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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  • British and Dutch men arrested in Bangkok for drug trafficking

    British and Dutch men arrested in Bangkok for drug trafficking

    Officers from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) arrested a British man and a Dutch man at a condominium in Bangkok yesterday for drug trafficking. They were found in possession of 210 grammes of ecstasy and over 37 grammes of cannabis. The ONCB officers held a press conference today, November 6, to provide details on the arrests of…

  • Drug-fuelled gun incident in Suan Luang ends with arrest

    Drug-fuelled gun incident in Suan Luang ends with arrest

    A dramatic incident unfolded in the Suan Luang area when a man under the influence of drugs fired a gun in a residential area. Special operation forces, fully armed, surrounded the area and managed to apprehend the suspect. The man now faces serious charges. Police were alerted to the situation around 5am today, November 6, following instructions from Witthawat Chinkham,…

  • BDMS Wellness Clinic boosts health tourism with Longevity Card

    BDMS Wellness Clinic boosts health tourism with Longevity Card

    BDMS Wellness Clinic launched a new health initiative amid the rising global interest in wellness, particularly as societies worldwide face ageing populations and an increase in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity, and stress. This trend has significantly boosted the popularity of the wellness industry. Global wellness market data indicates an expected annual growth of approximately 8.6%, potentially…

  • Thailand introduces new inspection system for fuel measurement

    Thailand introduces new inspection system for fuel measurement

    Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has initiated a new registration system for private entities to become certified inspection units, aiming to enhance the reliability of fuel measurement at service stations. The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) announced the criteria for this registration process. Starting July 26, they have been promoting this initiative and welcoming applications since August. This move is part…

  • Bangkok saleswoman arrested for air conditioner fraud scheme

    Bangkok saleswoman arrested for air conditioner fraud scheme

    A Thai saleswoman has been apprehended by Bangkok’s investigative police for allegedly falsifying information to defraud clients by selling air conditioners. The arrest took place in the Ramkhamhaeng area of Bangkok after a thorough investigation led by the city’s police force. The saleswoman, 34 year old Panida, was taken into custody following a coordinated effort by the police, acting on…

  • Big Joke’s wife sues woman and her husband over alleged false theft complaint

    Big Joke’s wife sues woman and her husband over alleged false theft complaint

    The wife of former police chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, filed a lawsuit against a woman and her police officer husband for allegedly lodging a false theft complaint accusing her of stealing gold and cash valued at 5.7 million baht. Sirinatda Hakparn, the wife of Big Joke, visited Phra Kanong Police Station on October 24 to deny accusations of theft…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 3 children rescued in Bangkok after being abused by babysitter (video)

    3 children rescued in Bangkok after being abused by babysitter (video)

    Locals in the Pracha Ruamjai Community in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district rescued three children today after they were reportedly physically abused by a female babysitter. Residents called Prachachuen Police Station and the Ruam Katanyu Foundation to bring the three young victims to a safe place. The children were aged five years, seven months, and six months, with the five year old…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Soapy king returns for Thai court hearing amid health struggles

    Soapy king returns for Thai court hearing amid health struggles

    Thai ex-politician Chuwit Kamolvisit returned to Thailand to attend a court hearing after spending nearly a year abroad for cancer treatment. The 63 year old appeared at Bangkok South Criminal Court in a defamation case filed by Santhana Prayoonrat. The two individuals met and exchanged words, revealing Chuwit’s current health condition. Reports revealed that the former self-proclaimed soapy massage king came…

  • 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,…

  • 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 MRT Orange Line construction to disrupt traffic this month

    Bangkok MRT Orange Line construction to disrupt traffic this month

    Construction on the western segment of Bangkok’s MRT Orange Line is set to bring some disruptions, as announced by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). The project, which aims to enhance the city’s transit network, will necessitate the closure of a traffic lane along the initial five stops of the light rail line, stretching from Bang Khun Non…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Thai man slaps famous lawyer allegedly over criticism of Islam

    Thai man slaps famous lawyer allegedly over criticism of Islam

    A Thai man slapped a famous lawyer during an interview at the Central Investigation Bureau’s Complaint Centre in Bangkok today, November 1, claiming he was offended by the lawyer’s criticism of Islam. Pictures and videos of the incident, in which renowned lawyer Dhammarat Sarapanya was slapped, circulated on Thai social media this afternoon. Dhammarat was seen giving an interview at…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Bangkok’s grey gamble: Elderly caught playing their cards wrong

    Bangkok’s grey gamble: Elderly caught playing their cards wrong

    Police in Bangkok arrested a group of elderly people for illegal gambling, seizing 200 baht in cash and other gambling paraphernalia. The raid, prompted by complaints about parked vehicles blocking traffic, saw an 80 year old among the detainees engaging in a friendly game of chance with peers. Police in Bangkok, led by high-ranking officials, launched a raid on a…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Bangkok’s Orange Line expansion advances with overpass removals

    Bangkok’s Orange Line expansion advances with overpass removals

    The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is accelerating discussions with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to dismantle overpasses in anticipation of the Orange Line’s expansion. This strategic move is set to facilitate the construction of the western segment of the Bang Khun Non-Min Buri rail system, aiming for completion by 2030. Vithaya Punmongkol, acting governor for the MRTA,…