Chiang Mai News

Chiang Mai news, politics, business, culture, and tourism—stay updated with breaking stories, local events, and expat insights from Thailand’s northern hub. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Chiang Mai news source.

  • Spanish couple allegedly fake assault video to discredit Chiang Mai laundry shop | Thaiger

    Spanish couple allegedly fake assault video to discredit Chiang Mai laundry shop

    A Thai owner of a self-service laundry shop in Chiang Mai accused a Spanish couple of generating an artificial intelligence (AI)-edited video to falsely claim he physically assaulted them, following a dispute over washing machine usage and a 2,000-baht fine. The owner of Fatcat Cafe & Laundry shared his version of events on the shop’s official Facebook page on February…

  • Lottery vendor caught after attempted theft at Chiang Mai market | Thaiger

    Lottery vendor caught after attempted theft at Chiang Mai market

    A lottery vendor was detained by residents at a market in San Sai district, Chiang Mai, yesterday, February 15, after allegedly attempting to steal from an 80 year old woman. before being rescued by police from an angry crowd. Police at Mae Faek Police Station received a report that a theft had occurred at the Mae Faek Sunday Market, located…

  • Chiang Mai temple thief performs wai then steals silver tray | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai temple thief performs wai then steals silver tray

    Police reviewed CCTV footage showing a man performing a wai gesture, as if asking forgiveness, before stealing a silver donation tray from a Chiang Mai temple last month and fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. The incident occurred at Wat Daraphimook in Don Kaeo subdistrict, Mae Rim district, Chiang Mai, at around 1.40pm on January 28. The stolen item was…

  • Spanish woman and Thai vendor critically injured in Chiang Mai car crash | Thaiger

    Spanish woman and Thai vendor critically injured in Chiang Mai car crash

    A Spanish woman and a Thai food vendor sustained serious injuries after a Grab driver crashed his electric car near the old city moat in Chiang Mai this morning, January 28. Locals who witnessed the accident at around 7.40am alerted officers from Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station and rescue teams to assist the victims. The Spanish woman and a Thai…

  • Chiang Mai temple to ban tourists following ‘Disrespectful’ yoga | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai temple to ban tourists following ‘Disrespectful’ yoga

    Chiang Mai Temple Threatens to Ban Tourists Following ‘Disrespectful’ Yoga and Climbing. CHIANG MAI – Wat Pha Lat, a historic temple in northern Thailand, issued a strict ultimatum to visitors. The administration warns that it may permanently close its gates to the public if tourists continue treating the sacred grounds as a gymnasium or recreational park. ​The 13th-century forest temple,…

  • Japanese man arrested after viral reviews on his illegal matcha stall | Thaiger

    Japanese man arrested after viral reviews on his illegal matcha stall

    Online food reviews led to the arrest of a Japanese man for operating a matcha ice cream shop without permission in Chiang Mai. The apprehension later sparked a heated online debate, with some netizens accusing authorities of discrimination. The Japanese man, 39 year old Junichi, was operating a small matcha ice cream stall outside Yang Kwang Temple, located in the city…

  • Pheu Thai aims to transform Chiang Mai into inclusive growth model city | Thaiger

    Pheu Thai aims to transform Chiang Mai into inclusive growth model city

    Pheu Thai has introduced policies to transform Chiang Mai into a model city for inclusive growth, integrating creative industries, cluster tourism, diversity, and educational reform. Prime ministerial candidates Yodchanan Wongsawat and Suriya Jungrungreangkit from the Pheu Thai Party visited Chiang Mai on Saturday. They conducted a public forum to gather opinions from the LGBTQIA+ community, creative workers, cultural professionals, and…

  • Suspicion raised in Chiang Mai house fire that kills family of 5 | Thaiger

    Suspicion raised in Chiang Mai house fire that kills family of 5

    Police launched a deeper investigation into a deadly house fire in Chiang Mai province that claimed the lives of five family members, after officials raised concerns that the blaze may not be an accident. The fire broke out at around midnight yesterday, January 8, at a two-storey house in the Pa Dad sub-district of Chiang Mai. All five occupants were…

  • Family of five, including twin girls, killed in Chiang Mai house fire | Thaiger

    Family of five, including twin girls, killed in Chiang Mai house fire

    A family of five died in a house fire that broke out around midnight today, January 8, in Chiang Mai province. Local authorities believe an electrical short circuit may have caused the blaze. Firefighters and rescuers from several foundations rushed to a two-storey house in Soi Ruean Kham 17, Pa Dad sub-district, after receiving a fire report shortly after midnight. The…

  • Chiang Mai pigeon feed sellers back at Tha Phae Gate after arrests | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai pigeon feed sellers back at Tha Phae Gate after arrests

    A group of pigeon feed sellers has returned to Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai today, January 5, after previously being arrested, reigniting concerns over hygiene and the impact on the city’s tourism image. The issue centres on the open plaza at Tha Phae Gate in Mueang district, where the same group of individuals was seen once again selling pigeon…

