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...

  • 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…

  • American tourist crashes dirt bike in Chiang Mai, kills local woman

    American tourist crashes dirt bike in Chiang Mai, kills local woman

    An American tourist riding a dirt bike collided with a Thai woman, tragically resulting in her death while she was crossing a road in Chiang Mai. Overwhelmed with remorse, the tourist knelt and apologised to the deceased’s family. Officers from Mae On Police Station in Chiang Mai were alerted to an accident involving a dirt bike and a middle-aged Thai…

  • Chiang Mai council chairman accused of assaulting local resident

    Chiang Mai council chairman accused of assaulting local resident

    A significant altercation involving a prominent local council chairman in Chiang Mai has left a resident severely injured, sparking outrage among the community. The incident took place when the chairman allegedly insulted and physically assaulted a local during a campaign event at the home of a former Chiang Mai provincial council member. Reports from residents in a municipality area of…

  • Chiang Mai soldiers seize 300,000 meth pills after shootout

    Chiang Mai soldiers seize 300,000 meth pills after shootout

    Soldiers in Chiang Mai‘s Fang district intercepted a significant drug smuggling operation early yesterday morning, December 21, confiscating 300,000 methamphetamine pills left behind by fleeing suspects. The incident unfolded when two military patrols from the Chaiyanuparb special unit encountered three or four men carrying rucksacks near an orange grove in tambon Monpin at approximately 3am. Upon being signalled to stop…

  • Chiang Mai fraud suspect arrested for bamboo blind scam

    Chiang Mai fraud suspect arrested for bamboo blind scam

    A significant fraud case involving over 50 victims duped into paying for bamboo blinds they never received has culminated in the arrest of the alleged perpetrator. Since 2018, numerous complaints have been filed, with victims coming forward to report being scammed by a Facebook page with a misleading name. The accused, who had been evading the police, was finally apprehended…

  • High-stakes heist: Fake cops raid Chiang Mai cannabis shop

    High-stakes heist: Fake cops raid Chiang Mai cannabis shop

    A daring robbery took place yesterday in Chiang Mai, where a group of four individuals impersonating police officers raided a cannabis shop, tying up the owner and his staff before making off with a substantial amount of valuables. The incident, reported to have occurred at 3am yesterday, December 12, saw the assailants seizing cash, electronics, and even motorcycles. The shop…

  • Cyber police raid Chiang Mai resort, bust illegal call centre

    Cyber police raid Chiang Mai resort, bust illegal call centre

    Cyber police and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) carried out a raid on a luxurious resort in Chiang Mai, uncovering a Chinese gang operating an illegal call centre targeting Thai victims. The operation, which involved over 20 officers, took place yesterday afternoon, leading to the arrest of several individuals and the seizure of numerous illegal telecommunications devices. The…

  • Body of missing five year old boy found in Chiang Mai canal

    Body of missing five year old boy found in Chiang Mai canal

    Thai police have confirmed the tragic discovery of a five year old boy who had been missing for three days. His lifeless body was found in a canal near his school yesterday, November 29 at 5pm. The search had been ongoing since his disappearance on Wednesday, November 27 from Tri Mit Witthaya School, a special education centre in Thung Ruang…

  • Bet on busted: International gambling ring crumbles in Chiang Mai

    Bet on busted: International gambling ring crumbles in Chiang Mai

    An opulent online gambling racket has been busted in the heart of Chiang Mai, as Thai police swooped in on a Taiwanese-led operation pulling in over 10 million baht a month. The syndicate, which targeted gamblers from Thailand, China, and Taiwan, had set up shop in luxury properties across the city, living it up large while running the illegal network.…

  • Five year old boy with special needs missing in Chiang Mai

    Five year old boy with special needs missing in Chiang Mai

    A five year old boy, described as having special needs, has mysteriously gone missing from his school in Chiang Mai, sparking an extensive search operation involving rescue teams and locals. Despite the efforts, which include land and water searches and the use of drones, the child remains unaccounted for. The incident was reported yesterday afternoon, November 27 when rescue teams…

