Bangkok News
Dive into the latest happenings in Bangkok with The Thaiger. Our team delivers up-to-date news, insightful analysis, and exclusive stories from the heart of Thailand’s dynamic capital. Keep your finger on the pulse of Bangkok’s ever-evolving political, economic, and cultural scene, as well as its thriving entertainment and nightlife. Stay informed about local events, transportation updates, and expat experiences in this vibrant metropolis.
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Sponsored Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers plenty of excitement and adventure, but the local healthcare system can be complex to navigate as an expat. From unique health risks to high costs at private hospitals, having a comprehensive health insurance plan is essential....
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Pita Limjaroenrat crowned ‘Politician of the Year’ in Isaan poll
Pita Limjaroenrat, the former helm of the Move Forward Party (MFP), has clinched the coveted title of Politician of the Year in a high-octane survey conducted by Isaan Poll. The political battleground witnessed Pita soaring ahead with a formidable 34% of support from the 2,156 respondents aged 18 years or more across the 20 provinces of the Northeast. Associcate Professor…
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Thai PM’s billion-baht lifestyle unveiled
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin opens up about his staggering wealth, leaving the public astonished at the opulence hidden behind the political curtain. Once a high-flying business magnate, 61 year old Srettha acknowledged his affluence. The PM attributed his riches to years of relentless work and astute investments. “I can’t deny that I am wealthy.” The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) disclosed…
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Bangkok grapples with severe air pollution despite New Year holiday lull
Despite the reduced traffic during the New Year holiday, Bangkok continues to battle severe air pollution issues. A total of 16 districts were marked as red zones due to significant health risks today, December 29. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) website revealed that at 8am, PM2.5 dust levels were recorded above 75 microgrammes per cubic metre (μg/m3)…
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Teenage Grab driver fatally stabbed in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district
An 18 year old Grab driver was fatally stabbed in the early morning today, December 29, in a major alleyway in Bangkok‘s Chatuchak district. Atit (last name withheld), who was outfitted with a label from a technical institute on his belt, was found with three head wounds and four body stab wounds. The scene of the crime, Ratchadaphisek Soi 36, also…
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Thai woman offers 2,000 baht reward for thief’s surrender after police inaction
A Thai woman is searching alone for a thief and offering a reward of 2,000 baht if the thief surrenders to her after officers at Bangpho Police Station ignored her case and delayed the investigation processes. The victim, Parichat, lost her wallet to a male thief on December 17 and reported the theft to Bangpho Police Station on the same…
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Bangkok public bus driver blames tuk tuk driver for crash that killed 1 and injured 3
A Thai public bus driver blamed a tuk tuk driver for an accident on Phetchaburi Road in Bangkok that killed one Thai man and injured three others last night, December 26. The electric public bus number 69 from the Smart Bus company crashed into a motorcycle on Phetchaburi Road at around 8pm yesterday. After hitting the motorcycle, the bus turned…
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Cambodian woman scalded by co-worker in Thailand in horrific attack
A Cambodian domestic worker in Thailand is battling severe facial injuries after an argument turned violent, with her Myanmar co-worker scalding her face with boiling water. Seeking justice, she reached out to the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok, sparking a diplomatic intervention in this distressing cross-border incident. Katta Orn, spokesman for the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training revealed that on…
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Zika virus spreads rapidly in Bangkok: Expert issues urgent warning
Professor Dr Yong Poovorawan, the leading expert from the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University, has sounded the alarm on the escalating Zika virus crisis in Bangkok. In a Facebook post today, December 27, Dr Yong disclosed that the virus, primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, is running rampant through the city, with symptoms mirroring those of dengue…
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3.48 trillion budget approved by Cabinet for next year
Prime Minister Srettha, in a post-Cabinet meeting press conference declared that the budget bill, meticulously scrutinised by the Office of Council of State, will be delivered for approval. Typically, budget bills are sealed and delivered before the fiscal year kicks off in October. However, this year’s extravaganza faced a dramatic delay, thanks to the intricate dance of forming a coalition…
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South Korean man arrested for smuggling endangered tortoises in Bangkok
