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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    Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run

    Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...

  • Bangkok sings the blues: Cops bust Chinese in illegal karaoke bar

    Bangkok sings the blues: Cops bust Chinese in illegal karaoke bar

    Police officers raided an illegal karaoke bar in the Huay Kwang district of Bangkok yesterday, arresting 26 Chinese nationals involved in a drug party. Officers from Huay Kwang Police Station and the Youth and Women’s Welfare Centre received a tip-off about the illegal bar and acted swiftly, conducting the raid yesterday, November 5. Upon arrival, they encountered a 25 year…

  • Thailand ranks No.5 for female secondhand smoke exposure

    Thailand ranks No.5 for female secondhand smoke exposure

    Thailand is grappling with a significant public health concern as it ranks No.5 globally for the number of female victims of secondhand smoke. These women face a 1.24 times higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those in smoke-free settings, according to health experts. Dr Roengrudee Patanavanish from Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine highlighted the pressing issue of secondhand…

  • PM Paetongtarn attends key regional conferences in China

    PM Paetongtarn attends key regional conferences in China

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to attend two significant regional conferences in Kunming, China. These gatherings, scheduled today, November 6, and tomorrow, will precede her journey to Peru for the APEC summit on Sunday, as confirmed by Jirayu Houngsub, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office. The initial conference is the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Programme Summit (GMS…

  • Bangkok house of horrors: Owner trapped as two-storey falls flat

    Bangkok house of horrors: Owner trapped as two-storey falls flat

    A two-storey wooden house in Bangkok collapsed, trapping its 64 year old owner beneath the debris. The incident occurred when neighbours heard creaking sounds, prompting an investigation into the cause. The structure had been previously identified as a safety risk. At 12.50am today, November 6, Police Lieutenant Suchat Changtham from Wat Phraya Krai Police Station received a report regarding a…

  • Thai police slam brakes on unlicenced drivers in Phaya Thai

    Thai police slam brakes on unlicenced drivers in Phaya Thai

    Police in Phaya Thai, Bangkok are cracking down on parking violations and unlicensed foreign drivers, aiming to enforce traffic discipline and ensure public safety. Phaya Thai Police Station’s superintendent, Watcharawee Thammasema, tasked traffic inspector Jumphon Yenpathomkul and 10 other traffic officers to implement stricter measures at the Phaya Thai intersection. These measures focus on two main aspects: regulating parking that…

  • Monitor lizards now open for commercial harvesting in Thailand

    Monitor lizards now open for commercial harvesting in Thailand

    A bold new opportunity has emerged in the world of wildlife conservation and commerce: monitor lizards and two species of swiftlet birds have just been reclassified as protected species eligible for commercial farming. Thanks to a landmark move by Thailand’s Wildlife Conservation and Protection Committee, Germain’s swiftlet (Aerodramus germani), Black-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus), and monitor lizards can now be legally…

  • Two arrested in Lat Phrao for knife robbery of jogger’s phone

    Two arrested in Lat Phrao for knife robbery of jogger’s phone

    Police in Lat Phrao district, Bangkok, successfully apprehended two young men who allegedly used a knife to rob a jogger of a mobile phone, which they later sold to fund their methamphetamine habit. The arrest took place at 4.30pm yesterday, November 4, under the direction of Thanaphan Phadungkan, Chief of Lat Phrao Police Station, along with Ratchat Asalertirun, Deputy Chief, and…

  • Bangkok market owner removes unauthorised luggage fair sign (video)

    Bangkok market owner removes unauthorised luggage fair sign (video)

    A market owner in Bangkok has taken matters into her own hands after discovering an unauthorised sign for a luggage fair had been placed at the entrance to her market. This unexpected use of the space, without the owner’s consent, led to immediate action. Yesterday, November 4, a TikTok video posted by user @mamizz8 captured the moment a woman, identified…

  • Thai nurse steals umbilical cord, placenta for illegal stem cell production

    Thai nurse steals umbilical cord, placenta for illegal stem cell production

    A Thai nurse at a hospital in Bangkok allegedly stole umbilical cords and placentas from newborn babies and sold them to a clinic to create growth factors and stem cells, which were then distributed illegally to more than 100 beauty clinics and hospitals in Thailand. The shocking theft and illegal production of stem cells and growth factors came to light…

  • 3 foreigners arrested for attempting to smuggle cannabis to Europe

    3 foreigners arrested for attempting to smuggle cannabis to Europe

    The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and Thai Customs officials arrested three drug smuggling foreigners, two Malaysians and one Singaporean, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok for attempting to smuggle cannabis to Italy and the UK. Officials received a tip-off that certain foreigners intended to use Thailand as a route to traffic cannabis into Italy and the UK,…

