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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    Why retirees in Thailand are choosing long-term health insurance over quick fixes

    Retirees in Thailand are increasingly seeing the importance of health insurance in protecting their well-being during retirement. With insurance requirements for retirement visas and rising healthcare costs, many are moving away from short-term plans and choosing long-term coverage. Long-term health...

  • Thaksin hits the road to boost Pheu Thai’s PAO hopes | Thaiger

    Thaksin hits the road to boost Pheu Thai’s PAO hopes

    Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is back in the political spotlight, gearing up to help Pheu Thai candidates in key Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) races. After a triumphant showing in Udon Thani, the party is looking to capitalise on its momentum with Thaksin as its secret weapon. A party insider revealed the 74 year old former PM will visit…

  • Police in Uthai Thani build new shrine after lottery wins | Thaiger

    Police in Uthai Thani build new shrine after lottery wins

    Police officers in Huai Khot district, Uthai Thani province installed a new shrine dedicated to the spirit known as Chao Pho Saen Han Fa Laep, also referred to as Chao Pho Sai Thong, after a sergeant received multiple lottery wins following his visits to the old, damaged shrine. Police Colonel Komnat Atisuwan, acting head of Huai Khot Police Station in…

  • Devotees flock to Phayao temple for lucky lottery numbers | Thaiger

    Devotees flock to Phayao temple for lucky lottery numbers

    Lottery enthusiasts eagerly flocked to Wat Champaram in Phayao province to seek lucky numbers from Taowessuwan, a revered deity. As the lottery draw approaches, devotees hope the numbers 453 and 71 bring fortune in the upcoming December 1 draw. Wat Champaram in Huai Kaeo, Phayao province was bustling with activity as people arrived with offerings of red flowers, incense, and…

  • Mentally ill Thai woman suspected in Chiang Mai missing boy case | Thaiger

    Mentally ill Thai woman suspected in Chiang Mai missing boy case

    A five year old boy with special needs went missing from an education centre in Mae Wang district in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Wednesday. The boy, Napaphat “Pleum” Chaisawat, disappeared from the Special Education Centre in the afternoon. He was wearing red sportswear with the number 23 on his shirt. Security camera footage from the centre showed…

  • RTA denies tensions with UWSA in Mae Hong Son | Thaiger

    RTA denies tensions with UWSA in Mae Hong Son

    Tensions between Thai military forces and the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Mae Hong Son’s Pai district have been dismissed by the Royal Thai Army (RTA), contradicting recent media claims. Colonel Thirat Sombatsiri, the RTA spokesperson, firmly denied reports circulating on social media, asserting that the border remains tranquil without any confirmed incidents of violence. “The overall border situation…

  • Patient high on meth terrorises Maha Sarakham hospital (video) | Thaiger

    Patient high on meth terrorises Maha Sarakham hospital (video)

    A patient reportedly under the influence of methamphetamine became violent, targeting nurses on duty at a hospital in the northeastern province of Maha Sarakham. This dramatic event was captured in a video shared by a TikTok user, revealing the terrifying moment nurses fled the room in fear for their lives. The patient’s mother had requested that he be restrained with…

  • Tutor arrested for defrauding over 30 parents in Nakhon Sawan | Thaiger

    Tutor arrested for defrauding over 30 parents in Nakhon Sawan

    Police apprehended a female tutor accused of defrauding parents after a complaint was filed in Nakhon Sawan province. The accused, with three outstanding arrest warrants, was captured following a coordinated effort by local law enforcement. Yongyuth Kulthorn, a police lieutenant colonel with the Phayao Provincial Investigation Division, led the operation at 7pm yesterday, November 26, executing a warrant issued by…

  • Dangerous elephant traps found in Khao Yai National Park | Thaiger

    Dangerous elephant traps found in Khao Yai National Park

    Numerous dangerous elephant traps have been unearthed in Khao Yai National Park, prompting immediate action from park officials. Reports indicate that these traps, designed to injure wild elephants, were strategically placed by locals in areas frequented by the animals. Chaiya Huaihongthong, head of Khao Yai National Park, received a tip-off from the community leader of Ban Mai Samakki in Village…

  • Nakhon Ratchasima camping site closes after park authority order | Thaiger

    Nakhon Ratchasima camping site closes after park authority order

    Rai Ruay Rin, a renowned camping site in Wang Nam Khiao, Nakhon Ratchasima province, announced its immediate closure following an order from national park officials. This news has saddened many camping enthusiasts who frequented the site for its stunning green landscapes just a few hours from Bangkok. The unexpected announcement was shared through a TikTok post on the account @rairuayrin,…

  • Shocking tragedy: Farmer electrocuted by water pump in Sisaket | Thaiger

    Shocking tragedy: Farmer electrocuted by water pump in Sisaket

    A tragic incident unfolded when a farmer was electrocuted while attempting to use a pump to draw water into his fields. The mishap occurred near a pond in the middle of a field in Ban Kho Klang Noi, Village 4, E Lam subdistrict, Uthumphon Phisai district, Sisaket province. Local police received a report of a man fatally electrocuted yesterday, November…

