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 Why retirees in Thailand are choosing long-term health insurance over quick fixes
Retirees in Thailand are increasingly seeing the importance of health insurance in protecting their well-being during retirement. With insurance requirements for retirement visas and rising healthcare costs, many are moving away from short-term plans and choosing long-term coverage. Long-term health...
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Northern Thailand: Passing of revered monk Luang Phor Phat of Wat Huay Duan at the age of 101
Revered monk Luang Phor Phat of Wat Huai Duan, famously known in Nakhon Sawan, has passed away at the age of 101, having served as a monk for 77 years. The news was announced today, November 24, by the Facebook page of the Office of the Royal Monk of Vajirajarn, stating that Luang Phor Phat, the former advisor to the…
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Unregistered firearm found during routine weight check on highway in central Thailand
Highway Police officers apprehended a 22-wheel lorry driver on Tuesday during a routine weight check operation on Phra Prathon-Ban Bo Road, Mueang Nakhon Pathom, central Thailand. The driver, a 47 year old man known as Jirapat (surname withheld), was found in possession of an unregistered 9-millimetre firearm and four bullets. Jirapat was arrested, and charged with possession of firearms without…
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Cannabis shop raid in Lampang: Teenagers found consuming marijuana
A cannabis shop raid resulted in the discovery of about ten students, including a 14 year old, consuming marijuana within the premises. Residents, distressed by the situation, reported the establishment, leading to an investigation and legal action against the shop owner. Yesterday, at 5.20pm, a special operations team from the Lampang administrative department conducted a raid on the cannabis shop, led…
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Bogus baht bills bankrupt shopkeeper in costly counterfeit conundrum in northern Thailand
A significant financial loss was experienced by a 61 year old shopkeeper from Udon Thani, due to counterfeit banknotes. Buaphan Somsud filed a complaint with the local police station today after discovering someone had used 50 baht counterfeit notes in her shop’s top-up machine. Buaphan, who owns a grocery store in the Ban Lao community, reported the incident to the…
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Footwear frenzy: More than 300 shoes stolen from tourist resorts in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Accommodation and hotel resort owners in the northern province of Chiang Mai appealed to the police to take action after more than 300 pairs of guests’ shoes were stolen in the past two months. A Thai man who owns a hostel on Soi Saha Si Phum Place on Manee Nopparat Road in Chiang Mai shared CCTV footage on social media…
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Heroic Thai teacher thwarts armed intruder: Calls for improved school safety measures in Thailand
A heroic teacher, who defended students and faculty from an armed intruder, has drawn praise from the government. Thawatchai Duangtham, a teaching assistant at Ban Nam Phu Hin Lat School in Chaiyaphum in northeast Thailand, bravely fought off an armed intruder, sustaining injuries to his hand and arm in the process. Deputy government spokesperson, Kaenika Unjit, commended his courage and…
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Northern Thailand: Gate to Heaven stirs debate due to similarity to Bali temple
A recent opening of a new tourist spot in Nan province, Thailand, named Gate to Heaven sparked widespread criticism for its striking resemblance to the famous Lempuyang Temple in Bali, Indonesia. The site’s replication of the iconic Lepuyang Temple ignited a heated online debate about cultural appropriation and originality in tourism. The Gate to Heaven became a trending topic on…
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Northeast Thailand: Teenager fatally shot after Carabao concert at Surin Elephant Festival
A 17 year old teenager was fatally shot during a violent confrontation at the Surin Elephant Festival today, following Thai rock band Carabao’s last concert at the festival. The annual event, which attracted over 20,000 spectators, took place at the Srinagarind Stadium in Surin, Thailand. Tensions escalated after midnight as groups of teenagers began to leave the venue. A heated…
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Thai barbecue restaurant’s prawn policy sparks online sensation
A viral sensation has struck the online world as a Thai-style barbecue restaurant in Khon Kaen province, called Nay Tawng Moo Kata, posted a sign prohibiting customers from using the communal mortar to crush fresh prawns. The restaurant fears potential allergic reactions, instead advising clients to mix their own at their tables. Nay Tawng Moo Kata, a buffet-style barbecue restaurant, sparked…
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Korat Cat Pants: Thailand’s new cultural symbol takes on Elephant Pants
