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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Nakhon Ratchasima to launch electric rail transit after 7-year wait
The government has given the green light to a long-anticipated electric rail mass transit initiative in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima. After a seven-year wait, the northeastern province is eagerly anticipating its own mass transit system, as noted by Sarawut Choedchai, a former city mayor and member of the traffic management committee in Thailand’s third-largest city after Bangkok and Chiang…
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Thai singer demands revenue from falsely claimed song rights (video)
Min Kuntaphat, a renowned Thai singer and independent artist from Maha Sarakham province, has accused a popular influencer with nearly 3 million followers of falsely claiming ownership of his song Soi Dao. According to Min, who legally owns the song’s rights, the influencer has been collecting revenue from the song on various online platforms for almost a year, despite Min’s…
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Ex-police officer and restaurant owner win 12 million baht lottery
A former police officer sharing a lottery ticket with a restaurant owner led to an unexpected windfall as the pair won the first prize in the Thai government lottery, securing 12 million baht. The joyous occasion took place at a restaurant by the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province, where the lucky ticket was shared. The winning lottery number 807779…
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Ex-waiter arrested for shabu restaurant theft in Ubon Ratchathani
Police in Ubon Ratchathani arrested a former head waiter accused of breaking into a shabu restaurant and stealing money. The suspect, 20 year old Natthaphon Wongko, reportedly used a stone to smash the glass of the restaurant, including one where he previously worked, to commit the theft. The incident was reported on Monday, January 13, when 30 year old Panupon…
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Banana plant in Phayao sparks lottery frenzy with unique bud
A unique phenomenon in Phayao province has attracted attention as a banana plant, seemingly cut down, has produced a bud resembling a lotus flower from its trunk. Residents are flocking to the site with hopes of finding lucky lottery numbers, believing a local spirit, known as the Goddess Tanee, is offering protection. Locals informed the media yesterday, January 15, about…
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Korat calls for urgent donations amid major blood shortage
Residents across northeastern Thailand are being encouraged to donate blood to address a significant shortage, as highlighted by officials at Regional Blood Centre V. Hospitals in regions such as Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Buriram, and Surin are currently receiving only 30 to 40% of their required blood supply, according to Sirilak Piakkhunthod, head of the blood centre. Sirilak noted that 39…
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Thai girl reunited with family after abduction by drug addict
Thai police collaborated with armed forces in Myanmar to rescue a 10 year old Thai girl abducted by a drug-addicted Thai woman and taken to Myanmar via the border in Mae Sot district in the northern province of Tak. A 40 year old Thai mother, Khamporn Onkate, filed a complaint at Mae Sot Police Station yesterday, January 14, after her 10…
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Man rescued from water tank mishap in Nakhon Ratchasima
A man in Nakhon Ratchasima found himself trapped in a water tank while attempting repairs and required the assistance of emergency services. The disaster prevention and mitigation team from the Pho Klang Subdistrict Municipality received a call yesterday, January 14, about someone stuck in a household water tank. Upon arrival, the team saw the homeowner stuck in a 500-litre tank,…
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Khon Kaen school director arrested for drug dealing
Police in Khon Kaen arrested a school director for drug dealing after a sting operation caught him in the act of delivering drugs to an undercover officer. Yesterday, January 14, Police Colonel Theerathat Phongsuwan, of Nong Song Hong Police Station, reported the arrest of 40 year old Naphatdol, a school director in Nong Song Hong district, Khon Kaen province. He…
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Isaan tamarind vendor fined for nude model marketing tactics
Police fined a sweet tamarind vendor in the Isaan province of Udon Thani 2,500 baht for using explicit photos of scantily clad and nude models to promote his shop. A medical professional from Ban Phue Hospital in Udon Thani urged officers from Ban Phue Police Station to take action against the vendor, who advertised his shop with explicit images. The…
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Monk on knife and axe rampage wreaks havoc in Surin temple
Police in Buachet district, Surin province, responded to a report yesterday, January 13, of a monk wielding a knife and an axe, threatening locals at a temple in Ban Srae, Aphon subdistrict. The monk, 42 year old Kanatsak, was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis. Upon arriving at the scene, police, along with the Aphon subdistrict emergency services and Buachet…
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Chiang Rai hospital error leads to death of woman in dental surgery
A family in the northern province of Chiang Rai is seeking compensation from a private hospital for the death of a Thai woman who suffocated during dental surgery. The deceased, 33 year old Katesuda Buanark, passed away at a private hospital in Chiang Rai on December 19 last year. Katesuda primarily resided in Singapore with her husband and nine year…
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Udon Thani mother forces Thai-British girl into abuse by stepfather
A 15 year old girl from Udon Thani province revealed that her biological mother forced her into a relationship with her stepfather, starting at the age of 11. This abuse continued for four years, coinciding with her biological father’s illness and subsequent death. Chalida Palamat, the head of the Pen Nueng Foundation, along with Udon Thani Social Development and Human…
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Wildfire reignites, threatening homes and resorts in Korat
A wildfire reignited at Khao Loi in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima, at 10am on Thursday, January 9, after previously being contained on January 8. Northeast Forest Fire Control Center 3 dispatched 35 personnel to the scene, collaborating with five agencies, including Khao Yai National Park and the Phayayen Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, to combat the blaze. Firebreaks were established to…
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Caught red-handed: 6 arrested at illegal gold mining site in Phitchit
Forestry police apprehended a Vietnamese man and five Thai nationals at an unauthorised gold mining site on Panompa Mountain in the northern province of Phichit yesterday, January 10. This action followed a report alleging that a Vietnamese investor had entered the site on the mountain in Nong Phra subdistrict, Wang Sai Phun district, to excavate gold. The Vietnamese individual was…
