Bangkok News

Bangkok news, politics, business, crime, and nightlife—stay updated with breaking stories, events, and expat updates from Thailand’s capital. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Bangkok news source.

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    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...

  • Police in Bangkok nab suspect in gold necklace theft

    Police in Bangkok nab suspect in gold necklace theft

    Police in Tha Kham successfully apprehended a 28 year old man suspected of snatching a gold necklace from a Myanmar national in the Rama 2 area. The incident occurred yesterday, March 10, around 7.38pm, and was quickly resolved with the help of vigilant officers. The arrest took place after the police, conducting routine patrols, were alerted by the Tha Kham Police…

  • Woman to sue taxi driver for sexual harassment in Bangkok (video)

    Woman to sue taxi driver for sexual harassment in Bangkok (video)

    A woman has vowed to take legal action against a hands on taxi driver who allegedly sexually harassed her by touching her leg and smelling her arm. The incident reportedly occurred yesterday, March 10, when the driver also locked the car doors on his taxi cab, refusing to let her leave. Police are aware of the driver’s identity and are…

  • Extra 25,000 seats on Thailand flights for Songkran

    Extra 25,000 seats on Thailand flights for Songkran

    Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit unveiled plans to launch an aerial bonanza this Songkran, pledging to add a whopping 25,000 seats on domestic flights while slashing airfares on select routes by a tantalising 30%. With the festival fervour set to peak between April 11 to 17, Suriya held an emergency summit yesterday, March 10. Flanked by state agency moguls and industry…

  • Walk of shame: Brand-new Bangkok footpath crumbles (video)

    Walk of shame: Brand-new Bangkok footpath crumbles (video)

    A newly constructed footpath along Vibhavadi Road, built just one month ago, has collapsed under the weight of a pedestrian. This incident has sparked widespread criticism on social media, questioning the quality standards of state agencies. The Facebook page Drama-addict shared a video of the footpath caving in as a person walked over it, highlighting that the path had been…

  • No-confidence motion barred over Thaksin reference

    No-confidence motion barred over Thaksin reference

    Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha stated that a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will not be included on the Parliamentary agenda if it continues to reference former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. After the motion was submitted to him, Wan informed opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut that any mention of Thaksin must be removed. He argued that referencing Thaksin, who…

  • New Don Mueang Airport shuttle links to Thailand hotspots

    New Don Mueang Airport shuttle links to Thailand hotspots

    A brand-new feeder shuttle bus service, linking Don Mueang International Airport to the dazzling shores of Pattaya, is going to make it a whole lot easier for tourists to experience some of Thailand’ most iconic destinations. Launched on Saturday, March 8, under the watchful eye of Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote, the service is set to transform transport connectivity, seamlessly…

  • Endangered Bryde’s whale found dead off Samut Prakan coast

    Endangered Bryde’s whale found dead off Samut Prakan coast

    The remains of a giant Bryde’s whale have been discovered floating off the coast of Samut Prakan, sparking concerns over the threats faced by Thailand’s endangered marine life. Locals in Bang Pu, a coastal area near Bangkok, spotted the massive 8 to 9-metre-long whale carcass around 8.30am yesterday, March 7. The mature female, weighing approximately 8 tonnes, had been dead…

  • Casino bill to require 50m baht bank balance for Thai entry

    Casino bill to require 50m baht bank balance for Thai entry

    The Entertainment Complex Bill, set for revision, is anticipated to be submitted for Cabinet approval next week, according to PM’s Office Minister Chousak Sirinil. The bill has been prioritised as an urgent policy, following discussions with the Interior Ministry and the Finance Ministry, with aims to expedite its legislative process. The bill includes a condition requiring Thai citizens to maintain…

  • ‘Black Bag Cop’ found dead in Thai prison, suspected suicide (video)

    ‘Black Bag Cop’ found dead in Thai prison, suspected suicide (video)

    Disgraced former Police Colonel Thitisak Uthanaphon, infamously known as “Director Joe,” or Joe Ferrari, has been found dead in his prison cell at Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok. The 43 year old, who was serving a life sentence for the torture and killing of a drug suspect, reportedly took his own life – but suspicions linger over the circumstances…

  • Bangkok motorist and rider resolve dispute, share ride home (video)

    Bangkok motorist and rider resolve dispute, share ride home (video)

    A dispute involving a motorist and a rider in Sathorn, Bangkok ended amicably after both parties resolved a misunderstanding. The incident, captured on social media, initially portrayed a heated exchange between the rider and a silver Honda Jazz driver, leading to a minor collision. Both have since clarified the situation and hold no grudges. Yesterday, March 6, the 43 year…

