Chiang Mai News
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Sponsored 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...
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Jealousy’s fatal blade: Thai wife stabs unfaithful husband in Chiang Mai
In a tragic twist of jealousy, a Thai wife fatally stabbed her unfaithful husband in the Fang district in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The chilling incident unfolded when Fang Police Station received a distress call on July 4. Rushing to the scene, officers discovered the lifeless body of 30 year old Khamlu Siamlai on the road, his chest bearing…
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Ancient Obnoi ravine: Chiang Mai’s hidden beauty set to become major tourist attraction
Recently, a local government council led by Phansak Kaewsudjai, along with a group of administrative staff and media representatives, explored a narrow ravine in the Chom Thong district of Chiang Mai. The ravine is known to the locals as ‘Obnoi.’ With impressive rock formations and ancient inscriptions suspected to be thousands of years old, this is an enchanting spectacle reminiscent…
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Unchained Elephants launches their first rescue mission for Kanun: Bringing hope to an abandoned elephant in Chiang Mai
On 23rd June 2023, Unchained Elephants has embarked on their first mission to rescue Kanun, a 55-year-old male elephant in Mae Tang, Chiang Mai. Kanun’s current situation is dire, as he endures life chained up, malnourished, and with only one functioning eye. The urgent need for intervention has sparked a determined effort to save Kanun and provide him with a…
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Chiang Mai locals eager for lottery win: Demand for ‘lucky’ numbers soars
The northern city of Chiang Mai has experienced intense demand for lottery numbers as locals seek out lucky digits ahead of Saturday’s draw. This surge in activity was observed at 9am today, across various locations including markets, transportation hubs, major streets, and key spots like the Chiang Mai Gate and Nong Hoy. The going rate for a single lottery ticket…
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Monkey business alert: Chiang Mai Zoo stages emergency drill as gibbons plot daring escape
Chiang Mai Zoo set in place an emergency drill for the staff members in preparation just in case any of the zoo’s gibbons tried to escape. To enhance the realism of the exercise, two zookeepers wore gibbon costumes and assumed the roles of the stubborn animals. Chiang Mai Zoo’s official Facebook page of shared a video of the emergency drill…
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Tik-shock: Baht bus operator gets tough on risqué ride with Chinese viral vixen
A baht bus operator in Chiang Mai has recently implemented stricter measures in response to viral TikTok videos featuring a provocative Chinese woman on one of their buses in the province. On Friday, June 16, a Chinese woman, under the TikTok handle @huanxi59, posted a video that quickly gained attention. The video showcased her seated on the baht bus floor,…
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Chiang Mai tourism: Haze issue risks long-stay senior tourist numbers
Tourism operators in Chiang Mai are urging the new government to address the persistent haze issue to attract the return of long-stay senior tourists, whose absence has dealt a significant blow to the province’s economy. The leader of the Move Forward Party, Pita Limjaroenrat, visited Chiang Mai last week and discussed environmental and tourism policies with local industry representatives. According…
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Chiang Mai temple abbot investigated for 200 million baht mismanagement and illegal shrine construction
A high-profile Chiang Mai temple abbot is under investigation after allegations of mismanagement of 200 million baht (US$ 5,762,028) worth of donations and unauthorised construction of a shrine, following a recent incident in which he caused damage to multiple vehicles. The Chiang Mai Ecclesiastical Office is now examining the financial and land issues related to Phra Phutthabat Si Roi temple,…
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Chiang Mai human trafficking gang busted, 3 underage victims rescued
Thailand’s plague of human trafficking has once again reared its ugly head. Thai authorities have arrested members of a human trafficking gang operating in Chiang Mai. The arrests followed tip-offs from organisations fighting human trafficking, such as Destiny Rescue and the Immanuel Foundation. Officials discovered that My Tirak Bar and My Tirak Pub were offering sexual services, involving minors, to…
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Thief smashes donation box at Chiang Mai temple, gets caught and confesses
Chiang Mai police have arrested a 24 year old Myanmar national, accused of stealing a donation box from Chedi Luang Worawihan temple and other thefts in the area. The suspect confessed to the crimes after being detained for a separate incident involving stolen motorcycles. Investigating the case, Police Lieutenant Colonel Phuwanat Duangdi, the superintendent for Chiang Mai’s local police, reported…
