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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
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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Mysterious giant footprint stirs curiosity at ancient Thai house
In an incident causing quite a stir among locals, an unusual, large footprint, significantly bigger than a dog’s, inexplicably appears at an ancient house. The intrigued homeowner reveals the footprint to be the latest mystery at the widely known archaeological site where ancient human bones were previously discovered. A social media post from a local recently shared a video showcasing…
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Two young boys severely injured by menacing hanging wire trap
A 14 year old boy and his eight year old cousin sustained severe injuries after getting tangled in a hanging wire on their way home. One boy’s 35 year old mother Namjai Sa Lee detailed the horrific incident, which occurred in Mahapho, Kao Liao district, Nakhon Sawan on July 29. The two boys were knocked off a motorcycle by the…
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Heartbreaking child abuse: Thai parents’ cruelty leaves 5 year old unable to walk or learn
A distressing case of child abuse has come to light, involving a five year old boy victimised by his parents. The severity of the abuse has left the boy with incapacitating injuries, preventing him from both walking and attending school. The boy’s grandfather has assumed the responsibility of bringing his school assignments to their home in Ban Nongai Phatthana, Udon…
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Snake charms monks: Unusual temple encounter in northern Thailand
In an unusual incident, over 500 monks peacefully gave way to a green snake that slithered into their temple meeting, ultimately cohabiting the space until the gathering’s conclusion in northern Thailand. The intriguing episode unfolded in a shared clip on social media at the Wat Jampa Temple in the Prakhon Chai district of Buriram province. The monks were convening for…
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Umphang Hospital grapples with 40 million baht deficit due to Myanmar crisis
The Thai-Burmese frontier healthcare services face a financial crisis as a result of the current political turmoil in Myanmar. It has been reported that Umphang Hospital, situated in Thailand’s Tak province, has been hit by a considerable deficit of 40 million baht. The hospital has been forced to turn to the Ministry of Public Health for assistance. Umphang Hospital has…
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RTN officer shoots woman, sexually harasses another at Chiang Rai grocery store
Police arrested a former Royal Thai Navy (RTN) officer who shot one woman and sexually harassed another woman at a local grocery in the northern province of Chiang Rai. The suspect shocked the community after saying he could kill anybody because he was a former RTN officer. Chaing Khong Police officers rushed to the incident scene at the grocery store in…
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Rolled dice: Police shuffled as casino thrives under their watch in Chiang Mai
Five police officers were transferred for recklessness after allowing gambling dens to operate under their noses following a Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) raid at the 89 CLUB Casino, in Chiang Mai province. The raid was conducted following a complaint filed by the Ministry of Interior. A resident urged the ministry to investigate a casino in Chiang Mai where over…
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Korat Candle Procession 66 event upstaged by scene-stealing cat
The grand candle parade attraction, “Korat Candle Procession 66,” recently left onlookers delighted by an unexpected scene stealer. A cat, inadvertently defying the event queue, nabbed the spotlight, prompting a wave of amused social media attention. The celebration “Korat Candle Procession 66” recently took place at the Suranaree Monument, located in Nakhon Ratchasima’s city centre, and concluded on August 1.…
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Flash flood scare at Bueng Kan’s Phuwua Sanctuary prompts quick evacuation of tourists
The renowned tourist attraction of Phuwua Wildlife Sanctuary was the recent setting of a narrow escape for visitors in Bueng Kan, northeast Thailand. Sudden heavy rainfall resulted in water flooding down from the Phuwua mountains, leading tourists, who were enjoying a day at the Tham Phra Waterfall, to flee for higher ground. As reported at 4pm yesterday, amidst a vibrant atmosphere,…
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Panda Arena badminton court stokes controversy with MFP colour-coded promotions and political bans
Panda Arena badminton court, situated in the northern Uttaradit province, sparked controversy by offering a promotion to anyone wearing an orange shirt, in support of the Move Forward Party (MFP). The Panda Arena made known that those wearing orange can play on the courts for free for two hours. Interestingly, it has cautioned against wearing red shirts, expressing disgust at…
