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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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US Army captain defying tradition with a Buddhist twist
In a bustling Southwestern bar at a Royal Thai Navy (RTN) base, a US Army captain stood out, not just for his uniform but for the emblem adorning his cap, the Buddhist wheel of dharma, a rare sight in military circles. Chaplain (Captain) Songkran Waiyaka, one of only 10 Buddhists among over 3,000 religious leaders in the Army, often finds…
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Firefighter dead, two others battling for life in northern forest fire
In the relentless battle against raging forest fires sweeping through northern Thailand, tragedy struck as one firefighter lost his life while two others fight for their survival. The turmoil unfolded amidst 1,153 recorded hotspots in Mae Hong Son from March 1 to 3, with the epicentre of the blaze concentrated in the Pai district and surrounding conserved forests. Director-General Atthaphon…
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Shooting spree at Terminal 21 Korat unveils workplace vendetta
Nakhon Ratchasima police raced to Terminal 21 Korat following a shooting report at 7.15pm on Saturday, March 2. Amidst bustling shoppers, panic gripped the air as echoes of a previous massacre resurfaced, casting a shadow of fear over the scene. Arriving swiftly, emergency responders discovered Natdanai Leklak, a 30 year old security guard at the hotel, bearing six gunshot wounds…
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Northeast Thailand bus crash leaves students injured, driver dead
A bus crash on Si Kew-Chaiyaphum Road near Nakhon Ratchasima on Friday left 47 students and teachers injured and the driver dead. The bus crash occurred at approximately 10.30pm, with the vehicle carrying 39 students and 12 staff members on a field trip from Chaiyaphum province to the revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok met with tragedy. Eyewitnesses…
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Raging forest fires force closure of Thai-Cambodian Border park
Forest fires ablaze along the Thai-Cambodian border have ignited chaos, choking Khao Phra Wihan National Park in Sisaket province with clouds of thick smoke and dust particles, forcing a three-day shutdown. The infernos, wreaking havoc on the region’s flora and fauna, including monkeys, bats, and birds, have sparked concerns for both tourism and wildlife preservation. Sisaket Governor Anuphong Suksomnit, undertook…
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Mukdahan hosts first Border Trade Fair to boost economy
Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai inaugurates the first Border Trade Fair in Mukdahan, aiming to boost the border economy and facilitate fruit exports through the Mukdahan checkpoint. The event also included a visit to the One-Stop Service Center (OSS) in Mukdahan – Nakhon Phanom to support exporters. The inaugural Border Trade Fair in Mukdahan province, which takes place from February 29…
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China-Laos high-speed rail to transform northeast Thailand
Krungthai COMPASS Research Centre unveiled a groundbreaking vision, identifying the China-Laos high-speed railway as the cornerstone for transforming the northeast of Thailand into an economic juggernaut within the Greater Mekong Subregion. The centre disclosed that the China-Laos high-speed railway, now operational for both passenger and freight services along the Kunming-Vientiane route, will directly turbocharge trade and investment in Thailand’s northeastern region,…
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Newborn found mutilated near Mae Hong Son camp
A tragic discovery was made outside a worker’s camp in Mae Hong Son province, where the body of a newborn baby, suspected to have been abandoned post-birth, was found mutilated and partially burnt. Authorities are investigating this harrowing incident, which has shocked the local community and prompted a search for the person responsible. Police were alerted to the gruesome scene…
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Rare Siamese crocodile hatchlings spotted in Nakhon Sawan
In a heartening discovery, the elusive Siamese crocodile has made a triumphant return at Bueng Boraphet Wildlife Sanctuary in Nakhon Sawan province. After a seven-year absence, the sanctuary proudly welcomed eight Siamese crocodile hatchlings into the world. This remarkable event, announced via an uplifting Facebook post by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP), has reignited hope…
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Massive amphetamine haul seized in northeast Thailand
Minister of Defence Sutin Klungsang convened a press briefing to unveil a significant crackdown resulting in the confiscation of 6 million amphetamine pills, valued at over 180 million baht, in Bung Khla, Bueng Kan on Monday. According to police sources, the operation unfolded on February 25 at 7pm when Surasakmontri rangers and Bung Khla police officers received a tip-off regarding…
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8 million meth pills seized in Chiang Mai drug courier arrest
A 24 year old drug courier named Jiraphat, hailing from the Phrao district of Chiang Mai, was apprehended by drug suppression police. The arrest took place at an intersection in Chiang Dao district. Approximately 8 million methamphetamine pills were confiscated from the pickup truck driven by Jiraphat. The seizure was made on Monday, with the methamphetamine pills found stashed in…
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Sweeping fires devastate 30,000 rai of forest in Chiang Mai
Sweeping fires engulfed an estimated 30,000 rai (approximately 4,800 hectares) of forest across three districts in the province of Chiang Mai, reported local authorities. The flames, which sparked roughly a week ago, primarily ravaged the Ob Luang National Park. The districts of Hot, Chomg Thong, and Mae Cham are the most severely impacted, with the fires still ablaze and uncontained.…
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Man admits to killing wife’s grandmother in northern Thailand
A tragic incident unfolded in Nong Bua Lamphu province as a Thai man confessed to the shocking murder of his wife’s grandmother and another family member, leaving the local community in disbelief. The man, Watthayu, overcome with remorse, admitted to the crime following a heated argument with his wife, Chanthana, also known as Nam. The devastating turn of events led…
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Phimai farmers hit by early drought, Mun River runs dry
Farmers in the district of Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima province, are facing a severe drought that has swiftly dried up the Mun River. On the auspicious day of Makha Bucha, traditionally a time of potential earnings for lotus farmers, the parched riverbeds have left many without income or water for their daily needs. The situation, recorded today, underscores the urgency of…
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Universal Health Coverage expands to eight more provinces
The Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme is set to empower members with unprecedented healthcare options across eight additional provinces. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, heading the National Health Security Board, announced the green light for expanding the UHC digital health platform. This expansion encompasses provinces such as Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Sing Buri, Phang Nga, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Amnat Charoen,…
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Charcoal smoke engulf Phetchabun village causing health hazards
Residents of a Phetchabun village are in distress due to the pervasive smoke from charcoal production, causing health hazards. Amid picturesque winter fog-like scenes captured in images, lies a dire situation for the villagers of Moo 10, Phadaeng, who find themselves unable to breathe easily due to the thick smoke from numerous charcoal burners operating in the area. The issue,…
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Controversial sticker-covered Pai highway sign sparks fury
In Mae Hong Son’s Pai district, the highway sign that reads Welcome to Pai has found itself at the centre of a heated controversy. Adorned with an array of stickers, the sign has divided opinion on whether it’s a quirky tradition or a potential road hazard. The viral photo, widely circulated on social media over the past week, showcases the…
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Royal Forest Department investigates land appropriation
The Royal Forest Department launched a probe into allegations of land encroachment within the Pang Asok woodlot. The claim comes from Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn, head of the Office of National Parks, who stumbled upon a disturbing sight: a backhoe and tractor clearing swathes of land purportedly for personal gain. Chaiwat asserts that approximately 64 hectares stand despoiled, with a suspicious Sor Por…
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Thai wildfires rage across 10 provinces in northern Thailand
An apocalyptic blaze threatens to engulf vast swathes of the northern Thai landscape, with an estimated 1 million rai (equivalent to 160,000 hectares) poised to succumb to wildfires between February 19 and 25, as revealed by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The inferno’s ominous reach spans 10 provinces including Tak, Lampang, Chiang Mai, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Mae…
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Khon Kaen Zoo celebrates first successful black swan breeding
Khon Kaen Zoo proudly announced the successful breeding of black swans, marking a first in the zoo’s history. The arrival of three cygnets, hatched in early February, comes as a delightful surprise to zoo officials and animal lovers alike. Thipawadee Kittikhun, the acting director-general at the zoo, revealed that three eggs were laid by a seven year old swan in…
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Mother awaits DNA confirmation to lay daughter to rest in Ubon Ratchathani
The grieving mother of a young woman known affectionately as Nunn faces a distressing wait to perform the last rites for her daughter. It is anticipated that the process to release the body will take approximately one week. The forensic department at the Police Hospital began DNA collection procedures at 10am, today, February 22, to confirm the identity of the…
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Chiang Mai songthaew goes cool with air-con and PM2.5 filters
In a novel move to revolutionise local transport, a Chiang Mai songthaew driver has transformed the iconic red car into an air-conditioned oasis complete with a PM2.5 filter system. This innovative service has become a hit among both Thai and international tourists, leading to a significant booking queue. The traditional songthaew, a ubiquitous sight in Chiang Mai, has long been…
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Three distinct prehistoric animal fossils unearthed in Khon Kaen
A new discovery has surfaced in the Tambon Muang Wan region of Nam Phong district, Khon Kaen, as fossils of three different prehistoric animals have been unearthed. This comes as an addition to the previous findings in the same area. The analysis of the collected fossils is being undertaken by a team led by Sasa-On Khansubha, a palaeontologist affiliated with…
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Revolutionary partnership saves Eastern Sarus cranes in Buriram
In a historic moment at the Wetland and Thai Crane Learning Centre in Buriram province, Police Lieutenant General Phatcharavat Wongsuwan spearheaded a ceremony to release Eastern Sarus cranes back into the wild. The event, attended by Aut Arunrattanapong, Head of Regional Management Division 1, True Corporation, and Rommuk Piachan, Senior Leader, Projects Development, TruePlookpanya, marked the 12th successful release of…
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10 year old boy drowns in Mekong River whirlpool
A tragic incident on the banks of the Mekong River claimed the life of a 10 year old boy whose body was discovered last Saturday, February 17, after being drawn into a whirlpool three days prior. Veerawat’s grandfather managed to rescue the boy’s sister but could not reach Veerawat in time. The local authorities in Ubon Ratchathani’s Khemarat district have…
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Cumbria couple relocates to Thailand, goes off-grid
In a tale of resilience and determination, a couple from Cumbria, in the United Kingdom made their dream of relocating to Thailand come true sooner than planned. Formerly entrenched in the bustling food and beverage scene of Cumbria, Ben and Anna battled through the pandemic’s harsh realities, fighting tooth and nail to keep their businesses afloat. “We were both working…
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PM Srettha inspects ’30-Baht Plus’ healthcare policy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin spearheaded the inspection of the Phra Ajarn Mun Bhuridatto Hospital’s construction progress and closely monitored the implementation of the 30-baht Plus healthcare policy in Sakon Nakhon Province. The Phra Ajarn Mun Bhuridatto Hospital stands as a beacon of hope, catering to a vast population, including residents from neighbouring provinces. The relentless pursuit of excellence has driven…
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Thailand’s fiery plight: 400+ hotspots spark concern
Thailand is currently grappling with more than 400 hotspots, with the highest concentration in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Lampang, and Mae Hong Son, each reporting over 40 incidents. In comparison, neighbouring countries are also facing significant challenges, with Myanmar recording 3,065 hotspots, Cambodia 1,341, Laos 704, and Vietnam 414 as of February 18. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development…
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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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