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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    Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?

    Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...

  • Ekkamai taxi driver demands 400 baht for 10-minute ride

    Ekkamai taxi driver demands 400 baht for 10-minute ride

    A heated encounter unfolded in the Ekkamai area of Bangkok when a taxi driver charged a passenger an exorbitant fare of 400 baht for a 10-minute ride without using the meter. The incident, captured on TikTok sparked a public outcry. The passenger, who had been enjoying a rare trip to Ekkamai, was shocked to discover that the driver demanded a…

  • Bangkok airports high-speed rail project hits the brakes

    Bangkok airports high-speed rail project hits the brakes

    The high-speed rail project set to connect Bangkok’s three major airports has been thrown into limbo, as contract amendments grind to a halt. The delay is blamed on the lack of a new chairman for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee, a role that must be filled by the incoming Cabinet—still nowhere in sight. The ambitious 276.5-billion-baht project promises…

  • Bangkok restaurant owner found dead in car after marital woes

    Bangkok restaurant owner found dead in car after marital woes

    A restaurant owner was found dead inside her car in a secluded alley in Bangkok. Police revealed she had been stressed and upset about her husband’s infidelity. Friends were unable to contact her throughout the day. Police discovered the body of a 21 year old woman, identified as the owner of a restaurant in the Phutthamonthon Sai 5 area, in…

  • Bangkok: Thai man arrested for exploiting schoolgirl via dating app

    Bangkok: Thai man arrested for exploiting schoolgirl via dating app

    Police apprehended a man exploiting a 16 year old schoolgirl through a dating app, producing and distributing explicit videos for profit, earning up to 30,000 baht monthly. Bangkok police, led by Police Major General Saruti Kwangsopa, arrested 25 year old Naphadol, also known as Ohmmy Aklok, under charges of human trafficking and the production or distribution of child pornography. The arrest…

  • Food Republic to close last Thai branch on November 22

    Food Republic to close last Thai branch on November 22

    Food Republic’s final branch in Thailand, located at Central Plaza Grand Rama IX, will close its doors on November 22. The company expressed gratitude to its loyal customers in a Facebook post, marking the end of an era for the popular food court chain. Food Republic has been a well-known name in the food court industry, originally hailing from Singapore.…

  • Intoxicated Thai man berates MRT rescue team after escalator fall

    Intoxicated Thai man berates MRT rescue team after escalator fall

    A Thai man, reportedly intoxicated, fell down the escalator at Phahon Yothin MRT station, only to berate rescue personnel who came to his aid, claiming to be a high-profile journalist. The incident was reported by a Facebook page, where MRT Phahon Yothin station staff detailed the events. According to the post, the incident occurred around 2pm yesterday when the intoxicated…

  • Thaksin-era furniture returns as Paetongtarn takes office

    Thaksin-era furniture returns as Paetongtarn takes office

    The iconic furniture from Thaksin Shinawatra’s administration has been reinstated in the Prime Minister’s office, just in time for his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to take the reins as Thailand’s youngest premier. The sofa set and wooden desk, once the centrepieces of the PM’s office during Thaksin’s tenure (2001-2006), were returned today to their original spots in the Thai Khu Fah…

  • Thai police seize crystal meth stash hidden in cement ware

    Thai police seize crystal meth stash hidden in cement ware

    Thai police scored a major win against international drug traffickers after uncovering a massive stash of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) hidden in decorative cement items at Bangkok Port. The drug bust was carried out by the Seaport Interdiction Task Force (SITF) on Wednesday, August 21. During a routine inspection at the Khlong Toei district, officers stumbled upon two suspicious boxes in…

  • Thai Art Toy Fest comes to Bangkok this weekend

    Thai Art Toy Fest comes to Bangkok this weekend

    The IconSiam shopping complex is the place to be this weekend as the Thai Art Toy Fest kicks off tomorrow. The exhibition showcases Thailand’s rich heritage, all through the lens of art toys. Brought to you by a powerhouse collaboration between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), IconSiam, and DDD Collectible Art Toys, the event will feature over 80 art…

  • Bangkok restaurant owner accused of trying to slap foreign tourists

    Bangkok restaurant owner accused of trying to slap foreign tourists

    A Thai tour guide accused the owner of a Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant in Bangkok of attempting to slap foreign tourists after a reservation dispute. The Facebook user, Burapa Seiko, shared the story on the Facebook page, พวกเราคือผู้บริโภค (meaning “we are consumers”), yesterday, August 22. He introduced himself as a tour guide who provides services to foreigners travelling in Thailand. Burapa…