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Tragedy in northern Thailand as durian picker loses life in perilous hillside fall
An incident in northern Thailand left locals in a state of shock, highlighting the dangers endured by durian pickers navigating treacherous terrain. Tragedy struck a community when a woman lost her life and her devastated son could do nothing but grieve. The disaster unfolded within a durian orchard in Laplae district, situated on the challenging hillside terrains of the northern…
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MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat hailed as politician of the year in E-Saan Poll
The leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP) was hailed politician of the year according to an E-Saan Poll. The survey was compiled by the E-Saan Centre for Business and Economic Research (ECBER) of the Faculty of Management Science, Khon Kaen University, in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. The annual “Rewards of E-Saan” poll aims to gauge the sentiments…
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Elderly Thai woman tragically succumbs to blood loss amid unnoticed cries for help
A tragic event unfolded yesterday when an ailing elderly Thai woman died due to prolonged unattended blood loss. Neighbours discovered the 73 year old in the early hours of the morning in a state of distress, having attempted to seek assistance. She was residing with her sick younger brother and had multiple pre-existing health conditions. Family members didn’t question the…
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Dazed son found in Uthai Thani after bizarre dragon fruit incident
Reports yesterday emerged of a bewildering vanishment and an unforeseen rescue from Uthai Thani province. A 58 year old man made contact with local rescue authorities to inform them that his 29 year old son had gone missing in their village in Thong Luang, Huay Khot district, Uthai Thani. The missing man’s father, Boonthum, relayed what transpired before Vichit’s sudden…
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Thai welder’s good fortune presage triggers trend of attracting harmless bees
In an intriguing incident in Phayao province, a welder managed to attract a swarm of bees without being stung. It is a folk belief that such an event can presage fortune and good luck for the individual involved. The incident sparked a trend among locals, eager to tempt their fate, as they marvel at these harmless bee swarms. The welder…
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School minibus crash: Vehicle flips in horror on Thai highway, multiple injuries
A school minibus crashed today into the back of a pickup truck, resulting in the vehicle flipping over onto its side and injuring several male and female students. The school minibus crash occurred on Jarod Withi Thong Road, National Highway 12, between Tak-Sukhothai markers 102 and 101, in the Num Reum sub-district of Tak province. Officers from Tak Municipal Police…
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Chiang Rai crackdown reveals human trafficking and drug abuse in lounges
An operation by the Department of Provincial Administration led to a crackdown on two infamous lounges in the heart of Chiang Rai‘s Mae Sai district believed to be involved in human trafficking, drug dealing, and exploitation of underage workers. This was following a tip-off by international human rights organisations. Officers discovered nine individuals who tested positive for drugs and apprehended underage…
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Thailand hit by 5.0 magnitude Myanmar quake, tremors felt in north
Last night saw an earthquake of 5.0 magnitude in Myanmar, causing areas in Thailand to experience the tremors. The districts affected, as revealed by the Meteorological Department, were in Chiang Rai and some of its neighbouring areas. The information about the event was brought to light by the Earthquake Observation Division of the department. They made public today that the…
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Divine inferno: Temple fire causes 10 million baht damage, monk injured
Tragedy struck in the early hours of this morning as a fire ripped through Khlong Wat Rai temple, a religious edifice located in Bang Rakam district, Phitsanulok province. The vicious blaze, which sparked at around 3am, reduced the primary sermon building and ten adjacent accommodations reserved for monks to cinders. The abbot of the temple, Pairote Sunthornkit monk, reported the…
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Chiang Rai couple arrested over 24 million baht investment fraud
A couple involved in an investment scam in Chiang Rai has been apprehended. The husband, a 36 year old former government official turned investment advisor, and his 37 year old wife, are accused of defrauding investors out of 24 million baht (US$672,457) through their company K1FX Trader Club. The arrests followed a warrant issued by the Nakhon Pathom court after…
