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 What do you need before moving from the US to Thailand?
The Thaiger key takeaways The most common medical emergencies for expats in Thailand include motorcycle accidents, tropical diseases, and food or water-borne illnesses. Air pollution and heat-related conditions like heatstroke also pose serious seasonal health risks, especially in northern and...
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Giant monitor lizard crashes dinner plans at Thai restaurant
A large monitor lizard wandered into a restaurant in Thailand, prompting staff to call rescue workers as startled customers fled the unexpected visitor. A large monitor lizard caused a stir at a restaurant in Nakhon Ratchasima on Wednesday, September 24, after it unexpectedly scaled a wall and entered the premises, prompting panic among early diners and staff. The reptile was spotted…
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Veteran cop delivers 11th baby in Udon Thani tuk tuk drama
A traffic police officer in Udon Thani assisted a woman who gave birth in a tuk tuk near a busy intersection, marking his eleventh delivery on duty. At 7am yesterday, September 24, Police Lance Corporal Charern Chantharaks sprang into action after emergency services received a call about a woman in labour near the Pracharaksa-Srisuk intersection, just a few hundred metres…
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Howling dogs lead to grisly corpse find in Udon Thani hut
A decomposed body was discovered in an abandoned hut in Udon Thani after locals, disturbed by a foul smell and howling dogs, alerted the police. The body of a 67 year old homeless man, known locally as Khamnum, was found wearing nothing but black underwear, already swarming with maggots. The discovery was made in Ban Muang community in the Mueang…
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Gunfire erupts as Cambodian troops target Thai border fence
Cambodian soldiers fired shots at a barbed wire fence along the Thai border in Sisaket, prompting Thai troops to hold fire while keeping watch on the area. The incident occurred yesterday afternoon, September 23, in Sao Thong Chai subdistrict, Kantharalak district. Reports indicate that between three and five rounds were discharged at around 1.20pm, with Thai troops stationed nearby choosing…
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Jealousy leads to fatal stabbing in Phichit truck incident
A construction contractor has been accused of fatally stabbing his partner, a nurse assistant, inside a pickup truck in Phichit province. Following the incident, Sombat attempted to take his own life but was found and hospitalised with serious injuries. The tragic event occurred last night, September 20, along Route 117, in Nong Lum subdistrict, Wachirabarami district. At approximately 10.30pm, Police Lieutenant…
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Thai army slams Hun Manet over false border dispute claims (video)
The Thai army accused Cambodia’s leader of spreading false claims in a border dispute, warning Malaysia against being misled and seen as taking sides. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has accused Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet of misleading his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, with “false narratives” over Ban Nong Ya Kaew in Sa Kaeo province, warning that Malaysia could appear…
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Northern Thailand machete attack leaves teen with severed wrist (video)
Police arrested a machete-wielding suspect at a Lamphun checkpoint after a violent Chiang Mai clash left several teenagers seriously injured. The suspect, identified only as Mong, was caught at a drug checkpoint in Mueang Tha district while attempting to flee on a motorcycle. Police said Mong was wanted for his role in a violent clash earlier this year that left…
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Villagers in Northeast Thailand demand monk disrobe over woman
Villagers in Kalasin in Northeast Thailand confronted an abbot after he was found with a woman inside his quarters at night, sparking demands for his immediate disrobing. The disturbance broke out around 11pm yesterday, September 16, at a temple in Kae Pae subdistrict, Mueang district. A temple boy raised the alarm by beating a drum to alert the community after spotting…
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Khon Kaen man scoops 12 million baht lottery jackpot (video)
A resident of Khon Kaen has become Thailand’s latest millionaire after winning 12 million baht in the government lottery draw. The man struck gold with two first-prize tickets in a moment that has sent his entire village into celebration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Thaiger (@thethaigerofficial) The winning number in the draw yesterday,…
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Baby girl killed after family pit bull turns violent in Uthai Thani
