Chiang Mai News
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from the charming and historic city of Chiang Mai with The Thaiger. Our team of seasoned journalists brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from this fascinating city, covering a diverse range of topics, including local politics, business, culture, and tourism. Keep yourself informed about the city’s rich history, vibrant arts scene, and thriving expat community, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.
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Chiang Mai’s rot daeng under threat from ride-hailing apps
Chiang Mai’s iconic rot daeng, or red cars, transport service is under threat as tourists are opting for alternative modes of transport, causing local operators to urge the government for assistance. The issue was highlighted in an online debate where a Facebook user expressed concerns over the survival of the rot daeng services, which are now facing stiff competition from…
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Teen courier with 900k meth pills caught in Chiang Mai
In a dramatic pre-dawn operation, at 1.50am this morning, Thai police intercepted a teenage drug courier in Chiang Mai province, seizing nearly one million methamphetamine pills hidden in his pickup truck. The teenage driver admitted to being paid 80,000 baht for the illicit transport. Law enforcement officials from Lhoongkhot Police Station, under the command of Superintendent Suphachai Chanthara, collaborated with…
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Chiang Mai gears up for rare solar noon phenomenon tomorrow
Chiang Mai prepares for the striking solar noon phenomenon tomorrow at 12.21pm, as the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) advises caution against intense heat and potential heatstroke while confirming the event will not affect temperature or weather conditions. Chiang Mai is poised to witness a remarkable celestial event known as solar noon, where the sun will be exactly…
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Chiang Mai red trucks decline as Grab gains ground
Chiang Mai’s iconic red trucks, an integral part of the city’s transport network, are facing an existential threat in the wake of declining patronage post-tourist season, with concerns over the future being reduced to mere photographic memories. The rise of international ride-hailing services such as Grab or Bolt has compounded the issue, leading to a significant drop in customers for…
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Ricegate scandal: 10 year old rice stockpile unsafe for consumption
The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) demanded rigorous quality and safety checks for a colossal 15,000 tonnes of jasmine rice, stockpiled since 2014 under the controversial rice-pledging scheme. The council, joined by an academic from Chiang Mai University, fears the rice may be laced with harmful chemicals, rendering it unfit for human or animal consumption. Deputy Chief of the TCC’s policies…
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Chiang Mai battles with deteriorating air quality due to wildfires
Chiang Mai is currently grappling with deteriorating air quality caused by a surge in wildfires throughout the region. This concerning situation has positioned the province among cities with the most compromised air quality worldwide, as it contends with dense smog enveloping its downtown area daily for the past month. In a recent report by the Wildfire and Pollution Control Command…
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Chiang Dao wildlife sanctuary closed due to man-made hotspots
The Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chiang Mai province has been indefinitely shut down by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation. The decision comes in the wake of the discovery of several man-made hotspots in areas of key ecological importance. The department’s chief, Attapol Charoenchansa, announced the measure as an immediate response to the pressing issues of…
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Chiang Mai massage parlour busted for underage employment
Chiang Mai police, along with affiliated agencies, raided a massage parlour suspected of employing minors on Tuesday, all under 18 years old, for providing illicit sexual services to customers. The owner of the massage parlour, identified as 21 year old Natthanaree Puangmala, was allegedly facilitating the provision of these services secretly to customers who engaged with the massage facilities. The cost…
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Chiang Mai duo nabbed for 76 million baht home theft
Chiang Mai police apprehended two suspects in a brazen theft that saw 76 million baht stolen from a home. Police recovered nearly 40 million baht in cash, revealing that the culprits were known associates of the victim, motivated by a dispute over incomplete payment for work done. Other stolen assets were discarded in black bags. The incident, which occurred on…
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Fire lights up Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep Forest blaze sparks alarm
