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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Illegal Internet stations found beaming signals into Laos
Police in Nong Khai uncovered a network of illegal wireless Internet stations suspected of beaming signals across the border into Laos, raising serious security concerns. The discovery was made this morning, February 25, by officials from the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and Nong Khai police, who are now hunting for those responsible. The investigation was…
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7 foreign tourists arrested in Pai for public nuisance
In a bold crackdown on disruptive behaviour, Pai Police arrested seven foreign tourists for causing public nuisance, including smoking cannabis in public. The arrests were made yesterday, February 24, as part of a campaign to maintain public order in the popular tourist destination. Led by Police Colonel Samret Samsitong, Superintendent of Pai Police Station, along with Police Lieutenant Colonel Nopphakhun…
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Building trouble: Businesswoman’s missing gear found at cop’s home
A businesswoman dealing in construction equipment reported a significant loss of over 1.6 million baht after her products went missing during a relocation. Later found at a police officer’s home who had been hired for the move, her attempts to reclaim the items were met with resistance. The businesswoman, referred to as Noong (pseudonym), reached out to the media to…
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Golden crab in Phayao sparks lottery frenzy with lucky numbers
As the lottery draw approaches, a bizarre discovery in Phayao province has locals buzzing with excitement and hope for good fortune. A golden crab, caught by a local fisherman, is believed to be a sign of luck, with mysterious numbers appearing on its belly. Thet Wongseekaew, a resident of Ban Tam subdistrict, Mueang district, stumbled upon the rare golden crab…
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Land probe targets resort linked to Thai minister
An investigation into alleged land encroachment near Khao Yai National Park has widened, targeting high-profile properties in Pak Chong district, including Rancho Charnvee Resort and Country Club, owned by the family of Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhumjaithai Party leader and Thailand’s Interior Minister. The probe, led by an advisory committee to the agriculture minister, inspected three sites in the district on Tuesday,…
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91 mobile phones seized as 8 Chinese arrested in Thailand
Eight Chinese nationals were arrested in Yasothon province for immigration violations after police found them travelling on a tour bus with 91 mobile phones, sparking suspicions of a scam operation amid a crackdown on illegal businesses in Thailand. The arrests were made early yesterday morning, February 19, when police searched a bus travelling from Bangkok to Khemmarat in Ubon Ratchathani.…
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Blowing smoke: 12 year old girl fights for life after two years vaping
A 12 year old girl in Buriram is fighting for her life after vaping for two years, causing almost 100% damage to her lungs. Her family had no idea about her dangerous habit until they were informed by her school, highlighting the growing crisis of youth vaping in Thailand. The shocking revelation came when teachers at her school in Don…
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Heavy rain leads to over 50 accidents in one hour in Loei
Loei province was thrown into chaos as the season’s first heavy rainfall triggered a catastrophic wave of accidents, leaving over 50 vehicles wrecked in just one hour. The sudden downpour turned the roads into slippery hazards, catching drivers off guard and resulting in a series of crashes across multiple districts. Yesterday, February 17, intense rainfall lashed several areas, including Phu…
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Thai woman earns 30,000 baht for reuniting man with monkey doll
A Thai man in the northern province of Chiang Rai offered 30,000 baht in cash to a Thai woman who found and returned his missing monkey doll, which held great sentimental value for him. The man took to social media to seek help from Thai netizens after losing his beloved monkey doll. He shared a picture of the doll with…
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Chaiyaphum prison hit hard as influenza cases soar past 1,000
Health officials in Chaiyaphum are sounding the alarm after influenza type A cases surged past 1,000, with more than 500 infections reported at the provincial male prison in Mueang district alone. Dr Suppapong Chaimongkol, head of preventive medicine at the Chaiyaphum Public Health Office, warned that children and inmates are the most affected, leading several schools to suspend classes and…
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3 Thai men killed by train while drinking near railway track
Three Thai men lost their lives after sitting and drinking alcohol near a railway track in the northern province of Lamphun. Officers from Mueang Lamphun Police Station were called to the scene of the accident, located at the railway track near the Ban Umong community, at 7.50pm,yesterday, February 17. Upon arrival, officers were met with the harrowing sight of the…
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Thailand cracks down on unruly foreigners
Thailand’s national police chief, Police General Kitrat Panphet, has ordered officers nationwide to monitor foreign nationals amid concerns over public order and safety. The directive, issued yesterday, February 17, cites reports of disruptive behaviour that could disturb social order, violate public morals, or harm Thailand’s reputation. It was sent to all police divisions, including the Metropolitan Police, Provincial Police Regions…
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Foreign musicians and bar owner deported after immigration raid in Pai
Immigration Bureau officials recently deported four foreigners in Pai district, located in the northern province of Mae Hong Son, for working and operating a bar without the proper permits. In light of the increasing number of Israeli nationals and the disruptive behaviour of some, locals in the Pai district voiced concerns about their presence. Some restaurants even banned Israeli tourists,…
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Man arrested in Buriram for stealing concrete blocks
A 30 year old man has been apprehended in Buriram’s Satuek district after being caught stealing two lightweight concrete blocks worth a total of 34 baht. The incident, captured on CCTV, occurred at 9pm on Sunday, February 16. Following the arrest, police discovered two methamphetamine tablets in his motorcycle, and a urine test showed positive results for drugs. Upon questioning…
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Big bovine: Thailand’s King Kong crowned tallest buffalo (video)
There’s a new towering titan in town, Thailand’s own King Kong, a colossal water buffalo, has stomped its way into the Guinness World Records, casting a bewitching shadow over Nakhon Ratchasima as the globe’s tallest buffalo. In the tranquil fields of Nakhon Ratchasima, a giant walks, or rather, ambles. Enter King Kong, the towering water buffalo who’s just muscled his…
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Thai couple arrested for selling porn of themselves and their son
