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 Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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Sisaket house lights up after candle left burning overnight
A house fire broke out in Sisaket province after a man fell asleep with a candle lit due to a power cut, leading to a scramble for safety and the loss of his belongings. Apichat Kasorn, an investigator at Sisaket Provincial Police Station, received a report of a fire at house number 14, Village 5, Ban Yang Kut, Mak Kheab…
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Enlist now, reap rewards: PM hails modern Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Defence is shaking up Thailand’s military recruitment strategy, swapping the conscription model for a voluntary one packed with incentives and young Thais are taking note. In a recent visit to Infantry Division 6 in Roi Et province, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai lauded the successful transformation, highlighting that voluntary enlistment has surged significantly.…
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Thai woman found murdered in Nakhon Sawan home
A Thai woman was brutally murdered in her own home, located beneath her elevated wooden house in Phai Sali district, Nakhon Sawan province. Before her tragic death, she managed to call her sister and identify her alleged murderer. The woman’s puppies, unaware of their owner’s demise, gathered around her lifeless body. Police reported receiving a distress call about the murder…
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UNESCO Thai heritage site threatened by reservoir projects: Probe
Environmentalists are urging a House committee to investigate two reservoir construction projects that they fear may threaten the Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex in Nakhon Ratchasima, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Klong Madue reservoir project in Nakhon Nayok and another near the forest complex have raised concerns among conservationists. Suthee Rattanamongkol, leading the Khao Yai Forest Conservation Network,…
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Anti-social neighbour in Chiang Rai arrested after three years
An anti-social neighbour, living in a village in Mueang Chiang Rai district, Chiang Rai province, has been harassing residents for nearly three years with loud noises, threats, and littering. The main victim, a young nurse, has lodged several complaints with local police, yet little progress has been made until recently. Manop Senakun, the Provincial Police Commander of Chiang Rai, directed…
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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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Thai schoolboy stabs classmate over school bus seat dispute
A Thai schoolboy from a school in the northern province of Sukhothai today stabbed his classmate on a school bus, reportedly following an argument over seats. Officers from Sri Satchanalai Police Station were called to investigate the stabbing on a school bus parked along a road in the Sri Satchanalai district of Sukhothai at around 7.30am, today, October 31. The…
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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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Thai abbot caught on leaked audio having sex call with woman
A Thai abbot in the northern province of Lampang denied leaving the monkhood after a leaked audio recording revealed him engaging in a sex phone call with a woman. The leaked audio was shared by locals living near the temple in the Phichai sub-district of Lampang province. The male voice in the recording is alleged to be that of 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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Autopsy seeks to unravel mysterious death of Chinese man
The lifeless body of a Chinese man remains under autopsy after he died mysteriously at his home in the northern province of Chiang Rai on Saturday. Thai national Jiraphap Saewang discovered the body of his Chinese neighbour, 54 year old Fong, at around 11pm on Saturday, October 19. Fong was found lying on a wooden sofa, hugging a pillow, in…
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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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Mother mourns 13 year old daughter drowned in Buriram dam (video)
A 40 year old mother collapsed in a flood of tears as she embraced the lifeless body of her 13 year old daughter, who tragically drowned after slipping into the overflow dam in Buriram. Despite friends’ efforts to save her, the strong current swept the girl away. Police were alerted yesterday, October 17, about the incident at the Takut Tasa…
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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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Researchers discover four new plant species in northern Thailand
Researchers have identified four new plant species in northern Thailand, showcasing the nation’s rich biodiversity. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced the findings, which were made by the department’s researchers in collaboration with botanists from Kasetsart University and Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. Attapol Charoenchansa, the department’s chief, stated that the discoveries were part of…
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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 transwoman arrested for drunk driving bites, punches cop
A Thai transwoman failed to escape a drunk driving arrest at a checkpoint in the northern province of Lampang, so she opted to bite and punch one of the police officers during her arrest. Officers from Mueang Lampang Police Station set up the checkpoint on Duangrat Road in the Suan Dok sub-district, Mueang district, Lampang, on the night of Sunday,…
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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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