The night skies over Chiang Mai were illuminated after a fire erupted in Doi Suthep Forest. The incident, reported by local media on Wednesday, April 17, was first sighted at a temple nestled within the forest. Phuping Forest fire officers from Doi Suthep-Pui National Park were the first ones to spot the blaze and were promptly dispatched to the site…
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Truck brake failure leads to fatal crash in Chiang Mai
A tragic accident occurred yesterday at 2.45pm in the Hod district of Chiang Mai when a six-wheeled truck’s brakes reportedly failed, causing it to crash into a procession of revellers. The incident resulted in the death of two individuals and serious injuries to two others. The procession was part of a traditional ceremony in which participants were enjoying themselves in…
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Shell-shocked: Poacher nabbed for selling rare turtle in Chiang Mai
A poacher has been apprehended for hunting protected big-headed turtles in Pha Daeng National Park, with 17 of the creatures discovered in his possession. The suspect confessed to having been commissioned to sell the turtles for 2,400 baht per kilogramme. The head of Pha Daeng National Park, Prakasit Rawiwan, yesterday revealed a successful joint operation with the military’s Chaiyanuphap Task Force.…
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Procession brawl in Chiang Mai leads to hefty 75,000 baht fines
Chaos erupted during a traditional procession in Chom Thong, Chiang Mai, when a violent brawl broke out among participants, undeterred by the potential for a hefty fine of 75,000 baht. The incident took place yesterday, April 15, as 19 groups paraded the sacred Bo tree supports into Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong amid loud music and a large crowd.…
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Chiang Mai battles extensive forest fires and severe air pollution
Chiang Mai, a city in the northern region of Thailand, is currently combating an alarming number of forest fires, with over 15 fires reported, some of which have been persisting for three days. As per the local authorities, 17 out of 153 hotspots were detected in the city yesterday. Five of these hotspots are located in the Chiang Dao district,…
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Chiang Mai lottery fever spikes as Songkran hopefuls chase lucky numbers
The buzz of the Thai New Year, known as Songkran, is palpable in Chiang Mai, where locals eagerly anticipate the lottery draw on April 16. Amidst the festive fervour, the city’s lottery vendors witness a surge in sales, with certain lucky numbers becoming the talk of the town. Today, at 8.30am, the atmosphere in Chiang Mai was electric with anticipation,…
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Smog shock: Chiang Mai claims ‘top’ spot in global pollution woes
Chiang Mai today topped the smog charts as the world’s most polluted city. The northern region of Thailand continues to be ensnared by a thick smog, causing serious health concerns for residents and visitors. The monitoring website IQAir highlighted Chiang Mai as the city with the worst air pollution levels at 9.20am. The fine dust levels were recorded at an…
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Myanmar Airways: New routes to Bangkok, Chiangmai and Phuket
Myanmar Airways International (MAI) announced upcoming budget flights from Yangon to Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. MAI has unveiled exciting routes and wallet-friendly fares, ensuring seamless travel experiences for globetrotters. Operating 56 flights weekly from Yangon to Bangkok, along with bi-weekly flights to Phuket and thrice-weekly to the new Yangon-Chiang Mai route, adventure-seekers can now explore exotic destinations without breaking…
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Chiang Mai: Thailand’s biggest pumpkin weighs 380 kilos
Thailand’s largest pumpkin, tipping the scales at 380 kilogrammes, has been successfully cultivated by a group of alumni at Maejo University in Chiang Mai. The university’s acting president, Associate Professor Weerapon Thongma, officially opened the annual giant pumpkin showcase at Panawat Garden in tambon Bo Luang, Hot district, yesterday. Financial support for career and agricultural development was also handed out…
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Murdered teen’s body found in reservoir in Chiang Mai
A 15 year old boy was savagely beaten and murdered by a group of five teenagers, who then concealed his body by throwing it into a reservoir in Chiang Mai. The assailants, aged between 15 and 17, admitted to the crime, citing a dislike for the victim’s character as the motive. Law enforcement officials apprehended five youths responsible for the…
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Chiang Mai tourism expects rebound despite hotel booking slump
Chiang Mai, once bustling with tourists, has been grappling with a slump in hotel bookings as recorded on Wednesday. The Northern Thai Hotels Association advisor, La-iad Bungsrithong, disclosed that the reservations were only 30% full compared to the beginning of April last year. However, she projected a silver lining in the looming clouds of despair. The occupancy would bounce back…
