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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Sponsored 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?...
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Pet Expo 2025 goes wild with stars, snakes and shopping galore (video)
Thailand’s largest pet trade event, Pet Expo Thailand 2025, kicked off in style on May 1, celebrating its 25th anniversary with a four-day spectacle which drew over 200,000 visitors. Held at Halls 5 to 8 of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, the event brought together more than 300 companies across 850 booths, offering products, services and cutting-edge innovations for…
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Thai celeb couple slams breast pump ad misuse
A Thai celebrity power couple has taken legal action after discovering their faces plastered on breast pump ads, without permission. The drama unfolded yesterday afternoon, May 5, when the stars and their lawyer stormed into Thong Lo Police Station to file a complaint against a well-known baby brand accused of hijacking their images to peddle discount coupons at a children’s…
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DSI uncovers 30 forged signatures in SAO building collapse probe
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has uncovered 30 forged signatures of engineers on documents related to the State Audit Office (SAO) building collapse, as part of an investigation into alleged nominee practices by China Railway No.10 (Thailand). In a meeting held yesterday, May 5, the DSI reviewed the progress of its ongoing investigation into the nominee case involving China…
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Two teens arrested for fatal shooting in Bangkok
Two suspects were apprehended following the fatal shooting of a 34 year old man in Soi Nuanchan 22 in Bangkok. The incident took place on May 3 when the suspects, riding a red PCX motorcycle without a license plate, fired approximately 15 shots before fleeing. Today, May 6, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom directed the arrest of 19 year old…
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Gang members arrested in Bangkok assault investigation
Police apprehended several members of a gang involved in assaults on fellow nationals, with ongoing investigations focusing on two areas in central Bangkok. The incident stemmed from conflicts dated May 5, when Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom led a team to arrest three men linked to the attacks. Those arrested include 18 year old Chakraphat (surname withheld), a Thai Yai…
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Transgender fortune teller denies defrauding, sexually assaulting boy
A transgender fortune teller in Bangkok denied scamming a 16 year old boy out of 500,000 baht and also rejected claims of sexually assaulting him. She insisted the teen voluntarily gave her around 200,000 baht and nothing more. A Thai mother accompanied her teenage son to meet the well-known lawyer, Ronnarong Kaewphet, to spread a warning to the public. The…
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Paws and effect: New Bangkok law to shake up pet ownership rules
A new law set to take effect in Bangkok early next year will significantly alter pet ownership regulations. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Ordinance on Animal Keeping and Release Control 2024, coming into force on January 10 next year, seeks to manage stray populations and promote responsible pet ownership, particularly affecting dog and cat owners. The ordinance classifies Bangkok as…
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UK roadshow rocks South Thailand with fair, farms and flair
The British Embassy in Bangkok wrapped up a whirlwind three-day roadshow across southern Thailand, marking a major milestone in the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Thailand. Running from April 28 to 30, the outreach tour made stops in Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, and Surat Thani, showcasing a blend of serious diplomacy and lively community engagement.…
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Thai police apologise after ignoring influencer’s stalking complaint
Thai police issued an apology to a female social media influencer for acting inappropriately and initially ignoring her complaints of being stalked and threatened by a Burmese man. The influencer, 28 year old Linrada “Lin” Warakornsittichai, posted on her Facebook account, Sanella Linvar, to seek help after officers from Bang Khun Thian Police Station failed to provide any updates on…
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Search at collapsed audit office site nears completion, 14 still missing
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt provided an update today, May 5, on the ongoing search for missing persons at the collapsed State Audit Office building under construction in Chatuchak district. The building collapsed following the March 28 earthquake. Chadchart said rescue operations have made steady progress, with teams now reaching the basement level of Zone SC2, where no further victims are…
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Bangkok woman assaulted by gang, mother seek justice (video)
A large group of friends gathered at a police station after their friend, a 27 year old woman, was assaulted by a gang in Bangkok. The incident, which was captured on video, set her mother on a path to seek justice. Today, May 5, a video of a violent incident outside an apartment in Ratchada Soi 13, Din Daeng district,…
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Australian man arrested in Thailand over armed robbery charges
Thai immigration officers apprehended an Australian man linked to an armed robbery at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, according to official sources. The Aussie was detained on May 3 after arriving from Bali on Thai Airways flight TG432. He was intercepted while attempting to travel to Phuket on a connecting flight. The Immigration Bureau reported that biometric checks flagged him as banned…
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Thai parliament’s renovation plan criticised amid economic strain
Thai Parliament faces criticism after requesting an additional budget of hundreds of millions of baht for renovations amidst economic challenges for many Thais. The budget would fund a 4D cinema and refurbish the seldom-used Sala Kaeo pavilion, a proposal widely condemned as frivolous by critics, including MPs from the People’s Party. The plan allocates 113 million baht to refurbish Sala…
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Thailand urged to adopt single cigarette tax rate to boost revenue
Thailand’s current tiered tax system on cigarettes has been criticised by academics, who urge the government to switch to a single excise tax rate as advised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The existing system is said to neither reduce illegal cigarette sales nor increase state revenue or deter new smokers. Dr Roengrudee Patanavanich from Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine…
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400 shark fins seized in major smuggling bust at Bangkok airport
Thai Customs seized over 400 shark fins in a major bust. The fins were on their way to China, but thanks to a swift operation, their illegal journey has been stopped. Thailand’s Customs Department, in collaboration with Chinese authorities, successfully intercepted more than 400 shark fins in a significant smuggling operation aimed at curbing illegal wildlife trafficking. The 402 fins,…
