Northern Thailand News

Northern Thailand news, Chiang Mai news, business, tourism, and culture—stay updated with breaking stories, local events, and travel insights from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai, and beyond. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Northern Thailand news source.

  • Sponsored

    How one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip

    Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...

  • Sisaket home buyer unreachable as phone gets destroyed in fire

    Sisaket home buyer unreachable as phone gets destroyed in fire

    A house recently sold and cleared of paperwork was destroyed by a fire, leaving the former owner unable to contact the new buyer. The fire, which remains unexplained, occurred yesterday evening, November 21, in the Thung Sawang community, Kanthararom district, Sisaket province. Police investigator Prayoon Boonyok received the fire alert at 7pm, with the incident taking place in a single-storey…

  • Knife-wielding intoxicated man wreaks havoc in Uthai Thani

    Knife-wielding intoxicated man wreaks havoc in Uthai Thani

    A man in a state of distress wielded a knife and threw objects at passing vehicles, causing alarm among locals. This incident unfolded yesterday, November 21 in Uthai Thani province, as police were alerted to a chaotic scene involving a 40 year old Thai man. Upon receiving reports from concerned villagers about a man throwing knives and objects at vehicles…

  • Pickup driver killed in lorry crash on M6 in Nakhon Ratchasima

    Pickup driver killed in lorry crash on M6 in Nakhon Ratchasima

    A tragic accident occurred when a pickup truck collided with the rear of a lorry on the M6 motorway, resulting in the pickup losing control and crashing into the central ditch. The driver was killed instantly. The incident unfolded in the early hours, with police receiving reports of the collision at approximately 5.44am today, November 22. Officer Jakrin Sitthipru from…

  • Thai man accuses 11 police of illegal raid and attempted extortion

    Thai man accuses 11 police of illegal raid and attempted extortion

    A Thai man travelled from the northern province of Lamphun to Bangkok to seek help after 11 police officers allegedly illegally raided his home and attempted to extort 3,000 baht per month from him. The 47 year old man, identified as Wongsaphat, sought assistance from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Bangkok because he no longer trusted local police in…

  • Kamphaeng Phet cult premises raided, 12 corpses found (video)

    Kamphaeng Phet cult premises raided, 12 corpses found (video)

    Police Forensic Science Officers raided a cult premises in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet and discovered 12 corpses, which the cult leader and members reportedly used in their rituals, including clairvoyance and other superstitious training programmes. A local Facebook page, กำแพงเพชร ร้องเรียนอะไร บอกไว้ที่นี่ (translated as Kamphaeng Phet, Complain Here), urged relevant government departments to investigate the strange cult located…

  • Floating flavours: Uttaradit spiced up with ancient dish, raft parade

    Floating flavours: Uttaradit spiced up with ancient dish, raft parade

    The northern Thai province of Uttaradit will host a festival featuring the traditional dish Oua Bak Phed Sai Pla (green pepper stuffed with fish), a recipe passed down for over 300 years, alongside a spectacular raft procession to celebrate local produce and waterways in Tron district. The annual festival, organised by the Uttaradit Provincial Cultural Office in collaboration with local…

  • Lampang celebrates revered monk’s 112th birthday

    Lampang celebrates revered monk’s 112th birthday

    Lampang is set to host a significant annual event entitled, Following the Path of Faith: Paying Homage to Venerable Luang Phor Kasem Khemko, marking the revered monk’s 112th birthday. This unique event will feature rarely seen traditional Lanna ceremonies and offerings. The event, organised by the local government of Lampang, will take place over three days and nights, from November…

  • Lost for words: Sisaket cops solve drunk mute man mystery

    Lost for words: Sisaket cops solve drunk mute man mystery

    A local police station in Sisaket province faced an unusual challenge when an inebriated and lost mute man was brought in. Struggling to communicate, officers eventually relied on pen and paper to identify and safely return him to his family. Officers from Phon Khwao Police Station received a report yesterday, November 20, of a disoriented man located within Ban Non I…

  • Tourists report smelly water at northern Thailand waterfall

    Tourists report smelly water at northern Thailand waterfall

    Visitors to Phu Soi Dao National Park in northern Thailand are raising concerns over the origin of the water from the Sai Thip Waterfall. Reports of an unusual smell from the water have sparked debate and curiosity among tourists. Phu Soi Dao, covering areas in Nam Pat and Ban Khok districts in Uttaradit province, as well as Chat Trakan district in…

  • Van goes up in flames in Buriram, passengers unharmed

    Van goes up in flames in Buriram, passengers unharmed

    A terrifying fire turned a 13-seat passenger van into a fireball along the Buriram-Nang Rong Road, but in a miraculous twist, all six passengers, including a young schoolchild, made a lucky escape without a scratch. The fiery incident erupted on Tuesday, November 19, at 4pm, triggering a rapid response from the brave Mueang Buriram Police and firefighters. The heroic team…