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Mysterious death in jungle hut prompts investigation in Lampang province
In the early hours of yesterday morning, a tragic discovery was made in the district of Wang Nuea, Lampang province. A 48 year old man’s body was found lifeless in a hut in a dense jungle near the village. His death was mysterious, sparking an urgent response from local rescue workers, police from Wang Nuea station, and on-call physicians from Wang…
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Motorcyclist survives 40 metre fall near Doi Khun Tan
A motorcyclist survived a 40 metre fall near Doi Khun Tan National Park. He recounted the terrifying experience of plunging in the early hours of this morning due to stopping by the roadside. At around 2am today, police and rescue teams from Hang Chat sub-district received a report of a man injured in a deep ravine beside a road near…
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Dengue outbreak hits Thai village with over 100 cases, ranking second nationwide
A severe dengue outbreak has hit Thailand’s northern Nan province, with over 100 cases reported in a single village. Ranking second in Thailand for the highest number of dengue patients, health officials are stepping up efforts to control the spread of the disease. Dr. Warin Teppitaksak, the provincial public health officer, revealed that the dengue outbreak situation in Nan province…
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Inappropriate performance at renowned Thai temple event sparks criticism
An inappropriate performance sparked criticism during a temple event in Thailand‘s northern Phayao province, resulting in public criticism and an impact on the temple’s reputation. The show, featuring the Likay troupe, displayed some explicit adult scenes not suitable for a family audience. The performance was held during an annual event held between May 25 and June 3. Viewers were shocked…
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Thai school conducts mass drug testing: Is it a violation of student rights?
A Thai school recently conducted a mass urine drug testing initiative for its entire student body, causing online debate as netizens clashed over whether this practice constituted a violation of the students’ rights. The school, local authorities, and health officials collaborated on the project to ensure a drug-free environment. The school is located in the town of Tha Rong in…
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Drunk as a monk: Intoxicated Thai monks defrocked after selling temple items
In northeast Thailand’s Nong Bua Lamphu province, two intoxicated monks were defrocked after testing positive for high levels of alcohol consumption. The monks were also accused of selling temple-owned items without permission. Concerned locals alerted the Mueang Nong Bua Lamphu Police about the monks’ behaviour on a recent Tuesday. The police, accompanied by around 20 frustrated residents, visited the temple…
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Chiang Rai tackles severe PM 2.5 with China-Thai collaboration on air pollution
In response to the severe PM 2.5 air pollution and forest fire smog issues affecting Chiang Rai, Thai and Chinese experts have collaborated to provide sustainable solutions. They are working to tackle this complex problem, which has been difficult to predict due to fluctuating weather conditions. Representatives from Chiang Rai’s Natural Resources and Environment Office collaborated with Gansheng Shi, an…
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Large cobra invades Thai home, residents rush to buy lottery tickets
A large cobra was found in a house in Thailand‘s northern Phayao province, resulting in local disaster prevention officers quickly arriving to capture and release it. Meanwhile, residents rushed to buy lottery tickets featuring the house number, hoping for good fortune in the upcoming draw today. Officers from the Phayao Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department were alerted by Thanita Chaisukkoson,…
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Retired Thai teacher found safe after 3 days lost in forest searching for mushrooms
Relatives rejoiced as authorities found Jamlong Kheyakan, a 63 year old retired Thai teacher who had been lost in the forest for three days after searching for wild mushrooms. Authorities from various agencies, including Mae Wa National Park officers, soldiers from the 32nd Army Unit Lamphun, and local residents joined forces in search efforts, attempting to locate the last known…
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Thai police foil bribery attempt to free Chinese suspects, fake officer arrested
Thai police arrested four individuals, including a man impersonating a high-ranking officer, who attempted to bribe law enforcement to release detained Chinese suspects. Today, it was reported that the authorities successfully apprehended the four culprits in a sting operation in Chiang Rai. Late in the night, officers from the Chiang Saen Immigration Checkpoint and Chiang Saen Police Station, led by…
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