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 What do you need before moving from the US to Thailand?
The Thaiger key takeaways The most common medical emergencies for expats in Thailand include motorcycle accidents, tropical diseases, and food or water-borne illnesses. Air pollution and heat-related conditions like heatstroke also pose serious seasonal health risks, especially in northern and...
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Sisaket police seize illegal firearms cache in major raid
In Sisaket province, police raided a weapons cache and illegal firearms production site used for criminal activities, seizing 18 firearms and various ammunition. Yesterday, March 27, Khun Han district chief Pawit Rattawan and Colonel Anek Promta, commander of the 3rd Special Task Force of the Suranaree Force, along with investigative police from Khun Han Police Station, arrested Ekaphon Namwan. They…
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Toxic air terror: Nan goes into lockdown as smog chokes province
Officials in northern Thailand have slammed the brakes on daily life in parts of Nan province, imposing lockdowns and curfews as toxic air pollution sends the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) into the red. Yesterday, March 27, Nan’s AQI hit a hazardous level of 152, with PM2.5 levels spiking to 57.2 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³), according to IQAir. That’s…
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Deadly crash horror: Sedan ploughs into pickup in fiery Loei smash
A routine midday drive turned into a devastating tragedy when a sedan lost control and slammed into an oncoming pickup truck in Loei province, leaving one woman dead and two men fighting for their lives. The gruesome crash occurred at 12.50pm yesterday, March 27, along the Wang Saphung–Udon Thani Road (Highway 210), directly opposite Phain In Plang Witthaya School in…
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Khon Kaen school janitor accused of assaulting girls
The Sai Mai Must Survive Facebook page urged officials to maintain oversight on a case involving a school janitor accused of sexually assaulting schoolgirls, including a kindergartener, in Khon Kaen. Parents of the victims reached out to the page, expressing concern that the case, which emerged approximately one month ago, might encounter delays or risk being shelved due to diminishing…
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Wildfires force indefinite closure of North Thailand park
Doi Phu Nang National Park in Phayao province has been closed indefinitely following a troubling rise in wildfires, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced yesterday, March 25. The park, known for its lush mountain ranges and diverse wildlife, will remain off-limits to both tourists and locals as authorities work to address the ongoing fire risks.…
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Ancient temple unearthed in Phayao during railway construction
A stunning archaeological discovery in Mueang district, Phayao province, has uncovered an ancient temple dating back around 1,000 years, complete with a beautifully preserved seven-tiered pagoda. The find, made during construction for a new railway project, sparked both excitement and concern, as residents and local officials rushed to protect the site from potential treasure hunters. Yesterday, March 24, residents and…
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Drunk Thai woman attempts hara-kiri after dispute with husband
A Thai woman today attempted to perform hara-kiri, cutting open her stomach, after a dispute with her husband while they were both drunk at a rented house in Chiang Mai province. Officers from Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station and rescuers arrived at the two-storey house in the Mueang district of the province at about 2am, today, March 24, after receiving…
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German dentist attacker found dead with throat slit
A notorious German man accused of attacking female dentists across Korat has been found dead with his throat slashed – his body eerily guarded by two snarling Rottweilers. The grim discovery was made around 5.20pm yesterday, March 21, in a single-storey house near Wat Don Chomphu in the Don Chomphu subdistrict, Non Sung district, Nakhon Ratchasima. The lifeless body of…
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Rodent royalty: Korat Zoo’s new Patagonian attraction charms (video)
Korat Zoo has rolled out the red carpet for its latest superstar, a cute Patagonian mara, unveiled to eager visitors. While the newborn’s gender remains a mystery, its charm is undeniable, as the zoo’s director, Thanachon Khensing, proudly stated: “It’s capturing everyone’s attention.” Currently, Korat Zoo boasts a trio of these enchanting creatures: one male, one female, and the new…
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Thai monk seen hugging foreign woman at Chiang Rai bus terminal