The Korat Chamber of Commerce is championing the Korat Cat Pants as a new cultural symbol and potential rival to Thailand’s famous Elephant Pants. The product is part of a strategic effort to add value to local goods and services bearing the symbol of Korat, enhancing their recognition among tourists and bolstering their value in the tourism industry. This follows…
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Thai woman demands justice after husband abandons her following 12 million baht lottery win
A 26 year old woman from Buriram province finds herself in dire straits with her three year old daughter after her husband, who won a lottery prize of 12 million baht, abandoned them and declared he had a new wife. The woman, identified as Janya (surname withheld), hails from Lahan Sai district in Buriram. Seeking legal assistance through media outlets,…
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Insurance company Allianz Ayudhya investigates alleged misuse of student’s homework for telemarketing
Insurance company Allianz Ayudhya is investigating the alleged misuse of students’ homework for telemarketing purposes. The company was alerted to the issue when a parent from a prominent school in Khon Kaen province complained about receiving an unsolicited call from an insurance agent attempting to sell insurance and savings plans for his daughter. The agent claimed to have obtained the parent’s…
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Northeast Thailand: Fatal motorbike accident at Amata City Chon Buri Industrial Estate claims life
A fatal motorbike accident claimed the life of a 25 year old resident from Don Mod Dang, Ubon Ratchathani. The incident occurred at approximately 10.30pm yesterday, November 17, within the Amata City Chon Buri Industrial Estate located in Don Hua Lo, Mueang District. Ratphol Ratchawakarn, the Deputy Inquiry Official of Don Hua Lo Police Station in Chon Buri, received a…
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Northeast Thailand: Fatal motorcycle accident in Udon Thani caused by poorly lit conditions
A fatal motorcycle accident in the dark claimed the life of a 25 year old man from Udon Thani province. The incident occurred near a concrete factory situated on the Na Kha-Sum Sao Road, in the large Thon district of Na Kha. The accident scene was attended to by Police Lieutenant Colonel Ratchapol Morarat, an investigative officer of Na Kha…
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Northern Thailand: Massive cold front triggers thunderstorms and temperature drop
A massive cold front has descended upon Northern Thailand, causing thunderstorms and strong winds, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). This is expected to result in a significant drop in temperature, with an additional cold snap predicted to hit tonight. The cold front has already enveloped Vietnam’s upper region, Laos and the South China Sea. As a consequence, northern…
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Uthai Thani resident scoops 60 million baht in BAAC Gold Bag lottery
A lucky resident of Ban Khok, Uthai Thani, became the latest millionaire after winning the first prize in the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) Gold Bag lottery. The winner walked away with a staggering 60 million baht in the first draw of the lottery. The BAAC Thailand Facebook page announced the news yesterday. The post congratulated the new red-label…
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Northeast Thailand: Villagers flock to Ya Kok shrine for lottery luck
Residents of the village of Mab Krad, Khok Krachai, Khon Buri, and Nakhon Ratchasima, are gathering at the Ya Kok shrine to seek good fortune for the upcoming lottery draw. This follows the appearance of the second-prize lottery number. Residents offer worship items including savoury and sweet food like pork heads, boiled chicken, and beverages. They lay their purchased lottery…
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Northeast Thailand: Giant python causes alarm in Surin chicken coop
A colossal python, exceeding 4 metres in length and as thick as a leg, caused a scare in a chicken coop in Surin‘s Khuha Sawan subdistrict. The incident occurred on November 2, leading to the rousing of a rescue team from the Ban Raeng Subdistrict Municipality to assist. The rescue workers, equipped with venomous animal-handling tools, responded swiftly to aid…
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National artist Chalermchai Kositpipat turns impromptu photographer at Rong Khun Temple
A delightful incident unfolded at Rong Khun Temple in Chiang Rai, where a foreign couple sought help for a souvenir photo from Thailand national artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. The couple unknowingly asked Chalermchai, National Artist in Visual Arts (Painting), donned in full motorcycling gear, to capture their moment. The artist obliged, capturing their moment in front of the temple he had…
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Northern Thailand: National Police Chief resolves longstanding conflict at Wat Hiranyaram
