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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Health insurance in Thailand has important limits that everyone should know. Many policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, motorcycle accidents, extreme sports, or specific treatments. These gaps can lead to unexpected costs during emergencies. Coverage for outpatient care and hospital...
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Bumpy ride: bus-truck crash ‘derails’ journey in Phrae, injuring 45
A collision involving a bus travelling from Bangkok to Chiang Rai and a trailer truck unfolded in Song district, Phrae province, injuring 45 people. The unfortunate incident took place this morning, highlighting ongoing road safety concerns in the region. The Highways Department reported that the accident occurred around 6.15am, today, November 5, on Highway 103. The impact was severe enough…
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Cattle herder murder: Body found in Nakhon Phanom forest
A man who had gone to tend to his cattle was found dead in a forest in Nakhon Phanom province with multiple stab wounds. Police were alerted to the scene, uncovering a brutal murder that left the family devastated. The incident came to light around 8.30pm yesterday, November 1, when police were informed about a body found in the forest…
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Thai police arrest suspect in 2.7 million baht footballer scam
Thai police have apprehended a suspect involved in an online loan scam that swindled a prominent national footballer out of nearly 2.7 million baht. The suspect, identified as 45 year old Wanchai, confessed to managing mule accounts for the criminal gang. The crackdown, led by Police Major General Jirawat Payoongtham, took place today, November 2, when cybercrime officers, directed by…
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Thailand launches anti-drug campaign in 10 pilot provinces
Thailand is taking decisive action against drug-related issues by designating 10 provinces as pilot areas to test new strategies. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra emphasised the broader societal impacts of drug problems during her visit to Roi Et, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to tackle this challenge. Drug problems are seen as a significant barrier to national progress…
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Monk on the run: Abbott crashes and dashes after bail (video)
A Thai abbot crashed his pickup into a prison guard’s car on a road in Chiang Mai, seriously injuring the guard. The monk later disappeared after being granted bail. The public raised suspicions of corruption in the road accident case involving the abbot and the prison guard in Chiang Mai. The accident occurred on October 24 but the suspect, the abbot…
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2 Thai teens surrender after brutal attack on homeless man in Isaan (video)
Two of the three Thai teenagers involved in the brutal attack on a homeless man in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima surrendered to the police yesterday. They claimed that another friend ordered them to commit the crime. Locals in the Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima, along with rescuers from the Sawang Dhammastan Foundation, rushed the homeless man, 60 year…
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Halloween drive spooks up support for Nakhon Ratchasima blood banks
Nakhon Ratchasima faces a severe blood reserve shortage, leading to a creative Halloween-themed blood donation drive. Held at Terminal 21 mall, the event encourages citizens to donate blood, crucial for emergency patients. The Happy Halloween Blood Party organised by Sirilak Pheakkhuntot, head of the National Blood Service Region 5 in Nakhon Ratchasima, aims to address the critical blood shortage in…
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Chiang Mai unveils cultural and health tourism route
Chiang Mai launched a new cultural and health tourism route during the National Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Day and the Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Fair. The event took place yesterday, October 25, and was presided over by Siwa Thamikanon, the Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai, who was assigned by Nirut Phongsitthithaworn, the Governor of Chiang Mai. Thitikarn Na Pan, the…
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Woman critically injured after car hits utility pole in Buriram
A high-speed collision involving a car and a high-voltage utility pole left a woman critically injured after she was ejected from the vehicle, landing on a nearby shop’s roof before falling to the ground. The incident occurred last night on Route 226 in Buriram. Police Lieutenant Nuntikarn Ampawan from the Buriram City Police Station reported that the accident took place…
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Dessert storm: British man gets burned for smoking at sweet stall (video)
