Northern Thailand News
Stay updated with the latest Northern Thailand news at The Thaiger, your ultimate source for regional information. Keep informed on local events, business developments, and lifestyle stories in popular locations like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pai.
Our in-depth coverage includes famous monuments such as the White Temple and Doi Suthep. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, The Thaiger’s Northern Thailand news page is your essential guide to exploring this culturally rich region. Delve into the vibrant community and diverse culture with our expertly curated content, designed to keep you connected and well-informed.
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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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Thailand bids to host International Horticultural Expo 2029
Thailand has thrown its hat into the ring to host the International Horticultural Expo in 2029. The Southeast Asian nation has set its sights on attracting up to four million visitors during the four-month-long event. The Foreign Affairs Ministry spokeswoman, Kanchana Patarachoke, announced yesterday that the government has proposed the 25th global event to take place in Nakhon Ratchasima, with…
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Raging forest fires force closure of Thai-Cambodian Border park
Forest fires ablaze along the Thai-Cambodian border have ignited chaos, choking Khao Phra Wihan National Park in Sisaket province with clouds of thick smoke and dust particles, forcing a three-day shutdown. The infernos, wreaking havoc on the region’s flora and fauna, including monkeys, bats, and birds, have sparked concerns for both tourism and wildlife preservation. Sisaket Governor Anuphong Suksomnit, undertook…
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Mukdahan hosts first Border Trade Fair to boost economy
Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai inaugurates the first Border Trade Fair in Mukdahan, aiming to boost the border economy and facilitate fruit exports through the Mukdahan checkpoint. The event also included a visit to the One-Stop Service Center (OSS) in Mukdahan – Nakhon Phanom to support exporters. The inaugural Border Trade Fair in Mukdahan province, which takes place from February 29…
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China-Laos high-speed rail to transform northeast Thailand
Krungthai COMPASS Research Centre unveiled a groundbreaking vision, identifying the China-Laos high-speed railway as the cornerstone for transforming the northeast of Thailand into an economic juggernaut within the Greater Mekong Subregion. The centre disclosed that the China-Laos high-speed railway, now operational for both passenger and freight services along the Kunming-Vientiane route, will directly turbocharge trade and investment in Thailand’s northeastern region,…
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Khon Kaen police issues urgent warning against online fraud
In a bid to tackle the rising tide of online fraud, Khon Kaen Police Station took an unprecedented step, adorning its exterior with colossal signs standing up to 3 metres tall. These giant warnings, unveiled yesterday, February 28, aim to arm citizens with crucial advice on dodging the traps set by cunning scammers. With phrases like: Do not believe, Do…
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Rare Siamese crocodile hatchlings spotted in Nakhon Sawan
In a heartening discovery, the elusive Siamese crocodile has made a triumphant return at Bueng Boraphet Wildlife Sanctuary in Nakhon Sawan province. After a seven-year absence, the sanctuary proudly welcomed eight Siamese crocodile hatchlings into the world. This remarkable event, announced via an uplifting Facebook post by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP), has reignited hope…
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Massive amphetamine haul seized in northeast Thailand
Minister of Defence Sutin Klungsang convened a press briefing to unveil a significant crackdown resulting in the confiscation of 6 million amphetamine pills, valued at over 180 million baht, in Bung Khla, Bueng Kan on Monday. According to police sources, the operation unfolded on February 25 at 7pm when Surasakmontri rangers and Bung Khla police officers received a tip-off regarding…
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8 million meth pills seized in Chiang Mai drug courier arrest
A 24 year old drug courier named Jiraphat, hailing from the Phrao district of Chiang Mai, was apprehended by drug suppression police. The arrest took place at an intersection in Chiang Dao district. Approximately 8 million methamphetamine pills were confiscated from the pickup truck driven by Jiraphat. The seizure was made on Monday, with the methamphetamine pills found stashed in…
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Tak province battles spreading wildfires across nine districts
Wildfires in the province of Tak have intensified, expanding across nine districts and prompting coordinated emergency responses to combat the flames and prevent hazardous smog, including the dangerous PM2.5 particles. The province’s governor Somchai Kitcharoenrungroj has mobilised all units for swift action to contain the wildfires within a limited area to minimize damage and reduce smoke haze. Since January 1,…