  • 272 deaths in 7 days: essential safety tips for motorbike rentals in Chiang Mai | Thaiger

    272 deaths in 7 days: essential safety tips for motorbike rentals in Chiang Mai

    Between December 30, 2025, and January 5, 2026, Thailand recorded 272 fatalities in 1,511 road accidents during the New Year “Seven Dangerous Days” campaign. For anyone considering motorbike rental in Chiang Mai or elsewhere in Thailand, understanding what makes this period so deadly could save your life. The “Seven Dangerous Days” Phenomenon Thailand tracks what officials call the “Seven Dangerous…

  • Lost baby gibbon rescued in Chiang Mai village | Thaiger

    Lost baby gibbon rescued in Chiang Mai village

    A baby gibbon spotted alone near a Chiang Mai village was rescued by wildlife officials yesterday, December 22, after worried residents raised concerns over its safety. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation confirmed yesterday on its Facebook page that officers from Conservation Area Management Office 16 in Chiang Mai received the young gibbon following a report made…

  • Ex-homeless Chiang Mai man wins 18 million baht lottery | Thaiger

    Ex-homeless Chiang Mai man wins 18 million baht lottery

    Relatives flocked to the home of a former homeless man in Chiang Mai after he struck it rich with a winning lottery ticket worth 18 million baht. The lottery winner, 68 year old Suthon, also known as “Uncle Jae,” lives alone in a rented room in San Pa Tong district. He earns just 350 baht a day from odd jobs…

  • Doi Inthanon frost dips to -4.9°C, temps continue to fall | Thaiger

    Doi Inthanon frost dips to -4.9°C, temps continue to fall

    Tourists continued to visit Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai yesterday, November 28, as temperatures on Thailand’s highest peak dropped further, with grass frost recorded at -4.9 degrees Celsius (°C), the lowest temperature observed there so far this season. Frost, known locally as moei khab, appeared at the summit ranger station for the fifth consecutive day, with a noticeably thicker layer…

  • Twelve Chiang Mai officials arrested for selling fake Thai ID cards to foreigners | Thaiger

    Twelve Chiang Mai officials arrested for selling fake Thai ID cards to foreigners

    Police arrested 12 out of 28 wanted local government officials and civilians in Chiang Mai province for illegally issuing Thai identification cards to foreigners, particularly Chinese nationals. A local journalist, JDTendirections, reported yesterday, November 20, that officials in the Wiang Haeng sub-district of Chiang Mai illegally issued at least 20,000 ID cards to Chinese nationals living in Thailand without legal…

  • South Korean DJ caught spinning without permit in Chiang Mai | Thaiger

    South Korean DJ caught spinning without permit in Chiang Mai

    A South Korean national was arrested in Chiang Mai by immigration officers after being found working illegally as a DJ at a local venue without a permit. The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was detained yesterday, November 19, after immigration officials received a tip-off regarding foreign nationals working without permits in the Mueang district. The operation took place…

  • Rare great hornbill spotted in Chiang Mai after 10 years | Thaiger

    Rare great hornbill spotted in Chiang Mai after 10 years

    A great hornbill was spotted in a Chiang Mai national park, marking the first confirmed sighting in over a decade and signalling improved forest health. Chiang Mai’s Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park is celebrating a major ecological milestone after spotting a great hornbill, also known locally as nok kahang or nok gak, for the first time in over a…

  • Lottery fever: Chiang Mai punters scramble for lucky numbers | Thaiger

    Lottery fever: Chiang Mai punters scramble for lucky numbers

    As the government lottery draw nears, Chiang Mai locals are rushing to buy lucky numbers from vendors, hoping to cash in on signs and superstitions. Excitement is building in Chiang Mai ahead of the November 16 lottery draw, as eager buyers flood stalls across the province in search of lucky numbers, pushing prices and demand to new highs. By 8.30am…

  • Lao women arrested in Chiang Mai sex-for-hire crackdown | Thaiger

    Lao women arrested in Chiang Mai sex-for-hire crackdown

    Three Lao women were caught in Chiang Mai after police uncovered a sex-for-hire operation, following local reports of illegal activity in the area. The operation, led by Mae Wang Police Station Chief Police Colonel Thananchai Siriwanna, saw officers move in on a residence in Ban Nong Tao, Mae Win subdistrict, following multiple complaints from residents. Officers arrested a 32 year…

  • Indian woman with severe injuries denied boarding in Chiang Mai | Thaiger

    Indian woman with severe injuries denied boarding in Chiang Mai

    An Indian tourist was denied boarding at Chiang Mai airport after airline staff discovered her severe injuries from a motorbike crash in northern Thailand. Tourist police in Chiang Mai stepped in to assist an Indian woman after she was denied boarding on her flight home due to serious injuries sustained in a motorbike accident. The incident unfolded yesterday, November 11,…

