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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Thai man rescued after two years of abuse by employers
A Thai man has been rescued and hospitalised after enduring two years of severe abuse and torture at the hands of his employers, a husband and wife, due to his inability to meet their sales targets. The 38 year old Thai man, Kong, was accompanied by social media activist Guntouch Pongpaiboonwet, also known as Gun Jompalang, when he filed a…
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Landslide warning issued at Khao Yai National Park
A landslide warning has been issued at Khao Yai National Park due to heavy rain, causing soil and rocks to slide onto Thanarat Road. Park officials urge caution, especially near the waterfall. Heavy rainfall has led to a dangerous landslide situation at Khao Yai National Park, resulting in soil and rocks cascading down from over 100 metres high. Chaiya Huayhongthong,…
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Udon Thani: Toddler drowns, grandfather kills family dog in grief
A two year old boy drowned in a village pond in Udon Thani province, leading to the emotional and controversial killing of his dog by the child’s grandfather. Thanwa was found lifeless in a pond behind a noodle shop in Non Saeng Chan village. He lived with his grandparents while his parents worked in another province. According to the grandfather,…
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Elderly man found dead 1 kilometre from Udon Thani home
The discovery of a missing elderly man’s body, just 1 kilometre from his home after a four-day search, has left his family and neighbours in Udon Thani province bewildered. The incident sparked discussions among the local community, with some attributing his disappearance to supernatural causes. News surfaced yesterday, July 25, that 76 year old Saengthong Burapha, a resident of Dong…
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Polish man arrested for ganja LED grow lights theft in Chiang Mai
Chon Buri Provincial Immigration Office officers arrested a Polish man for the theft of LED lights from a ganja farm in the northern province of Chiang Mai as he was about to renew his visa. The owner of a cannabis farm in the Sansai district of Chiang Mai filed a complaint against the farm’s former consultant, 37 year old Polish…
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Lost Buddha statue found in Sakhon Nakhon dam after 20 years
A Buddha statue lost for years was miraculously found in the middle of Nam Oun Dam by a fisherman during the Buddhist Lent. The statue, now safely returned to Wat Doi Thep Nimit, had been missing for over 20 years. A Facebook user named Wut Sut posted images of the Buddha statue in the water, showing its transportation on a…
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Thai police crack down on ecstasy disguised as cartoon figurines
An alarming rise in a new form of ecstasy, resembling cartoon figurines, has been reported on social media, particularly in Chiang Rai. This new trend makes the drug more appealing and accessible to youth, prompting immediate police action. Police General Kittirat Phanpet, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, addressed the issue of ecstasy disguised as cartoon characters. He acknowledged…
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Former Thai official arrested for 2011 corruption in Sakon Nakhon
Officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) arrested a former public works official involved in corruption related to three projects from the 2011 fiscal year. The official was taken into custody for legal proceedings yesterday, July 24. Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, Secretary-General of the NACC, and Prateep Jutasorn, Deputy Secretary-General of NACC Region 4, directed the Region 4 anti-corruption investigation team to…
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Rainy morning crash in Chaiyaphum injures four
A road crash in Chaiyaphum province this morning resulted in three heavily damaged pickup trucks and four injuries. A white Toyota Hilux Revo lost control and veered into oncoming traffic, colliding with two other pickups. Chaiyaphum City Police Station received a report at 7.05am today, July 25, of a multi-vehicle collision in front of Chaiyaphum Radiator Shop on the Chaiyaphum-Si…
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Lottery enthusiasts visit Phayao temple for lucky numbers
Residents and lottery enthusiasts flocked to the ancient Suan Dok temple, over 1,000 years old, to seek blessings from the revered Phor Suan Dok statue. The temple is located in Ban Huai Luk, T. Tun, Mueang district, Phayao province. Locals brought offerings of flowers, incense, and candles to pay respects to the Buddha statue within the temple. They also sought…
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Thai man abandons family in roadside hut in Udon Thani
A Thai man deceived his family by promising to buy a birthday cake, only to abandon his wife and four children in a roadside hut. The local villagers, unable to leave the family in distress, stepped in to help and transport them back to their rented home. Local officials received a report at 5pm yesterday from Parida Prasomsri, a member…
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Rev your engines: The ultimate motorcycle tour in Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Royal Enfield have teamed up to put the Land of Smiles on the map as a premier destination for motorcycle enthusiasts. The Royal Enfield Amazing Thailand Ride, which began its inaugural tour from July 18 to 23, promises an adventure like no other, showcasing the country’s rich cultural tapestry and stunning landscapes. Nithee…
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Heartbroken woman rescued from bridge in northeast Thailand
A Thai woman, distressed after a breakup, was found crying by the Chi River Bridge in Yasothon province, prompting a good Samaritan to call the police. Officers managed to calm her down after an hour, ensuring her safety and returning her home. A young woman, overcome with sadness from a recent breakup, was found sitting alone on the edge of…
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Beat drop: Drummer’s collapse rocks live session in Khon Kaen
A drummer experienced a sudden collapse during a live music session, falling face-first to the ground while his bandmates rushed to his aid. Recalling the incident, the 54 year old drummer, Natthawut Sukkham, shared his perspective on the event, suggesting both health issues and supernatural elements might have contributed to his sudden fainting. The incident occurred during the evening of…
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Thai man kills 2 month old baby girl after failing to rape her mother
A Thai man killed a two month old baby in a rage by throwing the infant to the ground after he failed to rape the child’s mother at her home in the northern province of Chiang Rai. Officers from Wiang Kaen Police Station arrested the 40 year old alleged murderer, Lee Saeyang, at his home, which was located opposite the…
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Wildlife tragedy: Thailand mourns as serow and tiger bite the dust
