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’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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Retired Thai teacher tries to buy silence after sexually abusing girl
A Thai woman accepted a 5,000 baht bribe from a 68 year old retired Thai teacher in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani to allow him to evade legal action after he sexually abused her 10 year old granddaughter. The victim’s 29 year old mother asked local social media influencer Charnwit Yodsingha to share the sexual assault story on social…
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16 year old Thai boy drowns on birthday while fleeing gang attack
A 16 year old Thai boy drowned in an irrigation canal in the northern province of Chiang Mai on his birthday while fleeing a gang attack. The family of the teenage victim, named Weeraluck, filed a missing person’s report at Mae Rim Police Station on Tuesday, August 27. Weeraluck’s friends revealed that he had fallen into the irrigation canal at…
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Durian vendor clashes with customer over spoiled fruit
A heated confrontation between a durian vendor and a customer ignited a firestorm on social media. The vendor went live to harshly criticise a customer from Surin province who complained about receiving spoiled, sour-smelling durians. The incident began when the customer posted about purchasing a durian for 150 baht from a well-known shop opposite the courthouse. Despite its appealing exterior, the…
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Locals seek blessings in Udon Thani ahead of lottery draw
As the lottery draw approaches, locals and tourists flock to Kham Chanod Wang Nakin, the mystical land of the serpent king, to pray to Phor Pu Si Sutho and Mae Ya Si Prathumma for blessings and fortune. This event took place yesterday, August 27, at Kham Chanod Wang Nakin in Ban Non Mueang, Ban Mueang subdistrict, Ban Dung district, Udon…
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Teenager beaten and shot by wife’s ex for giving her a lift
A teenager was beaten to death with a baseball bat and shot for giving the attacker’s ex-wife a lift in his car. This heart-wrenching incident has sparked widespread calls for justice on social media. The Facebook page à¸à¸µà¸‹à¹‰à¸à¸‚ยี้ข่าว3 posted about the incident that took place yesterday, August 27, in Bang Rakam, Phitsanulok. According to the post, the 17 year old was…
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Rescue efforts intensify for rail tunnel trapped Thai workers
Rescue teams are working tirelessly to save three workers trapped inside the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail tunnel in Nakhon Ratchasima. Ekkarat Sriarayanphong, Chief of the Governor’s Office of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), provided an update on the situation yesterday, August 27, detailing the efforts being made to reach the workers. Teams are carefully digging through the collapsed section of…
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Chiang Mai’s explosive night: Firework blast leaves home in ruins
A firework explosion devastated a home in Chiang Mai, prompting an urgent investigation by multiple agencies. The incident occurred yesterday at 2.30pm in Pa Phai, San Sai district, Chiang Mai province. Police swiftly responded to the scene, including local security officials, rescue teams, and the Pa Phai subdistrict municipality. Prasit Wiriya, the village head of Moo 8 in Pa Phai,…
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Rescue vehicle crash in northern Thailand kills one, injures two
A tragic accident involving a rescue vehicle occurred early today in Phichit province, northern Thailand, resulting in one death and two injuries. The vehicle, en route to aid flood victims in Sukhothai, collided with a parked 18-wheeler after the driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel. Sutchin Kesa, an officer at Wang Sai Phun Police Station, received a report at…
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Uthai Thani officer accidentally shot during argument with wife
A heated argument between a police officer and his wife in Uthai Thani province escalated, resulting in the officer being accidentally shot. He was found lying in front of a som tum shop near the traffic centre. Officers from the Khao Bang Kraek Police Station received a report yesterday, August 26, at 8.30pm about an officer who had been shot…
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Mentally ill Thai man dismembers wife, scatters body parts on road
In a shocking scene more suited to a horror movie, a mentally ill Thai man murdered his wife before dismembering her and scattering her body parts on a road in the Doi Luang district of the northern province of Chiang Rai in the early hours of today, August 26. Officers from the Doi Luang Police Station were called to investigate…
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Workers found alive under collapsed tunnel at rail construction site
Three workers have been found alive under a collapsed tunnel at the high-speed rail construction site between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to retrieve them from 6 metres beneath the debris. The incident occurred yesterday, August 25, at the high-speed rail tunnel construction site between the Janthuek and Klong Khananchit stations in Pak Chong district, Nakhon…
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Thai man turns himself in after woman found dead in Khon Kaen
A man connected to the last moments of a woman found dead by a pond has come forward to the police, shedding light on the incident. The 51 year old woman, referred to as Somchok, was discovered dead near a pond in Khuean Ubolratana, Ubolratana, Khon Kaen. Medical professionals attributed her death to pre-existing health conditions. The last person reportedly…
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Thailand Department of Rice aids northern farmers after floods
Thailand’s Department of Rice, in collaboration with three rice associations, has donated survival bags and over 50 tonnes of rice to assist northern farmers affected by recent floods. Recent floods have ravaged the northern provinces of Phayao, Nan, Chiang Rai, and Phrae, leading to extensive damage to homes and farmlands. This disaster has severely impacted the agricultural sector in these…
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Baby elephant cries as mother swept away in Thai floods (video)
A baby elephant’s fearful calls echoed as its mother was swept away by powerful floodwaters in northern Thailand. Torrential rains overnight led to severe flooding in several northern provinces, including Phayao, Nan, Chiang Rai, and Phrae, causing widespread damage to homes and agricultural lands. The dramatic incident unfolded when a large mother elephant was caught in the fierce currents, struggling…
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Thailand concludes major anti-terrorism drill
The Counter Terrorist Operations Centre under the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) Headquarters is wrapping up a five-day anti-terrorism drill today in Chiang Rai. The Crisis Management Exercise 2024 (C-MEX24) at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University saw participation from over 500 individuals representing 60 agencies. This comprehensive exercise included officers from the army, navy, air force, and police, aiming to assess their…