  • Bangkok aims to turn Chatuchak Market into soft power paradise

    Bangkok aims to turn Chatuchak Market into soft power paradise

    Thailand is setting its sights on transforming the iconic Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok into a hub for soft power, with an ambitious two-year plan spearheaded by the National Committee on Soft Power Development. This initiative aims to capitalise on the market’s popularity and diverse offerings to bolster Thailand’s global cultural influence. Surapong Suebwonglee, chair of the National Committee on…

  • Thailand Consumer Council to challenge Bangkok city plan flaws

    Thailand Consumer Council to challenge Bangkok city plan flaws

    The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) plans to challenge the Bangkok city plan by submitting a petition to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), citing significant failings in the public hearing processes that they argue infringe on citizens’ rights. This action, set for tomorrow, November 5, reflects growing concerns over the lack of public engagement and awareness regarding the city’s planning…

  • Bangkok mandates microchipping for pets under new law

    Bangkok mandates microchipping for pets under new law

    Bangkok is set to enforce a new regulation requiring all dogs and cats to be microchipped, alongside measures to control stray animal populations and manage dangerous dogs. The Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) has recently approved a draft ordinance regarding pet ownership and stray animals. Naphaphon Chirakul, a member of the BMC for the Bang Khun Non district, and head of…

  • Thai schools to allow regular attire for scout events

    Thai schools to allow regular attire for scout events

    Thailand’s Education Ministry is set to introduce a new regulation allowing children to wear regular school attire instead of traditional scout uniforms during scout events. This change aims to offer more flexibility and reduce the burden on both teachers and students, according to Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob. Permpoon revealed that the National Scout Executive Committee is in the process of…

  • Thailand to upskill 5 million workers by 2025 for economic growth

    Thailand to upskill 5 million workers by 2025 for economic growth

    The Department of Skill Development (DSD) in Thailand is gearing up for a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the skills of over 5 million workers by 2025, prioritising digital technology to bolster industrial growth. This ambitious retraining programme is a strategic response to evolving business needs, as highlighted by Decha Pruekphathanarak, the deputy permanent secretary for the Ministry of Labour.…

  • Loy Krathong festival set to light up Wat Arun on November 15

    Loy Krathong festival set to light up Wat Arun on November 15

    Bangkok’s Wat Arun is set to illuminate the night on November 15 with its Loy Krathong festival. The festival promises a multicultural experience, underscored by a theme song performed in an array of languages, including Thai, English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Spanish, to foster a deeper understanding of the event’s cultural importance. Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol announced that the Suntharaporn…

  • South Korean man takes an ‘unfare’ ride in stolen Bangkok taxi

    South Korean man takes an ‘unfare’ ride in stolen Bangkok taxi

    Police yesterday arrested a South Korean man for stealing a taxi parked near a petrol station in the Chatuchak neighbourhood of Bangkok. Officers from Bang Sue Police Station arrested the South Korean man, 52 year old Kim Hwangil, yesterday, October 31, shortly after he stole a blue Toyota Altis taxi with the registration plate ทฬ 9000 Bangkok, from 38 year…

  • Thai mother pimped out autistic daughter to dealer for drugs

    Thai mother pimped out autistic daughter to dealer for drugs

    Police arrested a Thai mother at her home in the Khlong Sam Wa district of Bangkok on Tuesday, after she pimped out her 16 year old autistic daughter to a dealer to obtain free drugs. A Thai grandmother filed a complaint with Nimitmai Police Station, yesterday, October 30 that her autistic granddaughter went missing from their home in the Khlong Sam…

  • Bangkok hospital manager criticised following pharmacist’s suicide

    Bangkok hospital manager criticised following pharmacist’s suicide

    Opinions among Thai netizens are divided after viewing a conversation between a manager at Rama 9 Hospital in Bangkok and a pharmacist who recently committed suicide, leaving a note claiming that pressure from his manager led to his tragic decision. Esor News yesterday, October 30, shared screenshots of the conversation between the hospital manager named Aof and the pharmacist named…

  • Thai-phoon trouble: Flights grounded as Kong-rey storms Taiwan (video)

    Thai-phoon trouble: Flights grounded as Kong-rey storms Taiwan (video)

    Chaos reigned in the skies as Thai Airways International grounded several flights with typhoon Kong-rey barrelling towards Taiwan. The airline pulled the plug on three Bangkok-Taipei routes yesterday, October 30 (TG634, TG636, and TG635) and grounded TG637 today, leaving travellers in a tailspin. Announcing the shutdown on Facebook, the national carrier urged affected passengers to dial their hotline at 662-356-1111…