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Chiang Rai clinic accused of defrauding NHSO 1.8 million baht
Police in Chiang Rai province have been requested by the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to investigate a clinic suspected of defrauding the universal healthcare system. The clinic is alleged to have serviced at least one fraudulent patient. Doctor Attaporn Limpanyalert, deputy secretary-general of the NHSO, lodged a formal complaint at Ban Du Police Station in Wieng Pa Pao district.…
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Copper thieves takes power supply from Buriram residents
Residents of Baan Jok Tia in Buriram province were left puzzled when a series of power outages occurred, suspecting the electricity authority had removed their meters due to unpaid bills. However, it was discovered that someone had cut the main power lines to homes and a local temple, possibly to sell the copper wiring. Residents from Baan Jok Tia, Mueang…
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Nong Khai man walks 500km barefoot after family dispute
A 62 year old man was reportedly forced out of his Nong Khai home by his wife and stepson, prompting him to walk barefoot over 500 kilometres to return to his hometown. A passerby found him and provided a lift, eventually taking him to a hospital. Police Colonel Ratapolchai Pensongkram from Chaiwan district, Udon Thani province, received a call from…
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Buriram: Elderly man falls critically ill after eating raw pork salad
A 73 year old man from the Nang Rong district in Buriram province was hospitalised after consuming raw pork salad with fresh blood. He experienced vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, and extreme weakness. A concerned relative discovered him and contacted emergency services yesterday, January 9 for immediate medical attention. His condition remains critical at Nang Rong Hospital as doctors await detailed diagnostic…
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Khon Kaen couple arrested for 1 million baht amulet theft
Police in Khon Kaen arrested a 45 year old man and his 48 year old wife on charges of theft and possession of stolen property. The couple is accused of stealing valuable amulets from a residence, which the woman had nabbed while working as a housekeeper. The stolen items, including several amulets such as the Phra Phuttha Chinnaraj Indochina and…
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Fight breaks out after Thai woman leaves 2 husbands for foreigner
A physical altercation over jealousy broke out in a market in the Isaan province of Surin on Sunday, January 5, after a Thai woman left her two Thai husbands to date a foreign man. A Thai woman who witnessed the incident shared a video of the chaos at the market on her Facebook account on Sunday. She wrote in the…
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Prehistoric skeletons found near Khon Kaen dinosaur museum
While preparing land for cultivation, villagers discovered prehistoric human skeletons estimated to be 1,500 to 2,500 years old, suggesting an ancient settlement location. The Fine Arts Department is examining the remains, found opposite Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum in the Wiang Kao district of Khon Kaen province. Thipawan Wong-assapai, a skilled archaeologist from the Fine Arts Office 8 in Khon Kaen,…
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Meth dealer crashes into car of Thai actress’ mother in Phitsanulok
A dramatic car chase unfolded in Phitsanulok as police chased a suspected drug dealer. Despite having his car tyres punctured by armed police, the suspect continued to flee, eventually colliding with a vehicle belonging to the mother of Thai actress Tukk Lila. The suspect was eventually apprehended, and a large quantity of methamphetamine was discovered. The incident occurred at 2pm…
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Thai man found dead in Buriram pond after motorbike crash
A man was found dead in a pond after allegedly taking a motorcycle without permission from a village in Buriram province. Police Lieutenant Sornsak Phakratok from Satuek District Police Station, Buriram, received a report yesterday, January 6, from the village head of Ban Nong Nam Khun, Ron Thong subdistrict, Satuek district. The report indicated the discovery of a male body…
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Elderly driver crashes into oil tanker in Lampang, 2 dead
An elderly driver lost control of a pickup truck, crashing into the rear of an oil tanker, resulting in significant damage and the death of two individuals, with two more sustaining injuries. The incident occurred yesterday, January 3 on Phaholyothin Road, in the Mae Kua area, Sop Prap district, Lampang province. Police, as well as the Lampang Rescue Association, the…
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Mistaken identity: Teens attacked outside Udon Thani police station
A tragic incident unfolded outside Ban Dung Police Station in Udon Thani province as a group of teenagers allegedly attacked an 18 year old and his 16 year old friend, leaving them with severe injuries. The altercation, which occurred at 3.13am yesterday, January 3, resulted in the older teenager suffering a brain haemorrhage. The motive behind the assault remains unclear,…
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Meth-high man attacks cleaner at Khon Kaen tutoring centre
A 27 year old man attacked a cleaner with a knife at a tutoring centre in Nong Phai, Khon Kaen, driven by a paranoid belief that she had photographed his secrets. The victim, 43 year old Panicha, suffered a deep wound on the left side of her neck and was given first aid before being rushed to Srinakarin Hospital for…
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Lucky day: Man celebrates 6 million baht lottery win in Nong Khai
A wave of excitement swept through a household in Nong Khai province when a young woman shared the news of her uncle’s lottery win. The Thai government announced the results of the national lottery yesterday, January 2, revealing the winning number 730209 for the first prize. A resident of Nong Khai province, identified only through her Facebook account Mod Modtanoi,…
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Hunting game: Fake cop at large in Sisaket province
Officers are on the hunt for an imposter posing as a police officer who has been searching through citizens’ bags. The police chief of Khun Han district, Sisaket province, has confirmed that the suspect is not affiliated with the local police force and efforts are underway to apprehend the fake cop and bring him to justice. The incident came to…
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Thai woman seeks justice after lantern sets her car ablaze
A lantern released on New Year’s Day landed on a parked car at a house in the northern province of Phayao and set the vehicle ablaze. The car owner is now struggling to find those responsible for her loss. A witness, Sophon Panyod, rushed to alert his neighbour, 35 year old Saowaluck Jainak, after spotting a fire on the roof…
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