  • Thailand’s Nam Wa bananas go ‘bananas’ as prices soar

    Thailand’s Nam Wa bananas go ‘bananas’ as prices soar

    The price of Nam Wa bananas, also known as sugar bananas, has surged to a staggering 60 baht per bunch. Once a staple in Thai households, this beloved fruit is inching closer to becoming a luxury item, with experts predicting a further rise to 80 baht per bunch. For nearly a month, vendors and consumers alike have been grappling with…

  • Woman in Bangkok dies after argument during TikTok livestream

    Woman in Bangkok dies after argument during TikTok livestream

    A tragic incident unfolded early today when a woman fell to her death from the fourth floor of a residential building in Bangkok after a heated argument with her husband. The argument began when the husband attempted livestreaming a nude video on TikTok. At around 3.30am, today, August 23, police were alerted to the incident in a community in Bang…

  • Asia on alert: Deadly new mpox strain hits Thailand

    Asia on alert: Deadly new mpox strain hits Thailand

    Thailand confirmed its first case of a potentially deadlier strain of mpox, marking Asia’s first encounter with the virus variant known as Clade 1b. This alarming development follows hot on the heels of the first reported case outside Africa, in Sweden, just a week ago. The infected individual, a 66 year old European man, arrived in Bangkok from an undisclosed…

  • Thai cops ‘bud’ out Taiwanese cannabis smugglers in Bangkok bust

    Thai cops ‘bud’ out Taiwanese cannabis smugglers in Bangkok bust

    Immigration officials in Thailand, in collaboration with other agencies, snagged two Taiwanese nationals in a high-stakes cannabis smuggling operation. The suspects were arrested in Bangkok’s Bang Rak and Din Daeng districts and now face serious charges for planning to export a controlled drug without permission and overstaying their visas. The bust came after a tip-off from a vigilant citizen who…

  • No need to panic, flood’s just a ‘ripple’ in northern Thailand

    No need to panic, flood’s just a ‘ripple’ in northern Thailand

    The Government of Thailand urged residents not to panic after the recent deluge in the north of the country, adding it won’t flood Bangkok or its neighbouring provinces. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai declared that the caretaker administration has everything under control. With waters wreaking havoc in Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, and Sukhothai, the emergency services are stepping up…

  • Bangkok jewellery fair set to sparkle with 3.5 billion baht in revenue

    Bangkok jewellery fair set to sparkle with 3.5 billion baht in revenue

    The upcoming 70th Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair is gearing up to dazzle with an expected revenue haul of at least 3.5 billion baht, according to the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand (GIT). This glittering event, scheduled from September 9 to 13 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), is…

  • Thailand urged to subsidise public transport with vehicle tax funds

    Thailand urged to subsidise public transport with vehicle tax funds

    The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) urged the government to subsidise public transport fares using funds sourced from taxes on personal vehicles, land, and windfall profits. This recommendation emerged during the inaugural meeting of the Consumer Council for Public Transportation Users, aimed at developing a safer and fairer public transport system through collaborative guidelines and projects. TCC President Boonyeun Siritham highlighted…

  • 8 South Korean men arrested in Bangkok for call centre scam

    8 South Korean men arrested in Bangkok for call centre scam

    Immigration Bureau officers yesterday arrested eight South Korean men at a luxury condominium in Bangkok for using the condo to run a call centre scam, swindling money from fellow South Korean nationals residing in Thailand. Officers received a tip-off from an informant that South Korean nationals used a condominium in Soi Ekkamai 3, in Bangkok’s Wattana district to run the…

  • Suvarnabhumi Airport gears up for third runway trials

    Suvarnabhumi Airport gears up for third runway trials

    Suvarnabhumi International Airport is pulling out all the stops to ensure its much-anticipated third runway is ready for prime time later this year. With support from the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), the Bangkok airport conducted extensive trial operations to guarantee the runway’s readiness to handle a significant increase in air traffic. To test every aspect of the new runway,…

  • Doctor charged for assaulting, stripping teenage boy in Bangkok

    Doctor charged for assaulting, stripping teenage boy in Bangkok

    Prosecutors have formally charged four individuals, including a doctor, for allegedly assaulting a 14 year old boy in Lak Si district, Bangkok and forcing him to strip. Evidence will be reviewed on December 9. The defendants have been granted temporary release. The Office of the Special Prosecutor for Criminal Cases 4 submitted a lawsuit against Doctor Weerayuth Naenna, Doctor Weerayut…

