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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16 year old Thai boy drowns on birthday while fleeing gang attack
A 16 year old Thai boy drowned in an irrigation canal in the northern province of Chiang Mai on his birthday while fleeing a gang attack. The family of the teenage victim, named Weeraluck, filed a missing person’s report at Mae Rim Police Station on Tuesday, August 27. Weeraluck’s friends revealed that he had fallen into the irrigation canal at…
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Durian vendor clashes with customer over spoiled fruit
A heated confrontation between a durian vendor and a customer ignited a firestorm on social media. The vendor went live to harshly criticise a customer from Surin province who complained about receiving spoiled, sour-smelling durians. The incident began when the customer posted about purchasing a durian for 150 baht from a well-known shop opposite the courthouse. Despite its appealing exterior, the…
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Locals seek blessings in Udon Thani ahead of lottery draw
As the lottery draw approaches, locals and tourists flock to Kham Chanod Wang Nakin, the mystical land of the serpent king, to pray to Phor Pu Si Sutho and Mae Ya Si Prathumma for blessings and fortune. This event took place yesterday, August 27, at Kham Chanod Wang Nakin in Ban Non Mueang, Ban Mueang subdistrict, Ban Dung district, Udon…
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Nakhon Ratchasima family dispute over dogs ends in fatal shooting
A Thai man was fatally shot by his brother-in-law following a dispute over dogs and inheritance issues. The incident occurred yesterday, August 27, in a vegetable garden in Nakhon Ratchasima. Police were alerted at 6.40pm about a shooting in the vegetable garden of Moo 12, Khanong Phra, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. Officers from Pak Chong Police Station, led…
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Rescue efforts intensify for rail tunnel trapped Thai workers
Rescue teams are working tirelessly to save three workers trapped inside the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail tunnel in Nakhon Ratchasima. Ekkarat Sriarayanphong, Chief of the Governor’s Office of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), provided an update on the situation yesterday, August 27, detailing the efforts being made to reach the workers. Teams are carefully digging through the collapsed section of…
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Chiang Mai’s explosive night: Firework blast leaves home in ruins
A firework explosion devastated a home in Chiang Mai, prompting an urgent investigation by multiple agencies. The incident occurred yesterday at 2.30pm in Pa Phai, San Sai district, Chiang Mai province. Police swiftly responded to the scene, including local security officials, rescue teams, and the Pa Phai subdistrict municipality. Prasit Wiriya, the village head of Moo 8 in Pa Phai,…
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Rescue vehicle crash in northern Thailand kills one, injures two
A tragic accident involving a rescue vehicle occurred early today in Phichit province, northern Thailand, resulting in one death and two injuries. The vehicle, en route to aid flood victims in Sukhothai, collided with a parked 18-wheeler after the driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel. Sutchin Kesa, an officer at Wang Sai Phun Police Station, received a report at…
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Thai man high on meth causes disturbance at Udon Thani police HQ
A man from Nong Khai, under the influence of 17 methamphetamine (meth) pills and sleep-deprived for two days, caused a disturbance with a pair of scissors at the Provincial Police Headquarters in Udon Thani. Satawat Sawasdee, Deputy Inspector at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station, received a report of a man behaving erratically and wielding sharp scissors in front of the…
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Mentally ill Thai man dismembers wife, scatters body parts on road
In a shocking scene more suited to a horror movie, a mentally ill Thai man murdered his wife before dismembering her and scattering her body parts on a road in the Doi Luang district of the northern province of Chiang Rai in the early hours of today, August 26. Officers from the Doi Luang Police Station were called to investigate…
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Workers found alive under collapsed tunnel at rail construction site
Three workers have been found alive under a collapsed tunnel at the high-speed rail construction site between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to retrieve them from 6 metres beneath the debris. The incident occurred yesterday, August 25, at the high-speed rail tunnel construction site between the Janthuek and Klong Khananchit stations in Pak Chong district, Nakhon…
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Thai man turns himself in after woman found dead in Khon Kaen
A man connected to the last moments of a woman found dead by a pond has come forward to the police, shedding light on the incident. The 51 year old woman, referred to as Somchok, was discovered dead near a pond in Khuean Ubolratana, Ubolratana, Khon Kaen. Medical professionals attributed her death to pre-existing health conditions. The last person reportedly…
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Flood aid dispute in Nan province over meal box distribution
Drama unfolded over the distribution of donated meal boxes to flood victims in Nan province yesterday. A heated debate arose after a member of the Facebook group, Original Nan Community Market posted about their frustrating experience trying to obtain food aid. “I braved the floodwaters to request two meal boxes from the Suan Tan Temple foundation. The response I got…
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Baby elephant cries as mother swept away in Thai floods (video)
A baby elephant’s fearful calls echoed as its mother was swept away by powerful floodwaters in northern Thailand. Torrential rains overnight led to severe flooding in several northern provinces, including Phayao, Nan, Chiang Rai, and Phrae, causing widespread damage to homes and agricultural lands. The dramatic incident unfolded when a large mother elephant was caught in the fierce currents, struggling…
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Thailand concludes major anti-terrorism drill
The Counter Terrorist Operations Centre under the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) Headquarters is wrapping up a five-day anti-terrorism drill today in Chiang Rai. The Crisis Management Exercise 2024 (C-MEX24) at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University saw participation from over 500 individuals representing 60 agencies. This comprehensive exercise included officers from the army, navy, air force, and police, aiming to assess their…
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No need to panic, flood’s just a ‘ripple’ in northern Thailand
The Government of Thailand urged residents not to panic after the recent deluge in the north of the country, adding it won’t flood Bangkok or its neighbouring provinces. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai declared that the caretaker administration has everything under control. With waters wreaking havoc in Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Sukhothai, the emergency services are stepping up…
