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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Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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American lecturer’s Thai visa revoked over lese majeste charge
The American lecturer facing up to 15 years behind bars if convicted for defaming the Thai royal family, today had his visa revoked. Paul Chambers, an academic based at Naresuan University’s ASEAN Community Studies Institute, was officially arrested yesterday, April 8 at Phitsanulok City Police Station. Accompanied by officials from the US Embassy in Thailand, interpreters, and lawyers from the…
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Brother fights to free US academic jailed in Thailand
A Dallas man is fighting to free his brother, a respected American academic in Thailand, after he was jailed on charges of insulting the monarchy—something his family insists he didn’t do. Paul Chambers, an American scholar and college professor based in Thailand for over 30 years, was arrested last week after Thai military authorities served him with an arrest warrant.…
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3 Colombians arrested in Nong Khai for luxury home thefts
Immigration officers in Nong Khai province arrested three Colombians suspected of theft from luxury homes in Pathum Thani. The arrests occurred yesterday, April 7, at 10.30am as the suspects were preparing to flee the country. The suspects were identified as 46 year old Nelson Andres Malo Rojas, 64 year old Raul Ferney, and 65 year old Luis Guillermo. They were…
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Man found dead in hammock in Phayao, murder suspected
A man was found dead in a hammock at a garden home, with police investigating the death as a murder. The incident occurred on Sunday, April 6, at a cottage in Don Kham Tai subdistrict, Phayao province. The police are pursuing two potential motives: a personal dispute or drug-related issues. Yesterday, police officers, including Police Lieutenant Colonel Chaiyasit Khadphab, Deputy…
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Retiree surrenders after fatal shooting over dog dispute in Lamphun
A 62 year old retiree surrendered to the police after fatally shooting the owner of a dog that allegedly caused him to suffer an accident. The incident occurred yesterday, April 4 in a field located in Mueang Lamphun district, Lamphun province. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phanupong Songsuwan, from Ban Thi Police Station, reported a shooting at Ban Chae Son, Village 1,…
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Mild earthquake shakes Pai as Myanmar tremors surge nearby
Tourists in Thailand’s popular northern getaway Pai woke up to an unexpected jolt after a mild earthquake struck the area early this morning, April 5—part of a cluster of tremors shaking nearby Myanmar. At around 6am, a 2.1-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Pai district, Mae Hong Son province, at a shallow depth of just 1 kilometre. While the quake was…
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US academic slapped with lese majeste charges in Thailand
A 58 year old American lecturer is in hot water after Thai authorities issued a rare lese majeste arrest warrant against him—sending shockwaves through the country’s academic and expat communities. The suspect, Paul Chambers, a long-time resident of Thailand and special adviser on international affairs at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, is facing charges under Thailand’s strict royal defamation laws, known…
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Warning: Sinkholes emerge in Mae Hong Son after earthquake
In a startling post-earthquake discovery, six sinkholes have appeared in Mae Hong Son’s Khun Yuam district, leaving locals on edge. The sudden appearance of these giant holes has prompted a warning from the Mineral Resources Regional Office 1, advising residents to exercise extreme caution. The sinkholes, which range in size from 2 to 30 metres in diameter, were first discovered…
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Bhumjaithai denies tension with Pheu Thai amid PM’s Buriram visit
The Bhumjaithai Party has denied any tensions with coalition leader Pheu Thai, asserting that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s visit to Buriram province, a stronghold of the Bhumjaithai Party, was not politically motivated. Chaichanok Chidchob, the party’s secretary-general, emphasised the coalition’s unity. Newin Chidchob, the party’s co-founder, welcomed the prime minister and guided her around Chang International Circuit without any political…
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Thai PM tours Chang Circuit amid MotoGP, political tensions