  • Chiang Mai elephant sanctuary wins 2024 Travellers’ Choice Award

    Chiang Mai elephant sanctuary wins 2024 Travellers’ Choice Award

    In a big win for ethical tourism, the Elephant Freedom Project in Chiang Mai has been honoured with the prestigious Travellers’ Choice Award for 2024 by TripAdvisor. This recognition places the sanctuary among the top-rated destinations in Chiang Mai, celebrating its commitment to conservation, education, and the welfare of Thailand’s beloved elephants. Siriporn Tanaseth, founder of the sanctuary, said they…

  • Flood-mitigation plan unveiled for Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai

    Flood-mitigation plan unveiled for Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai

    The Transport Ministry is preparing to unveil a detailed flood-mitigation strategy for Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai during a mobile Cabinet session scheduled for Friday in Chiang Mai. Transport Permanent Secretary Chayatan Phromsorn revealed the plan yesterday, November 25, following last week’s meeting of a dedicated task force assembled to devise protective measures against future floods and landslides in these…

  • Boy 7 killed by Thai mother rocks quiet Welsh town

    Boy 7 killed by Thai mother rocks quiet Welsh town

    Police in Wales reported that the death of a 7 year old boy at the hands of his Thai mother has rocked the quiet Welsh town of Haverfordwest. Seven year old Louis Linse was found dead in his bed, his life tragically cut short by his mother. Thai-born Papaipit Linse admitted to manslaughter by diminished responsibility, a truth that unravels…

  • Minor earthquake rattles Lamphun, Chiang Mai with no damage

    Minor earthquake rattles Lamphun, Chiang Mai with no damage

    An earthquake measuring 2.5 on the Richter scale struck Lamphun, with tremors felt in two districts across two provinces. Occurring at a shallow depth of 1 kilometre, this seismic activity was triggered by the Mae Tha fault line. Residents reported no damage. The Department of Mineral Resources, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, issued a warning regarding the…

  • Malaysian monk arrested for theft at Chiang Mai temple

    Malaysian monk arrested for theft at Chiang Mai temple

    Chiang Saen police officers in northern Thailand, including immigration, apprehended a Malaysian monk suspected of theft at Chiang Mai’s Jed Yod Temple. The suspect, identified as 50 year old Paramasivan, was found near Wat Phra Chao Lan Thong in Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai. The investigation kicked off after Chang Phueak police in Chiang Mai were alerted to missing valuables from…

  • Chiang Mai swept up: Chinese investors leave locals concerned

    Chiang Mai swept up: Chinese investors leave locals concerned

    Residents in Chiang Mai have raised concerns about the future after Chinese investors continue to sweep up real estate in the largest city of northern Thailand. Locals are speaking out against what they see as an increasing domination by Chinese investors swooping in to purchase property en masse, fundamentally altering neighbourhoods and threatening the city’s cultural identity and economic autonomy.…

  • GLO hosts Chiang Mai lottery draw to boost transparency

    GLO hosts Chiang Mai lottery draw to boost transparency

    The Government Lottery Office (GLO) of Thailand is set to conduct a lottery draw in Chiang Mai province on December 1. This initiative aims to enhance transparency in the lottery process and methods, offering the public an opportunity to witness the proceedings firsthand. The lottery draw, set for December 1, will take place at the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and…

  • Sunbathing crocodile makes snappy getaway into Ping River

    Sunbathing crocodile makes snappy getaway into Ping River

    A 2-metre crocodile was spotted sunbathing at a sand quarry in Chiang Mai before making a quick escape into the Ping River. Witnesses believe the reptile might have escaped from a farm during recent floods. Concerns for public safety have prompted calls for its immediate capture. Reports have emerged from Chiang Mai about an unexpected encounter with a crocodile at…

  • District in Chiang Mai faces landslide threat amid waterlogged soil

    District in Chiang Mai faces landslide threat amid waterlogged soil

    Experts have warned about potential landslides and ground subsidence in Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai. The region is grappling with waterlogged soil after enduring two months of consecutive flooding, raising concerns about the stability of the land. A TikTok video recently brought attention to the situation, as it showed water surfacing from the ground at multiple spots in the Mueang…

