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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    Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run

    Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...

  • Family finds rare two-headed snake in Chiang Mai home

    Family finds rare two-headed snake in Chiang Mai home

    A family in Phayao, returning to their home in Chiang Mai, discovered a two-headed snake while cleaning their house. The unusual find yesterday, June 24, was made at house number 40/2 in Mueang Don Luang, Nong Tong subdistrict, Hang Dong district. While cleaning a wardrobe, the family found the snake, approximately 40 centimetres in length, with yellow and black colouring…

  • Thai cavalry seizes six million meth tablets in Chiang Mai clash

    Thai cavalry seizes six million meth tablets in Chiang Mai clash

    A special forces cavalry unit named Chaiyanuphap engaged in a confrontation with approximately 30 drug traffickers during a patrol operation in Chiang Mai. The clash took place yesterday, June 23, in Mueang Na subdistrict, Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai province, resulting in the seizure of over six million methamphetamine tablets. While patrolling in Baan Arunothai, soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry…

  • Elderly man arrested for illegal excavation in Chiang Mai

    Elderly man arrested for illegal excavation in Chiang Mai

    An arrest has been made of a 70 year old man, accused of operating an illegal soil excavation site in Chiang Mai’s San Kamphaeng district, which has caused disturbance for over 20 years. Police seized equipment, including two excavators and three dump trucks, at the site located in Buakkang subdistrict. Ayree has been suspected of operating the excavation site without…

  • Thai man drowns while trying to save pet bird in Chiang Mai reservoir

    Thai man drowns while trying to save pet bird in Chiang Mai reservoir

    A Thai man drowned in the Nong Khiao Reservoir in the northern province of Chiang Mai yesterday, June 15, after attempting to save his pet bird from drowning. The bird reportedly died in the incident. Rescue workers from the Kuson Songkhro Chiang Mai Foundation, Phra Kru Odd Chedi Luang Temple Foundation, and Phetchakasem Foundation rushed to the reservoir in Chai…

  • Smuggler killed in Chiang Mai clash, 200k meth pills seized

    Smuggler killed in Chiang Mai clash, 200k meth pills seized

    In Chiang Mai’s Fang district, a confrontation between an army patrol and armed drug traffickers resulted in the death of a smuggler and the seizure of 200,000 methamphetamine pills and 20 kilogrammes of opium. The incident occurred early yesterday morning in the northern border province. The Chaiyanuparp special unit from the Pha Muang task force encountered four to five armed…

  • Chiang Mai Univeristy students scammed of millions in single day

    Chiang Mai Univeristy students scammed of millions in single day

    Ten students at Chiang Mai University experienced scams in a single day, resulting in losses amounting to several million baht. This has led the university and local police to issue a warning about the scams. The scams intensified during a long holiday from May 31 to June 2, according to Police Colonel Manatchai Inthean, superintendent of Bhubing Rajanives Police Station.…

  • Foreign tourist vandalises Chiang Mai temple, police seek suspect

    Foreign tourist vandalises Chiang Mai temple, police seek suspect

    A foreign tourist is on the run after spray-painting graffiti on the historic wall of Wat Lam Chang, a 650-year-old temple in Chiang Mai’s old city. The culprit, who left behind English-language text and a house motif, is now being hunted by police after reportedly fleeing the northern province by air. The incident was first reported by the temple’s abbot,…

  • Chiang Mai homestay featured in Thai film destroyed in fire

    Chiang Mai homestay featured in Thai film destroyed in fire

    A fire broke out early Tuesday morning at a well-known homestay, which was also used as a filming location, in Chiang Mai, completely destroying the wooden accommodation. The Mae Daet Subdistrict Royal Thai Police (RTP) Cyber Village Facebook page shared a video showing police officers, rescue workers, and firefighters attempting to control the blaze at the popular homestay, Doolaylay. According…

  • Woman gives birth in rescue vehicle as public eyes registration number

    Woman gives birth in rescue vehicle as public eyes registration number

    A 22 year old woman gave birth to a baby boy on a rescue vehicle after experiencing severe labour pains. Both mother and child are safe. The incident has sparked interest in the rescue vehicle’s registration number among those seeking good fortune. The woman shared her experience on Facebook, announcing the birth of her son today, June 1, at 3.48am.…

  • Chinese arrested for molesting intern at Chiang Mai aquarium

    Chinese arrested for molesting intern at Chiang Mai aquarium

    A brazen act of sexual harassment has rocked Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium, as a Chinese tourist was caught on camera groping a female intern before being swiftly apprehended by staff and police. The disturbing incident has sparked outrage and a firm promise from police to prosecute the offender to the fullest extent of the law. The incident occurred today, May…

