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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Stork raving success: Endangered bird’s triumphant return to Thailand
In a ground-breaking win for wildlife conservation, Thailand has achieved an unprecedented milestone: critically endangered Asian woolly-necked storks have bred in the wild for the first time. These majestic birds, once at risk of vanishing forever, are back and thriving in their natural habitat. Officials from the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand and Khao Kheow Open Zoo were thrilled to…
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Old Thai man commits suicide after love triangle dispute
A 73 year old Thai man committed suicide in the Mae Sai district of the northern province of Chiang Rai, following a bizarre love triangle and an argument with his legal wife and children. Koh Chang Police Station officers received a report of the man’s suicide, identified as Lai, at his home in the Mae Sai district. They coordinated with…
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Former Aussie cop’s epic run across Thailand for tsunami victims
A former forensic cop from Australia is gearing up for his biggest physical challenge yet—a gruelling 1,400-kilometre run across Thailand in December. Dubbed “Run to Remember,” this endurance test marks the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, which claimed 230,000 lives worldwide, including 5,400 in Thailand. Starting on December 1, charity Hands Across the Water founder Peter Baines…
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Tidal wave of trouble: Phitsanulok fields flooded as waters overflow
Floodwaters are inundating the Bang Rakam model fields in Phitsanulok province, receiving overflow from Sukhothai and reaching 571 million cubic metres, or 143% of capacity. The water expands, flooding nearby areas and roads, particularly in Phrom Phiram, Mueang, and Bang Rakam districts. Since late September, 304 villages across 50 subdistricts in nine districts of Phitsanulok have been affected by floodwaters…
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Lamphun sets up command centre as water levels rise
Lamphun is in full crisis mode as floodwaters surge from Chiang Mai, prompting emergency preparations. District chief Yutthapong Chaisorn revealed that a command centre has been established in the Mueang Lamphun district office to tackle the unfolding disaster. While Lamphun is not typically flood-prone, Yutthapong warned that many households may be ill-prepared for the deluge, leaving residents stranded. “Some households…
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Landslide in Sukhothai collapses house, kills one
A landslide caused a house to collapse into the Yom River in Sukhothai Province, resulting in the death of a 52 year old man, injuries to seven people, and the disappearance of a 10 year old girl. Rescue teams are actively searching for her. A house located near the Yom River in Klong Kra Jong subdistrict, Sawankhalok district, Sukhothai province,…
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Final tenant eviction clears way for SRT high-speed rail project
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is set to demolish a disputed commercial building after the final tenant was ordered by the court to vacate. This paves the way for the construction of a high-speed rail project that has faced significant delays. Today, October 9, officials and construction engineers installed barriers and fencing over a 200-metre stretch in front of the…
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Train services resume in northern Thailand after flooding
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) successfully managed the recent flooding in the northern region, ensuring the safety and convenience of passengers. Train services on the northern route, including Chiang Mai station, have resumed normal operations as of yesterday evening, October 8. The flooding had previously disrupted train services…
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Scammers posing as repair technicians target homes in Buriram
Scammers posing as repair technicians have been targeting residents by forcibly entering homes and demanding payment for unnecessary repairs. This unsettling incident has left the community of Samrong, Plapplachai district, Buriram province in a state of alert. On October 6, around 1pm, 59 year old Jamnien, was looking after her four month old granddaughter in front of her house when…
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3 Thai men seek justice after assault by bar security guards and DJ
Three Thai men are seeking justice after they were physically assaulted by a group of security guards and a DJ at a bar in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet on October 1. The video of the chaotic altercation inside the entertainment venue in Kamphaeng Phet was shared by various Thai news agencies. In the footage, the bar’s security guards,…
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Fishing for owner: Chiang Mai rescue reels in 300kg catfish
A rescue team that operated during the floods in Chiang Mai discovered a 300-kilogramme giant catfish in the floodwaters and is now searching for its owner, believing the fish to be a pet. One of the rescuers, who found the giant catfish, Wi Sang, took to his Facebook account to post pictures of the animal, both to record the shocking…
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Thai man receives death threats from cheating, bed-hopping wife
A Thai man pleaded for help after receiving death threats after seeking a divorce from his unfaithful bed-hopping wife, who cheated on him five times to his knowledge. The non-profit organisation Saimai Survive assisted the desperate Thai man, identified only as 45 year old A, and held a press conference today, October 8, for him to share his story with the…
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Thai family prays for son’s release from Hamas captivity in Gaza
The Sriaoun family gathered in their local church in Kut Yang, Udon Thani yesterday, October 6, their voices filled with emotion as they prayed for the safe return of their oldest son, 32 year old Watchara, believed to still be held captive by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. Watchara Sriaoun is among six Thais believed to be held in Gaza…
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Con-voyage: Police spark furore with luxury supercar jam on M6
A viral video has stirred up a storm after it revealed police officers on the M6 motorway escorting a convoy of luxury supercars, forcing traffic to a crawl. The shocking footage shows officers blocking lanes on the Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima route, sparking widespread outrage and prompting an immediate investigation. Social media erupted when a Facebook user posted a…
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Man high on meth terrifies employee at Udon Thani petrol station
A petrol station employee in Udon Thani was left terrified when a man, barefoot and behaving erratically, approached her while she was resting in the office. The man then groped himself and attempted to rush at her, prompting her to flee for help. Police later apprehended him, discovering he was under the influence of methamphetamine (meth). Police officers Udon Suksiri…