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Driver survives 2-day lorry plunge ordeal by eating cabbage, rescued by cattle herder
A lorry transporting Chinese cabbages plunged 80 metres into a ravine in Chiang Mai, leaving the driver trapped for two days and two nights. Miraculously, he survived by eating the cabbages before a cattle herder found him yesterday. In a dramatic rescue operation, emergency responders arrived on the scene at Huay Phak Kut curve in Mae Suek sub-district of Chiang…
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Doi Inthanon National Park pioneers integrated conservation area management approach
Doi Inthanon National Park is piloting a holistic area conservation approach, with a focus on integrated administration and avoiding unnecessary burdens on personnel. This pioneering project aims to effectively manage the park’s 16 sub-agencies and a budget of 50 million baht, whilst protecting the natural environment and resources. Doi Inthanon National Park, the country’s highest peak, is launching a comprehensive…
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Chiang Mai teens seen vaping, sniffing glue in public in downtown
A group of audacious Chiang Mai teenagers, all under the age of 16, astounded onlookers with their outrageous behavior near the historic city moat in Chiang Mai. Their exploits included frolicking in the water, engaging in provocative dance moves, and using electronic cigarettes and inhalants, all while blatantly ignoring the stares and concerns of passersby who observed them. Four males…
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Miracle numbers appear at Chiang Mai temple during candlelit ceremony
A Thai temple in Chiang Mai has revealed lottery numbers after a candlelit blessing ceremony. The numbers in the temple’s sacred water were previously linked to a million-baht winning ticket. The temple continues to host such ceremonies and supports around 30 monks. On May 28, a candlelit blessing ceremony was held at the San Ma Kiang Temple, Chiang Mai Province,…
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Police say woman found dead in Chiang Mai condo wasn’t murdered
UPDATE Despite police saying that they assumed the woman found dead in a condo room in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, this morning was murdered by her foreign husband, they are now saying she was not murdered at all. Pol. Lt. Col. Phirom Yosalai, an inspector at Mae Ping Police Station, said the woman is expected to have died from an…
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Thai woman found dead in Chiang Mai condo, farang husband missing
This story has been updated. Police launched a murder investigation after the body of a Thai woman was discovered in a rented room at a famous condo in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand, this morning. The deceased’s “farang husband,” who also lives in the room, is nowhere to be found. At approximately 10.45am, officers at Mae Ping Police Station were…
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Suspected murderer of car saleswoman in Thailand charged with 7 serious offences
UPDATE Police pressed seven serious charges against the man who yesterday confessed to raping and murdering a young car saleswoman in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, on Saturday. Police say it is likely he will be punished with the maximum penalty. Initially, officers at Doi Saket Police Station charged 40 year old Nathapol “Ainat” Panpadungsap with three counts of rape using…
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Car saleswoman brutally raped and murdered in Thailand, family demands death penalty
The family of a young used car saleswoman who was brutally raped and murdered in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, on Saturday is calling for the serial rapist responsible to be punished with the death penalty. Police arrested a 40 year old suspect, Nathapol Panpadungsap, in Mueang district at 3.30pm on Sunday. He has a long criminal history and was most…
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British expat missing for a week in Chiang Mai
A foreigner took to social media to seek help after his British friend went missing in Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand. Kastro Freeman, a member of a Facebook group called Chiang Mai News in English, shared a picture of his missing friend, 46 year old Dominic Boyle, on Wednesday, April 26, with a caption that said… “Howdy all, our…
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Crafty Chiang Mai tuk tuk drivers paint pavement yellow to avoid traffic fines
Crafty Tuk Tuk drivers were caught on camera painting yellow paint over the red lines on the pavement in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand so they could park their three-wheeled vehicles next to Tha Phae Gate without getting traffic fines. Red and white means absolutely no parking, whereas yellow and white means parking there temporarily is permitted. In a short…