A serow was discovered shot dead in Phetchabun province, while an injured tiger succumbed to its wounds in Buriram, according to reports from Thai officials yesterday. Chanyaphak Thanachatakkarakun, the chief of Phupha Daeng Wildlife Sanctuary, revealed yesterday, July 21, that a worker from the Silarat Lom Sak stone crushing plant heard gunshots emanating from a mountaintop and subsequently witnessed a…
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Police seize 6 million methamphetamine pills in North Thailand
Police in Pai district, Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand seized 6 million methamphetamine pills (meth) and 21 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) that had been abandoned in the area. However, the individuals responsible for transporting the drugs escaped arrest. Chucheep Pongchai, Governor of Mae Hong Son, instructed Anek Pantayom, the District Chief of Pai, to address the drug…
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Young girl drowns in Khon Kaen weir tragedy
A young girl drowned in Khon Kaen as she played on a weir with a group of others. Three were rescued after a four-hour search. Police from the Water Operation Unit of the VR Friendship Rescue Association in Phon Mueang mobilised to search for the 12 year old girl, Panadda Nganman, also known as Nong Mai yesterday, July 19. She…
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Persistent Chiang Mai gang arrested for bird food scam on tourists
Police have detained members of a scammer gang at Tha Phae Gate, Chiang Mai, who were scamming tourists by selling bird food and charging them for photos, deemed to be damaging the area’s reputation as a tourist destination. Today, July 19, officers from the Tourist Police Division 2, led by Makara Srisakulpisut and Nithipat Bunmak, conducted a thorough inspection of…
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Knife-wielding man shot dead after attacking police in Chiang Rai
A man wielding a knife caused chaos in Santat village, Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai province, injuring a police officer before being fatally shot. A subsequent search of his home revealed drug paraphernalia. Local police received a report at 9.30pm yesterday that a man was wreaking havoc in the village. Upon arrival, the officers found 28 year old Toon walking…
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Discover Thai ancient history at Phimai National Museum
A captivating blend of ancient history and modern exhibition techniques awaits visitors at the newly renovated Phimai National Museum in Nakhon Ratchasima province, 325 kilometres northeast of Bangkok. The museum recently reopened its doors, offering a refreshed and engaging exploration of Phimai’s rich cultural heritage. Located near the Phimai Historical Park, the museum, established in 1993, has long been a…
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One missing during Maha Sarakham reservoir breach flooding
A significant breach at the Huay Chiang Kham Reservoir in Maha Sarakham led to the release of several million cubic metres of water on Tuesday, affecting vast agricultural areas and resulting in one person missing. Local officials reported that the incident impacted 10,000 rai of farmland across four subdistricts in the northeastern province. The breach, which occurred at 5pm, created…
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Stateless elderly in Chiang Rai die waiting for Thai citizenship
Numerous stateless elderly individuals in Chiang Rai have tragically passed away before receiving Thai citizenship due to prolonged bureaucratic processes. A Chiang Mai teacher, Daeng, called upon Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to visit the area and witness the situation firsthand. Teacher Daeng, whose full name is Tuenjai Deetes, along with Pienporn Deetes, Secretary-General of the Foundation for Community…
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Thai AirAsia flights between Bangkok & Lampang take off in October
Thai AirAsia announced a new route connecting Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) and Lampang, marking the airline’s 25th domestic destination in Thailand. Starting October 1, travellers can look forward to daily flights on this new route, operated by the airline’s trusty Airbus A320 aircraft. Flight FD3923 will leave Bangkok (DMK) at 11.10am, touching down at Lampang Airport (LPT) by…
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Thai village health volunteer wins 6 million baht in lottery
A village health volunteer from Yasothon has struck it rich by winning the first prize in the lottery, netting a total of 6 million baht. The lucky numbers were chosen from a ticket she had reserved but not yet paid for. Rungaradee Sriwisat, a 53 year old resident of Ban Hua Kham, Moo 4, Samran subdistrict, Mueang Yasothon district, revealed…
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Thai lottery vendor wins 24 million baht after funeral ticket sale
A lottery vendor in Nong Bua Lamphu has struck it rich, winning 24 million baht from four lottery tickets. The tickets, which included the number 36 matching the age of a deceased individual at a funeral she attended, were initially unsold and kept by the vendor herself. Chantip Anusi, who has been selling lottery tickets for decades, revealed that she…
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Ancient artefacts found in Phrae to boost tourism
The ancient city of Wiang Chiang Chuen in Phrae, northern Thailand, has unveiled numerous historical artefacts, including polished stone axes and objects over 2,000 years old. The Fine Arts Department plans to develop it into a new historical tourist attraction. During a survey today, Warawut Euapinyakul, MP for Phrae’s 3rd district from the Pheu Thai Party, and Director-General of the…
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Escort scam: Thai man assaulted & robbed in Chiang Mai hotel trap
A Thai man filed a complaint against a male escort and his four friends after they lured him to a hotel in the northern province of Chiang Mai before physically assaulting and robbing him. The victim, 31 year old Korn, told officers at Doi Saket Police Station that he lost cash, a mobile phone valued at about 20,000 baht, and…
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Nakhon Ratchasima man orders toolset, gets water bottles instead
A man from Nakhon Ratchasima was left disheartened after spending 499 baht on what he believed to be a set of tools but instead received three bottles of water. Nirat Sukboon, a 46 year old resident of Nai Mueang subdistrict, Phimai district, took his complaint to the Phimai Police Station, presenting the evidence of the water bottles. Nirat shared that…
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State officials implicated in bid-rigging scheme for rubber latex firms
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) uncovered the involvement of state officials in bid-rigging for rubber latex companies in 10 provinces, leading to significant financial losses for the country. The investigation has been forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for further action. Last year, a group of rubber latex traders submitted a letter to the prime minister, requesting an…
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