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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Chiang Mai man arrested after shooting during Loy Krathong
Police in Chiang Mai apprehended a young man following a dramatic incident where he intervened in a marital dispute, only to shoot the husband in the neck after being insulted. The police captured the suspect after a tense manhunt following the Loy Krathong festival. The incident unfolded early yesterday, November 17, when Chiang Mai police were alerted to a shooting…
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Methamphetamine thrown on stage at Kalasin beauty pageant (video)
A surprising incident unfolded during a beauty pageant at a Loy Krathong festival when a young man unexpectedly threw methamphetamine (meth) onto the stage. This disruption occurred at Huai Mano Reservoir, Seri Thai Airport, in Na Khu district, Kalasin province, at 10pm yesterday, November 15. The individual involved, a known psychiatric patient with a history of drug use, had recently…
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Thai police officer who died pursuing suspect in Phrae honoured
A 22 year old police officer with a promising future, tragically died in the line of duty. He has been posthumously promoted and awarded special recognition following his brave actions while pursuing a suspect. Yesterday, November 14, National Police Chief Kittirat Phanphet revealed details surrounding the death of Sittiphong Kanta, a police officer from Sa-iab Police Station in Song district,…
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Dog ‘adopter’ linked to Chiang Rai slaughterhouse shock
In a shocking twist, an alleged animal welfare scandal has erupted in Chiang Rai province, where a man who posed as a compassionate dog adopter is now accused of sending his “rescued” pets to an illegal slaughterhouse. Local animal welfare advocates and the Livestock Department are calling for immediate police action to bring the man, from the Akha ethnic group,…
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Police arrest Sisaket man for firearms and drugs possession
Police successfully conducted a crime crackdown during the Loy Krathong festival, seizing firearms and ammunition. On the day of the operation, officers arrested a 45 year old Thai man, at his residence in Huai Chan subdistrict, Khun Han district, Sisaket province. The operation was spearheaded by Chayaphon Namsuwan, a senior investigator at Khun Han Police Station, and supported by Wanchai…
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Korat police crack down on firework shops to keep kids safe
In a bold move to ensure safety during this year’s Loi Krathong festival, police in Nakhon Ratchasima have launched a robust crackdown on shops selling fireworks, with a particular focus on protecting children from dangerous explosives. Police Colonel Anek Srikitrat, Deputy Commander of the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police, joined forces with Pol. Col. Suthinan Kongchaemdee, Superintendent of the Nakhon Ratchasima…
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‘I just wanted to try it’: Udon Thani monks found positive for meth
Police conducted a surprise raid on a well-known temple in Udon Thani, apprehending five monks after they tested positive for methamphetamine (meth) use. Prompted by local complaints over the monks’ inappropriate behaviour, officials took decisive action. This operation took place after locals reported the monks’ behaviour to the Damrongtham Centre in Mueang Udon Thani district. The monks were allegedly involved…
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Wheel-y close call: Teen’s pickup mishap sends tyre rolling in Sisaket
A 14 year old boy lost control of his pickup truck in Sisaket province, resulting in a wheel detaching and rolling onto the pavement. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though damages require compensation. Police from the Mueang Sisaket Police Station responded to an accident at the Khukhan Road intersection, near the Thanetthana Construction Company in Mueang Tai subdistrict, Mueang district,…
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Thai police rescue 5 Chinese nationals trafficked for call centre scam
Thai police officers rescued five Chinese nationals who were taken to the Thai-Myanmar border instead of their intended destination in Pattaya, where they were reportedly about to be trafficked to work for a call centre scam gang. The Director of the Department of Child and Women Protection and Anti-Human Trafficking, Prachuap Wongsook, announced the successful rescue mission at a press…
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Thai man beheads 4 puppies, blames father-in-law for cruelty
A sadistic Thai man in the Isaan province of Buriram brutally beheaded four puppies before trying to point the finger of blame on his father-in-law for the cruel act. Evidence of the man’s barbaric cruelty was found on his mobile phone. A resident of Chaloem Phrakiat district, Buriram, shared on social media that she discovered the bodies of four puppies,…
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British man arrested for selling drugs to foreign tourists in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Provincial Immigration Office arrested a British man after he sold drugs targeting foreign tourists in the province over the past six months. Immigration officers observed the Englishman, identified only as Daniel, displaying suspicious behaviour. Daniel was a partner in a cannabis shop on Chang Moi Road in the province. The main owner of the shop was a Thai…
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Forestry officer arrested after armed robbery in Sakon Nakhon
