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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  • Cannabis shop raid in Lampang: Teenagers found consuming marijuana | Thaiger

    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…

  • Bogus baht bills bankrupt shopkeeper in costly counterfeit conundrum in northern Thailand | Thaiger

    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…

  • Tragedy strikes famous dragon troupe pickup truck: Explosive tyre leaves 3 dead and 15 injured | Thaiger

    Tragedy strikes famous dragon troupe pickup truck: Explosive tyre leaves 3 dead and 15 injured

    The pickup truck of a renowned dragon troupe who were on their way to a Khon Kaen performance suffered a tyre blowout, resulting in a devastating accident. The calamity occurred 70 kilometres before the troupe’s destination, turning Mittraphap Road into a scene of chaos. Police Colonel Peerachat, Superintendent’s Branch, Phon Police Station, and his team rushed to the area, responding…

  • Footwear frenzy: More than 300 shoes stolen from tourist resorts in Chiang Mai, Thailand | Thaiger

    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…

  • Northern Thailand: Gate to Heaven stirs debate due to similarity to Bali temple | Thaiger

    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…

  • Northeast Thailand: Teenager fatally shot after Carabao concert at Surin Elephant Festival | Thaiger

    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…

  • Northeast Thailand: Knife-wielding man causes chaos at school in Khon Kaen | Thaiger

    Northeast Thailand: Knife-wielding man causes chaos at school in Khon Kaen

    A shocking incident occurred at a school in Khon Kaen when a mentally disturbed man wielding a knife chased teachers and students around the flagpole, leading to injuries. The man was later apprehended by the police. The incident took place at 8.30am, at Ban Namphu Hin Lat School in Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum province. The man, identified as 37 year old…

  • Thai barbecue restaurant’s prawn policy sparks online sensation | Thaiger

    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…

  • Thai woman demands justice after husband abandons her following 12 million baht lottery win | Thaiger

    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,…

  • Insurance company Allianz Ayudhya investigates alleged misuse of student’s homework for telemarketing | Thaiger

    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…

  • TikTok user introduces followers to Thai dish of golden orb spider (video) | Thaiger

    TikTok user introduces followers to Thai dish of golden orb spider (video)

    A TikTok personality, known as @tdploy, recently introduced her followers to an unusual dish, Golden Orb Spider from her native region. The dish, Golden Orb Spider (แมงย่างซี้น), prepared from a large spider indigenous to Thailand, sparked curiosity amongst her online community yesterday (November 17). Despite the creepy appearance, @tdploy assures that its taste is surprisingly delicious. Nestled within the forest,…

  • Northeast Thailand: Fatal motorbike accident at Amata City Chon Buri Industrial Estate claims life | Thaiger

    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…

  • Northern Thailand: Massive cold front triggers thunderstorms and temperature drop | Thaiger

    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…

  • Uthai Thani resident scoops 60 million baht in BAAC Gold Bag lottery | Thaiger

    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…

  • Thailand’s Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong railway project on track for 2028 | Thaiger

    Thailand’s Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong railway project on track for 2028

    The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is progressing well with the Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong double-track railway project, a 323.1-kilometre initiative set to be operational by 2028. Construction of the railway started on February 15 last year and is ahead of its schedule with 3% completion while 80% of the required land has been expropriated, as per Nirut Maneephan, the…

  • Northeast Thailand: Villagers flock to Ya Kok shrine for lottery luck | Thaiger

    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…

  • National artist Chalermchai Kositpipat turns impromptu photographer at Rong Khun Temple | Thaiger

    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…

  • Northern Thailand: National Police Chief resolves longstanding conflict at Wat Hiranyaram | Thaiger

    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.…

  • Khon Kaen karaoke bar raided: 10 workers arrested for operating without permits | Thaiger

    Khon Kaen karaoke bar raided: 10 workers arrested for operating without permits

    A high-profile karaoke bar establishment in Khon Kaen, Thailand, was stormed by the police, resulting in the arrest of 10 female workers operating without permits. Some of these workers had also entered the country illegally. The business owner was implicated in the operation, which took place at 1pm today, at the Immigration Check Office in Khon Kaen, situated within Passenger…

  • Northern Thailand: Tourists flock to Doi Mae U-Kor for stunning blooming Mexican sunflowers | Thaiger

    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…

  • Northern Thailand: Burmese teenager shot dead in Tak following love feud on Facebook | Thaiger

    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…

  • 2 foreigners killed and many injured in minibus accident in Chiang Mai | Thaiger

    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…

  • Mild earthquake shakes Pai district affecting four provinces | Thaiger

    Mild earthquake shakes Pai district affecting four provinces

    A 4.7 magnitude earthquake at a depth of 2 kilometres shook Pai district, Mae Hong Son province, causing tremors that were felt across four provinces. The Geology Department reported that the quake occurred today, with no initial damage found. The earthquake originated in the northern part of Wiang Nuea subdistrict, Pai district, Mae Hong Son province. It was followed by…

  • Unusual banana tree phenomenon sparks lottery frenzy in Thai village | Thaiger

    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…

  • Pot predicament: Thai mum blames foreign neighbours’ toke trouble for son’s illness | Thaiger

    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…

  • Uthai Thani: Monk driving Mazda causes fatal accident, one dead, four injured | Thaiger

    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…

  • Fog, light rain forecast in northern Thailand, south braces for heavy rainfall | Thaiger

    Fog, light rain forecast in northern Thailand, south braces for heavy rainfall

    The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) today forecasts foggy conditions and light rain in some parts of northern Thailand, while heavy rainfall continues in some southern areas. The 24-hour forecast suggests that high atmospheric pressure or a cool air mass is gradually weakening and covering the upper northern parts, north eastern region, and the South China Sea. This, combined with the easterly…

  • Own goal: Chiang Mai authorities tackle covert football betting operation | Thaiger

    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…

  • Vanishing act: Thai man’s disappearance sparks monk’s mystical ceremony | Thaiger

    Vanishing act: Thai man’s disappearance sparks monk’s mystical ceremony

    A 49 year old Thai man mysteriously vanished from his home in the early hours of October 26 leading to a monk’s mystical ceremony to find him. Residents from Mo 9, Nern Phayom, Thung Pho, Nong Chang, Uthai Thani, and neighbouring villages were joined by over 30 officials in a desperate search that lasted four days. Their journey led them…

  • Artistic intrigue: Thai national artist’s chilly encounter with graffiti mysteries | Thaiger

    Artistic intrigue: Thai national artist’s chilly encounter with graffiti mysteries

    A compelling story about Chalermchai Kositpipat, a Thai national artist, has been shared on the Facebook page Little Mouse on the Cold Mountain Peak. The narrative unfolds in the chilly Chiang Rai province, near Wat Rong Khun, where an anonymous group painted graffiti on a wall. One night, a group covertly began to create street art on a wall opposite…