  • Chiang Mai locals rush to buy lottery tickets before draw

    Chiang Mai locals rush to buy lottery tickets before draw

    In Chiang Mai, as the lottery draw approaches, locals are eagerly purchasing lottery tickets, especially in the bustling morning markets and areas like Mahidol Road and Mueang district. Prices remain steady with single tickets at 100 baht, two-ticket sets at 200 baht, and five-ticket bundles priced between 650 and 700 baht. Pannee Lu Poo Ngern, a lottery vendor from Chiang…

  • Chiang Mai man with dissociative identity disorder goes missing

    Chiang Mai man with dissociative identity disorder goes missing

    A Thai woman appealed to an online community for help after her husband, who suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), also known as multiple personality disorder, went missing from their home in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Monday, May 26. The wife, Runglamai Jaisooksern, took to Facebook to urge netizens to assist her and her daughter in locating…

  • Trans and out: British transwoman fleeing UK ‘hate’ for Thailand

    Trans and out: British transwoman fleeing UK ‘hate’ for Thailand

    A British transwoman says she’s preparing to flee the country after a bombshell Supreme Court ruling left her fearing for her life on the streets of the United Kingdom. Alexis Solia, a content creator and activist, says she’s endured years of abuse simply for existing, but last month’s landmark ruling that “sex” in the Equality Act means biological sex was,…

  • Malaysian man robs Chinese influencer to fund Chiang Mai holiday

    Malaysian man robs Chinese influencer to fund Chiang Mai holiday

    A 34 year old Malaysian man robbed a Chinese influencer and university student of 135,000 baht in the northern province of Chiang Mai, claiming he needed the money to fund his holiday. Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station officers held a press conference yesterday, May 27, to reveal details of the case. The suspect, identified as Eng Chee Hon, allegedly committed…

  • Police officer dismissed over 7,000 baht extortion in Chiang Mai

    Police officer dismissed over 7,000 baht extortion in Chiang Mai

    A police officer has been dismissed after allegedly extorting 7,000 baht from a 21 year old man who was urinating by the roadside, claiming it was a fee to clear a drunk driving charge. The incident took place on the Hod-Doi Tao Road in Chiang Mai province. The accused, posing as a police officer, reportedly intimidated the victim with a…

  • Thailand seeks ASEAN Heritage status for Doi Inthanon park

    Thailand seeks ASEAN Heritage status for Doi Inthanon park

    Efforts are underway by the government to have Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP), according to Attapol Charoenshunsa, the chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The announcement followed the 12th ASEAN Heritage Park Committee Meeting (AHPCM) in Bangkok, chaired by Attapol. The meeting included over 100…

  • Croatian man arrested for illegally running travel agency in Chiang Mai

    Croatian man arrested for illegally running travel agency in Chiang Mai

    Police arrested a Croatian man for illegally operating a travel agency targeting foreign visitors in the northern province of Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai Provincial Police launched a crackdown on illegal activities affecting the province’s tourism industry. The operation aimed to build trust and restore the image of Thai tourism, with officials hoping to demonstrate that Thailand is a safe destination…

  • Chiang Mai lottery sales dip despite cultural event interest

    Chiang Mai lottery sales dip despite cultural event interest

    In Chiang Mai, lottery ticket sales are seeing mixed results as the significance of key dates such as Visakha Bucha, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, and Coronation Day fuels interest. Despite this, vendors report a dip in sales due to the school term’s start. Today, May 14, it was observed that people are gradually purchasing lucky numbers at major markets around…

  • Chinese national arrested for overstaying visa in Chiang Mai

    Chinese national arrested for overstaying visa in Chiang Mai

    Yesterday, April 30, immigration police in Chiang Mai apprehended a Chinese national who had overstayed his tourist visa in Thailand. The arrest took place on Thipanet Road, Mueang district in Chiang Mai province, following a coordinated operation between the Chiang Mai Provincial Immigration Bureau and Immigration Division 5. The man was charged with remaining in the kingdom after the expiration…

  • Arsenic contamination in Chiang Mai’s Kok River sparks testing

    Arsenic contamination in Chiang Mai’s Kok River sparks testing

    The testing of aquatic animals and agricultural produce is underway in Chiang Mai following the arsenic contamination of the Kok River. Police have issued warnings against using the river water for daily consumption and food preparation. Yesterday, April 29, at Chiang Mai Provincial Hall, deputy governor Siwako Buaphong attended an online meeting with the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and…

