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.
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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Chiang Rai cops needle out 126kg heroin in Mae Sai drug bust
A significant drug bust occurred in Chiang Rai yesterday where police seized over 126 kilogrammes of heroin following a confrontation between a task force and a drug smuggling group near the Mae Sai border. Police Colonel Anuwat Panyanant, Commander of the Task Force Thap Chao Tak, Pha Mueang Force, announced the details of the operation during a press conference. The…
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Over 830 tonnes of drug precursor seized in northern Thailand
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) officers seized more than 830 tonnes of drug precursors at a warehouse in the Mae Sot district, in the northern province of Tak, owned by Chinese nationals. Officers from the ONCB, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), local police, and administrative authorities raided a warehouse on Mae Sot Road in the Mae…
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Researchers discover four new plant species in northern Thailand
Researchers have identified four new plant species in northern Thailand, showcasing the nation’s rich biodiversity. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced the findings, which were made by the department’s researchers in collaboration with botanists from Kasetsart University and Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. Attapol Charoenchansa, the department’s chief, stated that the discoveries were part of…
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Bangkok Community Help Foundation dives in for Chiang Rai flood relief
Bangkok Community Help Foundation mobilised to provide urgent flood relief to Chiang Rai and surrounding areas. The region has been severely impacted by the overflowing Kok River, leaving more than 30,000 people stranded and many without homes. With the support of volunteers, locals, and law enforcement, the foundation has delivered over 6,000 kilogrammes (kgs) of essential aid, reaching remote villages…
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Highways reopen after Chiang Rai flood chaos
Flood-ravaged Chiang Rai is getting back on its feet, with crucial roadways reopened after devastating landslides. The Department of Highways (DOH) has fast-tracked repairs to reconnect communities isolated by torrential rains, particularly along the vital Highway 1150, linking Wiang Pa Pao in Chiang Rai to Phrao in Chiang Mai. This key route, blocked by multiple landslides, had halted travel and…
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Thai man allegedly fakes wife’s suicide after adultery lawsuit
Police arrested a Thai man for allegedly killing his wife and faking her suicide after she sued him for adultery and gained ownership of all assets earned during their relationship. A Thai woman was rushed to a hospital in the northern province of Nan in August. Her husband, 45 year old Somchai, told the medical team that his wife committed…
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Thai transwoman arrested for drunk driving bites, punches cop
A Thai transwoman failed to escape a drunk driving arrest at a checkpoint in the northern province of Lampang, so she opted to bite and punch one of the police officers during her arrest. Officers from Mueang Lampang Police Station set up the checkpoint on Duangrat Road in the Suan Dok sub-district, Mueang district, Lampang, on the night of Sunday,…
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Village in Udon Thani draws crowds after 18 million baht lottery win
The village of Naka in Udon Thani has become a significant destination for devotees after tourists reported winning 18 million baht in the lottery. This rare occurrence prompted a major ritual to honour the revered figures of Phraya Srisattanakarat and Prasat Phor Phu Srisuttho. Today, October 14, at Naka Village in Mueang district, Udon Thani, Anon Saennan, the founder of…
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Thailand and Myanmar discuss Mae Sai River illegal structures
Thai officials are set to engage in discussions with Myanmar regarding illegal structures along the Mae Sai River, aiming to address the flood crisis in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced. Severe flooding has inundated the district, leaving a thick layer of mud as waters receded, prompting these high-level talks. Phumtham, who also serves as…
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Stork raving success: Endangered bird’s triumphant return to Thailand
In a ground-breaking win for wildlife conservation, Thailand has achieved an unprecedented milestone: critically endangered Asian woolly-necked storks have bred in the wild for the first time. These majestic birds, once at risk of vanishing forever, are back and thriving in their natural habitat. Officials from the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand and Khao Kheow Open Zoo were thrilled to…
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Old Thai man commits suicide after love triangle dispute
A 73 year old Thai man committed suicide in the Mae Sai district of the northern province of Chiang Rai, following a bizarre love triangle and an argument with his legal wife and children. Koh Chang Police Station officers received a report of the man’s suicide, identified as Lai, at his home in the Mae Sai district. They coordinated with…
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Former Aussie cop’s epic run across Thailand for tsunami victims
A former forensic cop from Australia is gearing up for his biggest physical challenge yet—a gruelling 1,400-kilometre run across Thailand in December. Dubbed “Run to Remember,” this endurance test marks the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, which claimed 230,000 lives worldwide, including 5,400 in Thailand. Starting on December 1, charity Hands Across the Water founder Peter Baines…
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Elderly man cycles 80km home to Surin with blind wife
An elderly man cycled nearly 80 kilometres with his blind wife amid scorching heat to return home. The journey started from Ban Nong Mek in Nong Han district, Udon Thani province and headed towards Ban Dung district. The couple was spotted on the roadside by a concerned resident who informed Weerapon, an admin of the Ban Dung Update page. Weerapon received…
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Lamphun sets up command centre as water levels rise
Lamphun is in full crisis mode as floodwaters surge from Chiang Mai, prompting emergency preparations. District chief Yutthapong Chaisorn revealed that a command centre has been established in the Mueang Lamphun district office to tackle the unfolding disaster. While Lamphun is not typically flood-prone, Yutthapong warned that many households may be ill-prepared for the deluge, leaving residents stranded. “Some households…
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Landslide in Sukhothai collapses house, kills one
A landslide caused a house to collapse into the Yom River in Sukhothai Province, resulting in the death of a 52 year old man, injuries to seven people, and the disappearance of a 10 year old girl. Rescue teams are actively searching for her. A house located near the Yom River in Klong Kra Jong subdistrict, Sawankhalok district, Sukhothai province,…
