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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Concerns over Khao Yai National Park land allocation plans
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) has strongly opposed the Agricultural Land Reform Office’s (ALRO) plan to allocate portions of Khao Yai National Park to farmers. The authorities are concerned about the encroachment of agricultural practices into fertile forest zones. Chaiwat Limlikitaksorn, the director of the National Parks Office, expressed grave concerns after learning that nearly…
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Family feud over billion-baht legacy rocks northern Thailand
A family feud over a billion-baht inheritance from a prominent family in Nakhon Ratchasima province has escalated, with both sides engaging in a fiery exchange of allegations. Three of the four heirs have been ousted from the inheritance following the patriarch’s death, instigating a series of public revelations and legal battles that have captivated public interest. On February 13, three…
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Udon Thani youth wreak havoc in neighbouring village
A violent clash between youth groups from neighbouring villages in Udon Thani province escalated into a full-blown conflict, leading to a series of disturbing incidents that have left residents living in fear. The feud, which has intensified over the past month, has seen teenagers armed with guns, explosives, and knives from the village of Ban Muang in Sakon Nakhon province,…
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Thailand’s newest UNESCO learning cities revealed, Bangkok on the list
Bangkok, Khon Kaen, and Yala have clinched spots in UNESCO’s 2024 Global Network for Learning Cities (GNLC), heralding a new era of lifelong learning across Thailand. Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob unveiled the exciting news, showcasing Thailand’s commitment to fostering continuous education and development. Joining the ranks of previously listed cities such as Chiang Rai (2019), Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Chachoengsao…
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Exploited Thai workers: Debt, deception, and the dark side of berry picking in Europe
In the past 18 years, over 110,000 Thai workers embarked on a gruelling journey to Europe, enticed by the promise of lucrative pay in berry fields, yet behind the allure lies a sinister reality of exploitation, debt bondage, and shattered dreams. From the rural heartlands of Thailand’s northeast, hopeful farmers borrowed staggering sums from banks and illegal lenders to finance…
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International Balloon Fiesta 2024 lights up Singha Park Chiang Rai for Valentine’s Day
In a collaborative effort spearheaded by Boonrawd Trading, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Singha Estate, and Kasikorn Bank, the International Balloon Fiesta 2024 takes flight today, transforming Singha Park Chiang Rai into a haven for couples seeking romance. Pongrat Luangthamrongcharoen, the managing director of Singha Park Chiang Rai, expressed enthusiasm for the event. “The International Balloon Fiesta 2024 is a…
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Thai farmer’s blooming rose garden rakes in cash on Valentine’s Day
The owner of Phraew Banpha Namthiang Rose Garden in Khon Kaen once toiled in the sugarcane fields, until she took a gamble six years ago, swapping cane for the delicate allure of roses. This Valentine’s Day, love isn’t the only thing in the air: the sweet scent of roses drifts from Phraew Banpha Namthiang, where demand for the enchanting blooms…
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Ceramic doll statues conceal 20 million baht heroin haul in Thailand
Mueang Nong Khai police uncover a stash of heroin bars worth over 20 million baht hidden within innocuous Chinese ceramic doll statues. At a press conference held on Monday, February 12, authorities revealed the seizure made at the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, Nong Khai. According to police reports, the alarming find unfolded when two Lao nationals arrived at the checkpoint…
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Van plunges into ravine on Chiang Mai-Pai route
A passenger van on the Chiang Mai-Pai route lost control of his vehicle and veered off the road, plummeting approximately 15 metres into a ravine yesterday evening. The vehicle was extensively damaged and all 14 passengers on board were injured. Emergency services, including local police, hospital medical teams, and military units, were dispatched to the scene to provide assistance and…
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Northern Thailand welcomes famed elephant ‘Indy Jumbo’ (video)
An elephant known as Indy Jumbo has found a new lease on life after a viral video catapulted her to fame. The elephant, affectionately dubbed Indy Jumbo by Thai netizens, shot to stardom after a video of her leisurely beach escapade took social media by storm. The charming clip showcased her unwavering love for nature as she gazed at the…