Officers at the Wildlife Checkpoint at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok arrested a South Korean man on December 25, for attempting to smuggle seven radiated tortoises, an endangered species, out of Thailand. The chief of the checkpoint, Narongrit Sukprakarn, were checking passengers’ baggage at the international departures terminal on the third floor of the airport and spotted the suspicious…
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New Year gift baskets examined to ensure safety
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), alongside the Consumer Protection Board and other state agencies, was on a mission to expose potential dangers lurking in New Year gift baskets. Their crackdown involved a meticulous inspection of major shopping hubs, supermarkets, online retailers, and even alms-giving sets to ensure compliance with stringent Thai food safety regulations. BMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Wantanee Wattana,…
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Erawan Shrine: The bombing and astonishing comeback
Towering over the vibrant Ratchaprasong Square, Erawan Shrine, haven to the Hindu god Brahma outshines seven other shrines dedicated to deities like Ganesha, Trimurti, Uma, Lakshmi, Chatumaharajika, Indra, and Narayana. But amidst the spiritual serenity, tragedy struck in 2015, when the Erawan Shrine became the unexpected target of a bombing, claiming 20 lives and injuring 125. Shockingly, an ethnic Uighur…
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Update: Progressive social security triumphs in historic election
In a groundbreaking victory, the Progressive Social Security group clinched triumph in the nation’s inaugural Social Security Board (SSB) election on December 24, as the final vote count approached completion. The election, a pivotal moment in shaping the future of social security, saw the selection of 14 new board members by members of the Social Security Fund (SSF). Half of…
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PM’s festive fashion fiasco: Srettha Thavisin’s Christmas socks surprise
In a yuletide twist at Government House, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin turned heads yesterday, December 25, sporting eye-catching red and green Christmas socks that left reporters questioning their powers of observation. The festive saga unfolded when the prime minister breezed into the reporters’ room, bearing gifts of decadent Italian panettone, each weighing a generous 10 kilogrammes. The sweet and buttery…
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Thai industries battle tide of cheap imports: Government gears up for tough measures
In a bid to rescue Thailand‘s floundering manufacturing sector, the Thai government is gearing up for a fierce showdown against a deluge of low-priced imports that threaten to drown local industries. The Commerce Ministry’s crackdown, aimed primarily at products flooding in from China, promises to safeguard Thai manufacturers from the relentless assault on their market share. Thailand’s industrial output has…
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Thai MICE boom faces hurdles next year
Thailand‘s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) industry, once on the brink, surged back to 80% of its 2019 glory this year, however, a looming slowdown in 2024 raises eyebrows. Thailand’s MICE industry is poised for a remarkable recovery, reaching 80% of its pre-pandemic revenue in 2019. President of Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), Sumate Sudasna, highlights Thailand’s allure as…
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340 tonnes of seized narcotics to be burnt, says government
In an unprecedented move to combat the soaring drug crisis, 340 tonnes of seized narcotics are set to go up in flames at the Bang Pu Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan over a two-week operation commencing today, December 26. Led by Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong and Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, the ceremonious drug incineration aims to create…
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Bangkok driver warns of aggressive young windscreen washer
A Thai driver issued a warning to other motorists after a young windscreen washer showed violent behaviour and threatened him for refusing his windscreen washing service at Asoke Intersection in Bangkok. Anyone driving cars in Bangkok may be familiar with young boys or girls selling garlands or offering car window wiping services on roads. They seized opportunities of the heavy…
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WHO praises Thai cuisine for trans-fat removal
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently hailed Thailand‘s efforts in eliminating trans fat in its cuisine, placing the country alongside Denmark, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, and Poland. Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) luminary, Dr Narong Aphikulwanit, stated that the FDA’s commitment to vanquish trans fats has earned the country a top-tier accolade, which is a testament to their unwavering dedication…
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Thai BOI reveals game-changing green plan with 150 billion baht EV investment
