration number has now become a hot pick for lottery enthusiasts, hoping to strike it rich in…
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Marshland hideout proves futile for Thai drug smuggler apprehended in northern Thailand
Phichit Police, apprehended a 25 year old drug smuggler after he was found hiding in a marshland, having fled from authorities in northern Thailand. The drug smuggler, Natthanon, was discovered in a shivering state due to being submerged in marsh water for two days, enduring rain and cold without food. The arrest followed a significant drug seizure on October 4,…
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Elephant’s final stampede: Fearless handler’s mysterious forest demise in Buriram
A 61 year old volunteer elephant handler, known for his fearlessness around elephants, mysteriously vanished and was later discovered dead after being trampled by a wild elephant in the heart of a forest in Buriram Province. The grim discovery was made today by Chakkraphan Sukterm, Deputy Inspector (Investigator) of Non Din Daeng Police Station. The deceased, named Thuep (surname withheld),…
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Norwegian man murders his Thai boyfriend in Chiang Mai
Police arrested a Norwegian man on Tuesday for the alleged murder of his Thai boyfriend at their home in the northern province of Chiang Mai. A resident of Wang Singha Kham village in Pa Dad district of Chaing Mai province reported the death of a 39 year old Thai man named Charit to Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station on the…
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Chiang Mai bridge collapses amid heavy rain, locals express relief
The Wang Sa Kaeng Bridge, spanning the Ping River and connecting the Chom Thong district of Chiang Mai and Wiang Nong Long district of Lampoon, collapsed after heavy rainfall. The incident, which occurred at 5.31pm yesterday, was captured by locals, who expressed relief at the bridge’s collapse, citing its long-standing disrepair. The collapse of the Wang Sa Kaeng bridge, which…
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Monk’s mysterious death unveils temple ‘whodunit’ in central Thailand
The mysterious death of a 57 year old monk in a temple in Ang Thong province sparked a police investigation. The body was found in a monk’s hut, lying on the floor surrounded by a foul smell, with blood and yellow liquid on the ground. A lottery ticket for the October 1 draw was discovered in the hut, which drew…
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Mun River’s flood tide brings venomous twist to northern Thailand
The continuous rise of the Mun River has resulted in severe flooding, submerging nine districts in Ubon Ratchathani, northern Thailand. Inhabitants scramble to evacuate while also dealing with venomous animals, including snakes and scorpions, that have been displaced by the floodwaters. Agricultural damage is extensive, with an estimated 46,000 acres of farmland affected. The flooding has also impacted tens of…
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Ele-fantastic fortune: Thai cactus with trunk-like growth attracts good luck-seeking locals
Residents of Phayao province are flocking to a golden chicken ball cactus, believed to be a good luck charm due to its unusual growth resembling a baby elephant’s trunk. The cactus belongs to 46 year old Phatharaporn, who has experienced an influx of customers and a significant increase in income since the peculiar growth appeared. The golden chicken ball cactus,…
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Devastating house fire wipes out life savings and home of 67 year old Akha tribe woman in northern Thailand
A 67 year old stateless elderly woman from the Akha tribe had her life savings and property destroyed in a devastating house fire. The incident took place at her residence numbered 185, located in the village of Pa Ka Sukjai, Mae Salong Nok Sub-district, Mae Fa Luang District, Chiang Rai Province. The fire was reportedly due to an electrical short…
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Rain reigns in Khon Kaen: Pumps pump out the flood
Heavy rains in Khon Kaen triggered a swift response from emergency services, with seven water pumps set up in flood-prone areas to efficiently drain the excess water. The local authorities are confident in their ability to manage the high water volumes in Bueng Kaen Nakhon and Bueng Thung Sang. Essential manpower and equipment are on standby to aid those affected around…
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Undercover scandal: Child prostitution and curfew violations uncovered in northern province
The Department of Provincial Administration last night uncovered underage drinking, curfew violations and child prostitution at two entertainment venues in the northern province of Phayao. As a consequence of this discovery, five officers from Meuang Phayao Police Station have been transferred. Acting on a tip-off from the anti-trafficking Immanuel Foundation, authorities from the Department of Provincial Administration, Phayao Provincial Office…
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Chiang Mai University professor survives on just 118 baht per month amidst civil servant salary debate
A Chiang Mai University professor revealed he struggled for a year on a monthly wage of just 118 baht, a situation that led to a difficult life, reports Khaosod. He had to use an old motorcycle to commute to work, and there were times when he ran out of fuel midway. The issue of splitting civil servants’ salaries into two…
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Land Department scam dupes dentist out of 300,000 baht
A renowned dentist in Ubon Ratchathani was targeted by a fraudulent group claiming to be from the Land Department. The fraudsters duped him into confirming land ownership through the LINE application, leading to a loss of over 300,000 baht. The dentist revealed this incident today while issuing a musical warning about such scams. While working with a patient, Mohal Sakbhuakeaw…
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Buriram police seize counterfeit number plate bought on Facebook for 2500 baht
