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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Drowsy danger: Driver fatigue blamed in fatal Loei bus crash
A tragic accident unfolded yesterday morning, December 27 when a double-decker bus crashed on the Chum Phae-Phu Kradueng road in Loei. The bus, part of the Bangkok-Loei-Chiang Khan route, veered off course around 6.30am, colliding with trees for approximately 100 metres. Police and emergency teams arrived to find the vehicle’s front severely damaged, with shattered windows and the driver’s door…
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Thai father kills 2 children before committing suicide, only 8 year old boy survives
A desperate Thai father committed a murder-suicide involving his three children after his wife requested a divorce to start a new family. Tragically, only an eight year old boy survived the horrific incident. The distressing event took place in a bathroom near Mae Khao Tom Reservoir in the northern province of Chiang Rai at around 7.30am on Wednesday, December 25.…
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Winning numbers: Villagers seek lottery luck from Phayao anthill
Villagers in Phayao province have flocked to a revered anthill believed to bring good fortune, hoping for a lucky start to the new year. The anthill, located in Mae Ka subdistrict, Mueang district, has previously provided accurate three-digit numbers to those seeking fortune. The villagers gathered with offerings of flowers, incense, garlands, and colourful cloths, along with talcum powder, to…
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Maharaj Hospital seeks blood donations for new year prep
Maharaj Hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima is gearing up for the new year celebrations by preparing medical personnel, ambulances, and emergency vehicles for the critical Seven Dangerous Days. However, the hospital is facing a shortage of 400 units of blood and is urgently seeking donations. The deputy director of Maharaj Hospital, Jedsada Bun-Ya-Wong-Viroj, has disclosed plans to ensure readiness during this…
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Cyber raid: 8 arrested for online gambling in Chiang Rai
Police from the Cyber Crime Division conducted a raid on three locations connected to the OK2D online gambling network in Chiang Rai, resulting in the arrest of eight administrators. The operation, believed to be linked with three other prominent websites, involves over 200,000 players and a financial turnover exceeding 1 billion baht. High-ranking officials, including Trirong Phiwphan, the Cyber Crime…
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Chiang Mai magic mushroom vendor arrested after death of British man
Police arrested a Thai vendor selling magic mushrooms in Chiang Mai following the death of a British man who purchased and consumed the drugs from her shop. Officers from the Investigation Division of Provincial Police Region 5, in cooperation with the Provincial Public Health Office, raided a cannabis shop on Tha Pae Road in Chiang Mai’s Mueang District on December…
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Cholera claims three lives, infects 450 near Thai-Myanmar border
Cholera has claimed three lives and left around 450 people infected in the Myanmar region bordering Mae Sot district in Tak province. Officals have issued warnings for increased vigilance regarding hygiene and food preparation to prevent further outbreaks. Cholera, a severe diarrhoeal disease, has caused significant health concerns in the area, with the first reports coming from the Myanmar side.…
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School gardener arrested in Sukhothai for selling illicit videos
A cybercrime investigation led to the arrest of a school gardener who allegedly ran a secret group selling illicit footage of women and students. This operation reportedly generated a significant income over two years, accumulating upwards of 120,000 baht. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) held a press conference in Muang Thong Thani at 12pm yesterday, December 23, where senior…
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Thai teen pregnancy leads to clash between families at hospital
An unplanned pregnancy of a 15 year old Thai girl led to a clash between her mother and her boyfriend’s older sister at a hospital in the northern province of Nakhon Sawan on December 20. A viral video showed two women, 42 year old Phatcharee and 28 year old On-anong, fighting in a hospital, later reported to be Nakhon Sawan…
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Sisaket: Man hides in neighbour’s urn after stabbing father (video)
A distressing incident unfolded yesterday, December 20, in Kanthararom district, Sisaket province, where a young man, allegedly under the influence of drugs, stabbed his father before fleeing and hiding in a neighbour’s urn. Police at Kanthararom station received a report at 5.30pm yesterday about a son attacking his father at a residence in Ban Ko, Phak Phrao subdistrict. Upon their…