In a political and sporting crossover, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took a tour of the Chang International Circuit in Buriram today, led by none other than Newin Chidchob, president of the race track and political heavyweight of the Bhumjaithai Party. While the track hosts Thailand’s MotoGP races, it was political tensions and contract concerns that stole the spotlight. The 38…
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Shaky waters: Unusual waterfall flow sparks probe after Myanmar quake
Unusual water flow was observed at Huai Hok Waterfall in Ban Thi during the dry season, sparking investigations by officials after the Myanmar earthquake. This abnormality, noted for the first time in decades at Mae Takhrai National Park, has led to safety assessments. On March 30, officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation discovered this anomaly…
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Thai man found dead after leaving home to work in Taiwan
A Thai man told his mother he was going to work in Taiwan but committed suicide instead in the middle of a rice field in the Isaan province of Roi Et. The deceased’s mother was shocked after a relative informed her of the death of her 30 year old son, Pongsakorn Saenkla, yesterday, April 1. Pongsakorn was found hanging from…
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Udon Thani mother’s plea for missing son after earthquake tragedy
In the village of Na Si Nuan, Talanlian subdistrict, Kudjab district, Udon Thani province, a 59 year old mother is waiting anxiously for news of her son, who is among those missing following the collapse of a building under construction. The incident occurred after an earthquake in Chanthaburi province. Anekpong Kongsa-ya, a 23 year old electrician, was last seen running…
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Buriram man wins 6 million baht lottery with nephew’s help
A 56 year old local government official from Buriram province has become an overnight millionaire after his infant nephew picked a winning lottery ticket. Kanthar Sirisamran, from Mueang subdistrict in Krasang district, Surin province, claimed a massive 6 million baht prize following the lottery draw yesterday, April 1. The lucky number, 669687, was announced by the Government Lottery Office, sparking…
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Mae Hong Son battles wildfires and hazardous smoke levels
In Mae Hong Son, ongoing wildfires continue to affect the area as provincial efforts intensify to combat the smoke and haze. Yesterday, April 1, the governor took a helicopter to survey and identify hotspots for ground teams to extinguish while efforts were made to reduce pollution levels. At 9am yesterday, April 1, at the helipad of the Natural Resources and…
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Thai woman dies after swallowing denture at Lampang market
A Thai woman accidentally swallowed her dentures yesterday, which blocked her windpipe and led to her death at a fresh market in the northern province of Lampang. Vendors and shoppers at the market sought assistance from a rescue team for the 67 year old woman, Moi, yesterday, March 31. She was seen suddenly losing consciousness after using a bathroom within…
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Thai police suspect foul play in death of missing Austrian man
An Austrian man died in a canal in the northern province of Phitsanulok under mysterious circumstances after disappearing from his home for 11 days. Police suspect murder. Officers from Wang Thong Police Station were called to investigate a foreign man’s body in a canal in the middle of a rice field in the Wang Thong district of Phitsanulok at 2pm…
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Phayao’s ancient pagoda draws lottery seekers, fortune seekers
Residents of Phayao have flocked to pay respects and seek fortune at the recently unearthed seven-tiered ancient pagoda, believed to be over a thousand years old. Discovered in a field, the relic has become a focus for lottery enthusiasts hoping to find lucky numbers. The pagoda’s spire was found during the construction of the Den Chai-Phayao-Chiang Rai double-track railway, near…
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Sisaket police seize illegal firearms cache in major raid
In Sisaket province, police raided a weapons cache and illegal firearms production site used for criminal activities, seizing 18 firearms and various ammunition. Yesterday, March 27, Khun Han district chief Pawit Rattawan and Colonel Anek Promta, commander of the 3rd Special Task Force of the Suranaree Force, along with investigative police from Khun Han Police Station, arrested Ekaphon Namwan. They…
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Toxic air terror: Nan goes into lockdown as smog chokes province
Officials in northern Thailand have slammed the brakes on daily life in parts of Nan province, imposing lockdowns and curfews as toxic air pollution sends the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) into the red. Yesterday, March 27, Nan’s AQI hit a hazardous level of 152, with PM2.5 levels spiking to 57.2 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³), according to IQAir. That’s…