An arrest warrant is targeting a forestry police officer following an armed robbery at a forest conservation unit in Sakon Nakhon province. On Saturday, a group of men attacked the Warit-Panna forest protection unit, making off with 19 phayung logs, also known as Siamese rosewood and two firearms. The logs are valued at approximately 800,000 baht. Surachai Achalaboon, Director-General of the…
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Minister defends ‘controversial’ land title decision in Buriram
Deputy Interior Minister Songsak Thongsri recently stepped into the spotlight by defending a contentious decision made by a land committee regarding land title documents for plots in Buriram’s Khao Kradong area. This decision comes despite a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that the land is owned by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). The crux of the issue lies in the…
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Mae Sai battles floods again as Chiang Rai plans flood prevention
Mae Sai district residents are grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding, only weeks after recovering from the previous inundation during the rainy season. Torrential rains on Thursday night, November 7, led to the Sai Lom Joy market, positioned along the Sai River, being submerged under floodwater. Despite the adverse weather conditions, Mueang Daeng Road and Lung Khon Wood Market…
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Airport initiative boosts culture and economy in northern Thailand
Phitsanulok and Nan airports have introduced an innovative Live Airport concept aimed at highlighting the cultural identities of these provinces while generating sustainable economic benefits for local communities. The initiative was inaugurated on November 1 and seeks to position airports as not only transit points but also as cultural gateways into the region. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri, accompanied by…
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Thai schools probed for misconduct over spoiled food claims
Allegations of misconduct have prompted the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) to investigate two schools in Chachoengsao and Nakhon Ratchasima. Concerns surfaced online, suggesting one school provided spoiled fruit in student meals while the other was excessively soliciting donations from parents for a school van. Thanu Wongchinda, Secretary-General of OBEC, addressed these claims yesterday, November 7, indicating that…
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Thaksin to fire up Pheu Thai campaign in Udon Thani province
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is back in the political spotlight as he gears up to boost the Pheu Thai Party’s campaign in a major way. Thaksin is expected to make his return to the stage in Udon Thani next week, marking his first public address since ending his self-imposed exile in August last year. The 74 year old’s…
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Udon Thani shop owner thanks Thao Wessuwan for lottery win
A local shop owner in Udon Thani province held a ceremonial offering in gratitude for a lottery win yesterday, November 6. The ceremony took place at the front of a sculpting shop located at house number 141, Ban Nongpan, Village 14, Nong Mek subdistrict, Nong Han district. The shop owner, Phayao Tuthum, and her husband and relatives conducted a ceremony to…
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Phimai Festival to boost tourism in Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima this week launched the spectacular Phimai Festival, featuring a dazzling light and sound show titled Vimayapura Niramit Sri Wirentrasrom. The event aims to boost the local economy and promote tourism in Korat. The Phimai Historical Park in Phimai district, Nakhon Ratchasima, served as the venue for the festival’s opening ceremony. Chaiwat Chuenkosum, the Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, presided…
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Housekeeper denies stealing 20 million baht gold in Khon Kaen
A startling case of theft has emerged from a gold shop in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen, where a housekeeper has been accused of stealing gold worth over 20 million baht since 2021. Despite clear CCTV evidence, the accused continues to deny the charges in court. Footage from a CCTV camera in the gold shop located in Ban Phai…
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Major drug bust in Mukdahan uncovers 1.6 million meth pills
Police in Mukdahan province were alerted to a suspicious vehicle parked on a public road, leading to a major drug bust. The car, found at around 2pm yesterday, November 5, in Ban Don Sawan, Nam Thiang subdistrict, Khamcha-i district, contained a staggering 1.6 million methamphetamine (meth) pills hidden within fertiliser sacks. Police from the Khamcha-i Police Station were notified by…
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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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Thai mother cages in drug-addicted son in Buriram (video)
A situation has arisen in Buriram province where a 64 year old mother took drastic measures to handle her 42 year old son’s severe drug addiction and erratic behaviour. The son, who also struggles with gambling addiction, has been a source of distress, frequently threatening her and causing damage to their property. Despite undergoing rehabilitation over 10 times, his condition…
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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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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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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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