A 32 year old man has been apprehended by Buriram Highway Police after he was found driving a modified racing pick-up truck with a suspiciously attractive red number plate, bearing the number 9999. He confessed he had purchased the counterfeit plates and registration book on Facebook for 2,500 baht. He attached it to his vehicle in hopes of increasing wealth…
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Chaiyaphum auto shop suffers 10m baht fire damage, electrical fault suspected
A devastating fire engulfed an auto accessories store in the heart of the northeastern Isaan province of Chaiyaphum, causing over 10 million baht in damages. The inferno is believed to have been sparked by an electrical short circuit. The inferno destroyed a shop that had been in operation for over 50 years. Deputy Investigator Watcharin Huchaiyaphum from the Chaiyaphum City…
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Buddhist temple warns good people can go to hell for using life support
Wat Pa Kramathan, a famous temple in Nakhon Ratchasima, set up an educational centre to disseminate Buddhist teachings. It has installed a sign with an intriguing Buddhist message: “Doing good deeds can lead to hell.” The temple head explained the reasoning behind this unusual warning today, a condemnation of artificial medical life support. Located in the Non-Saad district of Chokchai,…
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Severe rainfall in Nakhon Ratchasima cripples jasmine crops
Heavy rainfall in Nakhon Ratchasima severely damaged the region’s jasmine flower crops, causing distress for local farmers. The impact of the rainfall has led to a shortage in the market, pushing prices up significantly as demand from customers increased. Today, reporters visited a jasmine field in Non Sung district, Nakhon Ratchasima, where they discovered the considerable damage inflicted on the…
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Car crash due to ambiguous traffic lights seriously injures shop worker
A convenience store employee was injured in a car crash at the centre of an intersection due to a flashing yellow traffic light. The incident took place yesterday, in Nakhon Ratchasima. The collision involved a black car, registered in Nakhon Ratchasima, and a red motorcycle also registered in the same northern province. The accident occurred at 7.43pm yesterday. The seriously…
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Flash floods in Mae Hong Son cause havoc, woman missing
Thailand has been battered with extreme weather this year, from severe droughts to massive storms leading to rough seas and flooding. Now, the northern province of Mae Hong Son is grappling with the aftermath of severe flash floods triggered by hours of relentless rainfall. A village in Tambon Huai Pha of Muang district bore the brunt of the deluge, with…
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Thai PM’s night market escapade in Khon Kaen stirs up lotto luck frenzy
Thailand Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin last night visited a bustling night market in Khon Kaen, sparking interest among superstitious locals looking for lottery numbers. The visit was filled with interactions with local traders enjoying their evening meals. PM Srettha and his entourage, including Sermsak Pongpanich, Minister of Culture, Precha Phonphanich, son of Sermsak, and Suriya Chuengrungrueangkit, Minister of Transport,…
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Cutting connections: Thai love triangle leads to sharp conflict
A Thai woman filed a complaint with the police stating that her friend, and husband’s mistress, attacked her with a knife in the Wiang Hang district of Chaing Mai. The woman also claims that she was attacked by her husband and the mistress’s son. On Monday, September 4, the victim’s niece shared a picture of her injured aunt, named A,…
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Dodgy deals and duds: Online trader busted in Buriram for tax evasion on kids’ clothes
An online trader was left shocked when he was busted for tax evasion after the Intellectual Property Rights Police raided a prominent company located in Buriram province. The raid uncovered imported children’s clothing being sold online, deliberately avoiding import tax. The tax evasion resulted in a fine four times the evaded amount, totalling more than 16 million baht. Deputy Chief…
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Man shoots brother with homemade gun over household dispute, faces murder charge
A 35 year old man has been taken into custody, accused of fatally shooting his older sibling in a household dispute. He was apprehended for using a homemade Thai gun to shoot his 41 year old brother, resulting in his death in their home in Huay Chiang, Kan Chong, Wat Bot, Phitsanulok province that night. After the incident, he hid the gun…
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Witness the sun rise through Phanom Rung Temple’s gates this September for good fortune
The natural phenomenon of the sun rising directly through the 15 gates of Phanom Rung Temple in Buriram will be viewable for the second time this year between September 8 to 10. The event, which is believed to bring good fortune, occurs four times a year. The invitation to witness this spectacle is extended to both Thais and foreigners by…
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K9 heroes: Police dogs rescue missing toddler in Chiang Mai
Two K9 dogs successfully located and rescued a two year old boy who had gone missing from his distraught family’s residence in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The family of the child, named Copter, sought help from the Mae Fak Polie Station yesterday, September 5, at 1.30pm, after he disappeared from the family house. The house is located on…
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Jealous wife takes knife in the back for unfaithful husband in karaoke bar brawl
A jealous wife tried to drag her husband from a local karaoke bar in the northern province of Chaing Mai but ended up being stabbed in the back as a brawl broke out in the establishment. The woman’s 30 year old husband, Jakkrit, told Channel 7 that the stabbing incident occurred at about 1.40am in front of a karaoke bar…
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