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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Rising lung cancer deaths in northern Thailand linked to PM2.5 pollution
A surge in lung cancer mortality rates has been observed in the northern regions of Thailand, specifically in Chiang Mai and Lampang. The Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University has linked this increase to the high levels of PM2.5 particles polluting the air. Chalerm Liewsisakul, an Associate Professor at the university, revealed that PM2.5 pollution has significantly worsened in…
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Northeast Thailand tackles drug trafficking
War against drug trafficking is underway in Northeast Thailand. Police Lieutenant General Sarayut Sa-nguanphokai, the Commander of Provincial Police Region 4 unveiled the details of this ambitious operation named “No Place for Drugs” during a press conference held on Thursday. The operation’s primary goal is to dismantle the local drug trade, focusing on 87 known hotspots under the jurisdiction of…
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Udon Thani luxury home ransacked by thieves
A Udon Thani homeowner was left in shock yesterday when he returned to find his luxury home ransacked by a brazen thief. Among the stolen objects are parts from a cherished Rolls-Royce inherited from the homeowner’s grandparents. The incident, which took place in the Soi Jintakam area, is currently under police investigation. Udon Thani police were alerted to a burglary…
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Major online gambling operation in Chiang Rai shut down, 3 arrests
Digital Economy and Society Ministry (DE) officers arrested two Thai men and one Thai woman in the northern province of Chiang Rai for an online gambling operation which had a monthly circulation of over 600 million baht. The arrests took place during raids at various locations in Chiang Rai on April 4. These raids followed the execution of nine search…
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Teen gang fatally shoots boy in Udon Thani province
A group of teenagers ruthlessly chased down and fatally shot a 14 year old boy in the Nong Han District, Udon Thani province, leaving two of his peers severely injured. The horrific incident occurred on the evening of March 31, in the village of Ban Yang. Captured by CCTV, five youths on two motorcycles pursued the group to a dead-end…
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Khon Kaen parents forced to pay ‘tea money’ for student admission
Eight secondary schools in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen found themselves in hot water as officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) launched an investigation into alleged corruption practices. Parents have lodged complaints, accusing decision-makers within these schools of demanding exorbitant “tea money” sums, reaching up to 100,000 baht, from families whose children failed the entrance examination. Thirat Bangpetch,…
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Police nab knife-wielding teenagers in Nakhon Ratchasima
A gang of teenagers brandishing knives and causing late-night disturbances with firecrackers in Nakhon Ratchasima province has been apprehended by the police. The group, comprising of both boys and girls, reportedly terrorised the local community with their threatening behaviour. Law enforcement officers from Pak Chong Police Station, led by Police Colonel Veerapol Rabiapthoh, and his team, in collaboration with local…
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Surge in smog levels exceeds safe limits in northern Thailand
A surge in smog levels was experienced this morning, with PM2.5 dust readings surpassing 200 microgrammes per cubic metre of air in three northern provinces, including Chiang Mai. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) disclosed at 9am that 20 provinces registered red (significantly harmful) levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and below in diameter (PM2.5). The readings fluctuated…
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Thai smog crisis prompts call for global shift to plant-based diets
Northern Thailand is grappling with a persistent smog problem, typically attributed to crop waste burning, deforestation for mushroom harvesting and vehicle emissions, prompting calls for a global shift to plant-based diets. However, an emerging consensus among scientists and environmental activists suggests a deeper, global solution is required to avert a climate disaster. The crux of the issue, they argue, lies…
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Disappearance of two year old boy sparks search in Chiang Rai
Search intensifies for a two year old boy from the Lahu tribe, who vanished from his mountain village in Chiang Rai last Saturday. Officials from the Mirror Foundation have outlined four potential scenarios for the boy, Kriangkrai Sae Mee’s disappearance, including abduction, domestic violence, accidents, or disputes over guardianship. Mae Yao sub-district police disclosed that Kriangkrai was last spotted with…
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Thai fugitive arrested in Chiang Rai for murder 18 years ago
A fugitive involved in a fatal shooting at a restaurant in Surat Thani who fled to Chiang Rai has been arrested at his son’s ordination ceremony. Police Major General Mantri Teskhan, Chief of Provincial Police, ordered Police Colonel Patthanasak Buppasuwannakorn, along with his deputies, to capture 49 year old Charan (surname withheld) under a warrant issued by the Wiang Sa…
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Thai man warns locals about perverted ladyboy while fishing
A Thai man warned locals about a ladyboy he encountered while fishing at the Kok River in the northern province of Chiang Rai. The transwoman appeared naked, offered sex, and masturbated in front of him. The 35 year old Thai man shared pictures of the naked ladyboy on a Facebook group of local fishers in Chiang Rai. “Losing another fishing…
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Lamphun family hospitalised after toxic fungus ingestion
A family in Lamphun province was hospitalised after consuming a toxic fungus, commonly known as Waan Jak Jan. The incident occurred after the husband, 60 year old Tui, collected fungus from a termite mound in his longan orchard, mistaking it for a recently deceased termite larvae which he thought was safe to eat. Tui, a resident of Thung Man, Pa…
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Buriram celebrates BLACKPINK Lisa’s 27th birthday
Buriram celebrated BLACKPINK Lisa’s 27th birthday with a feast of meatball consumption and the unveiling of themed pants. Buriram came alive as it threw a grand celebration to mark the 27th birthday of Lalisa Manobal, better known as Lisa from the globally renowned girl group BLACKPINK. The event included the launch of Buriram’s special standing meatball consumption pants. Lisa, born…
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Phichit couple investigated for assault of four year old girl
A couple in Phichit province is under investigation following severe injuries sustained by a four year old girl in their care. Authorities are gathering DNA evidence from the couple’s home to strengthen their case. The child, under the guardianship of Ratnaporn and her husband, Sappasin, remains comatose with a swollen brain and grievous injuries, including torn genitalia. Phichit Provincial Police,…