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Northern Thailand’s persistent wildfires exacerbate air pollution
Wildfires persist in northern Thailand, contributing to a surge in air pollution despite recent downpours. As of Monday, Mae Hong Son recorded 6,646 wildfires this year, predominantly in the districts of Mueang Mae Hong Son, Pai, and Mae Sariang. This has led to Mae Hong Son exceeding safe levels of airborne particulates for 38 consecutive days. Mae Sariang district reported…
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Chiang Mai summer storm topples gateway arch, damages car
The northern city of Chiang Mai witnessed the aftermath of a summer storm when a significant gateway arch collapsed at the intersection of Bo Sang traffic lights, causing damage to a red sedan and nearby structures. In the wake of the incident, local officials and emergency services worked through the night to clear the debris and restore normalcy to the…
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Songkran festival in Chiang Mai to draw in millions of tourists
Anticipation builds as the Songkran festival in Chiang Mai, set to span 10 days, is projected to pull in millions of tourists, raking in an estimated 20 billion baht in revenue. This year’s observance of the festival, scheduled from April 7 to 17, is particularly special as it not only seeks to uphold the local Lanna culture but also marks…
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Malaysian Airlines unveils new routes including to Chiang Mai
Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) announced three new routes to the Maldives, Chiang Mai, and Da Nang. As part of its ambitious expansion strategy aimed at capturing the leisure market, MAB, a key player in the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), is primed to whisk travellers away to exotic destinations with unparalleled ease. From its bustling hub in Kuala Lumpur, MAB is…
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Thai govt resists declaring Chiang Mai a disaster zone despite pollution
The Government of Thailand has chosen not to declare Chiang Mai a disaster zone despite escalating air pollution, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The decision was largely influenced by concerns that such a declaration could negatively impact the province’s tourism industry. The Bangkok-born PM voiced his government’s stance on platform X, explaining that declaring the province a disaster zone…
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PM Srettha joins dinner with Thaksin and Somchai in Chiang Mai
In an extraordinary meeting, Srettha Thavisin, Thaksin Shinawatra and Somchai Wongsawat gathered for dinner last night in Chiang Mai. The trio, led by current PM Srettha, are set to gather as Thaksin, on parole, returns to his hometown for various engagements, including paying homage to his late parents. Thailand’s 23rd prime minister, Thaksin, despite a corruption conviction, barely tasted prison…
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Neighbour’s pit bull goes on rampage, seriously injures woman
In a chilling incident captured on CCTV in Chiang Mai’s Sansai district, a ferocious male pit bull, approximately 10 years old, launched a horrifying assault on a 30 year old woman, leaving her arm perilously close to being severed. The footage reveals the pit bull viciously attacking the woman, only halted by the intervention of her boyfriend and the dog’s…
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Chiang Mai crowned world’s most polluted as smog crisis worsens
Chiang Mai recently ascended to an undesirable top spot on the global stage as it experiences severe air pollution, making it the most polluted city in the world. The air quality in this northern Thai city has reached levels that pose significant health risks due to the pervasive spread of PM2.5 particles. At 3am today, March 15, the air quality…
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Flame game foiled: Chiang Mai crackdown scorches forest arsonist
Chiang Mai authorities have taken swift action against forest arson, resulting in the arrest and fining of a perpetrator following a tip-off from a vigilant citizen. Yesterday, March 13, a man was spotted igniting a fire within the protected forest area of Ban Pang Keut, Mae Taeng district in Chiang Mai. The deputy governor personally delivered a cash reward to…
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British man arrested in Chiang Mai drug bust
A British man was arrested in a sting operation uncovering a sprawling drug trade targeting unsuspecting tourists in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai police, acting on a tip-off, apprehended 48 year old British man Charly Garcia in an operation at a cannabis products shop in the Mueang district, where he was allegedly peddling narcotics to foreign visitors. Undercover officers, playing their…
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