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Tide turns: Chinese man in hot water over risky Ping River plunge
A Chinese man faces a fine of up to 5,000 baht for swimming in the Ping River in Chiang Mai province during a strong current and flooding. A video of the man floating and relaxing in the Ping River during heavy flooding in Chiang Mai was first shared last month. The video drew widespread criticism, with many expressing concern that…
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Winter story: Thai cool season arrives fashionably late with icy twist
Brace yourselves, Thailand’s winter this year will arrive a little late but pack an extra punch of chill. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) announced that the cool season will kick off in the third week of October, with temperatures set to dip lower than last year. Although winter will extend until late February, the TMD is predicting cooler-than-usual temperatures. The…
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Chiang Rai slammed by new flooding amid fresh warnings
Chiang Rai just can’t catch a break! After being battered by devastating floods last month, Ko Sai and Mai Loong Khun communities have been hit by another round of intense flooding. Heavy rainfall overnight caused the Sai River to burst through a sandbag floodwall, swamping the area and leaving residents in disarray. Thankfully, swift action by troops ensured locals were…
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Village headman in Udon Thani kills son in self-defence
A tragic event unfolded when the village headman of Nong Wua So district in Udon Thani province, found himself in a life-and-death situation with his youngest son who was under the influence of methamphetamine (meth). The confrontation ended with the village chief fatally shooting his son in self-defence after the latter fired at him. The incident occurred yesterday, October 2.…
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Elderly woman dies in Nakhon Phanom after electricity cut off
The family of a 68 year old bedridden woman who tragically died is laying the blame squarely at the feet of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) after her electricity supply was cut off for failing to pay a bill of 1,500 baht in Nakhon Phanom province. Hospital director Nongluk Chanchana, along with the grieving relatives, is demanding accountability from the Provincial…
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Thailand’s ‘Glowing Owl’ flower: A rare botanical spectacle
Deep in Thailand’s remote wilderness, one of nature’s rarest and strangest blooms is set to emerge from the forest floor, leaving tourists and botanists scrambling for a glimpse. The mysterious Thismia thaithongiana, also known as Phisawong Owl’s Eye, is about to make its annual appearance in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary in Tak province on Thailand’s eastern border with Myanmar. Discovered…
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Woman admits to 10,000 baht theft from Udon Thani disabled man
A 34 year old Thai woman turned herself in at Na Som Police Station in Udon Thani province amidst allegations of withdrawing 10,000 baht from a disabled man’s account. She claimed she intended to share the money with him but he reported the incident first. The man, 63 year old Somdee Plangsee, reported to officers at Na Som Police Station…
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Phimai police boost bank security for 10,000 baht withdrawals
Police in Nakhon Ratchasima have increased security measures at local banks, fearing that loan sharks might target citizens withdrawing their 10,000 baht digital money. Officers from Phimai Police Station’s crime prevention unit were deployed to the Phimai branch of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) on September 30, to safeguard the public waiting to withdraw funds from the…
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Uttaradit locals seek lottery luck at towering temple statue
Residents of the upper northern province of Uttaradit flocked to Wat Khlong Kaphuea to seek blessings from the towering statue of Thao Wessuwan, hoping for good fortune for today’s lottery draw, October 1. The locals engage in rituals, trying their luck with a three-digit number drawn from a jar. Wat Khlong Kaphuea in Ban Khon, Phichai district, Uttaradit province, became…
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Khon Kaen resident loses 16,800 baht to phone scam
A resident of Khon Kaen lost 10,000 baht from her government assistance money to a phone scam, which also took an additional 6,800 baht from her health volunteer allowance. Visarut Pupeng, an advisor to the Deputy Minister of Education, assisted Buathong, a 63 year old resident of Chum Phae district, Khon Kaen province, in filing a police report with Police…
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Terminally ill patient in Sisaket denied aid over signature issue
A terminally ill liver cancer patient in Sisaket province is unable to withdraw government aid due to a signature mismatch on an authorisation form, despite desperate pleas from his family. Yesterday, September 30, reporters received a tip-off from residents in Ban Phianam, Nong Phai subdistrict, Mueang district. They reported that a terminal liver cancer patient, entitled to receive 10,000 baht…
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Two suspects arrested for motorcycle thefts in Khon Kaen
Two individuals suspected of motorcycle theft have been apprehended in separate investigations in Khon Kaen, police announced yesterday, September 30. Victims reported their bikes had been left parked without the handlebars locked, simplifying the thefts. Security camera footage revealed a man dressed as a delivery driver frequenting areas where the motorcycles disappeared. The suspect, identified as 40 year old Anusit…
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Thai woman criticised for crashing car into schoolboy, blames victim (video)
Police officers in the northern province of Chiang Mai are on the hunt for a female driver who crashed her sedan into a 10 year old schoolboy, subsequently blamed the young victim, and shirked all responsibility for his injuries. The 30 year old Thai woman, A, came forward to seek justice for the 10 year old schoolboy by sharing CCTV…
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Waxing poetic: Ubon Ratchathani candle workshop goes up in smoke
A fire engulfed a renowned candle-carving workshop at Wat Jaeng in Ubon Ratchathani, causing over 2 million baht in damages. The blaze started when sparks from a metal grinder ignited foam, rapidly spreading through the building. The fire broke out at 3.40pm yesterday, September 29, at the candle-carving workshop of Wat Jaeng, located on Sappasit Road in Ubon Ratchathani city.…
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Chiang Rai governor faces probe for absences during flood crisis
Thailand’s Interior Ministry has initiated a disciplinary investigation against the outgoing Chiang Rai governor, Puttipong Sirimart, after his repeated absences during critical flood-relief operations in the province. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the probe yesterday, September 29, just one day before Puttipong’s scheduled retirement. Anutin, who had previously ordered an investigation into Puttipong’s absences in late…
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