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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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King cobra stops car in Phayao, leaving woman terrified
A woman had a terrifying near-“hiss” with a giant king cobra on a rural road in the northern province of Phayao, leaving her shaken but unharmed. The incident occurred yesterday, June 4, between Ban Wang Bong and Ban Huai Son, when the 3-metre-long snake appeared out of nowhere, forcing her to slam on the brakes and narrowly avoid a collision.…
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Buriram dentist leaves needle in patient’s gum, sparking black magic fear
A forgetful dentist in the Isaan province of Buriram left a needle embedded in a female patient’s gum 15 years ago, sparking panic over suspected black magic. The 49 year old woman, Rungnapha Thaingyotha, shared on Facebook that she unexpectedly discovered a piece of steel in her gum near her lower left molar. She experienced pain in the area for…
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Elderly woman leaps to safety after snake scare in Roi Et (video)
An elderly woman in Roi Et shocked her neighbours – and the Internet – by pulling off a move worthy of an action film after spotting a slithering intruder beneath a house. Kan Kong Suthiprapa, an 80 year old grandmother from Don Hat village in Selaphum district, was sitting on the steps of a neighbour’s house yesterday, June 4, when a…
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Charity turns violent: homeless man punches food donor in Nakhon Sawan
A Thai man’s act of kindness took an unexpected turn when he was punched in the face by a homeless man while handing out food in the northern province of Nakhon Sawan. The incident came to light after the Facebook news page Jmoi V+ (เจ๊มà¸à¸¢ v+) shared a video of the incident yesterday, May 29. In the caption, the page…
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Earthquakes hit Thailand and surrounding regions
Thailand and its neighbouring countries experienced a series of mild earthquakes today, with the strongest registering a 4.9 magnitude near the Myanmar-India border, sparking unease but no major damage. According to the Earthquake Observation Division, tremors were detected not only in northern Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son provinces but also across Myanmar, China, and Vietnam. The largest quake…
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Phayao’s Thao Wessuwan statue draws lottery hopefuls
As the lottery draw approached, hundreds flocked to Wat Analayo Thipyaram in Phayao province yesterday, eager to seek blessings and uncover lucky numbers from the revered Thao Wessuwan — a mysterious black statue believed to grant fortune to devoted worshippers. Situated prominently at the temple entrance in San Pa Muang subdistrict, the statue has become a magnet for lottery enthusiasts…
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False alarm: No volcano threat in Isaan’s Buriram
A mysterious rumbling heard by mushroom pickers near a long-dormant volcano outside Buriram city sparked local fears of an eruption, but officials have now confirmed it was merely the sound of underground water. Last Thursday, May 22, villagers collecting wild mushrooms at the base of Khao Kradong in Mueang district recorded eerie rumbling noises on their phones. One man shared…
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Udon Thani motorist fined for repainting no-parking kerb
A well-intentioned motorist’s attempt to boost business at a local food stall backfired spectacularly after he was caught painting over a red-and-white no-parking kerb in Udon Thani. The 45 year old auto mechanic, who is not connected to the eatery, took matters into his own hands on Saturday, May 24. Spotting an empty stretch outside the food outlet, he decided…
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No arsenic in Thai tap water but surface water monitored
The Ministry of Public Health reported no arsenic contamination above standard levels in tap water, vegetables, or fish from the Kok, Sai, and Mekong rivers. However, surface water showed contamination, prompting ongoing monitoring. At-risk groups showed no arsenic in urine tests. Yesterday, May 25, public health minister discussed the arsenic contamination situation affecting residents near the Kok, Sai, and Mekong…
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Mushroom forager dies after cliff fall in Lampang forest
A villager searching for mushrooms tragically fell from a cliff and sustained severe injuries after hitting his head on rocks in a stream. Despite being rushed to Sobprab Hospital for treatment, he later succumbed to his injuries. Yesterday, May 25, the head of Wiang Kosai National Park, Prawit Jaikam, shared images and a message on social media addressing the incident.…
