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.

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  • Chiang Mai monk faces charges for exam impersonation scandal

    Chiang Mai monk faces charges for exam impersonation scandal

    Prime Minister’s Office minister Chusak Sirinil has called for criminal charges against a senior monk from Chiang Mai. This monk allegedly employed another monk to impersonate him during a level-five Pali examination in Bangkok. The Chiang Mai ecclesiastical office has since ordered the dismissal of the unnamed senior monk from his role as abbot of a prominent temple in the province.…

  • Chiang Mai e-cigarette seller arrested with 1,269 items seized

    Chiang Mai e-cigarette seller arrested with 1,269 items seized

    An online electronic cigarette seller in Chiang Mai, operating through Facebook and LINE groups, was apprehended with an estimated daily revenue of 10,000 baht, averaging over 100,000 baht monthly. The suspect led police to his home, where a substantial amount of goods was seized. Police from Special Operations Division 5 conducted a sting operation at approximately 1pm yesterday, February 26,…

  • Scam alert: Fake cop targeting Chiang Mai residents

    Scam alert: Fake cop targeting Chiang Mai residents

    Chiang Mai residents are on high alert after the Mae Jo Police Station issued a warning about a cunning con artist known as “Phuy Kong Poi Phet,” who is impersonating a police officer to scam victims out of their money. The audacious fraudster is allegedly posing as a Mae Jo police officer and using sophisticated tactics to deceive unsuspecting locals.…

  • Visa la Vida: British man busted in Chiang Mai after 25-year overstay

    Visa la Vida: British man busted in Chiang Mai after 25-year overstay

    In a stunning immigration crackdown, Chiang Mai Immigration arrested a British man who had overstayed his visa by an astonishing 9,135 days – more than 25 years. The man, whose name has not been released, managed to evade authorities for over two decades, making this one of the longest visa overstays ever recorded in Thailand. The dramatic arrest took place…

  • Car-truck collision in Chiang Mai injures 16 longan workers

    Car-truck collision in Chiang Mai injures 16 longan workers

    A collision between a car and a truck transporting longan harvest workers in Chiang Mai left 16 people injured, with two in serious condition. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation. Yesterday, February 9 at 8.35pm, investigators from San Pa Tong district in Chiang Mai received reports of a significant traffic accident on the San Pa Tong-Hang Dong…

  • Drug traffickers killed in Chiang Mai shootout, meth haul seized

    Drug traffickers killed in Chiang Mai shootout, meth haul seized

    Four members of a drug trafficking ring were killed in a shootout in a Chiang Mai forest, resulting in the seizure of over 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and one million methamphetamine pills. The incident occurred on Saturday, February 8, near Ban Pang Nok, Moo 1, Malika subdistrict, Mae Ai district, when personnel from the 3206th Ranger Company, under the…

  • Chiang Mai initiative swaps leaves for eggs to combat haze

    Chiang Mai initiative swaps leaves for eggs to combat haze

    An innovative initiative has been launched in San Kamphaeng district, Chiang Mai, where leaves can be exchanged for eggs every Thursday until May 15. This project aims to reduce burning and haze while promoting the production of compost for farmers as a substitute for chemical fertilisers. The opening ceremony of the Leaves for Eggs Market was held yesterday, February 7,…

  • Mummified infant bodies found in chilling Chiang Mai delivery

    Mummified infant bodies found in chilling Chiang Mai delivery

    A routine package check at a Sa Kaeo logistics shop turned into a horrifying discovery when staff found two dried infant bodies inside a parcel bound for Chiang Mai. Police are now investigating a self-proclaimed medium, who allegedly bought the bodies for 10,000 baht and planned to resell them to Chinese tourists. Sa Kaeo police were alerted this afternoon, February…

  • Chiang Mai teen arrested for arranging underage prostitution

    Chiang Mai teen arrested for arranging underage prostitution

    A 16 year old girl in Chiang Mai has been arrested for allegedly acting as a pimp, arranging sexual services for a 14 year old girl with a fee of 3,500 baht. The arrest, made by police following a sting operation, occurred at a hotel. The suspect admitted to earning a commission of 500 baht per client. Yesterday, February 3,…