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Transwoman arrested for explicit online content in Korat
Police have apprehended a transwoman involved in producing and distributing explicit content online, following a discovery of over 120 illicit clips. The operation, led by high-ranking officials, targeted a transgender individual identified as 37 year old Natthakan, accused of creating and circulating pornographic material and uploading it to a computer system. The arrest took place at a residence in the…
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Udon Thani: Sports shoes blunder leaves seller with 80k baht loss
An incident involving a misunderstanding over second-hand shoes seemingly abandoned in a park in Udon Thani province has left a resident of Ang Thong distraught after a social media post led to the unintended distribution of her merchandise. A Facebook user shared an image of locals selecting second-hand shoes, mistakenly suggesting they were free for the taking. This post resulted…
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Banana leaf caterpillars bring flavour to Phayao province
The rural community of Pa Fang, located in Huai Kaeo, Phu Kham Yao, Phayao province, has a unique culinary tradition involving banana leaf caterpillars. Residents often venture into the banana groves at the edge of the village to gather these caterpillars, known for their high protein content and distinctive taste. The caterpillars, which are the larvae of banana leaf-rolling moths,…
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3 arrested in Kalasin businessman kidnapping, 2 on the run
Police have detained three young men following a violent assault and kidnapping for ransom involving a local businessman in Kalasin province. The incident occurred after he had attended a retro dance event in Kalasin province. Police are actively pursuing two additional suspects, one identified as the group’s ringleader. Police in Kalasin yesterday, December 19, arrested three individuals connected to the…
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Sole searching: Locals sprint to grab second-hand shoes left in park
Thousands of second-hand running shoes were left in a public park, leading locals to flock and collect them eagerly. This surprising occurrence took place at the Thung Nong Naman public park in Ban Huakhu, Muang Phia subdistrict, Kut Chap district, Udon Thani province. The event was initially shared by a Facebook user, Charoon Boonjuang, who posted images of the shoes…
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Paws and reflect: Workers celebrate well-done Udon Thani dog rescue
Rescue workers in Udon Thani were filled with joy after successfully rescuing a stranded dog from a well near a fishpond on Tham Chedi Road in Mueang district. The heartwarming scene unfolded yesterday, December 19, when the team from Udon Thani’s Songserm Tham Foundation received a call for assistance from locals, who reported hearing a dog trapped in a well for…
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Srinagarind Hospital overwhelmed by 830% rise in cancer patients
Srinagarind Hospital in Khon Kaen called on the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to address the overwhelming demand for cancer treatment, following a staggering 830% increase in patients seeking care under the Cancer Anywhere (CA) programme. Hospital director Somsak Tiamkao yesterday, December 17, highlighted that the facility is struggling to cope with the significant rise in cancer patients referred through…
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Phu Kradueng reopens gates with new safety measures
Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province is set to welcome visitors once again next Monday, December 23 following a tragic incident involving a wild elephant attack that led to its temporary closure. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced the reopening, emphasising enhanced safety measures to ensure the well-being of tourists at this popular northeastern…
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Chaiyaphum nurse wins 6 million baht in Thai lottery
A nurse from Thepsathit Hospital in Chaiyaphum province has struck gold by winning the top prize in the Thai government lottery, making her a millionaire overnight. The winning ticket number 097863, drawn yesterday, December 16, has brought the Thai nurse a prize of 6 million baht. This news spread like wildfire, capturing the attention of netizens who flocked online to…
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Sisaket hospital criticised for charging patients 5 baht per spoon
Controversy erupted over public hospitals in Thailand selling spoons to patients for 5 baht each. This practice, particularly at Kantharalak Hospital in the Sisaket province, was initially introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to prevent virus spread but it has now drawn criticism. The issue gained attention when a popular online page highlighted the situation, igniting a debate about the responsibilities…