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The secrets of ancient Thai log coffins in northwestern Thailand
Many are unaware that the highlands of northwestern Thailand harbour dozens of caves, which serve as the final resting places for remarkable human burials dating back 1,000 to 2,300 years ago. These burials consist of large wooden coffins, some several metres long and crafted from a single tree trunk, mounted above the floor on wooden stilts, reflecting a mysterious Iron…
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Trunk turmoil: Mother elephant’s rampage leaves owner dead in Surin
A mother elephant from Surin province, led by its owners to beg along a road, became agitated, charging ahead and trampling her owner, resulting in the mahout’s death in a pool of blood. Upon receiving the report, local police officers from Kao Liew Police Station were promptly dispatched to investigate the scene, along with emergency medical personnel and rescue teams.…
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Misleading GPS directions left female driver stranded in Phetchabun (video)
A driver’s reliance on her GPS turned into an unexpected off-road adventure as she attempted to reach a coffee shop in Khao Kho, Phetchabun, resulting in the vehicle becoming stuck and necessitating assistance. The incident, captured on video and shared on TikTok by user @tulip_kunyapak, has attracted nearly 2 million views. The driver yesterday set out for a coffee shop…
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Flight fright: Panic-stricken passenger causes turbulence at Chiang Mai Airport
A Canadian passenger reportedly experienced a panic attack while a plane was taking off from Chiang Mai International Airport last night and attempted to open the plane door, causing chaos and a delay at the airport. The situation was brought under control at around 11pm. Facebook account Watcharapon Pethsurp posted about the incident at about 9.57pm yesterday, February 7. The…
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Khon Kaen buffet fines diner 9000 baht for uneaten food
A buffet restaurant in Khon Kaen made headlines after a customer was faced with a hefty fine of 9,100 baht for leaving an excessive amount of uneaten food. However, the situation was amicably resolved, resulting in satisfaction on both sides. Oshinei Khon Kaen, a Japanese buffet restaurant in Khon Kaen, took to Facebook to recount an incident where a group…
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Ancient dinosaur fossils discovered in Khon Kaen
Dinosaur fossils, estimated to be between 100 million to 110 million years old, have been unearthed in the Nam Phong district of Khon Kaen. The fossils, thought to be from the sauropod and spinosaurid species, were discovered by a team from the Department of Mineral Resources, led by Sasa-On Khansubha, a palaeontologist from the Sirindhorn Dinosaur Museum. The initial investigation…
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Luxury Porsche worth 5 million baht goes up in flames after crashing in Phitsanulok
A Porsche Panamera, estimated to be worth no less than 5 million baht, was found engulfed in flames after veering off the road and crashing into an electric pole at 1.40am this morning, in the Phlai Chumphon area of Phitsanulok. Police and rescue teams rushed to the accident scene only to find the driver missing. Upon arrival at the scene…
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Khon Kaen restaurant worker fatally crushed by malfunctioning lift
A freight elevator at a renowned restaurant in Khon Kaen malfunctioned and plummeted, fatally crushing a 46 year old female restaurant worker. The restaurant owner vowed to take full responsibility and provide compensation as police hasten their investigation to determine the cause of the accident. The calamity occurred at a well-known eatery situated along the Mittraphap Road in Khon Kaen’s…
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Thai airports set to soar with billion-baht boost
The AOT, eagerly awaiting the green light from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), is on the cusp of obtaining public airport certification for Udon Thani, Buriram, and Krabi airports. According to Police General Wisnu Prasatthong-osot, the visionary chairman of the board, the AOT will begin the development of its airports as planned once the certifications have been received.…
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Ganja overuse: Chinese man deported for causing chaos in Chiang Mai
Immigration police deported a Chinese man allegedly under the influence of excessive ganja use for causing chaos by walking shirtless, threatening locals, and destroying reflective traffic signs in Chiang Mai province. A motorist travelling along Liab Khlong Chonlapatarn Road in the Suthep sub-district of Chiang Mai province shared a video on social media on February 1, capturing the shirtless Chinese…