A baby girl was killed in Uthai Thani in northern Thailand when a family’s pit bull mauled her in a tragic accident, prompting police to investigate the attack. The accident left the baby’s family devastated when their two month old daughter was fatally mauled by a pet pit bull that reportedly mistook her for a toy. Police in Nong Chang…
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Thai lottery results announced, rituals fuel lucky number craze
The Government Lottery Office (GLO) released the latest national lottery results, with winners confirmed as fortune seekers turn to rituals and events for lucky numbers. The winning numbers are as follows: 2-digit straight prize: 58 3-digit straight prize: 646 3-digit swap prize: 466, 664 Special prize: 646 000 000 732 Officials reminded players that the three-digit straight and swap prizes…
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Quake jolts Sumatra as tremors reach into northern Thailand
Thailand’s Earthquake Observation Division reported a 3.6-magnitude earthquake in northern Sumatra this morning, with light tremors also detected in parts of northern Thailand. Fortunately, no damage or injuries have been reported. The quake struck at 4.27am local time today, September 13, centred in Indonesia’s northern Sumatra region at a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre was located about 367 kilometres…
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Suspicious van packed with explosives found near Thai-Myanmar border
Police discovered 119 sticks of explosives in a van parked near a shopping mall in the northern province of Chiang Rai on Sunday, September 7. The vehicle is reported to have been parked there for more than six months. Officers from Mae Sai Police Station, together with administrative officials and soldiers from the Pha Muang Task Force, received a report…
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Udon thief caught after stealing beer for early new year bash
Police in Udon Thani arrested a 30 year old man after he was caught stealing beer and snacks from a Lotus store, claiming he wanted to celebrate the new year early despite having no money. The 191 radio centre received a call from staff at the store in front of Fort Prachaksinlapakom Hospital in Nong Khon Kwang subdistrict, Mueang Udon…
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British pensioner’s prized tricycle swiped in Northeast Thailand
An 81 year old British man in Udon Thani has been left heartbroken after thieves made off with his treasured tricycle motorcycle in a daring early-morning theft caught on CCTV. Wayne, a retired restaurateur from UK’s Liverpool, filed a report at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station yesterday, September 2, through a translator. He told officers the blue and bronze three-wheeler,…
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Lamphun lottery luck: Pork sellers win 12 million baht jackpot
It was a dream come true for pork sellers in Lamphun province as they struck the jackpot, winning a staggering 12 million baht in the national lottery. The lucky vendors at Pa Heo Market couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw the winning numbers announced by the Government Lottery Office yesterday, September 1. The first prize was claimed by ticket…
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Surin father pleads for return of son taken for deportation
A devastated father in Surin has pleaded for the return of his Cambodian wife and 13 year old son after immigration police removed the boy from school and placed him in a shelter for deportation. The incident unfolded yesterday, August 29, in Bua Chet district when officers arrived at the school and escorted the boy away, citing a lack of…
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‘Naga coconut tree’ in Phetchabun sparks lucky number frenzy
It’s not every day a coconut tree grows into the shape of a mythical serpent, but villagers in Phetchabun believe they have found one that could change their fortunes. As the next national lottery approaches on September 1, residents of Bueng Sam Phan district in Phetchabun province rushed yesterday to witness a bizarre phenomenon: a five year old dwarf aromatic…
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Shaky start: Twin tremors jolt Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son
Northern Thailand had a shaky wake-up call this morning when twin microearthquakes rattled Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son within minutes of each other, startling residents. The Earthquake Observation Division of Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) reported two separate microearthquakes in the early hours of today, August 27, both striking at shallow depths of 3 kilometres. The first tremor, a 1.5-magnitude…
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Court rejects plea to block bail for woman who fatally stabs restaurant owner
A woman accused of fatally stabbing a Kamphaeng Phet restaurant owner was released on bail after the victim’s family failed to object. The attack reportedly stemmed from an incident in which the deceased was blamed for not protecting the suspect from a sexual assault. Officers from Khlong Khlung Police Station arrested 32 year old Jaruwan Jaifai for stabbing to death…