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Man admits to killing wife’s grandmother in northern Thailand
A tragic incident unfolded in Nong Bua Lamphu province as a Thai man confessed to the shocking murder of his wife’s grandmother and another family member, leaving the local community in disbelief. The man, Watthayu, overcome with remorse, admitted to the crime following a heated argument with his wife, Chanthana, also known as Nam. The devastating turn of events led…
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Phimai farmers hit by early drought, Mun River runs dry
Farmers in the district of Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima province, are facing a severe drought that has swiftly dried up the Mun River. On the auspicious day of Makha Bucha, traditionally a time of potential earnings for lotus farmers, the parched riverbeds have left many without income or water for their daily needs. The situation, recorded today, underscores the urgency of…
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Universal Health Coverage expands to eight more provinces
The Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme is set to empower members with unprecedented healthcare options across eight additional provinces. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, heading the National Health Security Board, announced the green light for expanding the UHC digital health platform. This expansion encompasses provinces such as Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Sing Buri, Phang Nga, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Amnat Charoen,…
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Chiang Rai meth bust sees 1.8 million pills confiscated
In a gripping crackdown on drug trafficking, authorities in Chiang Rai province have netted 1.8 million meth pills and assets valued at 10 million baht, with the arrest of 10 suspected couriers in three major drug busts. At a Pukaeng Road checkpoint in Phan district, police officers intercepted a suspicious pickup truck sporting Bangkok licence plates. Their suspicions were well-founded…
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Controversial sticker-covered Pai highway sign sparks fury
In Mae Hong Son’s Pai district, the highway sign that reads Welcome to Pai has found itself at the centre of a heated controversy. Adorned with an array of stickers, the sign has divided opinion on whether it’s a quirky tradition or a potential road hazard. The viral photo, widely circulated on social media over the past week, showcases the…
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Royal Forest Department investigates land appropriation
The Royal Forest Department launched a probe into allegations of land encroachment within the Pang Asok woodlot. The claim comes from Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn, head of the Office of National Parks, who stumbled upon a disturbing sight: a backhoe and tractor clearing swathes of land purportedly for personal gain. Chaiwat asserts that approximately 64 hectares stand despoiled, with a suspicious Sor Por…
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Thai wildfires rage across 10 provinces in northern Thailand
An apocalyptic blaze threatens to engulf vast swathes of the northern Thai landscape, with an estimated 1 million rai (equivalent to 160,000 hectares) poised to succumb to wildfires between February 19 and 25, as revealed by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The inferno’s ominous reach spans 10 provinces including Tak, Lampang, Chiang Mai, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Mae…
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Thai doctor crashes sedan into 3 cars in Lampang hospital car park
A Thai doctor attributed a brake system failure as the cause of his sedan crashing into three cars in a car park at Lampang Hospital in northern Thailand. Fortunately, rescuers managed to avert a potentially hazardous situation by preventing an SUV from plummeting off the sixth floor of the parking structure. The sound of the collision and the sight of…
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Mother awaits DNA confirmation to lay daughter to rest in Ubon Ratchathani
The grieving mother of a young woman known affectionately as Nunn faces a distressing wait to perform the last rites for her daughter. It is anticipated that the process to release the body will take approximately one week. The forensic department at the Police Hospital began DNA collection procedures at 10am, today, February 22, to confirm the identity of the…
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Chiang Mai songthaew goes cool with air-con and PM2.5 filters
In a novel move to revolutionise local transport, a Chiang Mai songthaew driver has transformed the iconic red car into an air-conditioned oasis complete with a PM2.5 filter system. This innovative service has become a hit among both Thai and international tourists, leading to a significant booking queue. The traditional songthaew, a ubiquitous sight in Chiang Mai, has long been…
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Three distinct prehistoric animal fossils unearthed in Khon Kaen