  • Teen arrested in Bangkok with homemade gun for self-defence

    Teen arrested in Bangkok with homemade gun for self-defence

    Police in Saimai apprehended a 16 year old boy found carrying a firearm on the side of the road. He claimed he was carrying the weapon for self-defence. A background check revealed previous charges of assault and attempted murder. At 9pm, yesterday, August 21, Police Colonel Rangsan Sonsing, Superintendent of Saimai Police Station, along with Deputy Superintendent Sanchai Sirirat and…

  • Thai delivery rider’s ghostly order leaves taste of mystery

    Thai delivery rider’s ghostly order leaves taste of mystery

    A Thai food delivery rider in Bangkok recounted his eerie experience to the public, claiming that he received an order from a dead police officer. The delivery rider, 30 year old Suttinai Khamchuen, shared with Channel 7 that he works two jobs as a volunteer rescuer and a Bolt delivery rider. The strange and spooky incident occurred at around 7.30pm…

  • Slapgate scandal: Prawit faces ethics inquiry

    Slapgate scandal: Prawit faces ethics inquiry

    Thailand’s political scene has been rocked by an incident involving Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader, General Prawit Wongsuwon. The former deputy prime minister is now facing calls for an ethics inquiry after being caught on video slapping a reporter during a tense exchange last Friday. The News Broadcasting Council of Thailand (NBCT) and the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association have formally…

  • Thai PM Paetongtarn’s star-studded birthday bash

    Thai PM Paetongtarn’s star-studded birthday bash

    Pheu Thai’s 141 MPs gathered yesterday to honour their leader, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on the eve of her 38th birthday. The event, which doubled as a heartfelt thank you to her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, was held a day before Paetongtarn’s actual birthday at the party’s headquarters in the Shinawatra 3 Building. Paetongtarn, who officially turns 38 today, kicked off…

  • Bangkok teacher arrested for meth distribution from luxury condo

    Bangkok teacher arrested for meth distribution from luxury condo

    Police in Bangkok arrested a former secondary school teacher, at a luxury condominium on Pattanakarn Road in Suan Luang district, for allegedly distributing methamphetamine. The arrest occurred yesterday, August 20, after a detailed investigation revealed the former teacher’s involvement in drug trafficking from his condo. Officers from the Special Investigations Division and the Crime Analysis and Special Tools Division of…

  • Laotian painter falls to death from 49th floor in Bangkok

    Laotian painter falls to death from 49th floor in Bangkok

    A 30 year old painter tragically fell to his death from the 49th floor of a building under renovation on Sukhumvit Soi 64/2 in Bangkok. The incident occurred yesterday, August 20, at 2.30pm, leading to an immediate police response. Police Lieutenant Somphob Khemakanok from the Phra Khanong Police Station received the report of the fatal fall. Upon arrival at the…

  • New train service to link Bangkok and Penang in three months

    New train service to link Bangkok and Penang in three months

    Thailand will launch a new train service linking Bang Sue in Bangkok to Penang, Malaysia, within the next two to three months. The initial phase will be a six-month trial period, marking a significant step in cross-border transportation. The announcement was made yesterday, August 20, by Ekarat Sriarayapong, head of the Governor’s Office of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).…

  • Bangkok bus stop assault raises public safety concerns

    Bangkok bus stop assault raises public safety concerns

    A young woman shared her harrowing experience of being assaulted at a bus stop in Bangkok, vowing never to take a bus again. This incident, which she posted about on TikTok yesterday, August 20, has left her deeply shaken and questioning her safety in public spaces. A TikTok user, @dr.fk.surgeon, recounted a distressing event while taking her younger sister on…

  • Thai AirAsia X launches new Sydney-Bangkok route

    Thai AirAsia X launches new Sydney-Bangkok route

    Thai AirAsia X announces new direct flights between Sydney and Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Beginning December 2, these flights will operate six times a week, offering an attractive blend of convenience and affordability. With one-way fares starting at just 333 Australian dollars (around 7,600 baht), passengers can now book between August 19 and 25, for travel beginning in December.…

  • Tang Hua Seng faces decline after 62 years in Thonburi

    Tang Hua Seng faces decline after 62 years in Thonburi

    The renowned Tang Hua Seng Department Store, a beloved shopping destination in Thonburi for 62 years, currently faces a worrying decline in customer numbers. Recent images shared online reflect its increasingly desolate state, prompting fears of its potential closure. Tang Hua Seng, with its two branches in Thonburi and Bang Lamphu, has been a staple for many residents. A recent…