  • Tensions rise on Thai-Myanmar border over alleged incursion | Thaiger

    Tensions rise on Thai-Myanmar border over alleged incursion

    The Thai-Myanmar border in the Pai district of the northern province of Mae Hong Son is experiencing heightened tensions after the United Wa State Army (UWSA), also known as Red Wa, reportedly encroached on Thai territory. ThaiRath reported today, November 26, that the Shan State National Army (SSNA) revealed the situation along the border at Doi Nong Luang and Doi…

  • Food poisoning: Cruise ship chef found dead in Udon Thani hotel | Thaiger

    Food poisoning: Cruise ship chef found dead in Udon Thani hotel

    A 47 year old chef working on a cruise ship was found dead in his hotel room in Udon Thani province, apparently due to severe food poisoning which led to a heart attack. The incident was reported at 5pm yesterday. Officers from the Na Kha sub-station, led by investigative officer Watthapong Chamnongudom, responded to the scene at a hotel in…

  • Thai couple accuses ex-employee of stealing 5 million baht in cash and gold | Thaiger

    Thai couple accuses ex-employee of stealing 5 million baht in cash and gold

    A Thai couple suspected their ex-employee of stealing cash and gold accessories worth over 5 million baht from their home in the northern province of Lampang. The couple, whose identities have not been disclosed, filed a complaint with Kelang Nakhon Police Station after discovering the theft. Their home, located in Mueang Lampang district, also operates as a second-hand auto parts store.…

  • PM leads Chiang Mai meeting to boost post-flood tourism | Thaiger

    PM leads Chiang Mai meeting to boost post-flood tourism

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to lead a Cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai on Friday, November 29, marking a significant effort to bolster northern Thailand’s tourism and economic recovery following severe floods. This event is part of a broader Cabinet tour of the northern provinces, including Chiang Rai, scheduled from November 28 to December 1. The Cabinet meeting in…

  • No Bathing Trip but lots of noise as safety ride becomes a gamble (videos) | Thaiger

    No Bathing Trip but lots of noise as safety ride becomes a gamble (videos)

    The Phetchabun Provincial Transport Department and police emphasised safety improvement in the controversial motorcycle trip, known as the No Bathing Trip as only one death was reported. However, gambling, fake banknotes, and loud noises continued to make headlines. A group of more than 6,000 motorcyclists and their followers, led by the YouTuber May Rai Ratchada, held their annual No Bathing Trip on…

  • Drunk deputy district chief kills 2 teenagers, injures 1 in Tak car crash | Thaiger

    Drunk deputy district chief kills 2 teenagers, injures 1 in Tak car crash

    A drunk deputy district chief crashed her pickup into a motorcycle carrying three Thai teenagers on a road in the northern province of Tak, resulting in two deaths and one serious injury. Officers from Umphang Police Station were alerted to the fatal accident on the Mae Sot-Umphang Road in the Umphang district of Tak at approximately 8.15pm on Friday, November…

  • Fields of flower: Tourists flock to see Phayao’s sunn hemp | Thaiger

    Fields of flower: Tourists flock to see Phayao’s sunn hemp

    A vibrant field of sunn hemp, spread across 5 rai in front of the Phayao Agricultural and Technology College, has become a popular photography spot for tourists, coinciding with the winter season. This picturesque site, located in Mae Na Ruea subdistrict, Mueang district, Phayao province, is drawing attention with its radiant yellow hues. Prasert Phrompa, the Director of Phayao Agricultural…

  • Teenage girl arrested for child abduction attempt in Udon Thani | Thaiger

    Teenage girl arrested for child abduction attempt in Udon Thani

    A teenage girl attempted to abduct a three year old boy from a local temple in Udon Thani province, causing panic among residents. Concerned that she might harm the child due to her apparent drug-induced state, villagers promptly alerted the police. Upon receiving the call, officers from the local police station quickly arrived at the scene in Ban Pornsawan, Soi…

  • Sisaket home buyer unreachable as phone gets destroyed in fire | Thaiger

    Sisaket home buyer unreachable as phone gets destroyed in fire

    A house recently sold and cleared of paperwork was destroyed by a fire, leaving the former owner unable to contact the new buyer. The fire, which remains unexplained, occurred yesterday evening, November 21, in the Thung Sawang community, Kanthararom district, Sisaket province. Police investigator Prayoon Boonyok received the fire alert at 7pm, with the incident taking place in a single-storey…

  • Knife-wielding intoxicated man wreaks havoc in Uthai Thani | Thaiger

    Knife-wielding intoxicated man wreaks havoc in Uthai Thani

    A man in a state of distress wielded a knife and threw objects at passing vehicles, causing alarm among locals. This incident unfolded yesterday, November 21 in Uthai Thani province, as police were alerted to a chaotic scene involving a 40 year old Thai man. Upon receiving reports from concerned villagers about a man throwing knives and objects at vehicles…

