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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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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Elderly woman dies in Nakhon Phanom after electricity cut off
The family of a 68 year old bedridden woman who tragically died is laying the blame squarely at the feet of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) after her electricity supply was cut off for failing to pay a bill of 1,500 baht in Nakhon Phanom province. Hospital director Nongluk Chanchana, along with the grieving relatives, is demanding accountability from the Provincial…
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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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Phimai police boost bank security for 10,000 baht withdrawals
Police in Nakhon Ratchasima have increased security measures at local banks, fearing that loan sharks might target citizens withdrawing their 10,000 baht digital money. Officers from Phimai Police Station’s crime prevention unit were deployed to the Phimai branch of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) on September 30, to safeguard the public waiting to withdraw funds from the…
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Uttaradit locals seek lottery luck at towering temple statue
Residents of the upper northern province of Uttaradit flocked to Wat Khlong Kaphuea to seek blessings from the towering statue of Thao Wessuwan, hoping for good fortune for today’s lottery draw, October 1. The locals engage in rituals, trying their luck with a three-digit number drawn from a jar. Wat Khlong Kaphuea in Ban Khon, Phichai district, Uttaradit province, became…
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Mae Sai issues urgent evacuation alert amid heavy rainfall threat
Mae Sai municipality in Chiang Rai province has issued an urgent evacuation alert for residents in flood-prone areas due to the risk of a second wave of flooding. Local officials forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall from today until October 3, which could significantly raise water levels in the Sai River and potentially lead to severe flooding in vulnerable regions.…
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Khon Kaen resident loses 16,800 baht to phone scam
A resident of Khon Kaen lost 10,000 baht from her government assistance money to a phone scam, which also took an additional 6,800 baht from her health volunteer allowance. Visarut Pupeng, an advisor to the Deputy Minister of Education, assisted Buathong, a 63 year old resident of Chum Phae district, Khon Kaen province, in filing a police report with Police…
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Two suspects arrested for motorcycle thefts in Khon Kaen
Two individuals suspected of motorcycle theft have been apprehended in separate investigations in Khon Kaen, police announced yesterday, September 30. Victims reported their bikes had been left parked without the handlebars locked, simplifying the thefts. Security camera footage revealed a man dressed as a delivery driver frequenting areas where the motorcycles disappeared. The suspect, identified as 40 year old Anusit…
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Thai woman criticised for crashing car into schoolboy, blames victim (video)
Police officers in the northern province of Chiang Mai are on the hunt for a female driver who crashed her sedan into a 10 year old schoolboy, subsequently blamed the young victim, and shirked all responsibility for his injuries. The 30 year old Thai woman, A, came forward to seek justice for the 10 year old schoolboy by sharing CCTV…
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Boy survives cobra bite in Maha Sarakham housing estate (video)
A highly venomous cobra entered a boy’s bedroom and bit him at a housing estate yesterday, September 30, in the northeastern province of Maha Sarakham province. Rescuers were called to the house in Lao subdistrict, Kosum Phisai district, yesterday morning after a 13 year old boy named Tan was bitten by a snake. Tan’s aunt, Mayura, explained she was 20…
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Waxing poetic: Ubon Ratchathani candle workshop goes up in smoke
A fire engulfed a renowned candle-carving workshop at Wat Jaeng in Ubon Ratchathani, causing over 2 million baht in damages. The blaze started when sparks from a metal grinder ignited foam, rapidly spreading through the building. The fire broke out at 3.40pm yesterday, September 29, at the candle-carving workshop of Wat Jaeng, located on Sappasit Road in Ubon Ratchathani city.…
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Flood kills 300 pigs at Lampang farm, causes 21 million baht loss
Over 300 pigs have died after being submerged for three days due to a sudden flood at a farm in the northern province of Lampang, causing significant damage estimated at 21 million baht. The owner of the farm expressed the devastating impact of this year’s flood. The incident occurred at Krissana Farm in Ban Watthana, Sobprab subdistrict, Sobprab district, Lampang…
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IKEA launches furniture buy-back for Thai flood relief effort
IKEA has partnered with the Mirror Foundation to buy back furniture and help restore homes in northern Thailand affected by flooding. This initiative aims to return these homes to their former beauty. IKEA announced this campaign on its Facebook page, stating, “In these difficult times, our collective help is crucial. IKEA is collaborating with the Mirror Foundation to support flood…
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Thai police arrest five in Korat for Facebook scam
Thai police have apprehended five individuals involved in a scam that involved creating fake Facebook pages to deceive people into transferring money for sacred objects. The arrests were made following a detailed investigation by the Metropolitan Police Bureau. Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsawang, Police Major General Nopasin Poolsawas, and other senior officers from the bureau directed their team to conduct…
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Doggone floods: Soi Dog races to feed Chiang Rai’s stranded paws
In a race against time, the Soi Dog Foundation dispatched a dedicated team to Chiang Rai to evaluate and address the urgent food needs of pets devastated by recent floods. Partnering with local officials, they aim to provide vital assistance to animals caught in the crisis, including the astonishing figure of 7,650 dogs and cats. Soi Dog’s staff, in collaboration with…
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Khon Kaen man spends over 10 hours at buffet restaurant