A Thai couple in the northern province of Phetchabun made and sold pornography videos of themselves and their 10 year old son online, leading to their arrest on Saturday, February 15. Officers from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division discovered child pornography videos on a website and in a LINE group chat and conducted a further investigation to trace the source…
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Deputy PM denies family’s golf course encroaches on reform land
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has responded to allegations that a golf course owned by his family in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district might be encroaching on agricultural reform land. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives intends to examine the land title of the Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club, owned by the Bhumjaithai Party leader and current interior minister.…
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DASTA backs Phu Kradueng cable car feasibility study
The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) has expressed support for the government’s proposal to conduct a feasibility study on a cable car project within Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province. DASTA director Thitipong Khiawpaisan stated that Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong instructed the agency to undertake the study of this contentious project. The study will encompass…
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Fatal fall: Loei hole takes motorcyclist’s life after tumble
A 41 year old motorcyclist died after falling into a 2-metre deep hole on a construction site in Mueang district, Loei province. The accident occurred last night, February 12, when the victim, Adisak, fell into a pit dug for sewer installation near a petrol station. Witnesses immediately contacted rescue volunteers from the Ruamjai Rescuers Association in Loei, who arrived at…
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Tak immigration chief reassigned amid trafficking concerns
The Immigration Bureau has transferred the superintendent of Tak Immigration to a different post following reports of foreign nationals disappearing after being deceived into entering Thailand. The incident is suspected to be linked to human trafficking activities in Tak province. Police Major General Prashaya Prasansuk, the Acting Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, signed an order (No. 24/2025, dated February 12)…
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Man arrested for child porn chatroom exploitation in Khon Kaen
A man has been detained for the sexual assault of underage boys and for distributing videos of the incidents in a paid online chat group in Khon Kaen. The man, 31 year old Warit, was apprehended at a residence in Ban Hat district during a raid conducted by the Cyber Crime Investigation Division 3 (CCID3) yesterday, February 12. The operation…
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Thailand launches global task force to combat human trafficking
Thailand is stepping up its fight against human trafficking and scam call centres by establishing an international coordination centre to rescue victims trapped in Myanmar, Police Inspector-General Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot announced. Speaking from Tak province yesterday, February 10, Thatchai confirmed that the centre will work with international law enforcement to track down and free people, regardless of nationality, who…
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Roi Et Airport to expand runway amid passenger growth
The Transport Ministry has instructed the Department of Airports (DoA) to redevelop Roi Et Airport following a rise in annual passenger numbers. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri approved the upgrade after inspecting the airport in the northeastern province yesterday, February 10. During the inspection, security measures and equipment at the airport were assessed to ensure compliance with International Civil Aviation…
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Thai man goes on mall rampage over forgotten phone password
A mentally ill Thai man went on a rampage at a shopping mall in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen after a worker at an iCare store was unable to repair his phone because he could not remember his Apple ID password. A video of the incident was shared by several media outlets, showing his violent behaviour at the iCare…
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Drug traffickers killed in Chiang Mai shootout, meth haul seized
Four members of a drug trafficking ring were killed in a shootout in a Chiang Mai forest, resulting in the seizure of over 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and one million methamphetamine pills. The incident occurred on Saturday, February 8, near Ban Pang Nok, Moo 1, Malika subdistrict, Mae Ai district, when personnel from the 3206th Ranger Company, under the…
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Chiang Rai bans oil refueling into containers to combat crime
Chiang Rai provincial officials issued an urgent directive prohibiting the refuelling of oil into containers such as jerry cans, with violators facing legal action. This measure aligns with the Thai government’s policy to combat call centre gangs. Yesterday, February 8, Deputy Governor Norasak Suksomboon, acting on behalf of the Chiang Rai governor, announced the directive dated February 7, stating that…
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Thai military foils Harley-Davidson smuggling across Mekong River
Thai military rangers intercepted an attempt to smuggle a Harley-Davidson motorcycle across the Mekong River to a neighbouring country. The operation, which occurred at night, resulted in the arrest of a 24 year old Laotian man and the seizure of the motorcycle. Colonel Intrawut Thongkham, commander of the 21st Ranger Task Force, reported yesterday that intelligence was received on Thursday,…
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Man caught with 800k meth pills in fake rescue car in Udon Thani
A 33 year old man was arrested after police discovered nearly 800,000 methamphetamine (meth) pills in a car adorned with rescue foundation stickers, leading them to initially believe he was assisting in a routine checkpoint in Udon Thani province. The arrest was made on February 4 outside Wat Sawang Samakkhi in Mueang district. Police Major General Suwan Chiaowanintawat, acting commander…
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Korat inmate surrenders after hurting himself on prison barbed wire
A 25 year old inmate convicted of drug offences was apprehended after escaping from a correctional facility in Nakhon Ratchasima (also known as Korat). The escape, which occurred yesterday, February 6, involved climbing the prison wall and fleeing into a nearby community area. Prison officials in Nakhon Ratchasima alerted the local police about the escape, noting that the escapee, Kanpoj,…
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NBTC orders dismantling of antenna towers near Tak border
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has mandated mobile networks to dismantle 24 antenna towers located within 50 metres of the Tak province border by February 24. Antennas within 200 metres must reduce transmission power and height to a maximum of 15 metres. On February 6, the Facebook page of Sorayuth Suthassanachinda, a well-known news presenter, reported these measures.…
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