Police are searching for a Thai monk accused of hugging a foreign woman, believed to be a French national, at a bus terminal in the northern province of Chiang Rai. The Thai TikTok user @gina.warinthorn shared the video of the monk and the foreigner on Wednesday, March 19, along with a caption that read… “The story is, I was travelling…
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Foot the bill: Smelly foreigner limps away from Thai massage tab
A massage shop owner in the northern province of Lampang reported yesterday that a smelly foreigner with a limp leg fled without paying a bill of 700 baht after receiving a two-hour massage. The owner of the Kanthika massage shop, Ann, stated that she was not the first victim, according to information from officers at Mueang Lampang Police Station. Ann…
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Chinese dating scammer arrested for targeting foreign men in Chiang Mai
Police yesterday arrested a Chinese man at Chiang Mai International Airport for operating scams using a dating app to approach foreign men in the province. Two victims filed complaints with officers at Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station on Sunday, March 16 and March 19, stating that a Chinese man they had met on a dating application stole their valuables and…
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Drunk British man allegedly insults Thais in restaurant (video)
A drunk British man reportedly insulted Thai workers and customers at a restaurant in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima after his favourite alcoholic beverage was not available. The restaurant’s owner, Thai man, Apinan, called officers from Phimai Police Station to the scene in the Phimai district of Nakhon Ratchasima on Sunday, March 16. The 49 year old restauranteur was…
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Severe storm in Chiang Rai causes major damage and injuries
A severe summer storm struck Chiang Rai, affecting five subdistricts with intense winds causing significant damage to temples, schools, and hospitals. Four people sustained injuries, with two in critical condition. The governor has ordered immediate assistance and damage assessments. The storm affected several areas in Chiang Rai province yesterday, March 18. According to the Chiang Rai Department of Disaster Prevention…
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Tractor traction: Uthai Thani cops defend noisy farmer’s arrest
Police in Mueang Lansak district, Uthai Thani province, addressed social media criticism regarding the arrest of a man for modifying his tractor’s exhaust system, creating excessive noise. Residents lodged complaints, prompting police to issue a warning rather than make an arrest, acknowledging the challenges faced by local farmers. On March 16 at 11am, Lieutenant Naruepol Chanthates, a duty officer, alongside patrol…
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Fire at Mae Sot customs warehouse destroys over 50 vehicles
A raging fire has torn through a customs warehouse in Mae Sot, Tak province, destroying more than 50 confiscated vehicles. The fire, which broke out yesterday, March 18, around 8pm, remains uncontrollable despite the tireless efforts of local fire services. The blaze started behind the new customs checkpoint, near the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Tha Sai Luat subdistrict, Mae…
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Mae Hong Son strengthens cross-border efforts on forest fires
Mae Hong Son province is stepping up its efforts to combat cross-border forest fires by ramping up cooperation with its neighbouring states. Deputy Governor Boonlue Thammathranurak highlighted the ongoing problem of illegal burning along the border between Mae Hong Son and countries such as Shan State, Karen State, and Kayah State. These areas have long faced the threat of uncontrolled…
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Neighbour attacks Buriram couple with machete over noise
A 37 year old woman reported to Mueang Buriram Police Station after a neighbour allegedly assaulted her husband with a machete. The incident took place on March 15, resulting in injuries to both the woman’s husband and herself. Following the attack, the husband was hospitalised at Buriram Hospital. The incident occurred while the couple was playing online slots at their…
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Bite club: German man sinks teeth into Korat dentist, sparks panic
A chilling wave of panic has swept through dental clinics in Korat after a German man sunk his teeth into a female dentist in a frenzied attack. The Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Dental Association is desperately urging the police to collar this foreign menace. Dentist Wivat Chatwongwan, representing the worried local dental community, today, March 17, escorted victims to Mueang Nakhon…
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Uthai Thani locals flock to ancient tree for lottery luck
As the lottery draw approaches, residents in Uthai Thani’s Mueang district have flocked to seek lucky numbers from a century-old Takian tree. It is believed that 12 spirit guardians, known as Mae Takian, reside within the tree, offering fortune to visitors. Located in Ban Huai Rang, Village 2, Rabam subdistrict, the revered Takian tree stands by a busy road, drawing…
