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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Researchers discover four new plant species in northern Thailand
Researchers have identified four new plant species in northern Thailand, showcasing the nation’s rich biodiversity. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced the findings, which were made by the department’s researchers in collaboration with botanists from Kasetsart University and Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. Attapol Charoenchansa, the department’s chief, stated that the discoveries were part of…
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Bangkok Community Help Foundation dives in for Chiang Rai flood relief
Bangkok Community Help Foundation mobilised to provide urgent flood relief to Chiang Rai and surrounding areas. The region has been severely impacted by the overflowing Kok River, leaving more than 30,000 people stranded and many without homes. With the support of volunteers, locals, and law enforcement, the foundation has delivered over 6,000 kilogrammes (kgs) of essential aid, reaching remote villages…
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Lottery hopefuls rush to Udon Thani as lucky numbers sell out
Crowds of lottery enthusiasts flocked to Kham Chanod in Udon Thani to buy the lucky numbers 451 and 154, derived from incense sticks at the sacrificial table of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua’s son, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, completely selling out the lottery stalls. Today, October 16, reports from Kham Chanod Island, located in the Naga King’s realm of Wang…
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Highways reopen after Chiang Rai flood chaos
Flood-ravaged Chiang Rai is getting back on its feet, with crucial roadways reopened after devastating landslides. The Department of Highways (DOH) has fast-tracked repairs to reconnect communities isolated by torrential rains, particularly along the vital Highway 1150, linking Wiang Pa Pao in Chiang Rai to Phrao in Chiang Mai. This key route, blocked by multiple landslides, had halted travel and…
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Thai transwoman arrested for drunk driving bites, punches cop
A Thai transwoman failed to escape a drunk driving arrest at a checkpoint in the northern province of Lampang, so she opted to bite and punch one of the police officers during her arrest. Officers from Mueang Lampang Police Station set up the checkpoint on Duangrat Road in the Suan Dok sub-district, Mueang district, Lampang, on the night of Sunday,…
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Village in Udon Thani draws crowds after 18 million baht lottery win
The village of Naka in Udon Thani has become a significant destination for devotees after tourists reported winning 18 million baht in the lottery. This rare occurrence prompted a major ritual to honour the revered figures of Phraya Srisattanakarat and Prasat Phor Phu Srisuttho. Today, October 14, at Naka Village in Mueang district, Udon Thani, Anon Saennan, the founder of…
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Former officer arrested for embezzling 10 million baht
A former special operations officer from the Department of Corrections accused of embezzling 10 million baht from government funds has been arrested. The suspect, identified as 36 year old Pornchai Paripreecha was arrested at a barbecue restaurant in Nong Khai while allegedly waiting for his wife to bring him cash. Police Major General Montree Teskhan, head of the Crime Suppression…
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Thailand and Myanmar discuss Mae Sai River illegal structures
Thai officials are set to engage in discussions with Myanmar regarding illegal structures along the Mae Sai River, aiming to address the flood crisis in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced. Severe flooding has inundated the district, leaving a thick layer of mud as waters receded, prompting these high-level talks. Phumtham, who also serves as…
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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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Elderly man cycles 80km home to Surin with blind wife
An elderly man cycled nearly 80 kilometres with his blind wife amid scorching heat to return home. The journey started from Ban Nong Mek in Nong Han district, Udon Thani province and headed towards Ban Dung district. The couple was spotted on the roadside by a concerned resident who informed Weerapon, an admin of the Ban Dung Update page. Weerapon received…
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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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Bank policy leaves elderly Buriram couple without government aid
A resident of Ban Silachai in Buriram province sought assistance after finding himself unable to withdraw money using his wife’s ATM card. The resident, 61 year old Tuk Sae Ho’s wife Jamlong, also 61, has been bedridden for over a year and unable to care for herself. When Tuk attempted to withdraw funds from the bank, he discovered that the…
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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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Khon Kaen MP accused of 431 million baht embezzlement
The court of Thailand has postponed the verdict hearing for an MP of Khon Kaen province, who is facing charges of embezzling 431 million baht from the Khon Kaen Teachers’ Savings Cooperative. Ekkarat claims the case has been politically manipulated and made a statement at 2.30pm yesterday, October 7. The Khon Kaen Provincial Court initially scheduled the verdict for Ekkarat…
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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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Ping River on the rise: Chiang Mai braces for watery wake-up call
Chiang Mai braces for more flooding today as the Ping River is set to reach 4.95 metres, starting in the morning. Heavy rainfall in upstream areas has caused a rapid rise in the Ping River, according to Governor Nirat Pongsitthithaworn. He urged residents along the river to relocate their vehicles and valuables to higher ground. Hospitals and clinics in low-lying…
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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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Relief team cars break down in Chiang Rai due to water in petrol
A team led by Panadda Wongphudee, a beauty queen, presenter, and president of the Foundation for Good Deeds, encountered significant issues during their relief efforts in Chiang Rai. Panadda revealed that five vehicles broke down after refuelling at a local petrol station, which allegedly had water mixed with the fuel. Panadda shared her experience on her Facebook page, Dr Panadda…
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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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