Two Thai dessert vendors in Chiang Mai clashed with an ignorant British man after he smoked outside their stall, despite a no-smoking sign and warnings from the vendors. The altercation between the Thai vendors and the Brit garnered public attention after a witness shared a video of the incident on her TikTok account, @ketar_nk, on October 23. In the caption,…
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Sky’s the limit: Mysterious pillar ‘clouds’ over Ubon Ratchathani
A mysterious pillar, or column, rising from rainbow-hued clouds has enchanted the skies above Ubon Ratchathani, capturing the attention and imaginations of residents alike. The striking phenomenon, immortalised in a photograph shared on the Facebook page มีด่าน อุบลราชธานี, sparked a flurry of intrigue and speculation about its origins. “What’s this pillar? Yesterday, October 21, at 5.35pm on Ubon Khueang Nai…
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Travel subsidy scheme said to boost post-flood tourism in the north
The Tourism and Sports Ministry is considering increasing the budget for its tourism subsidy scheme to help tourism firms in the northern region recover from recent flood damage. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced the plans following a meeting with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to discuss economic and tourism stimulus measures. The meeting followed Sorawong’s visit to flood-hit Chiang…
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Double tax deductions to boost northern Thailand tourism
The Ministry of Finance is planning to introduce measures under the Thai Travel Continues campaign to boost tourism in flood-affected areas in northern Thailand. The initiative will offer double tax deductions for two groups: individuals and companies holding seminars in the disaster-stricken regions. Finance Deputy Minister Julapun Amornwiwat announced that the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Ministry of…
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Chiang Rai flood recovery 96% complete, set to finish by Monday
Post-flood recovery efforts in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district are nearing completion, according to the government’s operation centre for flood, storm, and landslide victims. Officials stated yesterday, October 18, that all affected communities should see the recovery work finalised by Monday as scheduled. Jirayu Huangsab, a spokesperson for the centre, provided an update from the forward command in Chiang Rai,…
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Khon Kaen’s stunning boat festival draws crowds to Phong River
Khon Kaen province hosted a grand boat-floating festival on the Phong River, attracting a large number of local and international tourists. Sila Municipality Mayor Pairat Thaveewan aims to elevate this event to an annual provincial celebration, showcasing beautifully crafted boats by local artisans. The event started at 8.30pm yesterday, October 17, at Wat Tha Rat, Ban Dong Phong, Sila subdistrict,…
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Tragic fall claims life of Udon Thani man, dog stays by side
A tragic discovery was made when the body of a 43 year old man was found lifeless under mysterious circumstances after apparently falling from his bed in Udon Thani province. The man’s loyal pet dog, a one year old Shih Tzu named Luk Moo, stayed close by his side, refusing to leave. Police Lieutenant Colonel Ratchaphon Morarat, an investigator at…
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Sisaket woman wins 6 million baht lottery after prayers to serpent
A Thai woman’s prayer to a mythical serpent for lottery luck came true, making her a millionaire. She received 6 million baht after winning the first prize in the lottery. The Thai woman, 43 year old Ratsamee from Ban Nong Khukham, Nong Siang Thun in Prang Ku district, Sisaket province, had an ordinary day turn extraordinary when she discovered she…
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Record-breaking crowds cause traffic chaos at Khao Yai
Khao Yai National Park was the place to be during the recent long weekend, smashing visitor records and causing traffic nightmares at the gates. Over the three-day holiday from October 12 to 14, the park saw daily entrance fees soar past 1 million baht as hordes of tourists flooded in to enjoy the cooler weather and stunning scenery. Park chief…
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Chiang Rai cops needle out 126kg heroin in Mae Sai drug bust
A significant drug bust occurred in Chiang Rai yesterday where police seized over 126 kilogrammes of heroin following a confrontation between a task force and a drug smuggling group near the Mae Sai border. Police Colonel Anuwat Panyanant, Commander of the Task Force Thap Chao Tak, Pha Mueang Force, announced the details of the operation during a press conference. The…
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Over 830 tonnes of drug precursor seized in northern Thailand
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) officers seized more than 830 tonnes of drug precursors at a warehouse in the Mae Sot district, in the northern province of Tak, owned by Chinese nationals. Officers from the ONCB, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), local police, and administrative authorities raided a warehouse on Mae Sot Road in the Mae…