  • Thai influencer arrested with drugs and firearms in Bangkok

    Thai influencer arrested with drugs and firearms in Bangkok

    Thai social media influencer Phor Ban Khlong Toei, renowned for his presence on TikTok and participation in Fight Club Thailand, was apprehended by police at his residence yesterday. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Division 5 seized a quantity of crystal methamphetamine and firearms during the arrest. The arrest sent ripples through the online community, as many followers of Phor…

  • British Airways spreads its wings: Gatwick-Bangkok flights back on

    British Airways spreads its wings: Gatwick-Bangkok flights back on

    In a move that’s set to soar to new heights, British Airways relaunched its direct flights from London Gatwick to the bustling city of Bangkok. The inaugural flight, BA 2231, took to the skies from Gatwick, yesterday, October 29, making a graceful touchdown at Suvarnabhumi Internationa Airport this afternoon, marking a triumphant return to the Land of Smiles. Tourism Authority…

  • Tragic truck accident on Bangkok bridge claims driver’s life

    Tragic truck accident on Bangkok bridge claims driver’s life

    A tragic accident occurred when a four-wheel truck driver stopped to change a tyre on the Lad Phrao Bridge in Bangkok and was fatally struck by a six-wheel truck. The accident left his wife devastated as she recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the collision. The incident took place at 5.40am today, October 30. Thosaporn Rungjang, a police lieutenant…

  • Michelin chef Jay Fai cooks up clarity: ‘I’m not closing my restaurant’ (video)

    Michelin chef Jay Fai cooks up clarity: ‘I’m not closing my restaurant’ (video)

    Renowned Thai chef and owner of Michelin-starred restaurant Jay Fai Pratu Phee denied rumours of her retirement, clarifying that it was a misunderstanding. The 81 year old street food legend also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Thailand to try her food. Recently, multiple media outlets reported that Supinya Jansuta, better known as Jay Fai, planned to close…

  • Ex-Russian mercenary hits a wall of ammunition trouble in Bangkok

    Ex-Russian mercenary hits a wall of ammunition trouble in Bangkok

    An ex-Russian war dog found himself in the clutches of Bangkok police after a stash of ammunition was discovered in his swanky condo, along with explosive threats to take out rivals. Immigration police officers swooped on 25 year old Russian national, Milo Yanovich, at his Makkasan-area pad in the Ratchathewi district yesterday, October 28. Police Major General Phanthana Nuchanart, deputy…

  • Bangkok cops have last laugh on Khao San Road’s laughing gas sales

    Bangkok cops have last laugh on Khao San Road’s laughing gas sales

    Bangkok police discovered two entertainment venues on Khao San Road selling nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, during a crackdown late on October 26. Officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and police officers from Phlapphla Chai 2 and Chana Songkhram Police Stations conducted inspections around 12.30am, pinpointing two nightclubs engaged in the illegal sale of gas in…

  • 2 Bangkok cops injured in arrest of knife wielding Chinese man

    2 Bangkok cops injured in arrest of knife wielding Chinese man

    Two policemen sustained facial injuries while arresting a Chinese man wielding a knife at a 7-Eleven convenience store in the Huay Kwang neighbourhood of Bangkok last night. A worker at the 7-Eleven store, located at the entrance of Soi Si Muang Anusorn, 400 metres from Sutthisan Police Station, called the police to address the situation at around 4pm yesterday, October 28.…

  • Sky’s the limit: Suvarnabhumi Bangkok aims for a million flights in a year

    Sky’s the limit: Suvarnabhumi Bangkok aims for a million flights in a year

    An ambitious target set by Thailand’s government aims to handle one million flights nationwide next year, following the recent opening of Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s third runway. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced the objective, emphasising the move as part of Thailand’s strategy to become the region’s aviation hub and to stimulate tourism and economic growth. After the official opening of…

  • Revved-up reckoning: Bangkok teen bike bandits get comeuppance

    Revved-up reckoning: Bangkok teen bike bandits get comeuppance

    In a dramatic takedown that reads like a crime thriller, a gang of young motorcycle thieves has been nabbed in Bangkok—shockingly, with a 14 year old among the culprits. This motley crew, responsible for filching over ten bikes across the capital, were flogging their ill-gotten wheels for a measly 1,000-1,500 baht apiece, spotlighting a worrying trend of young hooligans descending…

  • Shine Muscat scandal: Grapes of wrath as dodgy imports leave a sour taste

    Shine Muscat scandal: Grapes of wrath as dodgy imports leave a sour taste

    In a juicy scandal that’s peeling away layers of safety concerns, the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) is demanding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) take a bite out of dodgy importers flooding the market with tainted Shine Muscat grapes. Lab tests have unearthed a sour truth: nearly all of the samples are riddled with banned substances. Last week, 23 out…