  • Bangkok taxi driver returns 154,000 baht to Japanese passenger

    Bangkok taxi driver returns 154,000 baht to Japanese passenger

    A Bangkok taxi driver has returned more than 154,000 baht in cash to a Japanese passenger who had left it in his cab. The woman, who had already flown back to Japan on March 6, never expected to see her valuables again. The 63 year old taxi driver, Chum Khamwiangsa, handed the black bag full of cash to Phithak Santirat…

  • NHSO reveals Bangkok clinics earn up to 7 million baht annually

    NHSO reveals Bangkok clinics earn up to 7 million baht annually

    The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has disclosed budget allocations for each community clinic, revealing some clinics receive up to 7 million baht annually. The income of these clinics largely depends on the number of patients treated and services provided. The Association of Warm Community Clinics yesterday, March 6, released data on per capita budget allocations from the NHSO. They…

  • Cat’s out the bag! Cops claw back wildlife in Bangkok airport bust

    Cat’s out the bag! Cops claw back wildlife in Bangkok airport bust

    In a purrfectly executed operation at Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok, Thai police proudly announced a successful swoop on a hair-raising attempt to smuggle exotic wildlife out of Thailand. The operation on Sunday, March 2, led to the apprehension of a 44 year old Indian woman, who was trying to wing it by sneaking protected animals aboard AirAsia flight FD 137 bound…

  • Warehouse fire keeps Bangkok firefighters on toes for over 8 hours

    Warehouse fire keeps Bangkok firefighters on toes for over 8 hours

    A blazing inferno inside a frozen goods warehouse in Bang Phili proved to be a stubborn adversary for Bangkok firefighters, with the flames still not fully extinguished today after more than eight hours. Amid the chaos, the warehouse owner firmly denied any ammonia gas presence in the facility, easing some public safety concerns. Firefighters from a multitude of agencies converged…

  • Royal Thai Navy’s billion-baht battle over subs and frigates

    Royal Thai Navy’s billion-baht battle over subs and frigates

    Thailand’s troubled submarine deal and ambitious warship plans are caught in political limbo, with the Pheu Thai-led government showing little urgency in making key defence decisions. As Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra prepares for a censure debate later this month, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN)’s long-stalled projects remain up in the air. The RTN initially accepted China’s offer of an S26T…

  • Fury on the streets: Protesters clash with govt over casino bill

    Fury on the streets: Protesters clash with govt over casino bill

    Angry protesters stormed the Finance Ministry yesterday, demanding the government scrap its controversial plan to legalise casinos. The demonstration, led by three hardline groups, accused Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat of backing a bill that, they claim, will open the floodgates for Thai gamblers rather than targeting foreign tourists. The Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Reform, the Dharma…

  • Heavy rain and hail hit Thailand amid summer storm

    Heavy rain and hail hit Thailand amid summer storm

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) has issued its sixth warning for a summer storm expected to hit 46 provinces, including Bangkok, with heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and lightning in certain areas. Residents are advised to exercise caution. Issued at 5pm yesterday, March 6, the announcement details that northern, northeastern, central Thailand, Bangkok and its surrounding areas, and the…

  • Luxury Mini Cooper goes up in flames on Bangkok street

    Luxury Mini Cooper goes up in flames on Bangkok street

    A luxury Mini Cooper was destroyed after bursting into flames near Soi Thonglor 20 in Bangkok’s Watthana district this morning. The shocking fire erupted in front of Kasikorn Bank’s Sukhumvit 55 branch, leaving bystanders scrambling to contain the blaze. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sitthichai Jumprom of Thonglor Police Station received a report of the fire at 10.40am, today, March 6, and rushed…

  • Court blocks Thaksin’s request to leave Thailand for Indonesia

    Court blocks Thaksin’s request to leave Thailand for Indonesia

    Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra faced a legal setback today after the Criminal Court denied his request to travel abroad. The court ruled that there was not sufficient reason to allow him to leave the country, blocking his planned trip to Indonesia for the upcoming ASEAN meeting. This morning, Thaksin arrived at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road in his…

  • Optimus Prime creator clashes with bar over new figure donation

    Optimus Prime creator clashes with bar over new figure donation

    A Thai Optimus Prime creator clashed with a coffee shop and cocktail bar after a refusal to support his donation campaign to build two new figures following the viral and allegedly sacred figure near Bangkok’s Chinatown. The coffee shop and cocktail bar, Hypnotized, made the Optimus Prime figure go viral after sharing videos of offerings, including cocktails, engine oil, and traditional…

