Chiang Mai News
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from the charming and historic city of Chiang Mai with The Thaiger. Our team of seasoned journalists brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from this fascinating city, covering a diverse range of topics, including local politics, business, culture, and tourism. Keep yourself informed about the city’s rich history, vibrant arts scene, and thriving expat community, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.
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Sponsored This Christmas, give the gift of health: essential options for expats in Thailand
The holiday season is here, bringing warmth, joy, and a chance to reflect on the year gone by. As an expat in Thailand, this Christmas is a great time to invest in something that truly matters: health. Whether for you...
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STARLUX Airlines to launch LA and San Francisco to Chiang Mai flights
Taiwanese airline, STARLUX Airlines, is launching new routes from Los Angeles and San Francisco to the northern province of Chiang Mai. The launch event, held at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on January 16 showcased the distinct traditions of Chiang Mai while underscoring TAT’s unwavering commitment to enhancing US-Thailand travel. As a warm Chiang Mai welcome, passengers on the inaugural…
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From threads to trends: Chiang Mai couple behind Thailand’s elephant pants phenomenon
In Chiang Mai, a business duo are turning Thailand’s iconic elephant pants into a global trend. Hailing from Chiang Mai, Kingkarn Samorn, the Managing Director, and Jakkaphum Samorn, the Director of Chinrada Garment Company, are the masterminds behind the rise of this iconic fashion phenomenon. From a small home office in 2013 to a sprawling modern factory in 2018, the…
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Update: Chiang Mai Night Safari confirms four zoo animals died, not 13
Kritsada Lapimon, Deputy Director of the Pinkanakorn Office and Director of the Central Administration Office performing duties on behalf of the Director of the Pinkanakorn Development Office, chaired a press conference to clarify the number of deaths of animals at the Chiang Mai Night Safari yesterday, January 15. Thitirat Tawanwong, Deputy Director of the Pinkanakorn Development Office and Director of…
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Bangkok-Chiang Mai train collides with parked pickup, female driver seriously injured
A Bangkok-Chiang Mai train crashed into a parked pickup truck in Lopburi province at 4.45pm yesterday, January 15. The female driver of the pickup truck survived but was seriously injured. Police Major Srettha Saranan, duty inspector at Ban Mi Police Station in the Lopburi Province, along with Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers inspected the accident scene which was a railway track in…
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Shanghai’s Juneyao Air to operate flights to Chiang Mai
Juneyao Air is set to reignite the battle for the Shanghai-Chiang Mai route, challenging fierce rivals China Eastern Airlines and Spring Airlines. Juneyao’s A320neo will operate daily flights from Shanghai to the northern Thai capital, starting from January 20. The airline’s flight schedule is as follows: HO1325 PVG 1835 – CNX 2235 32N Daily HO1326 CNX 2335 – PVG 0425+1…
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PM Srettha visits Chiang Mai street food market in soft power move
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin set the stage for Thailand’s unique foray into soft power, blending strategic attractions such as pigeon racing and Muay Thai. PM Srettha, on a visit to Chiang Mai, didn’t just stick to the official script but delved into progressive discussions that could reshape the nation’s global influence. Taking a casual stroll through Chiang Mai’s famed street…
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Thai PM sparks a brighter future: Electric mass transit pledge to zap pollution in Chiang Mai
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pledged to foster the development of electric mass transit systems as a solution to the persistent air pollution issues plaguing the northern province. 61 year old Thai prime minister noted that the fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) levels had considerably decreased since his last visit on November 28 of the previous year. The…
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Governor’s bold move against toxic haze: Chiang Mai’s war on farm fires heats up
Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pongsitthithavorn is leading the charge against the annual curse of PM2.5 pollution caused by the burning of agricultural residue. In a teleconference with the province’s 25 district chiefs, he laid down strict instructions to tackle the issue head-on. The provincial administration has already taken a decisive step by banning unauthorised burning of farm waste from January…
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Tourists numbers to return to pre-covid in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, the picturesque northern Thai capital, last year witnessed a jaw-dropping 30% plunge in tourism, with a mere 3.9 million visitors gracing its vibrant landscapes last year, in stark contrast to the 5.6 million footfalls pre-Covid in 2019. This startling data, unveiled by social enterprise Visit Chiang Mai, paints a gloomy picture for the once-thriving tourist hotspot. A closer…