  • Chiang Mai: Free rent for grabs in exchange for taming neighbour

    Chiang Mai: Free rent for grabs in exchange for taming neighbour

    A Chiang Mai homeowner is taking drastic measures to settle a neighbourhood feud by offering three months of rent-free living to anyone willing to stand up to a particularly “mad” bully next door. Saranya, known only by her Facebook handle, made the unusual offer on a local community page, ดอยสะเก็ดเด็ดทุกอย่าง Doi Saket Ded Took Yang (all is good at Doi…

  • Chiang Mai buzzes with lottery fever as ticket sales soar

    Chiang Mai buzzes with lottery fever as ticket sales soar

    Chiang Mai is abuzz with lottery fever as punters flock to buy the latest winning numbers, clearing out ticket stalls. The excitement is fuelled by the recent appearance of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at a public rally, with his associated numbers selling rapidly. The vibrant scene at Chiang Mai’s lottery stalls reflects the anticipation among locals keen to get…

  • Shocking cruelty: Child abuse claims haunt Chiang Mai orphanage

    Shocking cruelty: Child abuse claims haunt Chiang Mai orphanage

    The Social Development and Human Security Ministry (MSDHS) is set to revoke the licence of an orphanage foundation in Chiang Mai following allegations of child abuse. Minister Varawut Silpa-archa announced the decision after a former caregiver reported that employees at the orphanage had been physically punishing children aged three to six for several years. Varawut confirmed that the Human Security…

  • Chiang Mai ‘grounds’ Yi Peng Festival lanterns to keep skies safe

    Chiang Mai ‘grounds’ Yi Peng Festival lanterns to keep skies safe

    Chiang Mai reinforced strict measures against the release of sky lanterns during the Yi Peng Festival to protect air traffic, particularly in six districts identified as high-risk areas. The release of lanterns outside these zones is permitted for only two days, with heavy penalties for violators. The Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai, Siwa Thamikanont, along with the Chiang Mai Provincial…

  • Chill seekers: Tourists flock to Doi Inthanon for a ‘cool’ getaway

    Chill seekers: Tourists flock to Doi Inthanon for a ‘cool’ getaway

    A cold morning greeted visitors at Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai, as temperatures dipped to a chilly 8 degrees Celsius. Tourists flocked to experience the cold weather, with Kew Mae Pan recording 9 degrees Celsius and the park headquarters at 13 degrees Celsius. Chiang Mai City saw morning temperatures ranging between 21 and 22 degrees Celsius, prompting locals to don warm…

  • Bangkok man dies on Chiang Mai mountain hike

    Bangkok man dies on Chiang Mai mountain hike

    A 35 year old man from Bangkok tragically passed away during a hiking trip on Doi Luang Chiang Dao in Chiang Mai with two friends. Beginning their journey in Chiang Mai, their trek was cut short when the Bangkokian experienced severe exhaustion and subsequently fell unconscious in a restroom at the Khun Huai Mae Kok Forest Protection Unit office at…

  • Drunken Thai boxer takes page from Tyson’s ear-book

    Drunken Thai boxer takes page from Tyson’s ear-book

    In an incident eerily reminiscent of Mike Tyson’s infamous clash with Evander Holyfield, a drunken Thai boxer left a man earless after a savage encounter in Chiang Mai. The attack has prompted pleas for justice from the victim’s distraught girlfriend. In a startling revelation, Duean, a 25 year old from Lampang Province, recounted the gruesome details to reporters. Her boyfriend,…

  • Chiang Mai gold necklace thief caught in traffic hold-up

    Chiang Mai gold necklace thief caught in traffic hold-up

    A brazen thief who snatched a gold necklace from a popular shopping centre in Chiang Mai was apprehended at an intersection after attempting to evade capture. The suspect, who had tried to blend in by changing clothes, was eventually caught in traffic. Yesterday, November 5, a gold necklace weighing 1 baht was stolen from the Mangkhorn Thong Yaowarat jewellery store…

  • Elderly man found dead in pit after 11 days missing in Chiang Mai

    Elderly man found dead in pit after 11 days missing in Chiang Mai

    A tragic discovery was made when the body of a 71 year old man, who had been missing for 11 days from a hospital in Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai, was found in a 2-metre-deep pit. The man from Mae Taeng had been admitted to Mae Taeng Hospital following an accident. His disappearance on the night of October 25 prompted an…