A man from Khon Kaen has broken his eating record three times by dining at a buffet restaurant for over 10 hours, thanks to the restaurant’s unlimited time promotion. He even managed this feat without having slept. Social media in Khon Kaen buzzed with images from the Oshinei Khon Kaen Facebook page at 6pm yesterday, September 25. The post showed…
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Second body found in Lampang’s Wang River amid strong currents
Police in Lampang discovered a second body floating in the Wang River yesterday, September 25. Despite efforts to retrieve the body, strong currents carried it away. The deceased is believed to be a 60 year old woman who went missing on September 20. Police in Ko Kha were alerted to the discovery of a body in the Wang River near…
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Thailand digital wallet handout falls short: Woman gets only 4,000
A Thai woman attempting to withdraw 10,000 baht for her father, as part of the Thai government’s digital wallet handout for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities, received only 4,000 baht, sparking suspicions of debt deductions by the bank. In Uthai Thani province, the government commenced disbursing 10,000 baht to vulnerable groups and those with disabilities. From early morning, recipients…
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Excavator fined during Chiang Rai flood relief sparks heated debate
Thai social activist Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet revealed that an excavator on its way back from assisting with flood relief efforts in Chiang Rai was fined for being overweight at a weigh station in the northern province of Phayao. Gun shared that one of his followers requested help for the excavator, which was stopped by the Department of Highways’ weigh station.…
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Northern Thailand: Electricity bills scrapped in disaster zones
To ease the burden on flood-ravaged communities, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that electricity bills for this month will be waived for those living in the northern and northeastern regions of Thailand. After chairing a crucial Cabinet meeting at Government House, the 38 year old PM confirmed, “We are suspending the collection of electricity fees for this month. It’s a…
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Chiang Rai launches ‘Big Cleaning Day’ after flood devastation
Chiang Rai is gearing up for a massive province-wide cleanup on Sunday, September 29, aiming to restore communities battered by recent floods. Dubbed “Big Cleaning Day,” this operation will target public spaces and homes in eight zones across the capital district, with a special focus on vulnerable residents, including the elderly and disabled. But it’s not all smooth sailing. A…
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Crocodile tears: Thai farmer takes action to keep community safe
A Thai farm owner in the northern province of Lamphun took the heartbreaking decision to kill 125 crocodiles to ensure the safety of his neighbours and residents. The action was taken as a precaution, given that the animals could have escaped during the floods. Extensive agricultural land and livestock farms in various provinces, particularly in Isaan and northern Thailand, have suffered…
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Elderly man found sleeping in sack on pavement in Khon Kaen (video)
A recent TikTok video revealed the heart-wrenching scene of an elderly man sleeping in a sack on the pavement, enduring cold and mosquito bites. The video, posted by @hengpusit, captures the plight of the vagrant in Ban Phai, Khon Kaen. The video, shared yesterday, September 24, by TikTok user @hengpusit, shows an elderly man shivering in a sack on the…
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Man arrested for snatching gold necklaces, attempts to ordain
After trying to escape to a temple, a man has been arrested for a series of gold necklace snatchings in Nong Khai and Bueng Kan provinces. Originally from Udon Thani, 31 year old Anurak was living with his wife in Bueng Kan. On September 10, Anurak targeted a female government employee at the Bueng Kan Government Complex, attempting to snatch…
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New facial scan system leaves elderly Thai couple without welfare
An elderly couple in Buriram, who are heavily reliant on their state welfare cards, faced a significant hurdle with the new system requiring facial scans for verification. The couple, Lom Chaisuwan who is bedridden, and his 87 year old wife, anxiously await the outcome as their monthly welfare is a crucial part of their livelihood. Yesterday, September 22, Lom, residing…
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Thai police arrest man in Phayao for illegal online gambling
Police in Phayao province arrested a 22 year old Thai man for operating an illegal online gambling website, seizing 2.8 million baht in cash and assets valued at over 5 million baht. The suspect confessed to earning approximately 100,000 baht daily from the operation. Law enforcement officers led by Police Commander Pitak Nasamwas and Deputy Commander Jirapat Moongdee, along with…
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Executive jailed in Nakhon Ratchasima for illegal waste disposal
An executive from an industrial waste management company has been handed a two years and six months prison sentence, and the firm has been fined 250,000 baht for the illegal disposal of chemical substances in Nakhon Ratchasima in 2021. The Sikhiu Provincial Court found Varalee Kijsa-ard, an executive at Aek Uthai Co’s Klang Dong branch, guilty of breaching environmental and…
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Shoppers rush post-flood markets in Chiang Rai for bargains
Shoppers flocked to the Sai Lom Joi Market and Doi Wao Market in Chiang Rai‘s Mae Sai district to purchase discounted goods following the recent floodwaters receding. The bustling atmosphere saw a surge of visitors eager to take advantage of the low prices on offer. This annual post-flood shopping event has become a tradition for these border trade markets. Floodwaters…
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Scam caller demands 120,000 baht from Surin official
A mysterious call claiming to be from a high-ranking official in Surin province demanded 120,000 baht from the director of the Sri Narong District Lifelong Learning Centre in the province to clear up a complaint against her. The Facebook page Watchdog Operation recently published a post and images accusing Nitaya, the director of the Sri Narong District Lifelong Learning Centre,…
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