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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    How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?

    Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....

  • Police arrest key figure in Bangkok drug network

    Police arrest key figure in Bangkok drug network

    Investigators from Metropolitan Police Division 8 arrested a 28 year old man identified as a key figure in a drug network in the Wang Thonglang area of Bangkok. They seized a large quantity of drugs, including 7 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and 42 kilogrammes of ketamine. The arrest took place around 6am on May 13 on Soi Ramkhamhaeng 21, Intersection…

  • Bangkok siege as gunman goes on rampage over lost lover

    Bangkok siege as gunman goes on rampage over lost lover

    A boozed-up gunman brought terror to a Bangkok neighbourhood this morning, firing wildly into the sky and taking six terrified hostages, all in a crazed bid to find his missing girlfriend. Panic gripped Soi Wat Lakhon Tham in the Ban Chang Lo subdistrict around 9.45am today, May 15, when the gunman, a 31 year old Thai man, Tae, went on…

  • Man apprehended in Bangkok over indecent filming charges

    Man apprehended in Bangkok over indecent filming charges

    A 34 year old man was apprehended at a condominium in Bang Sue, Bangkok, following an investigation into allegations of indecent acts. Pirapong was charged under a Nakhon Si Thammarat court warrant for inappropriate behaviour towards people over 15 years old, using force in a public setting, which caused distress and humiliation. The incident occurred in 2023 when a 30 year…

  • Audit and buried: Bangkok earthquake horror sparks 17 arrest bids

    Audit and buried: Bangkok earthquake horror sparks 17 arrest bids

    Bangkok cops are gunning for 17 suspects over the deadly collapse of a 30-storey government tower during the March 28 earthquake, with a damning probe pointing fingers at engineers, site managers and bosses from the firms behind the doomed build. Those facing arrest include execs from Italian-Thai Development and China Railway No.10 Engineering Group, whose joint venture was constructing the…

  • Man arrested in Bangkok for exploiting youths in trafficking scam

    Man arrested in Bangkok for exploiting youths in trafficking scam

    Police apprehended a 20 year old man in Din Daeng, Bangkok, linked to a human trafficking operation exploiting youths via Facebook. Police revealed that the suspect, along with four accomplices, falsely promised lucrative overseas jobs, leading to the victims being recruited by a call centre gang. Abdul Waris, yesterday, May 12, was arrested under a warrant from Phitsanulok provincial court dated…

  • Laotian woman dies in Bangkok house fire, 4 others escape safely

    Laotian woman dies in Bangkok house fire, 4 others escape safely

    A Laotian woman lost her life after a fire broke out at her family home in the Bang Khun Thian district of Bangkok in the early hours of this morning. Four other family members sustained injuries in the fire today, May 13. Tha Kham Police Station and the Bang Khun Thian district firefighter team were alerted to the blaze at…

  • Baht to the future: 20 baht Bangkok train fare plan on fast track

    Baht to the future: 20 baht Bangkok train fare plan on fast track

    Bangkok commuters could soon be zipping across the city’s electric rail network for just 20 baht a ride, no matter how far they go, as the government pushes ahead with its wallet-friendly fare cap. The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) officially proposed a flat-rate fare ceiling of 20 baht for all electric train services, with Cabinet approval expected later this…

  • Myanmar man arrested for murder of Bangkok gym owner

    Myanmar man arrested for murder of Bangkok gym owner

    A 23 year old Myanmar national has been apprehended for the alleged murder of a fitness centre owner in Bangkok. The incident occurred after the suspect, Saihan, reportedly threatened his pregnant wife, leading to a deadly confrontation when he attempted to enter her employer’s home. Police Colonel Thitipong Siya, along with Police Colonel Pramote Chanbungkaew, led the investigation team from…

  • Bangkok Pride 2025: Right to Love Celebrations Announced

    Bangkok Pride 2025: Right to Love Celebrations Announced

    Organisers are preparing for the Bangkok Pride Festival 2025, themed The Celebration: Right to Love, scheduled from May 30 to June 30. The highlight will be the Pride Parade on June 1. A press conference held on May 6 introduced the event’s co-organisers, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Bangkok…

  • Manhunt in Bangkok for suspect in fatal shooting of gym owner

    Manhunt in Bangkok for suspect in fatal shooting of gym owner

    A 23 year old man from Myanmar is being pursued by police following the fatal shooting of a 70 year old fitness centre owner in Bangkok. The incident occurred after the suspect allegedly seized the victim’s firearm. The suspect then fled in the victim’s car towards Rangsit, prompting an intensive manhunt by law enforcement. The incident came to light on…