  • Chiang Mai Night Safari welcomes adorable young hyenas (video)

    Chiang Mai Night Safari welcomes adorable young hyenas (video)

    Chiang Mai Night Safari has introduced two young striped hyenas, a male and a female, following in the footsteps of the much-loved tiger Eva. The hyenas’ debut occurred yesterday, February 3, attracting many visitors charmed by the new arrivals. The young hyenas, born to parents Sonic and Sanya on December 13 last year, represent a significant success in breeding rare…

  • Thaksin begs Chiang Mai to deliver a landslide victory

    Thaksin begs Chiang Mai to deliver a landslide victory

    Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a passionate last-minute appeal to his supporters, urging them to turn their loyalty into votes as Chiang Mai gears up for the Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) elections tomorrow, February 1. Returning to his home province on Thursday, the 75 year old political titan took the stage in a high-energy rally to back Pichai Lertpongadisorn,…

  • Fire fight: Minister braves flames to back Chiang Mai wildfire battle

    Fire fight: Minister braves flames to back Chiang Mai wildfire battle

    The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Doctor Chalermchai Sri-on, yesterday made a daring visit to the smoky frontlines of Thailand’s forest fire battle in a show of support. Accompanied by Jatuporn Buruspat, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Chalermchai rallied the troops at Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, bolstering the morale of fire-fighting personnel and community networks dedicated to…

  • Chiang Mai police arrest foreigner for selling psilocybin mushrooms

    Chiang Mai police arrest foreigner for selling psilocybin mushrooms

    Chiang Mai police apprehended a 59 year old foreign national for illegally selling psilocybin mushrooms mixed with honey to other expatriates. The arrest took place yesterday, January 22, following an operation led by Police Colonel Prachaya Thitsala, head of Mueang Chiang Mai district police station in Chiang Mai province. The operation was executed under the direction of Police Lieutenant Colonel Kathawut…

  • Treasure game chaos: Chiang Mai teens warned to stay out

    Treasure game chaos: Chiang Mai teens warned to stay out

    Chiang Mai police issued a stern warning to teenagers playing the Jagat Coin treasure-hunting game after reports of property damage and safety risks surfaced. The popular app, developed in Indonesia, has caused disturbances in the northern province, prompting law enforcement to caution players against trespassing on private property. The warning was posted on the Chiang Mai Police Facebook page after…

  • Brrr-illiant care: Chiang Mai Zoo keeps animals cozy at 10°c

    Brrr-illiant care: Chiang Mai Zoo keeps animals cozy at 10°c

    As temperatures in Chiang Mai drop to a chilly 10 degrees Celsius (°C), Chiang Mai Zoo is stepping up to ensure its animals stay warm and healthy. Located at the foot of a mountain, the zoo faces sharp nighttime and early-morning temperature dips, prompting a range of protective measures for its residents. Zoo director Wutthichai Muangman revealed that heat lamps…

  • Unfair pricing: Chiang Mai shooting game stall shut down (video)

    Unfair pricing: Chiang Mai shooting game stall shut down (video)

    A shooting game stall at the Chiang Mai Winter Fair has been permanently closed following complaints of misleading pricing. A Facebook user recounted an experience where a price misunderstanding led to demands for an inflated payment of 1,200 baht. The event organisers have intervened and ended the stall’s operations. The incident began when Benjawan, a 26 year old resident of…

  • Tourist halted from releasing sky lantern in Chiang Mai (video)

    Tourist halted from releasing sky lantern in Chiang Mai (video)

    A Japanese tourist caused a commotion after being stopped from releasing a sky lantern in Chiang Mai. The incident, which occurred yesterday, December 31, at 9.40am, saw the tourist grabbing the collar of a police officer after being prevented from releasing the lantern during new year celebrations. Despite the altercation, the officer, a member of Chiang Mai’s patrol unit, remained…