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Bangkok Community Help Foundation dives in for Chiang Rai flood relief
Bangkok Community Help Foundation mobilised to provide urgent flood relief to Chiang Rai and surrounding areas. The region has been severely impacted by the overflowing Kok River, leaving more than 30,000 people stranded and many without homes. With the support of volunteers, locals, and law enforcement, the foundation has delivered over 6,000 kilogrammes (kgs) of essential aid, reaching remote villages…
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Lottery hopefuls rush to Udon Thani as lucky numbers sell out
Crowds of lottery enthusiasts flocked to Kham Chanod in Udon Thani to buy the lucky numbers 451 and 154, derived from incense sticks at the sacrificial table of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua’s son, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, completely selling out the lottery stalls. Today, October 16, reports from Kham Chanod Island, located in the Naga King’s realm of Wang…
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Highways reopen after Chiang Rai flood chaos
Flood-ravaged Chiang Rai is getting back on its feet, with crucial roadways reopened after devastating landslides. The Department of Highways (DOH) has fast-tracked repairs to reconnect communities isolated by torrential rains, particularly along the vital Highway 1150, linking Wiang Pa Pao in Chiang Rai to Phrao in Chiang Mai. This key route, blocked by multiple landslides, had halted travel and…
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Thai man allegedly fakes wife’s suicide after adultery lawsuit
Police arrested a Thai man for allegedly killing his wife and faking her suicide after she sued him for adultery and gained ownership of all assets earned during their relationship. A Thai woman was rushed to a hospital in the northern province of Nan in August. Her husband, 45 year old Somchai, told the medical team that his wife committed…
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Village in Udon Thani draws crowds after 18 million baht lottery win
The village of Naka in Udon Thani has become a significant destination for devotees after tourists reported winning 18 million baht in the lottery. This rare occurrence prompted a major ritual to honour the revered figures of Phraya Srisattanakarat and Prasat Phor Phu Srisuttho. Today, October 14, at Naka Village in Mueang district, Udon Thani, Anon Saennan, the founder of…
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Former officer arrested for embezzling 10 million baht
A former special operations officer from the Department of Corrections accused of embezzling 10 million baht from government funds has been arrested. The suspect, identified as 36 year old Pornchai Paripreecha was arrested at a barbecue restaurant in Nong Khai while allegedly waiting for his wife to bring him cash. Police Major General Montree Teskhan, head of the Crime Suppression…
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Thailand and Myanmar discuss Mae Sai River illegal structures
Thai officials are set to engage in discussions with Myanmar regarding illegal structures along the Mae Sai River, aiming to address the flood crisis in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced. Severe flooding has inundated the district, leaving a thick layer of mud as waters receded, prompting these high-level talks. Phumtham, who also serves as…
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Stork raving success: Endangered bird’s triumphant return to Thailand
In a ground-breaking win for wildlife conservation, Thailand has achieved an unprecedented milestone: critically endangered Asian woolly-necked storks have bred in the wild for the first time. These majestic birds, once at risk of vanishing forever, are back and thriving in their natural habitat. Officials from the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand and Khao Kheow Open Zoo were thrilled to…
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Former Aussie cop’s epic run across Thailand for tsunami victims
A former forensic cop from Australia is gearing up for his biggest physical challenge yet—a gruelling 1,400-kilometre run across Thailand in December. Dubbed “Run to Remember,” this endurance test marks the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, which claimed 230,000 lives worldwide, including 5,400 in Thailand. Starting on December 1, charity Hands Across the Water founder Peter Baines…
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Tidal wave of trouble: Phitsanulok fields flooded as waters overflow
Floodwaters are inundating the Bang Rakam model fields in Phitsanulok province, receiving overflow from Sukhothai and reaching 571 million cubic metres, or 143% of capacity. The water expands, flooding nearby areas and roads, particularly in Phrom Phiram, Mueang, and Bang Rakam districts. Since late September, 304 villages across 50 subdistricts in nine districts of Phitsanulok have been affected by floodwaters…
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