Bangkok News

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  • Fake Thai monk’s gamble goes bust in Bangkok mall

    Fake Thai monk’s gamble goes bust in Bangkok mall

    Police arrested a fake Thai monk at a bank within a shopping mall in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok yesterday, October 3, for scamming money from Buddhists to clear his gambling debts. Ironically named “Duangdee,” which translates to “good fortune” in Thai, this bogus monk’s luck ran out as he was apprehended outside Krungthai Bank in Central Lat Phrao shopping…

  • Chadchart paves way for smoother days ahead on Sukhumvit Road

    Chadchart paves way for smoother days ahead on Sukhumvit Road

    Bangkok’s streets are in for a major overhaul, and not a moment too soon. Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, along with Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompon, inspected Sukhumvit Soi 23 in Watthana district on Wednesday, October 2, highlighting some glaring urban headaches. Top of the list? The road surface. It’s been damaged by water pipe installations and shoddy temporary repairs made during leak…

  • Bangkok races ahead: Minister shifts gears for F1 street spectacle

    Bangkok races ahead: Minister shifts gears for F1 street spectacle

    Bangkok might soon be revving its engines as Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong, vows to secure a Formula 1 (F1) street race in the capital. Sorawong is working hard to finalise the deal by the end of this year, after holding talks with Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body of F1. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is…

  • Thief gets carted away: Salt-and-battery in Bangkok bust

    Thief gets carted away: Salt-and-battery in Bangkok bust

    Police in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district arrested a Thai man along with his trusty red tricycle cart. The suspect had been masquerading as a salt seller while secretly breaking into unattended homes in the area to steal valuables. Police officials received a report today, October 4, from the local community that homes were being robbed during the day when residents…

  • Cabbie chaos: Thai app rider punches cop in Bangkok (video)

    Cabbie chaos: Thai app rider punches cop in Bangkok (video)

    A Thai app-based taxi rider physically assaulted a police officer and damaged his car, claiming the cop was responsible for an earlier road accident in Bangkok. The footage of the physical assault on 30 year old Police Corporal Wirodom Najaiboon, from the Protection and Crowd Control Division, went viral on Thai social media and was shared by many news outlets.…

  • Thai activist-turned-filmmaker takes home top award

    Thai activist-turned-filmmaker takes home top award

    Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, best known for taking on the Thai establishment as a student activist, has swapped protest placards for a camera, earning him a prestigious film accolade. His co-produced documentary, The Last Breath of Sam Yan, claimed Best Documentary Film at the 2023 Suphannahong Awards, bringing attention to an ongoing battle over Bangkok’s cultural heritage. The documentary, directed by Prempapat…

  • Pheu Thai hits the brakes on Amnesty push

    Pheu Thai hits the brakes on Amnesty push

    The Pheu Thai Party has put the brakes on its push for an Amnesty Bill, aware that it could spark a political storm and risk the stability of its already fragile coalition government. The ruling party, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is walking a tightrope, as opposition from the Senate looms large. Despite holding a slim majority in Parliament,…

  • Bangkok safe from floods despite heavy rain, says PM

    Bangkok safe from floods despite heavy rain, says PM

    Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra assured the public that Bangkok will remain safe from flooding, noting that the current rainfall levels are significantly lower than those experienced during the devastating floods of 2011. The Thai premier reviewed the water situation yesterday, October 2, at the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi. She highlighted that while Thailand was…

  • New opposition leader takes the helm after party collapse

    New opposition leader takes the helm after party collapse

    People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has officially taken on the role of opposition leader, following a royal command issued by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua. This appointment, made on September 25, marks the beginning of a crucial chapter for Natthaphong and the People’s Party, as they step into the role of holding the government to account. The royal…

  • Bangkok police arrest man for receiving stolen tower batteries

    Bangkok police arrest man for receiving stolen tower batteries

    Police in Bangkok apprehended a suspect in connection with receiving stolen property, specifically stolen phone tower batteries. The suspect claims he did not purchase the items but received them from a customer for repair. Police Major General Teeradej Thamsutee, along with officers from the Investigative Division 4, Bureau of Investigation, yesterday, October 2, arrested 49 year old Ekasit, who was…

  • Cat’s out of the bag: Tomboy’s stolen car ride ends in Bangkok arrest (video)

    Cat’s out of the bag: Tomboy’s stolen car ride ends in Bangkok arrest (video)