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No need to panic, flood’s just a ‘ripple’ in northern Thailand
The Government of Thailand urged residents not to panic after the recent deluge in the north of the country, adding it won’t flood Bangkok or its neighbouring provinces. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai declared that the caretaker administration has everything under control. With waters wreaking havoc in Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Sukhothai, the emergency services are stepping up…
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Thai dancer and her boyfriend arrested for child prostitution
Chiang Mai police arrested a 20 year old Thai dancer and her boyfriend on charges of child prostitution. The woman alleged that dancing did not provide sufficient income, leading her to become a part-time sex worker and recruit other underage dancers into prostitution. Anti-human trafficking organisations ZOE and the Immanuel Foundation reported the child prostitution racket to the Cyber Crime…
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Police pursue suspect after man murdered near Khon Kaen temple
Police are actively pursuing the suspect who brutally murdered a man on a road near a temple in Khon Kaen province. The victim’s brother revealed that the deceased had been helping with a funeral in the village and was attacked while on his way to deliver food to an elderly acquaintance. Surachet Matnok, a sub-inspector at Nong Song Hong Police…
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Maha Sarakham abbot defrocked for meth use after drug test
Police in Maha Sarakham arrested the abbot of Wat Nong Sim Yai after a drug test revealed methamphetamine (meth) use. The abbot admitted to using the drug, claiming curiosity as his motive. Local officials from the Borabue district received complaints from residents about possible drug-related activities involving monks at Wat Nong Sim Yai. Responding to these concerns, they tested four…
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Floods displace 500 households in Nan, severe damage reported
Floods have caused significant damage in the northern province of Nan, affecting eight districts and displacing over 500 households. The heavy rain led to rapid rises in river levels, particularly impacting Thawngpha district where residents struggled to evacuate their belongings in time. The province of Nan is facing a severe flood crisis, with eight districts now affected. These districts include…
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People’s Party goes all in: By-election showdown in Phitsanulok
In a high-stakes bid to hold onto their seat in Phitsanulok’s Constituency 1, the People’s Party (PP) is pulling out all the stops. PP leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and former MP Padipat Suntiphada hit the campaign trail yesterday, August 20, introducing Natachanon Chanaburanasak as their candidate for the upcoming by-election. The by-election, set for September 15, was announced by the Election…
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Heavy rainfall in Phayao triggers severe flooding
Heavy rainfall in Phayao has led to severe flooding, affecting over 400 households as flash floods swept through the area. Residents struggled to salvage their belongings, while local government officials rushed to assist. Continuous heavy rains battered Phayao for several days, resulting in flash floods that inundated multiple areas. Early in the morning, flash floods surged into Ban Kue Wiang,…
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Thai man exposes fake degree, seeks legal aid amid threats
A Thai man who recently secured a civil service position discovered his educational qualifications were fake. Seeking help to continue his job, he approached the Public Prosecutor’s Office for Rights Protection. Threats followed his public revelation, and the matter is now headed to court. The Thai man, 34 year old Sairachon Saenkham, accompanied by legal advisor Piya In-ai, met with…
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Rescue centre established to find missing fisherman in Mukdahan
A rescue centre has been established by the Phang Daeng Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) in Mukdahan to assist in the search for a man who fell into a stream while fishing two days ago and remains missing. The incident occurred amid heavy rainfall, which caused slippery conditions. Piyapong Somkot, the district chief of Dong Luang, along with Jitkram Chueakhoth, the…
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Buriram students save woman from suicide attempt near canal
A group of students from Buriram Agricultural and Technology College and Buriram Technical College saved a female student from Rajabhat University who attempted to take her own life by jumping into the ancient La Lom Canal in Buriram. A female student from a well-known university in Buriram jumped into the second section of the ancient La Lom Canal within Buriram…
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Chiang Rai nurses wear black in abusive doctor protest (video)
Thai nurses working at a state hospital in the northern province of Chiang Rai are wearing black in protest against an abusive doctor who brutally assaulted a nurse at the weekend. Nurses at the unidentified hospital changed their white uniforms to black yesterday, August 19, to call on the executive team to take action against the abusive doctor, whose identity…
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Knife-wielding man causes chaos in Udon Thani over inheritance
A knife-wielding man, reportedly under the influence of drugs, caused chaos as he attacked his relatives, claiming his mother was unfairly dividing the family inheritance. The incident took place in Mueang district, Udon Thani province. Police today, August 19, were called to the scene after reports of a man acting violently at a house on Phon Phisai Road, Mak Khaeng…
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Construction worker disappears from Lamphun riverside camp
A construction worker mysteriously disappeared from a riverside camp in Lamphun, sparking an intensive search by rescue teams. The worker’s wife revealed his unusual behaviour following his return from a funeral rite ordination. Rescue teams are actively searching the Lamphun area for Kittitach, also known as Bew, a 29 year old construction worker who vanished from his riverside camp. Bew’s…
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Nakhon Ratchasima woman wins 6 million baht in lottery
A woman from Pak Chong in Nakhon Ratchasima has won the first prize in the latest lottery draw, instantly becoming 6 million baht richer. Facebook page Pak Chong Times yesterday shared the story of Anisara, a resident of Moo 4, Moo Si, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima. She won the first prize in the government lottery draw held yesterday, August 16.…
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Police intercept convoy with illegal Chinese imports in Kalasin
Police intercepted a convoy of three 10-wheel trucks transporting illegal Chinese imports worth 20 million baht. Over 800 items lacking proper certification were confiscated. The drivers claimed they were hired to deliver the goods. Highway police intercepted three ten-wheel trucks loaded with illegal Chinese imports yesterday, August 15. The operation took place on Highway 299, kilometres 19-20, in Phai subdistrict,…
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