  • New 100 baht note marks Finance Ministry’s 150th anniversary

    New 100 baht note marks Finance Ministry’s 150th anniversary

    The Ministry of Finance announced the release of a commemorative 100 baht banknote to mark its 150th anniversary. The note, which can legally be used for transactions, will be issued on April 14. The announcement was published on the Royal Gazette’s website, detailing the characteristics, colour, and size of the commemorative note. Signed by Pichai Chunhavajira, the finance minister, the…

  • Road rage: Motorcyclist damages car mirrors in Bangkok

    Road rage: Motorcyclist damages car mirrors in Bangkok

    A motorcyclist was reported to have kicked and damaged a car’s side mirror outside a well-known Huai Khwang shopping centre in Bangkok following a traffic dispute. The incident, which escalated from an argument over a lane change, led to the motorcyclist fleeing the scene. The victim, who shared the event on Facebook under the name Mouy Worarat, explained that the…

  • Bangkok man caught with meth pills during traffic stop

    Bangkok man caught with meth pills during traffic stop

    A Bangkok man’s suspicious behaviour at a traffic checkpoint led to his arrest after police found 60 methamphetamine (meth) pills hidden inside a cigarette pack. The operation took place yesterday, March 5 along the inbound Vibhavadi Road in Chatuchak district, where officers from the Vibhavadi Rangsit Traffic Control Centre were enforcing traffic rules, particularly targeting motorcyclists using the main lanes.…

  • Bangkok bust: Nigerian duo caught in a powder keg of trouble

    Bangkok bust: Nigerian duo caught in a powder keg of trouble

    Two Nigerian nationals were apprehended in Bangkok following the implication of their involvement in drug trafficking by a woman caught attempting to smuggle cocaine into Japan. Both men were identified as overstayers and are now facing immediate immigration charges, alongside being investigated for alleged drug-related offences. Immigration and narcotics control police conducted a raid on a condominium on Navamin-Ram Intra…

  • Home for Thais registration ends soon, housing lottery set for April

    Home for Thais registration ends soon, housing lottery set for April

    Registration for the Home for Thais initiative will end this month, with a property owner lottery scheduled for next month, according to Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote. Since the project started on January 17, around 350,000 people have registered. However, fewer than half, approximately 140,000 applicants, have passed the initial qualification screening, making them eligible for housing loans from the…

  • Bangkok residents raise alarm over illegal condo rentals, prostitution

    Bangkok residents raise alarm over illegal condo rentals, prostitution

    Furious residents in Bangkok’s Nana district say their once-tranquil homes have been turned into a noisy nightmare, thanks to illegal condo rentals and prostitution. They claim foreigners are not only flouting the rules but also running a seedy prostitution racket, sparking serious safety concerns. People’s Party MP Bhuntin Noumjerm brought the issue to public attention, highlighting the ongoing distress faced by…

  • Bet and busted: Poker faces flop in 51 million baht Bangkok bust

    Bet and busted: Poker faces flop in 51 million baht Bangkok bust

    Thai police made a full house of arrests on Tuesday, swooping down on a clandestine poker den tucked away in a Bangkok warehouse. The audacious raid on March 4, led by officers from Ladprao Police Station, captured 52 gamblers, both locals and foreigners, caught red-handed amidst a sea of chips worth a staggering 51.4 million baht. Tipped off about the…

  • Phuket Airport immigration chief transferred amid nepotism claims

    Phuket Airport immigration chief transferred amid nepotism claims

    Police Colonel Padthongtew Damapong, chief of Phuket Airport Immigration, has been promoted to head Nonthaburi Immigration, part of the Greater Bangkok area after only ten months. The move, which follows another fast-tracked promotion just 10 months earlier, raised eyebrows due to his high-profile family connections. Pol. Col. Padthongtew is the nephew of Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, the ex-wife of former…

  • Bangkok Airways suspends northern flights due to smog

    Bangkok Airways suspends northern flights due to smog

    Bangkok Airways announced the temporary suspension of all flights between Suvarnabhumi International Airport and the northern destinations of Lampang and Mae Hong Son, as thick smog and hazardous air pollution continue to engulf the region. The airline confirmed that services would be grounded from March 15 to April 20 due to dangerously low visibility caused by persistent haze, which has…

  • South Bangkok court allows class action against CPF by farmers

    South Bangkok court allows class action against CPF by farmers

    A group of farmers has taken a major step in their legal battle against agribusiness giant Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) after the South Bangkok Civil Court approved their class action lawsuit. The case, filed over claims of environmental damage and harm to livelihoods, was given the green light at 9am yesterday, March 4. The lawsuit alleges that CPF’s industrial operations…