    Police swooped in yesterday to arrest a Thai tomboy struggling with mental health issues in a car park at an apartment in the Lat Phrao district of Bangkok after she stole a car, complete with a pet cat inside, from a shopping mall in the Ratchada area. Footage of security guards desperately trying to stop the black Honda HRV from speeding out of…

  • Bangkok drug bust seizes meth worth 100m baht, three arrested

    Bangkok drug bust seizes meth worth 100m baht, three arrested

    A major drug bust in Bangkok led to the arrest of three alleged members of a substantial drug network, with methamphetamine (meth) pills and crystal meth worth over 100 million baht seized. Police Lieutenant General Samran Nuanma, assistant national police chief, and senior police officials, announced the operation at the Metropolitan Police Bureau office yesterday, October 2. The suspects, identified…

  • Google invests 36 billion baht to boost Thai cloud and AI services

    Google invests 36 billion baht to boost Thai cloud and AI services

    Google committed to a significant investment of 36 billion baht to expand its cloud infrastructure and data centres in Bangkok and Chon Buri, announced on Monday, September 30. Ruth Porat, the President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, highlighted that this expansion aims to meet the growing demand for cloud services in Southeast Asia and globally, while also…

  • From idol to outcast: Thaksin devotee switches allegiances

    From idol to outcast: Thaksin devotee switches allegiances

    Once a die-hard fan of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a 60 year old Thai woman went as far as travelling from Thailand to the UAE just to see her political hero during his self-imposed exile. Armed with gifts, letters, and a banner, Podjanin Towatrakool wept upon meeting Thaksin in 2009, hugging him and calling him “father.” She even…

  • BMA assesses Thon Buri historical sites to boost tourism

    BMA assesses Thon Buri historical sites to boost tourism

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) embarked on a comprehensive assessment of historical sites in Thon Buri to promote tourism and bolster the city development plan. Thaiwut Khankaew, director of the BMA’s City Planning and Development Department, stated that his team, alongside A-Seven Corporation, a consultancy firm, recently visited numerous communities and landmarks. Their objective is to enhance land use potential…

  • Filler fiasco: Fake doc’s botched injections leave dentist’s family disfigured

    Filler fiasco: Fake doc’s botched injections leave dentist’s family disfigured

    A Thai dentist and her family members are seeking compensation from an illegal beauty clinic in Bangkok, owned by a fake doctor, after suffering disfigurement from filler injections. The unnamed dentist visited the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) office yesterday, October 1, together with her sister and mother, to file a complaint against the fake doctor who illegally operated a beauty…

  • Raid & seek: Bangkok cops bust contraband in Chinese minimarts

    Raid & seek: Bangkok cops bust contraband in Chinese minimarts

    Police in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district recently conducted a significant raid on 10 Chinese-owned minimarts, following complaints from local businesses about the influx of contraband foreign goods. Health and anti-money laundering officials, along with local police, spearheaded the operation. The Network for Thai Entrepreneur Protection had earlier lodged a complaint asserting that these convenience stores were selling smuggled consumer goods.…

  • Paetongtarn’s anti-graft lawsuit over 30% stake rocks government

    Paetongtarn’s anti-graft lawsuit over 30% stake rocks government

    In a fresh scandal targeting Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, political firebrand Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), accusing her of violating anti-graft laws by holding a significant company stake post-election. Ruangkrai claimed that Paetongtarn retained a 30% stake in Alpine Golf and Sports Club after being appointed PM in August. According to Ruangkrai, the…

  • Thai AirAsia X switches all flights to Don Mueang Airport

    Thai AirAsia X switches all flights to Don Mueang Airport

    Thai AirAsia X has switched all its international flights back to Don Mueang Airport, effective yesterday, October 1. If you’re jetting off to Japan, South Korea, China, or Australia, you’d better double-check your flight details—or risk turning up at the wrong airport. All flights under Thai AirAsia X (code XJ) to popular destinations like Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Nagoya, Seoul, Shanghai,…

  • Activist faces extradition to Vietnam: Thai court

    Activist faces extradition to Vietnam: Thai court

    A Thai court sparked international outrage by ordering the extradition of a Vietnamese activist, despite fears he could face grave danger if returned to his home country. The Bangkok Criminal Court granted Vietnam’s request to extradite 32 year old Y Quynh Bdap, a co-founder of the Montagnards Stand for Justice group on September 30. Bdap was detained in Bangkok in June…