A new discovery has surfaced in the Tambon Muang Wan region of Nam Phong district, Khon Kaen, as fossils of three different prehistoric animals have been unearthed. This comes as an addition to the previous findings in the same area. The analysis of the collected fossils is being undertaken by a team led by Sasa-On Khansubha, a palaeontologist affiliated with…
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Khon Kaen University: Copyright infringement by Miss Global
Assistant Professor Pachon Akapram, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at Khon Kaen University, revealed that Miss Global had brazenly used the music of one of their students without permission. Third-year student Nathapong Detboon’s masterpiece was allegedly commandeered for the Apsara Thai Traditional Dance performance during the pageant’s final round in Cambodia on January 16. According to…
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10 year old boy drowns in Mekong River whirlpool
A tragic incident on the banks of the Mekong River claimed the life of a 10 year old boy whose body was discovered last Saturday, February 17, after being drawn into a whirlpool three days prior. Veerawat’s grandfather managed to rescue the boy’s sister but could not reach Veerawat in time. The local authorities in Ubon Ratchathani’s Khemarat district have…
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Cumbria couple relocates to Thailand, goes off-grid
In a tale of resilience and determination, a couple from Cumbria, in the United Kingdom made their dream of relocating to Thailand come true sooner than planned. Formerly entrenched in the bustling food and beverage scene of Cumbria, Ben and Anna battled through the pandemic’s harsh realities, fighting tooth and nail to keep their businesses afloat. “We were both working…
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PM Srettha inspects ’30-Baht Plus’ healthcare policy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin spearheaded the inspection of the Phra Ajarn Mun Bhuridatto Hospital’s construction progress and closely monitored the implementation of the 30-baht Plus healthcare policy in Sakon Nakhon Province. The Phra Ajarn Mun Bhuridatto Hospital stands as a beacon of hope, catering to a vast population, including residents from neighbouring provinces. The relentless pursuit of excellence has driven…
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Mekong basin developmental projects threaten livelihoods, wildlife
An expert in sustainable growth and fair use of natural resources has warned that lives and livelihoods along the Mekong Basin could be in jeopardy as a result of developmental projects. The 14,000-rai Wiang Nong Lom in northern Thailand, a shared resource and home to a multitude of freshwater species, has long been a haven for local wildlife. Now, however,…
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Concerns over Khao Yai National Park land allocation plans
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) has strongly opposed the Agricultural Land Reform Office’s (ALRO) plan to allocate portions of Khao Yai National Park to farmers. The authorities are concerned about the encroachment of agricultural practices into fertile forest zones. Chaiwat Limlikitaksorn, the director of the National Parks Office, expressed grave concerns after learning that nearly…
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Family feud over billion-baht legacy rocks northern Thailand
A family feud over a billion-baht inheritance from a prominent family in Nakhon Ratchasima province has escalated, with both sides engaging in a fiery exchange of allegations. Three of the four heirs have been ousted from the inheritance following the patriarch’s death, instigating a series of public revelations and legal battles that have captivated public interest. On February 13, three…
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Udon Thani youth wreak havoc in neighbouring village
A violent clash between youth groups from neighbouring villages in Udon Thani province escalated into a full-blown conflict, leading to a series of disturbing incidents that have left residents living in fear. The feud, which has intensified over the past month, has seen teenagers armed with guns, explosives, and knives from the village of Ban Muang in Sakon Nakhon province,…
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Thai police cracks down on billion-baht movie piracy network
Law enforcement conducted raids at four locations across Thailand, cracking down on an extensive online piracy network responsible for an illicit movie streaming platform that has been in operation for nearly two decades. The raids, which took place yesterday, targeted two sites in Bangkok, one in Surin, and one in Surat Thani, aiming to dismantle the piracy network that has…
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Exploited Thai workers: Debt, deception, and the dark side of berry picking in Europe
In the past 18 years, over 110,000 Thai workers embarked on a gruelling journey to Europe, enticed by the promise of lucrative pay in berry fields, yet behind the allure lies a sinister reality of exploitation, debt bondage, and shattered dreams. From the rural heartlands of Thailand’s northeast, hopeful farmers borrowed staggering sums from banks and illegal lenders to finance…
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