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...

  • “Don’t wait, get checked”: Free lung cancer X-rays in Bangkok until Sunday

    “Don’t wait, get checked”: Free lung cancer X-rays in Bangkok until Sunday

    You can get a free lung X-ray scan on the first floor at CentralWorld in Bangkok until Sunday. Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Thailand, so one hospital is running a campaign called “Don’t Wait, Get Checked” to try to detect lung cancer in its early stages. With the help of AI technology, you can…

  • Lost cat with a 300,000 baht reward FOUND near home in Nonthaburi

    Lost cat with a 300,000 baht reward FOUND near home in Nonthaburi

    Who let the cat out? A chubby kitty who ran away has wandered back home all on her own (as some cats do). Manee, a Scottish Fold, had been missing since Sunday, until 1am yesterday, when a security guard at a residential compound in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok, spotted her and she dashed into a neighbour’s home. She was…

  • Police seize 100 fake visa documents and work permits offered for Thais to work aboard

    Police seize 100 fake visa documents and work permits offered for Thais to work aboard

    The Immigration Bureau reports that they raided a Bangkok company that allegedly offered fake documents and visas for Thai people who wanted to work aboard. The officers say they found counterfeit documents for submitting to the embassy and fake work permits for applying for work with more than 60 companies in foreign countries. Yesterday, the immigration police reported that their…

  • New west-side Bangkok hospital rail lines delayed

    New west-side Bangkok hospital rail lines delayed

    Thailand’s transport ministry announced yesterday that two new Bangkok rail lines have been delayed. The lines are the SRT’s Light Red Line, and the MRTA’s Orange Line, both of which will connect with Siriraj Hospital. The ministry’s permanent secretary said the two transit lines have not yet been built as the ministry is still working on a feasibility study. He…

  • 10 more women accuse embattled politician Prinn of sexual abuse in Bangkok

    10 more women accuse embattled politician Prinn of sexual abuse in Bangkok

    Ten more women have come forth to accuse former Democrat Party deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi of sexual abuse, as the sex scandal involving a senior politician continues to grow. The latest accuser, who has been described as a “well-known” 30 year old woman, alleged that Prinn had sexually assaulted her 14 years ago, about four months after they first met.…

  • Portuguese expat reported missing found in Bangkok psychiatric ward

    Portuguese expat reported missing found in Bangkok psychiatric ward

    An expat resident of Bangkok, who was reported missing 9 days ago, has been found at a psychiatric ward in the capital. The 27 year old Portuguese national, Alexandre Freitas, was located at Somdet Chao Phraya Hospital, in the Khlong San district, after he was accused of stealing a pair of sunglasses from a shopping centre in the city. According…

  • New Bangkok monorails will be FREE in September

    New Bangkok monorails will be FREE in September

    In September, the new Yellow Line monorail train will begin testing between Lat Phrao and Samrong and the Pink Line monorail train will begin testing between Min Buri and Khae Rai. The Yellow Line is 92% completed, while the Pink Line is a step behind at 86%. Thailand’s Mass Rapid Transit Authority controls the monorail/skytrain services (MRTA). The routes and…

  • Two women stabbed with box cutter at CentralWorld shopping mall in Bangkok

    Two women stabbed with box cutter at CentralWorld shopping mall in Bangkok

    Yesterday, officers from Pathum Wan Police Station arrested a man who used a box cutter to stab two women at CentralWorld, a famous shopping mall in Bangkok. The suspect claimed he visited the mall to find a job and had no explanation for his actions. At about 4 pm, staff of the famous Bangkok shopping centre reported to the police…

  • Democrat party leader apologies, ‘accepts responsibility’ for Prinn’s sex scandal

    Democrat party leader apologies, ‘accepts responsibility’ for Prinn’s sex scandal

    Thailand’s Democrat party leader has publicly apologised and accepted responsibly for the high-profile sex scandal of Prinn Panitchpakdi, who stepped down last week as the party’s deputy leader, as a wave of sexual abuse and rape allegations mount against him. Speaking at a press conference at party headquarters in Bangkok on Monday, commerce minister Jurin Laksanawisit apologised on the party’s…

  • Arrest warrant issued for former Thailand PM Yingluck after she skips court date

    Arrest warrant issued for former Thailand PM Yingluck after she skips court date

    Thailand’s former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was issued an arrest warrant by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders on Tuesday, after she failed to appear at the court’s hearing for charges in a case filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, or NACC. Hardly a surprise, the former elected PM of Thailand fled the country in 2017 and…

  • 3 more women break their silence, adding to claims of Prinn’s alleged sexual abuse

    3 more women break their silence, adding to claims of Prinn’s alleged sexual abuse