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Thai teen’s tragic demise: Knife throw turns road into deadly game
A 14 year old Thai boy died in hospital after two teenagers threw a knife at him on a road in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani last Thursday, February 1. An altercation between two groups of Thai teenagers on Khutkhaopun-Pathummarat Road was reported to Kut Khaopun Police Station at about 8pm on February 1. A 14 year old victim…
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From brooms to boom: Street sweeper sweeps up 12-million-baht lottery jackpot
A street sweeper’s life transformed overnight when luck smiled upon her with a 12-million-baht government lottery win. Somsong Singsa, a 56 year old municipal worker from Si Sa Ket province, revealed that a vendor’s persuasion made her purchase two winning tickets. After four decades of toil, she now plans to resign and provide for her family, who are overjoyed at…
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Significant drop in forest fires in Chiang Mai and northern region
Protected Areas Regional Office 16 Director Kritsayam Kongsatree revealed an unprecedented 79% drop in blazes across Chiang Mai and its northern neighbours. Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) Chief Kritsayam manages a colossal 7.8 million rai encompassing 19 forests in Chiang Mai and Lamphun. His proactive patrolling initiatives have slashed the number of hotspots from the ominous…
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Thai woman narrowly escapes after car gets stuck on broken footbridge
A Thai woman narrowly escaped with her life after she drove her car onto a broken, wobbly wooden footbridge in the northern province of Phrae. The Sung Men Rescue Team successfully retrieved her car after she came a cropper. The 38 year old Thai woman carefully got out of her white sedan, a Honda City, which was stuck on the…
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Bus hostess killed, six injured in Phitsanulok night crash
A tragic collision between a tour bus and an 18-wheel truck at a U-turn near a gas station in Phitsanulok in lower northern Thailand resulted in the death of a bus hostess and left six passengers injured. The incident occurred at 12.15am today, January 29, when the Nakhon Chai Air bus travelling from Phrae to Bangkok was struck by the…
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Latex leak caused car pileup in Northeast Thailand
Torrential rains turned three major roads in the northeastern province of Loei into perilous zones, resulting in a 20-car pileup within a 3-hour span on January 25. The chaos unfolded when heavy rain triggered a cascade of calamities on Loei-Chiang Khan Road. The first report indicated a sprawling multi-car collision, prompting swift intervention from rescue teams. Loei-Wang Saphung Road and…
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German president visits rice fields in Isaan and North Thailand
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier embarked on a journey to Thailand’s rice fields in Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Rai. The two Thai provinces boast over 4.2 million rai of rice fields. President Steinmeier and his delegation paid a visit to the Suan Ta Rom Demonstration Farm in Trakan Phuet Phon district, Ubon Ratchathani. The 35-rai (56,000 square metres) integrated farmland showcased…
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Fire engulfs recyclable waste mountain in northern Thailand
A fire erupted atop a mound of recyclable waste at the headquarters of Wongpanit International Co Ltd in Phitsanulok province. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. Over 20 fire engines and a multitude of firefighters battled for hours to wrestle the flames under control in the northern province’s Mueang district. Wongpanit, a recycling centre boasting over 2,000 franchise branches nationwide, witnessed…
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Mysterious death in Udon Thani: Woman found in park pond
A woman’s body was discovered floating in a pond in Udon Thani, sparking a police investigation into the mysterious death. Around 11.50am today, January 26, a student stumbled upon the grim find in Nong Prachak Park, not far from the city centre. The body, presumed to be of a woman aged between 40-45 years old, showed no signs of physical…
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Bear necessity: Swiss man sacrifices arm in bear attack
A Swiss man cut off his right arm as a bear locked his teeth onto his arm and stubbornly refused to release its grip while he was volunteering at a wildlife foundation in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The 32 year old Swiss man is in a private hospital in Chiang Mai province after being attacked by the Asian black…
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