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Chiang Rai restaurant struggles as tourists flee contamination fears
A riverside restaurant in Chiang Rai is facing financial struggles as tourists have vanished due to contamination concerns in the Kok River. Despite the safety of land-based eateries, customers remain scarce, impacting income and debt repayment. At the riverside eatery in Ban Pang Ngiu, in the Mueang district of Chiang Rai, the once-bustling atmosphere has become eerily quiet. The dining…
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Police raid illegal sawmill linked to Chinese operators in Phitsanulok
An illegal sawmill accused of secretly being run by Chinese nationals has been raided in Phitsanulok amid complaints of toxic pollution affecting locals. Yesterday, May 23, police and forestry officials stormed the veneer processing plant in Chai Nam subdistrict, Wang Thong district, after mounting community concerns about burning wood scraps that released choking smoke and dust. The operation was led…
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Wife suspected in husband’s fatal shooting in Chiang Rai
Police suspect a woman of being involved in the death of her husband, who was reportedly shot dead by the roadside in the northern province of Chiang Rai. Officers from Mae Fah Luang Police Station received a report of a fatal shooting at around 7.30am on Tuesday, May 20. The body of a man, later identified as 33 year old Liser,…
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Missing man found dead in Tak mountains after month-long search
A man who had been missing for nearly a month was found dead in a mountainous area in Tak province. The body was discovered in a state of decomposition, with evidence of animal predation. Police were alerted yesterday, May 22, by the man’s relatives about the discovery on Mount Kroot in Mueang Tak district. Police from Wang Chao District Station,…
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Udon Thani boy flees home from alleged abuse by father (video)
In Udon Thani, a 12 year old boy ran away to sleep in an abandoned school, taking a photograph of his deceased mother with him. The boy claimed he left due to being physically harmed by his father and unequal treatment from his grandparents. Ata is now under the care of the Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office and…
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‘Spider-Man’ thieves caught after rooftop escape in Sakon Nakhon
Three daring men pulled off a rooftop escape attempt straight out of a superhero movie — but their ‘Spider-Man’ stunt ended in arrest. Yesterday, May 22, in Sakon Nakhon province, the trio was caught sneaking into a commercial building on Sakon-Nakae Road, only to be cornered by police and rescue workers after a thrilling rooftop chase. A vigilant local alerted…
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Thai man goes viral for ‘sleep-riding’ motorbike stunt on a mattress (video)
Who says you can’t sleep on the job and get paid? One Thai man is living the dream after a bizarre and hilarious motorbike stunt sent the Internet into a frenzy. In a now-viral video that’s racked up over 11 million views, the man was seen riding a motorcycle while lying face-down on a mattress, clinging to the handlebars as he cruised down…
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Shell-ebration time: Korat Zoo hatches giant tortoises
Thailand has something to shell-ebrate — Korat Zoo has made history by successfully hatching 11 Aldabra giant tortoise babies, becoming the first zoo in the country to breed the rare species. The hatchlings emerged on Sunday, May 18, much to the delight of zookeepers and conservationists. Zoo director Thanachon Kensingh announced today, May 21, that all 11 newborns are healthy…
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Thai police intercept 100kg of crystal meth at border
The Border Patrol Police Unit 327 intercepted a drug trafficking operation based on intelligence reports, uncovering 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (ice) hidden in a modified vehicle crossing the border. Yesterday, May 20, at approximately 9am, Police Major Ananwat Rattanawichai, commander of Unit 327, along with Police Lieutenant Colonel Somchai Soisaeng, deputy commander, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Parin Worachokkunakorn, commander…
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Lightning strike kills man seeking shelter in Buriram field
A lightning strike tragically claimed the life of a 34 year old man while he sought shelter from the rain in a field hut in the Khok Khao Phatthana village, Buriram province, on May 20. Police were alerted to the incident by locals and proceeded to the scene, accompanied by investigators and a rescue team. The hut, located approximately 2…