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British man accused of setting fire to hotel in Chiang Mai
A British man last night was accused of starting a fire at The Y Smart Hotel in Chiang Mai after having a heated argument with a receptionist. Fortunately, six Thai and foreign guests were rescued from the building unharmed. The fire broke out at 12.10am at The Y Smart Hotel on Kaeo Nawarat Soi 5 Road in the Wat Kate…
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Beware of passport scam targetting British nationals in Thailand warns UK Foreign Office
The British Foreign Office issued a warning to both UK residents and expats in Thailand about a passport scam that is currently targetting British nationals in the kingdom. Fraudsters are attempting to capitalize on the recent strikes by government workers in the UK, which have caused delays in passport renewals, by promising to bypass the three-month waiting period for a…
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Gang attacks Swedish tourist for defending waitress in Chiang Mai, Thailand
A Swedish tourist was brutally attacked by a gang of young men after he tried to stop them from assaulting a waitress at a karaoke bar in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, on Friday. The gang also stole the victim’s gold necklace before throwing him into a canal. Yesterday, police arrested three men of Tai Yai ethnicity (an ethnic group from Shan state…
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Chiang Mai national park fire kills firefighting volunteer
A forest fire at a Chiang Mai national park tragically killed a firefighting volunteer on Friday. The volunteer, 39 year old Wichai Thimakham from Mae Rim district, was found dead in Khun Khan National Park. His death was apparently due to suffocation, Thai PBS reported. The acting director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Atthaphon Charoenchansa, said Wichai…
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Chinese tourists walk around Chiang Mai in traditional Thai clothes
Chinese tourists in Chiang Mai are walking around in traditional Thai clothes during their sightseeing tours. After three years of travel restrictions due to Covid-19, Chinese tourists have returned to Thailand with a thirst for authentic experiences. This has created a trend in which Chinese tourists stand out in their finery at historical temples and other attractions in the northern…
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Chiang Mai hailstorm brings down power poles and billboards
A hailstorm in Chiang Mai brought down power poles and billboards yesterday. Hailstones were reportedly the size of baht coins. According to Matichon, the entire downtown area was covered with hailstones as the rain continued to fall. The strong winds started around 3.30 pm, followed by a downpour of hailstones and rain, and then another wave of hail. Locals and…
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Former Thai model arrested for scamming victims out of 100 million baht online
Police arrested a former Thai model for creating an online investment scam that stole over 100 million baht from victims. According to the Bangkok Post, Wetika Jaija was arrested in the San Sai district of Chiang Mai at a residential address. The 30 year old Wetika was charged with obtaining loans amounting to public cheating, entering false computer system data into…
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Thai AirAsia boosts flights from Chiang Mai to 6 international destinations
Low-cost carrier Thai AirAsia will soon boost flights daily from Chiang Mai Airport in northern Thailand to six international destinations including Hanoi and Da Nang in Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Flights will run to these Asian tourist hotspots every day starting Sunday, March 26, 2023. The budget airline is celebrating the boost in flights…
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Big Joke crackdown on illegal Chinese businesses in Chiang Mai
The Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Police, Surachate “Big Joke” Hakpark, announced plans to crackdown on illegal businesses in Chiang Mai, which are believed to have Chinese nationals behind them. Big Joke revealed the crackdown operation would begin within a week and focus on five to six businesses. During a press conference at Chiang Mai Provincial Police Office yesterday,…
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High-speed rail project linking Bangkok to Chiang Mai expected to begin
Thailand and Japan’s collaborative high-speed rail project, linking Bangkok to Chiang Mai, is expected to begin soon after years of planning. The first phase of the project would see the railway run from Bangkok to Phitsanulok for over 380 kilometres, then continue to Chiang Mai for another 288 kilometres. As officials from both countries met, Japanese agencies say the first…
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