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Chiang Mai confrontation leads to seizure of 200,000 meth pills
A confrontation between soldiers and smugglers occurred in the Mae Ai district of Chiang Mai in the early hours of today. The incident led to a seizure of 200,000 methamphetamine pills that were abandoned during the conflict. The Pha Muang task force, while on patrol, encountered armed individuals near the natural border crossing from Myanmar in the Kaeng Tum village…
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CNN chooses Wat Arun for New Year’s Eve bash
CNN International has handpicked the iconic Wat Arun in Bangkok to be the star of their global New Year’s Eve Live celebrations. Under the banner of Wichit Arun, this extravaganza promises to showcase the vibrant tapestry of Thai identity through a stunning display of fireworks. On the eve of December 28, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) proudly announced that…
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Chiang Mai: Thai scientists discover edible mushrooms
A team of scientists from the Center of Excellence for Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilisation at Chiang Mai University has unveiled two new species of mushrooms— Russula pseudomodesta and Russula sribuabanensis, in northern Thailand. Led by Dr Nakarin Suwannarat, Dr Jaturong Khamla, Professor Emeritus Dr Saisamorn Lamyong, and Dr Soumitra Paloi, the researchers, in collaboration with Prof Dr Samantha C.…
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National Police Chief vows to crush criminals behind university violence
National Police Chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol has pledged to eradicate a criminal organisation accused of orchestrating violence and hatred among rival students at Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthenthawai campus. At a riveting press conference today, December 21, Pol. Gen. Torsak declared war on the shadowy group, linking them to the fatal shooting of Thanasorn Hongsawat in the Khlong…
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Ghanaian tourist involved in fatal accident in Chiang Mai
A tragic road accident unfolded in the old town of Mueang Chiang Mai, Thailand, in the early hours of yesterday, involving a Ghanaian tourist and a team of construction workers. The unfortunate incident occurred at 3.55am when a sedan, driven by a tourist from Ghana, crashed into a construction site, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. The victim of…
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Thai tourism booms as over a quarter vow to return: Visa insights
A Visa study has uncovered that Thailand is set to witness a tourism surge with a whopping 28% of travellers who explored the country this year, expressing their firm intention to make a return within the next 12 months. The 2023 Global Travel Intentions Study by Visa, the largest and longest-running consumer insights study of its kind, has provided a…
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Geminids meteor shower to light up the sky
The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) has extended an invitation to Thai citizens to witness the Geminids meteor shower, commonly known as the Gemini Twins meteor shower, which will peak tonight December 14, continuing into the early hours of tomorrow. The spectacle can be observed from around 8pm onwards, with an expected peak frequency after midnight of approximately…
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Update: Brave Thai doctor’s final battle ends, Dr Krittai loses fight against cancer
The Thai medical sector is mourning the loss of Dr Krittai Tanasombatkul, a 29 year old doctor, known for his Facebook page, Fight for It, and who fought against terminal lung cancer. In a poignant announcement on his Fight For It web page last month, Dr Krittai revealed his grim diagnosis of stage four lung cancer. Despite his regular exercise…
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Young clinician’s tragic death raises questions on Thai air pollution
The problem of PM 2.5 Thai air pollution has been highlighted by the unfortunate case of 28 year old Kritthai Tansombatitkul, a clinician and statistician at the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, who passed away from late-stage lung cancer. Despite living a healthy lifestyle and not smoking, he was diagnosed with the disease at a young age, leading many…
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Thai government approves 8 billion baht scheme to tackle PM2.5 pollution
To mitigate the escalating PM2.5 pollution problem, the government recently approved a scheme worth 8 billion baht designed to incentivise sugarcane farmers to modify their harvesting methods. The initiative, which is set to be implemented in the 2022/23 harvest year, encourages farmers to cut fresh sugarcane without burning the residue, a practice known to be a significant contributor to the…
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Thai group stranded in China after Chiang Mai company deception