  • Pickup truck crash in Chiang Mai injures eight tourists and locals

    Pickup truck crash in Chiang Mai injures eight tourists and locals

    A pickup truck carrying foreign tourists lost control on a downhill road, crashing into houses and injuring eight people, including six with minor injuries and two seriously. The incident occurred yesterday, April 27, near Mae Win Waterfall in Mae Win subdistrict, Mae Wang district, Chiang Mai province. The police at Mae Wang station received reports of the accident and responded…

  • Chiang Mai cafe accused of creating ‘human zoo’ amid criticism

    Chiang Mai cafe accused of creating ‘human zoo’ amid criticism

    Criticism has been directed at a Chiang Mai cafe located in a former tobacco factory, which allows visitors to observe workers sorting tobacco leaves, with some accusing it of creating a “human zoo.“ The controversy began after a customer posted an image on social media, capturing her visit to Yen.CNX cafe with workers visible behind a glass partition, sorting leaves…

  • Blade runner: Thai man sparks hospital horror in Chiang Mai

    Blade runner: Thai man sparks hospital horror in Chiang Mai

    Panic gripped a Chiang Mai hospital this morning after a knife-wielding Thai man stormed the outpatient ward, threatening to slash his own throat in front of terrified staff and patients. The dramatic standoff unfolded around 11.30am, today, April 25, when the unhinged man burst into McCormick Hospital in Chiang Mai, clutching a knife and pressing it to his own neck…

  • Fire breaks out at Chiang Mai’s Dara Dhevi Hotel

    Fire breaks out at Chiang Mai’s Dara Dhevi Hotel

    A fire broke out at the renowned Dara Dhevi Hotel in Chiang Mai early this morning sending emergency services rushing to the scene to contain the blaze. The fire, which started around 2am today, April 23, affected a section of the luxury hotel, causing chaos among guests and staff. As firefighters worked tirelessly to control the flames, the cause of…

  • Chiang Mai aims for UNESCO World Heritage status by 2026

    Chiang Mai aims for UNESCO World Heritage status by 2026

    The Thai government plans to nominate Chiang Mai as a UNESCO World Heritage Site by 2026, coinciding with the northern city’s 730th anniversary. Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol revealed that a government committee has prepared a nomination dossier since Chiang Mai was added to UNESCO’s tentative list this year. The nomination dossier, aimed at promoting the city as a World Heritage…

  • Earthquake damages Chiang Mai temples, restoration underway

    Earthquake damages Chiang Mai temples, restoration underway

    Three of Chiang Mai’s most iconic temples, Wat Chedi Liam, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Umong, have suffered damage following the powerful earthquake that struck neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. While none of the structures face immediate risk of collapse, government officials are moving quickly to stabilise and restore these sacred landmarks, which are central to the city’s rich cultural…

  • Chiang Mai election campaign attacked by village head

    Chiang Mai election campaign attacked by village head

    A violent altercation occurred during an election campaign in San Phi Suea subdistrict, Mueang district, Chiang Mai province. The village head of Tha Duea yesterday, April 19, reportedly drove a vehicle into a campaign assistant before attacking the team with a stick, causing injuries. Pawit Boonchala, a candidate for municipal mayor, explained that the incident happened at 5.45pm while his…

  • Chiang Mai hotels thrive during Songkran with strategic pricing

    Chiang Mai hotels thrive during Songkran with strategic pricing

    Hotels in Chiang Mai experienced a strong performance during the Songkran holiday, despite offering lower room rates compared to the previous year. The pricing strategy was aimed at attracting last-minute domestic travellers, whose confidence was affected by last month’s earthquake. Paisarn Sukjarean, President of the Thai Hotels Association’s upper northern chapter, indicated that many Thais remained unsettled by the earthquake…

  • PM Paetongtarn invites tourists to Chiang Mai’s vibrant cultural fest

    PM Paetongtarn invites tourists to Chiang Mai’s vibrant cultural fest

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has encouraged both Thais and tourists to partake in the Pee Mai Mueang San Kamphaeng event, highlighting the enchanting Lhong Him Khao community in Chiang Mai. Lhong Him Khao, located in the San Kamphaeng district, is a vibrant community celebrated for its traditional Lanna arts, crafts, and cultural expressions. Residents have transformed their homes into cafes,…

  • Chiang Mai rattled by quake as Myanmar tremors hit

    Chiang Mai rattled by quake as Myanmar tremors hit

    A mild earthquake measuring 1.4 on the Richter scale struck Chiang Mai’s Phrao district at 4.33am today, April 11, according to the Thai Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Observation Division. The tremor’s epicentre was pinpointed in San Sai subdistrict, located at coordinates 19.529°N and 99.222°E, with a shallow depth of just 1 kilometre. While the quake was minor and caused no immediate…

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