  • Last night’s Bangkok furniture factory fire rages on

    Last night’s Bangkok furniture factory fire rages on

    A fire erupted at a furniture factory on Chalong Krung Road in Bangkok last night, May 11, raising concerns about the potential collapse of the building. The blaze originated in the basement before spreading to several nearby communities with intense heat and significant smoke. The incident occurred at a furniture factory located in a two-storey structure with a basement used…

  • Bangkok police pursue suspects in Soi Pattanakarn shootings

    Bangkok police pursue suspects in Soi Pattanakarn shootings

    Police officials in Bangkok are investigating two shooting incidents that occurred in Soi Pattanakarn 32, with efforts underway to secure arrest warrants for suspects believed to number between 10 and 15. Yesterday, May 11, the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s chief, Siam Boonsom, alongside deputy chief Nopasil Poolasawat and other senior police officers, held a meeting to discuss the progress of these…

  • Myanmar man shoots 70 year old in Bangkok entry dispute

    Myanmar man shoots 70 year old in Bangkok entry dispute

    A 23 year old man from Myanmar fatally shot a 70 year old man after being denied entry to visit his pregnant wife at the latter’s workplace. The incident occurred on May 10 at 7pm in the Rom Sai 12 alley, Lak Song subdistrict, Bang Khae district, Bangkok. Police Lieutenant Ekachai Yimnimitt, an investigator from Phetkasem Police Station, along with…

  • Severe storm in Bangkok claims life as tree crushes shelter

    Severe storm in Bangkok claims life as tree crushes shelter

    A severe storm with strong winds and heavy rain resulted in a tree falling and crushing a shelter in Bangkok, leading to the death of 51 year old Buala. The incident was reported yesterday, May 11 and investigated by Police Lieutenant Colonel Pipatchai Panphim, deputy inspector at Thammasala Police Station. The tragedy occurred in the early hours within Soi Phutthamonthon…

  • Bangkok building collapse rescue ends; probe into malpractice begins

    Bangkok building collapse rescue ends; probe into malpractice begins

    Efforts to retrieve bodies following the collapse of the 2.1 billion baht State Audit Office building in Bangkok, instigated by the 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, have been concluded, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s announcement yesterday, May 10. Suriyachai Rawiwon, director of the BMA’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, reported that the final areas, including a lift…

  • Architect slams ‘botched’ Thai Parliament revamp

    Architect slams ‘botched’ Thai Parliament revamp

    Thailand’s leading architect has launched a scathing attack on plans to renovate the country’s new Parliament complex, branding them “destructive” and “irreversible.” National Artist Chatree Ladalalitsakul, the chief designer of the grand riverside structure, broke a decade-long silence to condemn the proposed modifications, which he says would compromise both its artistic integrity and structural safety. “For 10 years, we have…

  • Thai public slams 450m baht social security calendar

    Thai public slams 450m baht social security calendar

    Thailand’s Social Security Office (SSO) is under fire after a public survey revealed that the majority of people don’t want its pricey annual calendar — a project that’s quietly burned through over 450 million baht in just eight years. In a growing backlash, more than 60% of respondents in a recent nationwide survey said the calendar, intended to promote awareness…

  • Couple claim relatives plan their murder for 120 million baht payout

    Couple claim relatives plan their murder for 120 million baht payout

    A Thai couple accused their relatives of plotting to murder them to claim an insurance payout totalling over 120 million baht. A police officer was allegedly involved in the plan. The couple, Tong and Au, sought help from the non-profit organisation Be One after Tong survived an alleged murder attempt in 2022. The couple later discovered over 50 life insurance policies…

  • Cheers allowed: Buddhist holiday booze ban eased

    Cheers allowed: Buddhist holiday booze ban eased

    Just after Phuket had announced a 30-hour alcohol sales ban this weekend for its upcoming municipal elections and the Visakha Bucha holiday, the Thai government officially relaxed its alcohol ban on sacred Buddhist holidays — but only under strict conditions. The Royal Gazette announced today, May 9, that the Prime Minister’s Office has revised its previous order on alcohol sales,…

  • Thailand to classify gas canisters as controlled products

    Thailand to classify gas canisters as controlled products

    Thailand’s Ministry of Industry proposes categorising gas canisters as a controlled product amid rising incidents of explosions at barbecue restaurants. Minister Ekanat Prompan highlighted the increasing popularity of barbecue eateries, which often use gas canisters for grills, and noted the risks of reusing canisters, which are designed for single use only. Despite existing safety standards, consumers are urged to adhere strictly…