A group of Thai nationals, duped by a company in Chiang Mai into selling goods in China, is desperate for help after running into legal and financial trouble. The group, consisting of over 80 individuals, is now stranded in China, facing dwindling funds, visa expiry, and the risk of becoming illegal immigrants. The group was lured to China by a…
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Young women ignore safety warnings at Phu Chi Fah, sparking concerns
Two young women risked their lives by crossing a safety line at Phu Chi Fah viewpoint to take photographs, triggering concerns from officials about a potential increase in copycat behaviour. Phu Chi Fah National Park in Thoeng, Chiang Rai, reported the incident occurred at 6.04am on October 26, and issued a public warning on their page. The tourist attraction has…
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Chiang Mai: Explosion at longan plantation claims three lives
Tragedy struck a longan plantation in Ban Chai Ngam village of Mae Waen subdistrict, Phrao district, Chiang Mai yesterday when an explosion claimed the lives of three workers. The incident occurred as they were making a flowering stimulant mixture, resulting in an immediate fatality for two female workers – one Thai and one from Myanmar. Another worker, a man from…
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Female party entertainer accuses police officer of rape and physical assault
A female party entertainer in the northern province of Lamphun accused a police officer of raping and physically assaulting her. The accused officer denied the allegations. The 25 year old party entertainer, identified as A, filed a complaint at Mueang Jee Police Station on November 22 that a Chiang Mai province police officer had raped and assaulted her in Nong…
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Rubbish accumulation shock: Chiang Mai condo unveils year-long neglect
A year-long accumulation of rubbish in a Chiang Mai condominium sparked concern among other tenants when it led to a water leak. The tenant, a 40 year old postal worker, had been absent for a year, leaving behind a room filled with waste at a lodging on Mahidol Road, Nong Hoi, Mueang District, Chiang Mai. The issue came to light…
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Chiang Mai: DSI arrests woman in high-profile online gambling case
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) arrested a woman in connection with a high-profile online gambling case. The DSI today targeted a skincare clinic in the heart of Chiang Mai and apprehended Sasithon (surname withheld), who is linked with the bank account advertised on the online gambling website of the renowned AK47XXX network. The AK47XXX network is owned by the…
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Chiang Mai: Thief arrested for stealing from temple caught in moral dilemma
A 20 year old man was recently apprehended in Chiang Mai for stealing from a charity donation box at Jettiyanusorn temple, also known as Ban Yang Phra That temple, in Doi Saket. The suspect reportedly fled on a bicycle after the theft, which took place on November 8. Upon his arrest, the man confessed to taking 200 baht in cash…
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Chiang Mai: Tourist van crash leaves two dead, 10 injured
Yesterday at 9.40am, an accident involving a tourist van in Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai province, left two dead and 10 injured. The Chiang Mai provincial authorities are providing full support to the casualties. The Governor of Chiang Mai, Nirat Pongsittithavorn, assigned his deputy, Veerapong Ruttharot, along with Chiang Mai’s provincial transportation office, disaster prevention and mitigation office, provincial tourist police,…
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Internet idol’s follower fiasco: Baifern busted for 10 million-baht scam at Thai mall
Police officers today arrested 31 year old Internet idol with over 100,000 followers, in a famous Thai mall. The Internet idol Baifern, real name Monthira, was accused of defrauding more than 40 investors of over 10 million baht in a hair and nail salon business. Police Colonel Thiti Saengsawang ordered officials, together with the PCT5 police and investigators from the…
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Temple trickster: Deceitful vendor bags counterfeit scam in northern Thailand
A deceitful vendor, Anoma (surname withheld), was apprehended by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) outside a famous temple in Chiang Mai. Anoma was caught red-handed for defrauding the public by faking illness to solicit funds for her medical treatment and deceiving customers into buying counterfeit designer bags. The arrest was a result of a court warrant issued on October…
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Chiang Mai: Illegal venue serving minors shut down in police raid operation
In the early hours yesterday, a police raid was set into motion in the Chang Phueak area of Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Province. The operation, at precisely 12.30am, was led by Ronarong Thipsiri, the Inspector General of the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA), alongside DOPA SWAT and other relevant officials. Their target was an illegal entertainment venue, which had…
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