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Viral photo: Power pole piercing through sewer in Sisaket
A snapshot showing a power pole piercing a drainage pipe beside Highway 226 in Sisaket’s Uthumphon Phisai district has taken social media by storm. Within a day, the post, shared by the Watchdog.Act Facebook page, amassed a staggering 28,000 likes, accompanied by over 3,200 comments, and shared a whopping 2,400 times. Critics lambasted the contracted builders for their apparent oversight, failing…
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University student found dead in Nan River, Phitsanulok
A 23 year old university student who had been missing for two days was found dead in the Nan River in Phitsanulok, northern Thailand. The fourth-year student from a well-known university, identified only as Teeraporn (surname withheld) was found without any apparent injuries, suggesting a grim conclusion to her life. The initial report came yesterday when local authorities were alerted…
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Surin man travels 2,589 kilometres to witness snow in China
A young man from Surin Province completed a daring journey from Thailand to China, spanning a staggering 2,589 kilometres. Riding a Honda Wave motorcycle through rugged terrain, the man embarked on this adventure to fulfil his dream of riding through snow, a quest that took seven days to complete, starting on March 17. The man who goes by the name…
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Uthai Thani homeowner gets 5,000 baht bill after meter upgrade
A homeowner in Uthai Thani was in for a shock when she received an electricity bill that surged to over 5,000 baht, a steep increase from the usual monthly payment of around 300 baht, following the installation of a new digital meter. Despite complaining to the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), the issue remains unresolved. A citizen from the Uthai Thani municipality…
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Mae Hong Son village assistant assaults wildlife officer
Authorities in Mae Hong Son launched a severe disciplinary investigation against a village assistant for leading a group of 20 locals in a brazen attempt to free two suspects from wildlife officers. The incident, coupled with the seizure of firearms, methamphetamine, and animal remains, sparked a potential dismissal from the position of the village assistant involved. A bold confrontation erupted…
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Woman apologises for provocative photos at Rama I monument
Social media erupted with controversy when a provocative, scantily-clad young woman, followed by over 200,000 people on Facebook, posted suggestive, racy images of herself with the monument of King Rama I, the Great Statue of King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, in the background. Her caption, “Please come visit my city,” quickly drew criticism, particularly from the people of Buriram province. The…
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4 year old boy throws scissors at sister, causes serious head injury
A four year old Thai boy imitated a fight scene from a movie by throwing scissors at his 10 year old sister, causing serious head injury. Fortunately, the girl is now in stable condition and under the care of doctors at a hospital in the Isaan province of Buriram. The 10 year old victim, Face, was rushed to the Satuek…
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Hungarian couple injured due to hole on Chiang Mai road
A Hungarian couple sustained minor injuries when their motorcycle fell into a 100-centimetre-deep hole on a road near Chang Phueak Gate in Chiang Mai province on the evening of March 23. A video showing the Hungarian couple riding a motorcycle before tumbling into a hole swiftly gained traction on Thai social media. The footage captured the pair travelling in the…
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Man found dead in Greater Manchester home
British police took to social media to reach out to the Thai family of a Manchester man found dead in his own home in Denton, Greater Manchester, in the United Kingdom. The deceased, 48 year old Lee McDonough’s untimely demise has left authorities scrambling for answers as they seek to connect with his family, believed to be in Thailand. Tameside…
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Kidnap ringleader caught after seven-year hunt in Khon Kaen
The Thai authorities have arrested the alleged ringleader of a drug gang in Khon Kaen, who is accused of kidnapping a 13 year old girl to extort 30,000 baht from her father to settle a methamphetamine debt. The 30 year old suspect, identified as Kamonchai, was apprehended after he reportedly went into hiding following media coverage of the incident on…
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State Railway of Thailand’s renovation project for accessibility
In a significant move towards inclusivity, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has embarked on a renovation project for 10 of its passenger carriages. The initiative is aimed at making the carriages more accessible for individuals with disabilities, according to Aekkarat Sriarayanpong, head of the SRT governor’s office. The carriages undergoing renovation are second-class vehicles put into service in 2012.…
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Sakon Nakhon headman caught in 9 million baht heroin bust
In a major drug bust, authorities in Bueng Kan Province apprehended three individuals, including a prominent subdistrict headman from Sakon Nakhon, for smuggling nearly 10 kilogrammes of heroin. The arrest took place yesterday afternoon at a border patrol police company in Bueng Kan, following a covert operation led by the local law enforcement and border patrol units. The suspects were…
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Northeast Thailand: Son murders father in family dispute
A family tragedy unfolded in Non Sang, Nong Bua Lamphu province when a son murdered his father in a moment of apparent self-defence. The harrowing incident, which took place yesterday evening, resulted in an urgent manhunt for the perpetrator, who is now urged to surrender to the authorities. The deceased, Songsakran, was known by locals for his drastic change of…
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Phayao to become Thailand’s next eco-tourism hotspot
In a move set to transform Phayao into Thailand’s next eco-tourism hotspot, the Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, unleashed a whopping 300 million baht across 13 projects. This ambitious blueprint not only aims to catapult Phayao onto the global sustainable travel map but also promises a future where rubber farmers rejoice over record-breaking profits. PM Srettha, who also…
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Northern Thailand braces for severe air pollution crisis
Northern Thailand, specifically the provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son, are bracing for severe PM2.5 air pollution. These areas, surrounded by mountains and hills, have previously been rated as the most polluted globally. The pollution crisis has strained the public healthcare system and forced locals to invest in air purifiers and face masks for protection. While…
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