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Khon Kaen school janitor accused of assaulting girls
The Sai Mai Must Survive Facebook page urged officials to maintain oversight on a case involving a school janitor accused of sexually assaulting schoolgirls, including a kindergartener, in Khon Kaen. Parents of the victims reached out to the page, expressing concern that the case, which emerged approximately one month ago, might encounter delays or risk being shelved due to diminishing…
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Seeking forgiveness: Thai thief sends apology letter, returns stolen amulet
A Thai thief sent an apology letter after stealing 3,000 baht in cash and an amulet from a coffee shop in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Sunday, March 23. He also returned the amulet with sentimental value to the victim. The owner of MOKA CAFE in Chiang Mai, 38 year old Somchai, asked Chiang Mai News to publicise…
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Wildfires force indefinite closure of North Thailand park
Doi Phu Nang National Park in Phayao province has been closed indefinitely following a troubling rise in wildfires, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced yesterday, March 25. The park, known for its lush mountain ranges and diverse wildlife, will remain off-limits to both tourists and locals as authorities work to address the ongoing fire risks.…
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Ancient temple unearthed in Phayao during railway construction
A stunning archaeological discovery in Mueang district, Phayao province, has uncovered an ancient temple dating back around 1,000 years, complete with a beautifully preserved seven-tiered pagoda. The find, made during construction for a new railway project, sparked both excitement and concern, as residents and local officials rushed to protect the site from potential treasure hunters. Yesterday, March 24, residents and…
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German dentist attacker found dead with throat slit
A notorious German man accused of attacking female dentists across Korat has been found dead with his throat slashed – his body eerily guarded by two snarling Rottweilers. The grim discovery was made around 5.20pm yesterday, March 21, in a single-storey house near Wat Don Chomphu in the Don Chomphu subdistrict, Non Sung district, Nakhon Ratchasima. The lifeless body of…
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Bee chaos at Ubon Ratchathani temple market injures 6 (video)
Chaos ensued at a temple market in Ubon Ratchathani’s Warin Chamrap district yesterday when a swarm of local bees attacked a hive of wild bees brought for sale. Six people, including the elderly and disabled, sustained injuries from bee stings and required medical attention. The incident occurred at the Phasukaram Temple’s amulet market when a vendor attempted to sell a…
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Rodent royalty: Korat Zoo’s new Patagonian attraction charms (video)
Korat Zoo has rolled out the red carpet for its latest superstar, a cute Patagonian mara, unveiled to eager visitors. While the newborn’s gender remains a mystery, its charm is undeniable, as the zoo’s director, Thanachon Khensing, proudly stated: “It’s capturing everyone’s attention.” Currently, Korat Zoo boasts a trio of these enchanting creatures: one male, one female, and the new…
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Thai monk seen hugging foreign woman at Chiang Rai bus terminal
Police are searching for a Thai monk accused of hugging a foreign woman, believed to be a French national, at a bus terminal in the northern province of Chiang Rai. The Thai TikTok user @gina.warinthorn shared the video of the monk and the foreigner on Wednesday, March 19, along with a caption that read… “The story is, I was travelling…
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Chinese dating scammer arrested for targeting foreign men in Chiang Mai
Police yesterday arrested a Chinese man at Chiang Mai International Airport for operating scams using a dating app to approach foreign men in the province. Two victims filed complaints with officers at Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station on Sunday, March 16 and March 19, stating that a Chinese man they had met on a dating application stole their valuables and…
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Cannabis vendor found dead with more than 30 stab wounds
Police are hunting for a murderer after a cannabis vendor was found dead with more than 30 stab wounds on his body in a rented room in the northern province of Nakhon Sawan. His roommate was conspicuous by his absence when police descended on the scene. A 25 year old Thai man, Few, was the first person to discover the…
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