  • Kenyan woman drives car into Chiang Mai moat on Loy Krathong night | Thaiger

    Kenyan woman drives car into Chiang Mai moat on Loy Krathong night

    A Kenyan woman accidentally drove her red Nissan sedan into a Chiang Mai moat on Loy Krathong night, November 5, after being startled by firecrackers and children’s screams. Channel 7 reported that the accident occurred in front of Wat Lok Molee last night, where attendees were enjoying the Yi Peng and Loy Krathong festivals. Witnesses alerted officers from Mueang Chiang Mai…

  • Etihad launches first direct Abu Dhabi–Chiang Mai flights | Thaiger

    Etihad launches first direct Abu Dhabi–Chiang Mai flights

    Etihad Airways has launched direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Chiang Mai, enhancing air connectivity and boosting Thailand’s high-season tourism strategy. Chiang Mai International Airport welcomed a major boost to its tourism profile with the arrival of Etihad Airways’ inaugural direct flight from Abu Dhabi. The historic landing, which took place at 6.05am yesterday, November 4, was marked with a…

  • Six drug traffickers killed in Chiang Mai, 1.2 million yaba pills seized | Thaiger

    Six drug traffickers killed in Chiang Mai, 1.2 million yaba pills seized

    Six suspected drug traffickers were killed in a clash with Thai soldiers near the Thai–Myanmar border in Fang district, Chiang Mai, early Friday morning, October 27. The incident occurred around 6.49am after soldiers from Cavalry Company 4, part of the Pha Muang Force, observed suspicious activity near Mon Pin subdistrict, a known trafficking corridor. Troops were dispatched to investigate and…

  • Breath of life: Chiang Mai’s ‘frozen’ escalator revived after decades | Thaiger

    Breath of life: Chiang Mai’s ‘frozen’ escalator revived after decades

    Chiang Mai’s Warorot Market has brought its long-idle escalator back into operation, delighting locals and vendors after decades of remaining unused. The century-old market, better known as Kad Luang, has witnessed the revival of a long-dormant symbol of modernity: its only escalator, which moved last week for the first time in over 50 years. Once a futuristic addition to the…

  • Chiang Mai teen’s hand reattached after gang attack | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai teen’s hand reattached after gang attack

    A brave 14 year old girl from Chiang Mai is back home with her right hand reattached after a gang attack left her severely injured last month. The attack, which occurred on September 16 in Mueang Chiang Mai district, left three students seriously injured. The girl, who was mistaken for a male target due to wearing a hoodie, lost her…

  • British biker killed in horror crash on Chiang Mai highway | Thaiger

    British biker killed in horror crash on Chiang Mai highway

    A British man died in a road accident in Chiang Mai after falling off his motorbike and being struck by multiple vehicles during a late-night ride. Craig Davies, who was just days away from celebrating his 51st birthday, was killed instantly in the early hours of yesterday, October 9, following a high-speed crash in Chiang Mai. Originally from Wakefield, West…

  • Chiang Mai bans sky lanterns in six districts during Yi Peng festival | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai bans sky lanterns in six districts during Yi Peng festival

    Chiang Mai authorities have designated six districts as special surveillance zones where the release of sky lanterns, fireworks, and similar objects will be prohibited during the Yi Peng Lanna Light Festival 2025, held on November 5 and 6. Chiang Mai Provincial Clerk Chainarong Nantasa announced that the provincial government has issued clear guidelines to protect public safety and airspace during the…

  • Chiang Mai man smashes up cars, mental health concerns raised | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai man smashes up cars, mental health concerns raised

    A man with suspected mental health issues has been reported to have damaged parked vehicles in Chiang Mai, prompting residents to call for appropriate intervention from relevant authorities. Today, October 6, Chiang Mai residents contacted local media after a man was seen smashing car windows with rocks across the Mueang district and surrounding areas. The man appeared homeless and displayed…

  • Car smashes into Chiang Mai restaurant, narrowly running over foreign diners | Thaiger

    Car smashes into Chiang Mai restaurant, narrowly running over foreign diners

    Thai and foreign customers narrowly escaped serious injury after an elderly Thai woman crashed a hatchback into a restaurant in Chiang Mai on Friday, September 26. CCTV footage of the accident was circulated on Thai social media after the incident took place at the Mala Satan Fah restaurant in the Chang Phueak sub-district at around 7pm. The restaurant is located…

  • Chiang Mai police caught extorting money from foreign tourist | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai police caught extorting money from foreign tourist

    A viral video emerged showing a police officer in Chiang Mai extorting money from a foreign motorcyclist, prompting an investigation into alleged corruption. The Facebook page Guru Guroo Chiang Mai shared the video yesterday, September 25, with the caption, “Another viral video! Thai police asked for ‘something’ from a foreign tourist. What’s that thing? The incident occurred near Chiang Mai…

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