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Tourists in Uthai Thani climb mountain for lottery numbers
Locals and tourists braved the steep climb up Mount Pla Ra in Uthai Thani province, reaching an elevation of 1,400 metres, to seek lottery numbers from the stalactites in a cave. The event, led by Theerapat Khachamat, the Governor of Uthai Thani, attracted over 100 participants, including government officials and tourists, who embarked on this challenging journey to explore the…
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Rangers intercept 200kg crystal meth from Laos at Loei border
Rangers at the Sri Song Rak Camp in Loei province recently disrupted a significant drug smuggling operation, seizing 200 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (Ice). Following a tip-off received two days earlier about drug trafficking from Laos into Ban Huai Pao, Pak Chom, a rapid-response team was dispatched to patrol the suspected area. During their surveillance, rangers identified two pickup trucks…
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Thai man kills stepbrother over drug-fuelled chaos in Sisaket
A young man in Sisaket province reached a breaking point after years of family turmoil, leading to a tragic incident. Phu Sing Police reported on Wednesday, December 11, that a 33 year old man was found dead in his home after being stabbed three times in the chest. His 21 year old stepbrother was arrested at the scene with the…
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Police crack down on illegal forest farming in Lampang
Thai police launched CIB Crush Influence, an operation targeting investors exploiting forest lands, but the main suspects managed to escape. However, they discovered a couple illegally farming corn in the forests of Mae Mo, Lampang province, and have taken legal action against them. The operation was ordered by Jiraphop Bhuridej, head of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), and involved police…
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Nakhon Phanom ritual sparks lottery hope with lucky number
A religious ceremony was recently held at the Phaya Nak landmark along the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province in search of a lucky number for the upcoming lottery draw. A group of devotees from Bangkok recently conducted a significant ritual in honour of Phaya Srisattanakharat, or Grandfather Phaya Nak, aiming to invoke prosperity, fortune, and success in careers and…
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Phu Kradueng National Park shuts down after elephant attack
Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province has been closed indefinitely after a wild elephant attacked and killed a female tourist. The Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), Atthaphon Charoenchansa, has vowed swift action to ensure safety. In a chilling revelation, the same elephant has returned to the area where the attack occurred,…
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Man defrauded by ex-village chief in Chiang Rai probation scam
A man in Chiang Rai, concerned about violating probation conditions and potentially returning to prison, reported being defrauded of over 415,000 baht by a former village assistant headman. The incident was reported yesterday, December 11, at the Mae Sai Police Station in Chiang Rai province. Thanawit, accompanied by relatives, filed a complaint with Angsumarin Meeboonlap, an investigative officer, alleging that…
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Maha Sarakham investment fraud victims lose 500 million baht
A significant fraud case has emerged in Maha Sarakham, where numerous victims have been deceived into investing in a bogus real estate development, losing over 500 million baht. The alleged fraud was orchestrated by two prominent financiers who promised high returns. Peace and Justice Club President Taen Khun has taken the victims to meet with investigators at the Economic Crime…
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Couple arrested for fake temple donation scam in Tak
Royal Thai Police apprehended a couple suspected of creating fake temple pages to solicit donations during the Kathin festival, deceiving the public and causing losses worth millions. The incident left relatives expressing anger about the moral implications of defrauding charitable contributions. Officers, led by Trirong Phiwan, arrested Tawan and Worawan, both 31 years old, at a resort in Tak province.…
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Police subdue armed suspect after car theft in Phitsanulok
A dramatic police chase unfolded yesterday when a suspect attempted to steal a vehicle from a car dealership in Phitsanulok province. The suspect was eventually subdued after a tense confrontation that left two officers injured. The incident began when police from Highway Station 3, Sub-Division 5, Thalang, received a report yesterday, December 10, about a white Mitsubishi Pajero with the…
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