    More potential #MeToo victims are coming out of the closet, as Thailand faces what may be the largest sex scandal involving a senior politician. On Monday, another three women filed complaints with police against former Democrat deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi, for a total of eight women who have officially accused him of sexual misconduct, according to a report by the…

  • Service Hall at Don Mueang Airport collapses in storm

    Service Hall at Don Mueang Airport collapses in storm

    A thunderstorm hit Bangkok yesterday, causing the Service Hall at Don Mueang International airport to collapse. The hall was built just one year ago but hasn’t yet been used due to low levels of international travel throughout the pandemic. No injuries or deaths were reported. Luckily there was no one in there at the time. The walls of the Service…

  • UPDATE: Former Democrat deputy leader now temporarily released, Bangkok

    UPDATE: Former Democrat deputy leader now temporarily released, Bangkok

    THE LATEST After agreeing this morning to temporarily detain the former deputy leader of the Democrat political party, the Bangkok South Criminal Court has temporarily released Prinn Panitchpakdi on bail on the condition that he wouldn’t leave the country without the court’s permission. The former deputy leader posted bail surety of 700,000 baht. Thailand’s Immigration Bureau was to be informed…

  • UPDATE: Bangkok court approves detention of former Democrat deputy leader

    UPDATE: Bangkok court approves detention of former Democrat deputy leader

    UPDATE After over 20 women came forward this week accusing former politician Prinn Panitchpakdi of sexually harassing and assaulting them, the Bangkok South Criminal Court has now approved detention for Prinn this morning (Sunday). Three of the alleged victims lodged complaints with Lumpini police, and the police requested that Prinn be detained for further questioning about the allegations. Prinn attended…

  • Alleged victim of sexual assault by politician withdraws from Bangkok election

    Alleged victim of sexual assault by politician withdraws from Bangkok election

    A woman who is alleging former Democrat party deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi raped her, has announced yesterday she was withdrawing from the Bangkok city councillor election. The woman, Anna Vidhyaphum, said in a Facebook post that she wanted to show that her accusation against Prinn is not politically motivated. Anna’s party, The Ruam Thai United party, issued a statement yesterday…

  • Easter Sunday: Where to go to church in Bangkok for Easter 2022 (English services)

    Easter Sunday: Where to go to church in Bangkok for Easter 2022 (English services)

    As Songkran celebrations wind down this weekend, Christians across Thailand are celebrating Easter. Here are some churches where you can attend an in-person English service in Bangkok this Easter Sunday… • Evangelical Church of Bangkok “We are an international church in the city center of Bangkok. No matter where you call home, you are welcome to fellowship and worship with…

  • Argument between Bangkok ‘Win’ drivers ends in a fatal shooting

    Argument between Bangkok ‘Win’ drivers ends in a fatal shooting

    A motorcycle taxi driver, aka. ‘win’ driver, has surrendered to Bangkok police after shooting and killing a fellow Win driver. The incident happened in the Prachacheun area, north of the Bangkok metropolis near Chatuchak. A CCTV video shows 53 year old Chatchai Sukjaidee travelling down Soi Sarmsuk in the Bang Sue area. But 44 year old Sompong called him back to the…

  • Democrat deputy leader quits party to fight accusations of sexual harassment

    Democrat deputy leader quits party to fight accusations of sexual harassment

    Thailand’s Democrat deputy leader, Prinn Panitchpakdi, announced his full and immediate resignation from the party on Thursday, in order to fight claims of sexual harassment claims, which he is denying. As of today, about 20 people have reported to police accusing Prinn of sexual assault, sexual harassment, or rape, according to Khaosod. During a press conference yesterday afternoon, he appeared…

  • Thailand deploys troops to Khao San Road to combat water splashing tourists – VIDEO

    Thailand deploys troops to Khao San Road to combat water splashing tourists – VIDEO

    Call in the troops! That’s been the response from Thailand’s government after reports of foreign tourists (you get bet there were plenty of locals in there as well) engaging in “dangerous water splashing behaviour” spread like wildfire on social media at the start of the Songkran festival, well Songkran eve to be precise. Bangkok authorities deployed the military, in addition…

  • Covid test confusion ruins UK family holiday to Thailand

    Covid test confusion ruins UK family holiday to Thailand

    An email with another sad outcome from possible risks, albeit small, that individuals and families face returning to Thailand at this time. The Thaiger receives at least a few of these sad stories every week. Names of individuals and locations been changed or withheld on the request of the author. My name is Pete Passport. I am a journalist and travel…

  • Scam bam thank you mam! Thai PBS anchor scammed out of 1 million baht.

    Scam bam thank you mam! Thai PBS anchor scammed out of 1 million baht.