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Final tenant eviction clears way for SRT high-speed rail project
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is set to demolish a disputed commercial building after the final tenant was ordered by the court to vacate. This paves the way for the construction of a high-speed rail project that has faced significant delays. Today, October 9, officials and construction engineers installed barriers and fencing over a 200-metre stretch in front of the…
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Bank policy leaves elderly Buriram couple without government aid
A resident of Ban Silachai in Buriram province sought assistance after finding himself unable to withdraw money using his wife’s ATM card. The resident, 61 year old Tuk Sae Ho’s wife Jamlong, also 61, has been bedridden for over a year and unable to care for herself. When Tuk attempted to withdraw funds from the bank, he discovered that the…
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Scammers posing as repair technicians target homes in Buriram
Scammers posing as repair technicians have been targeting residents by forcibly entering homes and demanding payment for unnecessary repairs. This unsettling incident has left the community of Samrong, Plapplachai district, Buriram province in a state of alert. On October 6, around 1pm, 59 year old Jamnien, was looking after her four month old granddaughter in front of her house when…
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3 Thai men seek justice after assault by bar security guards and DJ
Three Thai men are seeking justice after they were physically assaulted by a group of security guards and a DJ at a bar in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet on October 1. The video of the chaotic altercation inside the entertainment venue in Kamphaeng Phet was shared by various Thai news agencies. In the footage, the bar’s security guards,…
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Fishing for owner: Chiang Mai rescue reels in 300kg catfish
A rescue team that operated during the floods in Chiang Mai discovered a 300-kilogramme giant catfish in the floodwaters and is now searching for its owner, believing the fish to be a pet. One of the rescuers, who found the giant catfish, Wi Sang, took to his Facebook account to post pictures of the animal, both to record the shocking…
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Khon Kaen MP accused of 431 million baht embezzlement
The court of Thailand has postponed the verdict hearing for an MP of Khon Kaen province, who is facing charges of embezzling 431 million baht from the Khon Kaen Teachers’ Savings Cooperative. Ekkarat claims the case has been politically manipulated and made a statement at 2.30pm yesterday, October 7. The Khon Kaen Provincial Court initially scheduled the verdict for Ekkarat…
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Thai family prays for son’s release from Hamas captivity in Gaza
The Sriaoun family gathered in their local church in Kut Yang, Udon Thani yesterday, October 6, their voices filled with emotion as they prayed for the safe return of their oldest son, 32 year old Watchara, believed to still be held captive by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. Watchara Sriaoun is among six Thais believed to be held in Gaza…
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Con-voyage: Police spark furore with luxury supercar jam on M6
A viral video has stirred up a storm after it revealed police officers on the M6 motorway escorting a convoy of luxury supercars, forcing traffic to a crawl. The shocking footage shows officers blocking lanes on the Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima route, sparking widespread outrage and prompting an immediate investigation. Social media erupted when a Facebook user posted a…
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Man high on meth terrifies employee at Udon Thani petrol station
A petrol station employee in Udon Thani was left terrified when a man, barefoot and behaving erratically, approached her while she was resting in the office. The man then groped himself and attempted to rush at her, prompting her to flee for help. Police later apprehended him, discovering he was under the influence of methamphetamine (meth). Police officers Udon Suksiri…
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Ping River on the rise: Chiang Mai braces for watery wake-up call
Chiang Mai braces for more flooding today as the Ping River is set to reach 4.95 metres, starting in the morning. Heavy rainfall in upstream areas has caused a rapid rise in the Ping River, according to Governor Nirat Pongsitthithaworn. He urged residents along the river to relocate their vehicles and valuables to higher ground. Hospitals and clinics in low-lying…
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Winter story: Thai cool season arrives fashionably late with icy twist
Brace yourselves, Thailand’s winter this year will arrive a little late but pack an extra punch of chill. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) announced that the cool season will kick off in the third week of October, with temperatures set to dip lower than last year. Although winter will extend until late February, the TMD is predicting cooler-than-usual temperatures. The…
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Chiang Rai slammed by new flooding amid fresh warnings
Chiang Rai just can’t catch a break! After being battered by devastating floods last month, Ko Sai and Mai Loong Khun communities have been hit by another round of intense flooding. Heavy rainfall overnight caused the Sai River to burst through a sandbag floodwall, swamping the area and leaving residents in disarray. Thankfully, swift action by troops ensured locals were…
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Village headman in Udon Thani kills son in self-defence
A tragic event unfolded when the village headman of Nong Wua So district in Udon Thani province, found himself in a life-and-death situation with his youngest son who was under the influence of methamphetamine (meth). The confrontation ended with the village chief fatally shooting his son in self-defence after the latter fired at him. The incident occurred yesterday, October 2.…
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Relief team cars break down in Chiang Rai due to water in petrol
A team led by Panadda Wongphudee, a beauty queen, presenter, and president of the Foundation for Good Deeds, encountered significant issues during their relief efforts in Chiang Rai. Panadda revealed that five vehicles broke down after refuelling at a local petrol station, which allegedly had water mixed with the fuel. Panadda shared her experience on her Facebook page, Dr Panadda…
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Thailand’s ‘Glowing Owl’ flower: A rare botanical spectacle
Deep in Thailand’s remote wilderness, one of nature’s rarest and strangest blooms is set to emerge from the forest floor, leaving tourists and botanists scrambling for a glimpse. The mysterious Thismia thaithongiana, also known as Phisawong Owl’s Eye, is about to make its annual appearance in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary in Tak province on Thailand’s eastern border with Myanmar. Discovered…
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