  • Labour minister vows to slash work deaths by 2030

    Labour minister vows to slash work deaths by 2030

    Thailand’s labour boss is declaring war on deadly workplaces—\promising to cut fatalities in half within five years. At the National Occupational Safety Day 2025 opening ceremony, Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn unveiled his ambitious “Safety Thailand” vision to drastically reduce serious workplace injuries and deaths. The aim is to bring down severe injury rates from 2.13 to one per 1,000 workers,…

  • Bangkok woman arrested for mule account scam involvement

    Bangkok woman arrested for mule account scam involvement

    A significant arrest was made by the Metropolitan Police Bureau 3, who apprehended a 28 year old woman for her involvement in a mule account scam. Phannipa Phienamkot or Nong Paeng confessed to knowing she would eventually be caught, as multiple arrest warrants were issued against her, one of which was displayed prominently at her residence. Phannipa was captured at…

  • Bangkok motorcycle repairman shot dead over pawn dispute

    Bangkok motorcycle repairman shot dead over pawn dispute

    A motorcycle repairman was fatally shot in the early hours of today, May 9, in his shop on Soi Phatthanakan 32, Suan Luang district, Bangkok. The attack, which also left another person injured, stemmed from a dispute over a motorcycle pawn agreement. Police Lieutenant Phuwadej Wanichyobol, an investigator from Khlong Tan Police Station, was alerted to the incident at 1am.…

  • Security guard shot dead at Bangkok waste centre, suspect sought

    Security guard shot dead at Bangkok waste centre, suspect sought

    A security guard was shot dead at the maintenance office of a waste disposal centre in Pravet district, Bangkok, in the early hours of today, May 9. His wife revealed a mysterious warning he had given before the incident, providing clues about potential suspects. At 1am, Police Captain Worawit Meekham, an investigator from Pravet Police Station, received a report about…

  • Doctors disciplined over Thaksin’s hospital stay amid ethics probe

    Doctors disciplined over Thaksin’s hospital stay amid ethics probe

    Three doctors involved in former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s controversial stay on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital have been disciplined by the Medical Council of Thailand. The disciplinary actions stem from the findings of an investigation into Thaksin’s treatment, which has raised ethical concerns about the standard of care provided. Today, May 8, Professor Doctor Prasit Watanapa,…

  • Bangkok SWAT busts online gun dealers selling modified weapons

    Bangkok SWAT busts online gun dealers selling modified weapons

    Two suspects were arrested in Bangkok for allegedly modifying and selling guns online, sparking fears of a growing black market for weapons. The SWAT team swooped into a house in Suan Luang district, where they detained the duo, identified as 29 year old Natthakiat, also known as “New,” and 31 year old Suppasit, aka “Peach.” The arrests follow a series…

  • Compensation for SAO building collapse victims to begin tomorrow

    Compensation for SAO building collapse victims to begin tomorrow

    The first wave of compensation is set to be delivered tomorrow to the families of victims affected by the tragic collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok. A total of 21 relatives from the first batch will receive financial assistance after a series of negotiations with the ITD-CREC Joint Venture, involving Italian-Thai Development and China Railway No.10…

  • Thai ministry discusses agricultural product labelling for safety

    Thai ministry discusses agricultural product labelling for safety

    Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Itti Sirilattayakarn chaired a meeting to discuss plans for agricultural product labelling. The meeting, held in meeting room 134 at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, involved representatives from key departments such as the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS), the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Livestock Development, the Rice…

  • Men arrested in Bang Khen over gaming dispute assault

    Men arrested in Bang Khen over gaming dispute assault

    Police in Bang Khen arrested two 21 year old men for allegedly assaulting a younger man following a gaming-related dispute. The arrest of the suspects, Kittinai also known as Frame, and Supawit, also known as Arm, ordered by Police Colonel Anant Warasart, took place after a viral social media post described the incident, which occurred at 3am on April 29…

  • Thai woman at large after swindling money from taxi riders

    Thai woman at large after swindling money from taxi riders

    A Thai woman remains at large after swindling money from at least three motorcycle taxi riders in Bangkok. The most recent victim lost 2,300 baht to the suspect. Natthida, the owner of a salon near Victory Monument, took to Facebook to warn motorcycle taxi riders in the area and nearby locations after a scammer posed as the owner of her…