  • Doggy paddle: Brave dog’s pawsome escape from Buriram well

    Doggy paddle: Brave dog’s pawsome escape from Buriram well

    In a heart-stopping tale of sheer survival, rescue workers in Buriram were floored by the bravery and quick thinking of a stray dog that managed to keep its head above water—literally! The canine Houdini found itself in deep trouble after toppling into an old well at the backside of Sra Yam Ma market in Nang Rong district but ingeniously used…

  • Buriram land dispute nears resolution as SRT claims ownership

    Buriram land dispute nears resolution as SRT claims ownership

    A significant land dispute over a 5,083-rai plot in Buriram’s Khao Kradong is set to be resolved, as Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit confirmed that the land belongs to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). With 900 people currently residing on this land, the ministry aims to address the situation within the next 30 days. The Supreme Court ruled in favour…

  • Thai man admits to kicking stranger’s head in Kalasin (video)

    Thai man admits to kicking stranger’s head in Kalasin (video)

    A man who kicked a stranger in the head at a dance event in the northeastern province of Kalasin has turned himself into the police, claiming alcohol-induced actions and expressing remorse upon sobering up. The police are continuing their investigation following the viral video of the incident. A Facebook user posted a video capturing the unexpected moment when a man,…

  • Nakhon Phanom: Drugs found hidden in Buddha statues seized

    Nakhon Phanom: Drugs found hidden in Buddha statues seized

    A daring drug smuggling operation involving heroin and crystal methamphetamine (Ice) concealed within large Buddha statues was thwarted by police in Thailand. The haul, with an estimated value of over 100 million baht, was seized after a tip-off led to the discovery of the illicit cargo yesterday, November 18. Police Lieutenant Colonel Rewat Champan, commanding officer of the Border Patrol…

  • Buriram blaze destroys homes, leaves two families homeless

    Buriram blaze destroys homes, leaves two families homeless

    Firefighters battled a fierce blaze that engulfed a house, with strong winds causing the flames to spread to a neighbouring residence, leading to extensive destruction. This incident occurred yesterday, November 18, in Ban Nong Prue, Buriram, and prompted a swift response from local police. Police Lieutenant Nantikan Amwapan, Deputy Inspector of the Buriram City Police Station, received an emergency call…

  • Tree smash: Pickup truck crash claims 4 lives in Uthai Thani

    Tree smash: Pickup truck crash claims 4 lives in Uthai Thani

    A tragic accident occurred in Uthai Thani when four young men lost their lives after their pickup truck veered off a curve, colliding with a large tree. The incident left the vehicle severely damaged, with the cab torn apart and scattered. The accident took place yesterday, November 18, at 11.45pm near the Silathong curve, close to the Lin sugar factory…

  • Chiang Mai man arrested after shooting during Loy Krathong

    Chiang Mai man arrested after shooting during Loy Krathong

    Police in Chiang Mai apprehended a young man following a dramatic incident where he intervened in a marital dispute, only to shoot the husband in the neck after being insulted. The police captured the suspect after a tense manhunt following the Loy Krathong festival. The incident unfolded early yesterday, November 17, when Chiang Mai police were alerted to a shooting…

  • Methamphetamine thrown on stage at Kalasin beauty pageant (video)

    Methamphetamine thrown on stage at Kalasin beauty pageant (video)

    A surprising incident unfolded during a beauty pageant at a Loy Krathong festival when a young man unexpectedly threw methamphetamine (meth) onto the stage. This disruption occurred at Huai Mano Reservoir, Seri Thai Airport, in Na Khu district, Kalasin province, at 10pm yesterday, November 15. The individual involved, a known psychiatric patient with a history of drug use, had recently…

  • Thai police officer who died pursuing suspect in Phrae honoured

    Thai police officer who died pursuing suspect in Phrae honoured

    A 22 year old police officer with a promising future, tragically died in the line of duty. He has been posthumously promoted and awarded special recognition following his brave actions while pursuing a suspect. Yesterday, November 14, National Police Chief Kittirat Phanphet revealed details surrounding the death of Sittiphong Kanta, a police officer from Sa-iab Police Station in Song district,…

  • Dog ‘adopter’ linked to Chiang Rai slaughterhouse shock

    Dog ‘adopter’ linked to Chiang Rai slaughterhouse shock

    In a shocking twist, an alleged animal welfare scandal has erupted in Chiang Rai province, where a man who posed as a compassionate dog adopter is now accused of sending his “rescued” pets to an illegal slaughterhouse. Local animal welfare advocates and the Livestock Department are calling for immediate police action to bring the man, from the Akha ethnic group,…