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School daze: Vaping vendetta forces Thai student relocation
A young Thai student’s schooling has taken a dramatic turn after a series of shocking assaults by a fellow teenager all because of a vaping device. Thirteen-year-old Khon Kaen student Oam has been moved to a boarding school following attacks by 16 year old Lek, sparked by a damaged vaping device. A high-stakes meeting at Watjunprasit School in Ban Phai…
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Hailstorms batter northeast Thailand, hundreds of homes damaged
A ferocious hailstorm battered villages across Surin, Yasothon, and Nong Bua Lamphu yesterday, March 12, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Residents were left reeling as golf ball-sized hailstones and powerful winds ripped roofs off homes, destroyed rice barns, and flattened animal shelters in what locals are calling the worst hailstorm in years. In Surin’s Sri Narong district, more than 36 households suffered damage, with trees…
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Thai man faces jail time after dropping Yaba pill in front of officials
A Thai man absent mindedly forgot that he had hidden some methamphetamine, better known in Thailand as Yaba, in his wallet and accidentally dropped six tablets in front of government officials. According to a new law, anyone found in possession of less than five Yaba tablets will be encouraged to attend rehabilitation. After rehab, suspects can waive a jail term…
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Uthai Thani housekeeper loses 12 lottery tickets, seeks public help
A housekeeper in Uthai Thani is desperately appealing for help after losing 12 lottery tickets, just a day after celebrating her birthday. What was meant to be a stroke of luck has turned into a nightmare, leaving her hoping for a miracle. Yesterday, March 11, 46 year old Vilairat Wichienrat, a resident of Khao Kwang Thong subdistrict, Nong Chang district,…
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Fiery stir-fry chaos: Cook’s dish sets floating restaurant ablaze (video)
A peaceful riverside lunch turned into chaos when a fiery wok of stir-fried morning glory set a floating restaurant’s roof ablaze, sending panicked tourists scrambling for safety. The dramatic incident unfolded at 2.10pm yesterday, March 11, at a well-known floating restaurant on the Ping River in Wiang Nong Long district, Lamphun province. Crowds of tourists had gathered to enjoy the…
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Buriram man dismantles home, village lives in fear after assault
A 31 year old man dismantled his two-storey house in Buriram’s Ku Mueang district and resorted to living in a tent. Residents, including his parents, are in fear of being harmed after a serious assault on a local woman. The incident was reported yesterday, March 9, by 51 year old Jindarat from Chik Noi village. Her son suffered severe injuries, including…
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Udon Thani police recover 13 stolen motorcycles, lottery win follows
Police in Udon Thani successfully apprehended a motorcycle thief, recovering 13 stolen motorcycles. Among the owners, one woman expressed her joy by hugging her recovered vehicle, while another expressed gratitude by gifting 10,000 baht to the investigation team and winning the lottery using the vehicle’s registration number. On March 7, Police Major General Suwan Chiaonavinthawat, the Udon Thani Provincial Police…
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Buriram infant’s body found with drugs from breastfeeding mother
In Buriram’s Nang Rong district, a shocking discovery revealed a three month old infant with drugs in his system, likely due to breastfeeding from a mother using illicit substances and vaping. Police are taking urgent action to ensure the child’s safety by prohibiting the mother from breastfeeding until she ceases all drug use. Local administrative officials, police, and village leaders…
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Forest fire arsonist jailed and hit with 133 million baht fine
A man responsible for a devastating forest fire that destroyed over 2,166 rai (346 hectares) of protected land in Phitsanulok’s Khao Noi-Khao Pradu Wildlife Sanctuary has been sentenced to four years in prison and fined 133.23 million baht, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced today. The suspect was arrested on May 6 last year after…
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Teenager electrocuted by phone charger in Thailand sparks warning
The tragic death of a teenager electrocuted by a phone charger today has left a community reeling in the Sikhoraphum district of Surin in Isaan. Police revealed that the 15 year old girl was electrocuted after falling asleep with her phone, today, March 7. Officers added that she had burn marks from the phone charger cord. Sergeant Den Wanyang, taking…
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