National Police Chief, Sukhawimon Thotsakdi, better known as Big To, led a team to Wat Hiranyaram, also known as Wat Luang Por Ngern Bang Klaan, in Phichit province, aiming to resolve long-standing conflicts. Joined by Jaroonkiat Pankeaw, the Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, and Phumisak Kasemsuk, the Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, they arrived at the temple around 2pm.…
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Northern Thailand: Tourists flock to Doi Mae U-Kor for stunning blooming Mexican sunflowers
The Doi Mae U-Kor mountain is currently attracting a throng of tourists eager to admire the sprawling fields of blooming Mexican sunflowers. These golden blooms, stretching across 500 acres of hillside, have become a significant draw for visitors, both Thai and international. It is expected that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will receive no less than 100,000 visitors this…
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Thai rangers seize 200,000 amphetamine pills after clash with drug traffickers
A deadly clash between Thai rangers and suspected drug traffickers broke out late at night on November 11, at Mae Fah Luang, Chiang Rai. The conflict ended with one trafficker lifeless and the seizure of 200,000 amphetamine pills, as confirmed by officials from the Pha Muang Army. The Pha Muang Army officials explained that their investigative team had received a…
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Northern Thailand: Burmese teenager shot dead in Tak following love feud on Facebook
A brutal incident in Tak province saw a Burmese teenager fatally shot in the face after a Facebook challenge resulted in a confrontation between two rival gangs. The dispute was over a shared love interest, with peace talks culminating in the fatal shooting. Police in Mae Sot district of Tak province were quick to respond and apprehend the culprit along…
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2 foreigners killed and many injured in minibus accident in Chiang Mai
A minibus overturned on a road in the northern province of Chiang Mai yesterday. Two foreigners were killed and more than 10 passengers were injured in the accident. The minibus was transporting passengers between Chiang Mai province and Pai district in Mae Hong Son province. When the vehicle reached the Pa Pae district of Chiang Mai at 9.30am yesterday, November…
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Unusual banana tree phenomenon sparks lottery frenzy in Thai village
A banana tree‘s unusual sprouting of a bud through its trunk has sparked a local phenomenon in the Mae Sai community, Phayao province, as villagers believe it to be a sign of good fortune. Today, residents flocked to Samrit Sameuchue’s house to pay respects and seek their lucky numbers from the banana tree. The 51 year old man has seen…
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Charitable gesture: KFC chicken no-show turns sour, but Thai students cluck their way to happiness
A charitable gesture that went awry ended on a happy note for students at a school in Nan Province, Thailand. An anonymous benefactor had promised to donate educational resources and treat the students to fried chicken. However, the person didn’t show up, leaving the children and their teachers waiting in vain, a situation that quickly went viral online. The students…
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Pot predicament: Thai mum blames foreign neighbours’ toke trouble for son’s illness
A Thai woman took to social media to demand responsibility from her foreign neighbours after their personal cannabis use allegedly caused her son’s illness. The woman, Arpapan Jaiman, posted on Facebook on November 2 that a foreigner had just rented a room within her condominium in the northern province of Chaing Mai. Arpapan accused the foreigner and his friends of smoking cannabis…
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Uthai Thani: Monk driving Mazda causes fatal accident, one dead, four injured
A fatal accident occurred yesterday in Lan Sak, Uthai Thani, when a monk driving a Mazda pickup truck lost control of his vehicle, killing one woman and injuring four others. The accident occurred on the Lan Sak-Thap Than Road, Moo 1, Pradu Yuen Subdistrict, Lan Sak District, Uthai Thani, less than 500 metres from the Pa Ka intersection, near the…
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Own goal: Chiang Mai authorities tackle covert football betting operation
A covert football betting operation was raided in Chiang Mai, with police seizing betting slips, cash, and computers. The operation was discovered in a nondescript terraced building near Tonpao Plaza, Tonpao subdistrict, San Kamphaeng district. One suspect was apprehended, who had a previous criminal record for the same offence. The raid on the illegal operation was led by the special…
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National artist Chalermchai Kositpipat retires to enjoy motorcycle travels
Chalermchai Kositpipat, a national artist and creator of Wat Rong Khun, announced his retirement, adding he will spend his remaining days enjoying life on his motorcycle. Born on February 15, 1955, in Rong Khun, Chiang Rai, Chalermchai is best known for his Thai mural paintings in Wat Phuttha Prateep in London, England, and his art at Wat Rong Khun. Chalermchai…
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