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Concrete chaos: Maniac hurls slab from Bangkok’s Bang Na bridge
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) has confirmed that a chunk of concrete that shattered a car’s windscreen earlier this week was deliberately thrown from a pedestrian overpass – and not a result of any structural failure. The shocking incident unfolded on Tuesday, April 29, on Bang Na-Trat Road, prompting immediate fears that debris had fallen from the Burapha Withi…
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Giant monitor lizard statue draws crowds to Bangkok park
It slinks, it swims, and now it poses — Bangkok’s iconic monitor lizard just got a supersized tribute in the city’s most famous park. Tourists and locals heading to Lumphini Park can now snap selfies with a massive foam monitor lizard statue — a new temporary installation celebrating one of Bangkok’s most misunderstood but iconic residents. Sanon Wangsangboon, Deputy Governor…
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Bangkok overhaul plan could hand governor more power
Should Bangkok be run more like a country than a city? Politicians think so — and big changes could be coming. Yesterday, May 1, at Bangkok City Hall’s Nopparat Room near the Giant Swing, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt welcomed Members of Parliament to discuss sweeping proposals to overhaul the city’s outdated administration system. The meeting brought together top Bangkok executives and…
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Bangkok SAO death toll hits 68 after 5 more bodies found
Five more bodies have been recovered from the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building, bringing the death toll to 68. Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, reported that the bodies were discovered in Zone D between 10pm on Wednesday, April 30, and 9am yesterday, May 1. The search for the missing continues, with heavy machinery operating…
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Filipino man stays at Bangkok hotels and vanishes without paying
Police arrested a Filipino university student for staying at several five-star hotels in Bangkok without paying, causing losses of several hundred thousand baht. Officers from Immigration Division 1 received multiple complaints from hotel staff in Bangkok regarding fraudulent activities involving a Filipino national. The man reportedly deceived hotel employees to obtain free stays and meals at luxury hotels across the…
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Family demands answers after Rama II concrete block tragedy
The family of a 46 year old man who died after a concrete block fell on his vehicle on Rama II Road is seeking answers about his death. The incident, which resulted in Amnat’s passing at the hospital, left the family questioning whether a blood transfusion error contributed to his low blood pressure and subsequent death. On Tuesday, April 29,…
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Thunderstorms and strong winds batter Thailand, TMD warns
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, May 2. Thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast across upper Thailand, with Bangkok also affected. Residents are cautioned about the potential dangers of intense weather conditions, particularly in the North, northeast, and central regions. Upper Thailand will experience thunderstorms and strong winds due to easterly and southeasterly winds…
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Fake police caught extorting migrant workers, employers in Bangkok
Officers arrested a Thai man posing as a police officer who extorted money from migrant workers and their employers at the popular tourist destination Asiatique the Riverfront, in the Charoen Krung neighbourhood of Bangkok Restaurant owners and business operators in the area questioned officers at Wat Phraya Krai Police Station about the frequency of operations targeting migrant workers after observing…
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How to hack Thailand’s May holidays for a 10-day break
Get ready to pack your bags—May is shaping up to be a jackpot month for long holidays, and if you play your cards right, you could be lounging for 10 days straight. Hot on the heels of April’s Songkran break, May brings another wave of public holidays that offer golden opportunities for extended rest, road trips or relaxing staycations. Whether…
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Teenage degenerate caught with his hand in the kiddie trafficking till
In a jaw-dropping scandal, a teenage degenerate has been arrested by the Crime Suppression Division for orchestrating a shocking underage gay sex ring in Bangkok. The debauched 14 year old, referred to as “A,” confessed to gaining a 400 baht profit from his seedy enterprise, which involved exploiting friends of the same age. The saga unfolded on Tuesday night, April…
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Retired police general in Bangkok hit-and-run incident
A retired police general was involved in a hit-and-run accident involving a luxury car and a motorcycle near the entrance of Kluaynamthai Hospital on Rama 4 Road, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei district, Bangkok. The incident occurred at 11pm on April 27. The driver fled towards Phra Khanong intersection, where vigilant locals managed to stop him. The area falls under the…
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Transport ministry proposes MRT Act changes for 20-baht flat fare
The Ministry of Transport is set to propose changes to the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Act during a special session of the House of Representatives next month. This aligns with the introduction of a 20-baht flat fare for the electric railway system planned for September. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri stated yesterday, April 29, that the ministry is finalising a…
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Concrete slab from old overpass kills driver in Bangkok
A concrete slab fell from an older overpass onto a pickup truck, injuring the driver yesterday on the outbound side of Rama 2 Road in Bangkok. The incident, not related to the new bridge construction, prompted immediate action to assist the injured party. The accident occurred around 8am, yesterday, April 29, when concrete debris fell from an old overpass connecting Krathum…
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BMTA to launch super app for Bangkok commuters in October
Bangkok commuters may soon enjoy a smoother ride, digitally, at least. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) announced that its much-anticipated “super app” is set to launch this October, promising to simplify payments, provide route updates, and offer a digital platform for feedback and complaints. But while the promise sounds slick, there are still a few speed bumps ahead. Kittikarn…
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Cement block falls onto truck, driver injured on Rama II expressway
A motorist has been injured after a large cement block fell from the construction site of the Rama II elevated expressway, smashing onto his pickup truck as he was driving beneath the ongoing project. The shocking incident occurred on Rama II Road, as the driver was heading towards Samut Sakhon. The unnamed driver told emergency medical technicians (EMTs) that he…
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