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Chiang Rai drug bust uncovers 3.5 million meth tablets
Police, military, and administrative officials collaborated in Chiang Rai to dismantle a major drug trafficking gang, seizing 3.5 million methamphetamine tablets and 60 kilogrammes of crystal meth at a petrol station. The operation led to further asset seizures, including cash and properties. On August 24, law enforcement agencies, including the Office of the Narcotics Control Board and regional police, conducted…
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Chiang Rai airport gets 5.7 billion baht mega upgrade
Chiang Rai is set to soar with a massive 5.7-billion-baht terminal upgrade aimed at transforming the northern province into Thailand’s next aviation hub. Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) has greenlit a bold expansion plan for Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport, including the construction of a new passenger terminal to support a dramatic increase in air traffic. Announced by…
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Frontline soldier returns home after mother fatally stabbed by her customer
A frontline soldier returned from duty at the border to attend the funeral of his mother, who was fatally stabbed by a female customer at her restaurant in Kamphaeng Phet province on Wednesday, August 20. Police arrested the 32 year old suspect, Jaruwan Jaifai, at her family home on Wednesday after she stabbed 62 year old restaurant owner Meena Pattatha.…
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Thai vendor offers 50,000 baht reward after 10 million baht amulet heist
A Thai amulet vendor is offering a reward of 50,000 baht for information that could lead to the arrest of a thief who stole amulets worth more than 10 million baht from his shop in the northern province of Nakhon Sawan. The well-known amulet vendor, Parkpoom “Bung” Watcharayu, appealed to news agencies and the online community after his police complaint…
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Ancient cave unearthed in northern Thailand jungle
Thailand’s archaeological map has just grown richer after forest rangers stumbled upon a mysterious cave in the remote wilds of Phitsanulok province. The three-day patrol, carried out from Thursday, August 14, to Saturday, August 16, in the Khwae Noi forest watershed, was initially intended to monitor wildlife in the Phu Khat Wild Animal Protection Area. But instead of just tracking…
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Cockfighting champ: Korat rooster sold for 6.5 million baht
A record-breaking cockfight has rocked Thailand’s underground scene after a champion rooster, fresh off a multimillion-baht victory, was sold for a staggering 6.5 million baht. The feathered fighter, Fakhamram, earned his reputation on Sunday, August 17, after defeating rival bird Jao Kaotao in a high-profile showdown at the Kaew Khok Krot cockfighting stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The prize pot?…
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Flood alert in Mae Sariang after car swept away by creek
Officials in Mae Sariang district, Mae Hong Son province, have issued a flood alert following an incident where a car was swept away while crossing the Mae Ngae creek in Tha Mae Che, Saohin subdistrict. Today, August 17, locals were able to assist in time, preventing any injuries. Worasak Panthong, the district officer of Mae Sariang, has instructed village heads…
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3 teenagers arrested for burning disabled dog in Lampang temple
Police arrested three Thai teenagers for burning a disabled dog alive in a temple bathroom in the northern province of Lampang. Locals in the Ko Kha district of Lampang reported the cruel act by the 14 year old suspects to the Watchdog Thailand Foundation (WDT) yesterday, August 14. The incident had occurred the previous week in the abandoned bathroom of…
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Thai teacher fatally shoots student’s uncle after sexual assault accusation
A Thai teacher in the northern province of Phetchabun fatally shot his student’s uncle after being attacked by the victim over an alleged sexual assault on the young girl. Officers from Mueang Phetchabun Police Station were called to investigate the death of a 43 year old Thai man, Thaweesak, at a house in the Napa district of Phetchabun on August…
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Yom River floods force urgent evacuations in Phichit
A sudden surge of water from the Yom River, flowing down from Sukhothai and Phitsanulok in northern Thailand, has caused flooding in Phichit, prompting urgent evacuations in low-lying areas. The river’s unexpected early rise has caught residents off guard, forcing many to quickly move valuables and livestock to higher ground. Yesterday, August 8, the Yom River’s overflow was first reported…
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