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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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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Missing father found dead in water container in Nakhon Ratchasima
A missing father was found dead in a water container behind his house in Nakhon Ratchasima. The discovery prompted a rapid response from the police and left the family and community in deep sorrow. Police Colonel Lieutenant Boonyarith of Huai Thalaeng Police Station reported that police received a call about a person found dead in a water container at their…
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Three pythons found in Buriram chicken coop after feast
Three pythons were discovered in a chicken coop resting after feasting on several chickens. The homeowner believes the snakes might bring good luck. Siam Ruam Jai Pu In Rescue Unit yesterday, August 15, responded to a call from residents in Talat Yae, Thanon Hak subdistrict, Nang Rong district, Buriram province, to assist in capturing several large snakes that had entered…
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Buriram residents fear digital wallet could be axed after PM ousted
Buriram residents and local vendors are increasingly anxious following the Thai Constitutional Court’s surprise decision to oust Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The major concern is the potential scrapping of the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, a key economic boost initiative from the Pheu Thai Party. The Buriram municipal market is buzzing with worry as many dread that the much-anticipated digital wallet…
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Monk arrested in Loei temple raid for meth possession
Police raided a temple in Loei province and arrested a monk caught with methamphetamine hidden in his quarters. The monk was immediately defrocked and charges have been filed. Officers from the 3rd Control Division (R.8) of the Surasak Montri Army, led by Captain Chamnarn Manboon, along with local police and administrative officials, conducted a search at a temple in Namala…
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Unique nine-faced statue draws crowds in Nakhon Ratchasima
A unique statue named Tao Maha Phrom Wessuwan, featuring nine faces and eight arms, has been constructed at Wat Sap Takro in Nakhon Ratchasima. The statue, created by Phra Ajarn Wanchai Wannako, also known as Luang Kru Ae, is gaining significant reverence from the public despite being built only three months ago. The statue, believed to be the only one…
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Man found dead on motorcycle in Samut Sakhon
A man from Udon Thani was found dead on his motorcycle, likely due to a pre-existing condition. Rescuers revealed they had previously assisted him during a severe asthma attack. The police are investigating the exact cause of death. Police Lieutenant Panadecha Manolert from the Samut Sakhon Police Station received a report about a man found dead on a motorcycle along…
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Man assaults father over 300 baht for drugs in Udon Thani
A man assaulted his father in Udon Thani after being denied 300 baht for drugs, prompting his sister to demand legal action, stating she no longer wants him as her brother. Police in Udon Thani received a report of a son assaulting his father at a rental house in Nong Bua, Mueang district. Officers promptly arrived at the scene. The…
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Earthquake rattles Chiang Mai and Lamphun early today
An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.4 struck Mae On district in Chiang Mai, causing tremors felt as far as Lamphun. The seismic event, which occurred early today, August 15, lasted for five seconds and was reported by the Earthquake Surveillance Division. The earthquake struck at 1.33am, with its epicentre located in Mae Tha subdistrict, Mae On district, Chiang Mai…
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Thai woman assaulted for rejecting man in nightclub (video)
A Thai man took to social media to call for justice after an influential person in the Isaan province of Sisaket physically assaulted his girlfriend for refusing to clink glasses with him at a nightclub on August 12. The Thai man, Kong, shared a screenshot of security footage on Facebook yesterday, August 14, showing his girlfriend, Noi, being attacked. Kong…
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Chiang Mai baht bus driver condemned for kicking locals off for foreigners
A Thai woman took to social media to condemn the wrongful behaviour of a baht bus driver in Chiang Mai after the driver kicked her off the vehicle to accommodate a group of foreigners. However, the foreigners declined the driver’s service. The 63 year old victim, Sri, shared the baht bus incident in a Facebook group, @ChiangMai, on August 13.…
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Thai fisherman sees South Korean discard cash, jump into river
A resident in the northern province of Chiang Mai discovered the body of a South Korean man in the Ping River after he scattered cash and jumped into the water in front of a Thai fisherman on Sunday. A fisherman alerted officers from Chang Phueak Police Station after seeing a foreigner, later identified as 44 year old South Korean man…
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Teenagers attack student in Buriram, victim fears retribution
A group of teenagers assaulted a young male student at his residence after locking up his girlfriend, accusing him of previously attacking them. The victim, however, denied any knowledge of the incident, fearing retribution from the influential group known as Khummoon. Today, August 11, a young male student reported to the media that he was attacked in front of his…
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