  • Police arrest Sisaket man for firearms and drugs possession

    Police arrest Sisaket man for firearms and drugs possession

    Police successfully conducted a crime crackdown during the Loy Krathong festival, seizing firearms and ammunition. On the day of the operation, officers arrested a 45 year old Thai man, at his residence in Huai Chan subdistrict, Khun Han district, Sisaket province. The operation was spearheaded by Chayaphon Namsuwan, a senior investigator at Khun Han Police Station, and supported by Wanchai…

  • Korat police crack down on firework shops to keep kids safe

    Korat police crack down on firework shops to keep kids safe

    In a bold move to ensure safety during this year’s Loi Krathong festival, police in Nakhon Ratchasima have launched a robust crackdown on shops selling fireworks, with a particular focus on protecting children from dangerous explosives. Police Colonel Anek Srikitrat, Deputy Commander of the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police, joined forces with Pol. Col. Suthinan Kongchaemdee, Superintendent of the Nakhon Ratchasima…

  • ‘I just wanted to try it’: Udon Thani monks found positive for meth

    ‘I just wanted to try it’: Udon Thani monks found positive for meth

    Police conducted a surprise raid on a well-known temple in Udon Thani, apprehending five monks after they tested positive for methamphetamine (meth) use. Prompted by local complaints over the monks’ inappropriate behaviour, officials took decisive action. This operation took place after locals reported the monks’ behaviour to the Damrongtham Centre in Mueang Udon Thani district. The monks were allegedly involved…

  • Wheel-y close call: Teen’s pickup mishap sends tyre rolling in Sisaket

    Wheel-y close call: Teen’s pickup mishap sends tyre rolling in Sisaket

    A 14 year old boy lost control of his pickup truck in Sisaket province, resulting in a wheel detaching and rolling onto the pavement. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though damages require compensation. Police from the Mueang Sisaket Police Station responded to an accident at the Khukhan Road intersection, near the Thanetthana Construction Company in Mueang Tai subdistrict, Mueang district,…

  • Thai police rescue 5 Chinese nationals trafficked for call centre scam

    Thai police rescue 5 Chinese nationals trafficked for call centre scam

    Thai police officers rescued five Chinese nationals who were taken to the Thai-Myanmar border instead of their intended destination in Pattaya, where they were reportedly about to be trafficked to work for a call centre scam gang. The Director of the Department of Child and Women Protection and Anti-Human Trafficking, Prachuap Wongsook, announced the successful rescue mission at a press…

  • Thai man beheads 4 puppies, blames father-in-law for cruelty

    Thai man beheads 4 puppies, blames father-in-law for cruelty

    A sadistic Thai man in the Isaan province of Buriram brutally beheaded four puppies before trying to point the finger of blame on his father-in-law for the cruel act. Evidence of the man’s barbaric cruelty was found on his mobile phone. A resident of Chaloem Phrakiat district, Buriram, shared on social media that she discovered the bodies of four puppies,…

  • British man arrested for selling drugs to foreign tourists in Chiang Mai

    British man arrested for selling drugs to foreign tourists in Chiang Mai

    Chiang Mai Provincial Immigration Office arrested a British man after he sold drugs targeting foreign tourists in the province over the past six months. Immigration officers observed the Englishman, identified only as Daniel, displaying suspicious behaviour. Daniel was a partner in a cannabis shop on Chang Moi Road in the province. The main owner of the shop was a Thai…

  • Forestry officer arrested after armed robbery in Sakon Nakhon

    Forestry officer arrested after armed robbery in Sakon Nakhon

    An arrest warrant is targeting a forestry police officer following an armed robbery at a forest conservation unit in Sakon Nakhon province. On Saturday, a group of men attacked the Warit-Panna forest protection unit, making off with 19 phayung logs, also known as Siamese rosewood and two firearms. The logs are valued at approximately 800,000 baht. Surachai Achalaboon, Director-General of the…

  • Minister defends ‘controversial’ land title decision in Buriram

    Minister defends ‘controversial’ land title decision in Buriram

    Deputy Interior Minister Songsak Thongsri recently stepped into the spotlight by defending a contentious decision made by a land committee regarding land title documents for plots in Buriram’s Khao Kradong area. This decision comes despite a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that the land is owned by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). The crux of the issue lies in the…

  • Mae Sai battles floods again as Chiang Rai plans flood prevention

    Mae Sai battles floods again as Chiang Rai plans flood prevention

    Mae Sai district residents are grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding, only weeks after recovering from the previous inundation during the rainy season. Torrential rains on Thursday night, November 7, led to the Sai Lom Joy market, positioned along the Sai River, being submerged under floodwater. Despite the adverse weather conditions, Mueang Daeng Road and Lung Khon Wood Market…