  • Thai man accuses 11 police of illegal raid and attempted extortion | Thaiger

    Thai man accuses 11 police of illegal raid and attempted extortion

    A Thai man travelled from the northern province of Lamphun to Bangkok to seek help after 11 police officers allegedly illegally raided his home and attempted to extort 3,000 baht per month from him. The 47 year old man, identified as Wongsaphat, sought assistance from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Bangkok because he no longer trusted local police in…

  • Thai Lion Air eyes new route to boost Nakhon Phanom tourism | Thaiger

    Thai Lion Air eyes new route to boost Nakhon Phanom tourism

    Thai Lion Air is contemplating expanding its flight operations to Nakhon Phanom, in line with the Thai government’s strategy to boost tourism in lesser-known cities. This move is part of an initiative to transform secondary tourism cities into bustling hubs. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri has tasked the Department of Airports (DoA) with exploring avenues to increase flight frequency to…

  • Kamphaeng Phet cult premises raided, 12 corpses found (video) | Thaiger

    Kamphaeng Phet cult premises raided, 12 corpses found (video)

    Police Forensic Science Officers raided a cult premises in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet and discovered 12 corpses, which the cult leader and members reportedly used in their rituals, including clairvoyance and other superstitious training programmes. A local Facebook page, กำแพงเพชร ร้องเรียนอะไร บอกไว้ที่นี่ (translated as Kamphaeng Phet, Complain Here), urged relevant government departments to investigate the strange cult located…

  • Floating flavours: Uttaradit spiced up with ancient dish, raft parade | Thaiger

    Floating flavours: Uttaradit spiced up with ancient dish, raft parade

    The northern Thai province of Uttaradit will host a festival featuring the traditional dish Oua Bak Phed Sai Pla (green pepper stuffed with fish), a recipe passed down for over 300 years, alongside a spectacular raft procession to celebrate local produce and waterways in Tron district. The annual festival, organised by the Uttaradit Provincial Cultural Office in collaboration with local…

  • Lost for words: Sisaket cops solve drunk mute man mystery | Thaiger

    Lost for words: Sisaket cops solve drunk mute man mystery

    A local police station in Sisaket province faced an unusual challenge when an inebriated and lost mute man was brought in. Struggling to communicate, officers eventually relied on pen and paper to identify and safely return him to his family. Officers from Phon Khwao Police Station received a report yesterday, November 20, of a disoriented man located within Ban Non I…

  • Missing father found dead in sugarcane field in Khon Kaen | Thaiger

    Missing father found dead in sugarcane field in Khon Kaen

    A father who had been missing for five days was tragically discovered dead in a sugarcane field in Khon Kaen province following a dream that led relatives to his location. Police suspect the cause of death was an accident involving his vehicle. The incident unfolded when officers from the Mancha Khiri Police Station were informed by residents of Nong No…

  • Tourists report smelly water at northern Thailand waterfall | Thaiger

    Tourists report smelly water at northern Thailand waterfall

    Visitors to Phu Soi Dao National Park in northern Thailand are raising concerns over the origin of the water from the Sai Thip Waterfall. Reports of an unusual smell from the water have sparked debate and curiosity among tourists. Phu Soi Dao, covering areas in Nam Pat and Ban Khok districts in Uttaradit province, as well as Chat Trakan district in…

  • Van goes up in flames in Buriram, passengers unharmed | Thaiger

    Van goes up in flames in Buriram, passengers unharmed

    A terrifying fire turned a 13-seat passenger van into a fireball along the Buriram-Nang Rong Road, but in a miraculous twist, all six passengers, including a young schoolchild, made a lucky escape without a scratch. The fiery incident erupted on Tuesday, November 19, at 4pm, triggering a rapid response from the brave Mueang Buriram Police and firefighters. The heroic team…

  • Buriram land dispute nears resolution as SRT claims ownership | Thaiger

    Buriram land dispute nears resolution as SRT claims ownership

    A significant land dispute over a 5,083-rai plot in Buriram’s Khao Kradong is set to be resolved, as Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit confirmed that the land belongs to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). With 900 people currently residing on this land, the ministry aims to address the situation within the next 30 days. The Supreme Court ruled in favour…

  • Sisaket holds vibrant cultural celebration for 242nd anniversary | Thaiger

    Sisaket holds vibrant cultural celebration for 242nd anniversary

    Over 5,000 people from four ethnic groups—Suay, Lao, Yer, and Khmer—gathered to celebrate the 242nd anniversary of Sisaket province. The event, held yesterday, November 19, at the Kopura area within the King Rama IX Park in Mueang Sisaket district, was a homage to the province’s rich history and the ancestors who laid its foundations. The celebration, led by Anupong Suksamnit,…