    A Thai PBS TV anchor is the latest high-profile victim of phone scammers in Thailand. Thai PBS is a government-owned public broadcaster. Pattima Komolbawonkul posted on her Facebook that she had lost 1 million baht through a phone scam. She claims that the scammer posed as a Thai police officer from the Ranong police (just north of Phang Nga province).…

  • Bangkok gets the Sht Holiday treatment (their spelling, not ours)

    Bangkok gets the Sht Holiday treatment (their spelling, not ours)

    Sht holidays has blessed us with their withering review of the Thai capital. Some may wonder where exactly they visited when they cobbled together this unpleasant collection of Bangkok sex-tourism clichés. The Sht Holidays Facebook page only has 41,763 followers but does the same for tourism around the world as Rotten Tomatoes does for film-reviews. Clearly rather cynical ‘Aussie’ humour,…

  • UPDATE: Bangkok airport claims Test & Go crowding was temporary, problem already fixed

    UPDATE: Bangkok airport claims Test & Go crowding was temporary, problem already fixed

    Suvarnabhumi International Airport has responded to the complaint from a Thai YouTuber about the seemingly chaotic crowds of international travellers arriving under the Test & Go entry scheme on Sunday. He said that people coming into the arrivals hall didn’t know where to go, couldn’t find their hotel transport, the awaiting hotel shuttles were randomly crowded behind barriers and it…

  • Thai YouTuber complains about Test & Go: ‘Foreigners won’t come back if facing this…’

    Thai YouTuber complains about Test & Go: ‘Foreigners won’t come back if facing this…’

    After reportedly seeing crowds of tourists left waiting for hotels at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, a Thai YouTuber has voiced his discontent about Thailand’s unpopular Test & Go entry scheme. He said the system was a mess, with hotel staff having to shout to finding their guests, while tourists searched for the logos of their hotels, “as if they were playing…

  • BMC candidate reveals transparent ads to reduce car accidents, netizens disagree

    BMC candidate reveals transparent ads to reduce car accidents, netizens disagree

    One inventive candidate for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council has come up with a new design for campaign ads, saying his transparent banners would reduce car accidents. The candidate said such banners would not block the visibility of drivers, as they can see through the clear plastic material, unlike traditional banners. However, Thai netizens, who have been keen on clearing the…

  • Prayut advises Bangkok governor hopefuls on drainage system, population density

    Prayut advises Bangkok governor hopefuls on drainage system, population density

    Following a record registration of 31 candidates for Bangkok’s gubernatorial election, PM Prayut advises the future governor, whoever that will be, to continue solving the city’s problems. Prayut offered a few pointers on several pressing issues, including Bangkok’s drainage system and population density, saying, “May I offer moral support to all Bangkok governor candidates”. Prayut said in order to fix Bangkok…

  • Highest ever number of gubernatorial candidates register in Bangkok

    Highest ever number of gubernatorial candidates register in Bangkok

    The highest ever number of candidates, 31, have registered for Bangkok’s upcoming gubernatorial election on May 22. This will be the 11th gubernatorial election in Bangkok, and the first held in nine years. The chairman of Bangkok’s election commission said all candidates will be invited to the government complex on Chaeng Wattana tomorrow to be briefed on the election guidelines. Right…

  • City Guide: Rejuvenate yourself at EGEIRO Coffee in Ekamai, Bangkok

    City Guide: Rejuvenate yourself at EGEIRO Coffee in Ekamai, Bangkok

    Delicious and affordable hand-crafted coffee drinks made by a friendly barista and served with a smile — that’s EGEIRO Coffee in Ekamai. The cafe is located at 2-70 Soi Sukhumvit 42, Khwaeng Phra Khanong, Khet Khlong Toei, Bangkok. It’s about a 2 minute walk from BTS Ekamai station, across the street from Gateway Ekamai shopping mall and beside the YMCA.…

  • PM Prayut wants to fix Bangkok’s smelly canals

    PM Prayut wants to fix Bangkok’s smelly canals

    It’s no secret that Bangkok stinks. When you take a breath of “fresh air” on the street, it’s not rare for a concoction of barbecued chicken, pollution and sewage to enter your nose. Even after living in Bangkok for a number of years, the smell never gets any less pungent, especially in the summer months. The issue is untreated wastewater…

  • Thai netizens complain election banner forces Western woman in wheelchair into street

    Thai netizens complain election banner forces Western woman in wheelchair into street

    A video of a wheelchair user who got stuck on the sidewalk due to Bangkok’s governor election ads and had to take a dangerous detour into the street has gone viral on Thai Twitter. The incident follows many more complaints about the election banners, which have been blocking almost every sidewalk in Bangkok. The city’s banner bombardment has given Thai…