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Thai woman accuses monk and his family of physically assaulting her
A Thai woman is seeking justice after a monk and his family members allegedly manipulated her mother and physically assaulted her at their family home in the central province of Nakhon Sawan. The woman took to social media to share a video of the alleged assault by the monk and his elderly family members, which occurred on May 17. She…
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Chiang Rai water contamination raises public health alarm
A toxic tide is rising in northern Thailand. Dangerous levels of arsenic and lead have been found in the Sai River and parts of the Kok River in Chiang Rai, triggering serious concerns over public health, the environment, and local food sources. According to a damning new report from the Office of Environmental and Pollution Control Region 1 in Chiang…
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Maha Sarakham man nets 12 million baht lottery windfall (video)
A man from Mueang Phayakkhaphum Phisai district in Maha Sarakham province recently became a multi-millionaire after winning 12 million baht in the Thai lottery. The winning numbers were announced yesterday, May 16, with the first prize number being 251309. The news quickly spread on social media, with the village head of Khok Lam, Asda Nuek Kaewbutsa, expressing his joy on…
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Phu Kradueng cable car sparks sustainability fears
The proposed cable car project in Phu Kradueng National Park, Loei province, has once again been thrust into the spotlight, with questions being raised about its compliance with sustainable development objectives. Opponents argue that the project exemplifies a trend of government-supported large-scale initiatives that could exploit natural resources under the guise of tourism growth. The issue re-emerged late last month…
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Public fury after Thai man rapes his mother in Lampang forest
A Thai man raped his 73 year old mother in a roadside forest in the northern province of Lampang, despite the victim repeatedly begging her son to let her go. The suspect had been in and out of prison in recent years. The elderly victim visited officers at Koh Ka Police Station yesterday, May 15, to file a complaint against…
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Conscript denies sexual rejection as motive in stabbing of ex-girlfriend
A conscript in Phitsanulok is facing accusations after allegedly stabbing his ex-girlfriend at her place of employment. In the aftermath of the incident, he denied that sexual rejection was the motive for the attack. The 19 year old Thai woman, Sasipim, was stabbed in the neck while working at a noodle factory in Phitsanulok on Wednesday, May 14. A colleague…
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Pregnant woman and friend killed by lightning in Sisaket tragedy
A tragic incident occurred when a seven-month pregnant woman and her husband’s friend were fatally struck by lightning while seeking shelter under a tree in Sisaket province. The woman’s husband discovered the scene upon returning from delivering a load of eucalyptus wood. Police from Khukhan Station in Sisaket were informed by Khukhan Hospital staff about the critical condition of 35…
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Thai man murders 2 year old stepdaughter for interrupting sex
A Thai stepfather murdered his two year old disabled stepdaughter for interrupting him while he was having sex. The child’s body was later found in a river in the northern province of Chiang Rai, . Police apprehended the stepfather yesterday, May 13, after the girl’s family reported her missing on May 10. They stated to officers at Mae Fah Luang…
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Ancient Buddhist relics unearthed in Korat temple dig
In an archaeological breakthrough, ancient Buddhist relics dating back over 1,300 years have been unearthed beneath a historic temple in northeastern Thailand — and experts say the find could reshape our understanding of early Buddhist art in the region. The rare artefacts were discovered in April during a conservation project at Wat Dhammachak Semaram in Sung Noen district, Nakhon Ratchasima.…
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Nan hit by two tremors after Nakhon Si Thammarat quake damage
The northern province of Nan experienced two tremors early yesterday, following a previous earthquake that caused damage to a hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat on May 7. According to the Earthquake Observation Division of the Thai Meteorological Department, the tremors in Nan registered magnitudes of 1.7 and 1.5 on the Richter scale, occurring at 4.04am and 4.52am, respectively. Local officials…
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