  • Malaysian couple vanishes after Bangkok layover

    Malaysian couple vanishes after Bangkok layover

    A young couple from Penang, Malaysia, has mysteriously disappeared, leaving their families in turmoil after a layover in Bangkok more than three weeks ago. The missing pair, 21 year old Wu Mingson and his 23 year old girlfriend Wu Yingying, have not been heard from since early September. The chilling details have been shared by Mingson’s cousin, Shii Yiing Tan,…

  • PTT station to lower petrol prices, diesel remains unchanged

    PTT station to lower petrol prices, diesel remains unchanged

    PTT Station will lower petrol prices today, while diesel prices remain unchanged. PTT Station announced a reduction in retail petrol prices by 30 satang per litre across all types of gasoline yesterday, September 30. This change will take effect from 5am today, October 1. Petrol prices will be adjusted as follows: gasoline will be 43.14 baht per litre, Gasohol 95…

  • Thai Airways flight runs off runway in Bangkok storm scare

    Thai Airways flight runs off runway in Bangkok storm scare

    Passengers on a Thai Airways (THAI) flight got more excitement than they bargained for when their Airbus A350-900 temporarily veered off the runway upon landing in Bangkok, causing a serious incident and damaging runway edge lights. THAI flight TG466, arriving from Melbourne on September 14, was making a standard approach to runway 19L at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) when things…

  • Thai deputy superintendent commits suicide at Bangkok police station

    Thai deputy superintendent commits suicide at Bangkok police station

    A deputy superintendent tragically committed suicide yesterday at Udomsuk Police Station, in Bangkok. The senior officer’s heartbreaking decision is believed to be driven by a valiant struggle with depression and debilitating congenital diseases. Police officers on duty heard a gunshot from the second floor of the police station yesterday, September 30, and rushed to investigate. In the office of the…

  • Thai actress slams police inaction after Russian assaults brother

    Thai actress slams police inaction after Russian assaults brother

    A Thai actress criticised the police for their inaction and bias after a Russian man physically assaulted her younger brother. The police later asked her and her family to drop the case to maintain the country’s appeal to foreign tourists. The well-known Thai actress Chalida “Mint” Wijitvongthong, came forward to seek justice for her younger brother, 30 year old Rachan…

  • EC dismisses complaints for party dissolution, insufficient evidence

    EC dismisses complaints for party dissolution, insufficient evidence

    The Election Commission (EC) has dismissed two of over ten complaints calling for the dissolution of certain political parties and the removal of the prime minister and some Cabinet members due to insufficient information. Sawaeng Boonmee, the EC Secretary-General, stated that the office received more than ten complaints since the new government was established but two have been rejected. He…

  • Man arrested for brandishing knife and cannabis on Bangkok bus

    Man arrested for brandishing knife and cannabis on Bangkok bus

    A 19 year old man was arrested by traffic police for brandishing a knife and causing a disturbance on a bus, heading towards an expressway. Upon searching his bag, police found cannabis, drug paraphernalia, and additional knives. Traffic police apprehended the suspect at approximately 1pm yesterday near the Phahonyothin 1 expressway exit in Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok. The operation was…

  • Bangkok residents invited to apply as lottery draw officials

    Bangkok residents invited to apply as lottery draw officials

    The Government Lottery Office (GLO) has announced an opportunity for the public to become lottery draw officials, with applications open until late next month. Residents of Bangkok and its metropolitan areas may apply. The GLO shared a post via Facebook yesterday, September 27 inviting the public to join as officials for the lottery draw. The recruitment message specified the following…

  • Thailand’s 20-billion-baht airport expressway takes off in 2030

    Thailand’s 20-billion-baht airport expressway takes off in 2030

    The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is gearing up to launch public-private partnerships (PPPs) next year for the ambitious 20-billion-baht Srinakarin-Suvarnabhumi Airport expressway project. With an anticipated opening in 2030, this project is poised to streamline access to the bustling Suvarnabhumi Airport, enhancing the travel experience for both locals and tourists alike. EXAT Deputy Governor Katpachon Udomthampakdee, recently led the…

  • New centre in Thailand aims for tier 1 status in trafficking fight

    New centre in Thailand aims for tier 1 status in trafficking fight

    In a high-stakes move to bolster its international standing, Thailand has opened a new centre aimed at tackling human trafficking, with eyes set on earning the coveted Tier 1 spot in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) ranking. The Thailand Victim Identification and Referral Centre, located in Don Mueang district, is part of a nationwide effort to curb…