The Board of Investment (BOI) of Thailand has declared its strategic vision for the next four years, placing a robust emphasis on the burgeoning sectors of bio, circular, and green (BCG) industries. Speaking passionately at the Go Thailand: Green Economy-Land Bridge forum in Bangkok, BOI secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi highlighted the global trend towards sustainability in business operations. “From BOI’s roadshow…
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Former Buddhist chief and executives charged with embezzling 30 million baht
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is set to charge a former head of the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) and two high-ranking executives with embezzling millions from temple budgets. The NACC, after green-lighting resolutions on two alleged temple embezzlement cases, is now preparing to unleash a legal storm upon the accused trio, led by ex-NOB chief Nopparat Benjawattananan. NACC Secretary-General…
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Thai AirAsia introduces direct flights to Shanghai
Thai AirAsia (FD) has officially announced its grand plan to kick off direct flights from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG). Scheduled for takeoff on February 2 next year, this airborne escapade is set to redefine your travel experience with five flights per week, courtesy of top-of-the-line Airbus A320 aircraft. Thai AirAsia X (XJ) might be familiar…
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Siriraj Hospital to upgrade elderly healthcare
Siriraj Hospital is set to unveil its Academic Centre of Geriatric Medicine, a game-changer for Thai elders’ healthcare. With Thailand hurtling towards a super-aged society, this initiative, in collaboration with Minor Food Group, promises to reshape the future of healthcare. At a press conference yesterday, December 21, Wisit Vamvanij, Siriraj’s deputy dean, revealed the hospital’s ambitious plan. “Thailand is on…
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Thai economy set to boom with 106 billion baht splash with new year expenses
The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) predicts a staggering 106 billion baht surge in consumer spending during the upcoming New Year festivities – a four-year high that could inject new life into the nation’s financial veins. President Thanavath Phonvichai, the maestro behind this optimistic symphony, attributes the spending spree to the government’s strategic new year’s gift measures.…
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Listening devices found at MCOT headquarters
Authorities unearthed concealed listening devices strategically placed within the conference rooms of Thailand‘s Mass Communication Organisation (MCOT) yesterday, December 21. The discovery took place during a thorough sweep of the MCOT headquarters. The eavesdropping devices, cunningly planted in the rooms designated for MCOT board meetings, sent shockwaves through the media landscape. The police, accompanied by forensic experts, meticulously combed through…
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Thailand surges towards marriage equality for same-sex couples
In a landmark moment for equality, Thailand‘s lawmakers have taken a giant leap towards embracing same-sex unions, passing not one but four groundbreaking bills on marriage equality in their initial reading. With an overwhelming 360 to 10 majority and one abstention, the House of Representatives paved the way for Thailand to potentially become the first ASEAN nation to legally recognise…
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Vietnamese man arrested for illegally operating beauty clinic in Bangkok condo
Officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) arrested a Vietnamese man for turning a condominium in Bangkok into a beauty clinic and illegally providing beauty services without a permit. CPPD officers received a report that a Facebook user of a Vietnamese man advertised a beauty clinic in Bangkok. The complainant was unsure whether the beauty clinic was legal or…
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Bangkok BTS accepts WeChat Pay
In a move set to revolutionise the travel experience for Chinese tourists in Bangkok, the city’s iconic BTS Skytrain has opened its gates to the Chinese WeChat Pay. Tourists will be able to enjoy a seamless journey across the vibrant city as this alternative payment option takes centre stage at every ticket vending machine across all 68 stations on the…
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Thai PM and Interior Minister slam brakes on gun licences until December 2024
In a bid to quell the rising tide of shooting tragedies, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul have issued a joint directive, temporarily halting the issuance of gun licences until December 19, 2024. The move, effective yesterday, December 20, was officially announced by Traisulee Traisoranakul, deputy government spokesperson, who revealed that the directive had been published in…
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Thai artist’s ethical odyssey: Morals across time and culture
In a riveting solo exhibition, Thai artist Sakarin Krue-On intricately weaves the tapestry of human morality, transcending temporal and cultural confines. Rather than a scathing critique of progress or tradition, his art masterfully unveils the intricate web of consequences arising from our choices, encouraging introspection on the pivotal moments where good and evil collide, irrespective of cultural or temporal backdrops. At…
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