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Northern Thailand flooding: Phichit’s Yom River water levels rise
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is closely monitoring the water levels in the Yom River in Phichit province, which has been rising steadily due to heavy rainfall in northern Thailand, particularly in Phrae and Phayao. This surge in water is expected to flow down to Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, and Phichit. Chuchart Rakjit, the Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, announced yesterday,…
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Police pursue suspect after man murdered near Khon Kaen temple
Police are actively pursuing the suspect who brutally murdered a man on a road near a temple in Khon Kaen province. The victim’s brother revealed that the deceased had been helping with a funeral in the village and was attacked while on his way to deliver food to an elderly acquaintance. Surachet Matnok, a sub-inspector at Nong Song Hong Police…
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Maha Sarakham abbot defrocked for meth use after drug test
Police in Maha Sarakham arrested the abbot of Wat Nong Sim Yai after a drug test revealed methamphetamine (meth) use. The abbot admitted to using the drug, claiming curiosity as his motive. Local officials from the Borabue district received complaints from residents about possible drug-related activities involving monks at Wat Nong Sim Yai. Responding to these concerns, they tested four…
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Floods displace 500 households in Nan, severe damage reported
Floods have caused significant damage in the northern province of Nan, affecting eight districts and displacing over 500 households. The heavy rain led to rapid rises in river levels, particularly impacting Thawngpha district where residents struggled to evacuate their belongings in time. The province of Nan is facing a severe flood crisis, with eight districts now affected. These districts include…
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Woman’s body found near pond in Khon Kaen, police investigating
A woman’s body with painted red nails was discovered near a pond, her neck showing signs of strangulation. The police are investigating whether it was a concealed murder. The body has been sent for an autopsy, and efforts are underway to locate her relatives. Police in Khon Kaen province are investigating the death of a woman found near a pond…
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Heavy rainfall in Phayao triggers severe flooding
Heavy rainfall in Phayao has led to severe flooding, affecting over 400 households as flash floods swept through the area. Residents struggled to salvage their belongings, while local government officials rushed to assist. Continuous heavy rains battered Phayao for several days, resulting in flash floods that inundated multiple areas. Early in the morning, flash floods surged into Ban Kue Wiang,…
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Thai man exposes fake degree, seeks legal aid amid threats
A Thai man who recently secured a civil service position discovered his educational qualifications were fake. Seeking help to continue his job, he approached the Public Prosecutor’s Office for Rights Protection. Threats followed his public revelation, and the matter is now headed to court. The Thai man, 34 year old Sairachon Saenkham, accompanied by legal advisor Piya In-ai, met with…
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Rescue centre established to find missing fisherman in Mukdahan
A rescue centre has been established by the Phang Daeng Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) in Mukdahan to assist in the search for a man who fell into a stream while fishing two days ago and remains missing. The incident occurred amid heavy rainfall, which caused slippery conditions. Piyapong Somkot, the district chief of Dong Luang, along with Jitkram Chueakhoth, the…
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Two boys drown in Isaan reservoir searching for lost motorcycle key
Tragedy struck at a reservoir when two boys drowned while searching for a lost motorcycle key. Despite a four-hour rescue effort, divers were unable to find their bodies. The search was called off yesterday, August 19. Police Lieutenant Methasit Wongpadsa of Khemarat Police Station in Ubon Ratchathani was alerted to the incident involving two missing boys at Huai Na Muang…
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Chiang Rai nurses wear black in abusive doctor protest (video)
Thai nurses working at a state hospital in the northern province of Chiang Rai are wearing black in protest against an abusive doctor who brutally assaulted a nurse at the weekend. Nurses at the unidentified hospital changed their white uniforms to black yesterday, August 19, to call on the executive team to take action against the abusive doctor, whose identity…
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Knife-wielding man causes chaos in Udon Thani over inheritance
A knife-wielding man, reportedly under the influence of drugs, caused chaos as he attacked his relatives, claiming his mother was unfairly dividing the family inheritance. The incident took place in Mueang district, Udon Thani province. Police today, August 19, were called to the scene after reports of a man acting violently at a house on Phon Phisai Road, Mak Khaeng…
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Construction worker disappears from Lamphun riverside camp
A construction worker mysteriously disappeared from a riverside camp in Lamphun, sparking an intensive search by rescue teams. The worker’s wife revealed his unusual behaviour following his return from a funeral rite ordination. Rescue teams are actively searching the Lamphun area for Kittitach, also known as Bew, a 29 year old construction worker who vanished from his riverside camp. Bew’s…
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Ubon Ratchathani resident wins 6 million baht lottery prize
A resident of Ubon Ratchathani province has won the first prize in the latest Thai lottery draw, celebrating with family and friends. The winning number, 095867, was announced yesterday, and the lucky ticket holder is now set to receive a 6 million baht prize. The Government Lottery Office (GLO) announced the results of the draw for yesterday, August 16, which…
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Police intercept convoy with illegal Chinese imports in Kalasin
Police intercepted a convoy of three 10-wheel trucks transporting illegal Chinese imports worth 20 million baht. Over 800 items lacking proper certification were confiscated. The drivers claimed they were hired to deliver the goods. Highway police intercepted three ten-wheel trucks loaded with illegal Chinese imports yesterday, August 15. The operation took place on Highway 299, kilometres 19-20, in Phai subdistrict,…
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Delays loom for Thai-Chinese high-speed railway project
In a major transport initiative between Thailand and China, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) reported that the first phase of the high-speed railway linking Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima is around 71% complete. However, it’s trailing behind its scheduled opening in 2028 by around 36%. This ambitious 873-kilometre rail project, pegged at a whopping 341 billion baht, has faced significant…
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