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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Power move: Energy Ministry to introduce National Energy Plan
The Energy Ministry announced yesterday that it is gearing up to unveil the National Energy Plan 2024 in September. This comprehensive strategy promises to revolutionise Thailand’s energy landscape with the introduction of nuclear plants and a pledge to cap electricity costs at under 4 baht per unit. The Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) revealed that this master plan will…
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Election bombshell: Call for senator vote delay amid legal storm
Former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn urged the Election Commission (EC) to halt the district-level selection of senators slated for this Sunday. Somchai insists it’s “better to be late than to rush ahead” before the Constitutional Court’s impending ruling. The Constitutional Court has accepted two petitions challenging the constitutionality of three provisions in the election law, and a decision date has…
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Srettha joins meeting at Thaksin’s mansion for Thai goverment talk
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to host a critical meeting at his lavish Chan Song La Mansion in Bangkok’s Bang Phlat district today. The gathering, featuring political heavyweights and key family members, promises to tackle pressing issues that could reshape the Thai political landscape. The high-stakes meeting will see the attendance of the Shinawatra clan and Potjaman Na…
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Queensland’s direct flights to Bangkok resume after four years
Jetstar is launching direct flights from Queensland‘s Brisbane Airport to Bangkok this December, a route last serviced by Thai Airways (THAI) before its suspension in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Brisbane Airport (BNE), backed by the Queensland Government, has been pivotal in restoring international connections post-pandemic. Reintroducing the Bangkok route is one of the final pieces in this…
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Thai leaders dodge meeting with UN human rights commissioner
Thailand’s leaders, including the prime minister and foreign minister, sidestepped a meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, during his Bangkok visit on June 5 and 6. Instead of rolling out the red carpet, Thailand’s leaders turned a blind eye, reducing Türk’s visit to a mere stopover, unlike his official engagements in Malaysia where he…
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Red Bull tycoon files lawsuit for 50 million baht over bribery claims
Red Bull energy drink magnate Chalerm Yoovidhya launched another defamation lawsuit, this time targeting a news outlet and four individuals, seeking 50 million baht in damages over bribery allegations. Chalerm disputes claims made by Police Colonel Wirut Sirisawatibutr, a former police officer turned columnist for Sueb Jark Khao. The allegations suggest the tycoon paid a 300-million-baht bribe to shield his…
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Thailand to lower meth possession threshold to one tablet
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is pushing for regulatory changes that will classify anyone caught with more than one methamphetamine tablet as an offender, a shift from the current threshold of five tablets. This proposal aims to close a controversial loophole that has allowed individuals found with up to four tablets to be treated as addicts requiring rehabilitation instead of…
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EC to clarify court ruling impact before Sunday Senate elections
The Election Commission (EC) is set to clarify the implications of a Constitutional Court ruling, which agreed to examine a petition challenging four contentious provisions in the Senate election law. This comes just before district-level voting is scheduled nationwide for Sunday. The court declined to issue an injunction, indicating no severe consequences were anticipated if the Senate election proceeded. The…
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Laughing gas crackdown leaves Khao San Road breathless
The Thai authorities intensified their crackdown on the illegal sale of nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas balloons on Khao San Road, meanwhile also targeting foreign labourers hired by establishments to evade the law. At 9pm yesterday, senior officers led an operation to inspect entertainment venues and restaurants along Khao San Road. The main focus was an establishment at…
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Honest Bangkok cabbie cashes in, returns 80k to Maldivian man
A Thai taxi driver proved that not all of the capital’s cabbies are crooks when he returned 80,000 baht in cash, along with personal belongings, to a Maldivian man who left them behind while travelling from Banthat Thong Road to Pradipat Road in Bangkok. The Maldivian man, Ali Hafeez, left his backpack in an orange taxi while travelling from Banthat…
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Iranian businessman nabbed for 21 million baht fraud in Bangkok
Immigration Bureau officers arrested an Iranian businessman in Bangkok for defrauding his friend, causing damages worth over 21 million baht. The Immigration Bureau announced its successful operation during a press conference today, June 5. Among several cases reported, the 61 year old Iranian man, Abul, was arrested at a condominium on Romklao Road in the Lat Krabang district of Bangkok…
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Taste bud triumph: Time Out names Bangkok one of best food cities
Bangkok has been named the sixth-best city in the world for food by the renowned lifestyle magazine Time Out. The announcement was made today, June 5, bringing joy to many in Thailand’s capital. Chai Wacharong, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is thrilled with the news. Time Out, known for its focus on lifestyle,…
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Thai man injured after at trip with a drunk taxi rider in Bangkok
A Thai man suffered an ankle injury when a drunk motorcycle taxi rider insisted on providing service, only to later collapse, ironically, in front of the Department of Land Transport on Phahonyothin Road in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok. The injured passenger, identified as Thanawat “Ton” Boonsong, shared a video of the drunk taxi rider on his TikTok account, @iboonsong.th,…
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Bangkok woman contracts rare lung infection from feeding pigeons
A Bangkok woman who regularly fed pigeons unknowingly inhaled fungal spores, leading to a lung infection and requiring surgery to remove a mass. Despite having no symptoms, she was diagnosed with cryptococcal pneumonia, which had formed a cavity in her lung. Manoon Leechawengwong, a respiratory disease specialist, shared the case on Facebook, detailing the woman’s condition. At 52 years old,…
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Pita says he is prepared to replace Srettha as PM
Former prime minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat has stated he is ready to lead the country if the law permits and current PM Srettha Thavisin is ousted by a court verdict. Pita, a prominent figure in the Move Forward Party (MFP), expressed his readiness to take the reins amid growing political uncertainty. At the Bangkok Pride Parade held at the National…
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Srettha seeks legal counsel from Wissanu amid Pichit controversy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has sought legal advice from his newly-appointed adviser, Wissanu Krea-ngam, to prepare his defence in court over the contentious appointment of Pichit Chuenban as a PM’s Office minister. Srettha disclosed yesterday that a defence has already been drafted but requires further refinement before its submission to the Constitutional Court by June 10. “He is one of…
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Thai Airways resumes daily Brussels-Bangkok route
Starting December 1, Thai Airways (THAI) will resume its daily direct passenger flights between Brussels Airport and Bangkok. This eagerly awaited route, which was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, significantly enhances Brussels Airport’s intercontinental offerings. After a four-year hiatus, Brussels Airport is thrilled to welcome back THAI, a former member of its prestigious airline community. The airline has once again…
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Stepfather arrested for sexual abuse of 12 year old girl in Bangkok
Authorities have apprehended a Thai man in Bangkok following a report from a doctor that a 12 year old girl claimed she had been sexually abused by her stepfather since she was six years old and that her mother did not believe her. The disturbing events began around 2017 when the girl was only six. Living with her biological mother…
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Thailand’s Pride Month to attract 860,000 visitors
The Thai government is preparing to champion gender equality, anticipating that Pride Month activities will provide a significant economic boost. Deputy government spokeswoman Kenika Ounjit highlighted that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s administration had announced this initiative as he assumed office. “The government aims to foster a society that embraces diversity and equality across age, gender, religion, and social status, positioning…
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Chadchart signs MOU on renewable energy projects in Bangkok
Bangkok has taken a significant step towards becoming a smart city, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) Governor Wilas Chaloeysat. The agreement, formalised yesterday, aims to advance smart city development and renewable energy projects in Thailand’s bustling capital. Chadchart stressed the importance of sustainable energy and efficiency,…
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Bangkok Airways soars to new heights with cloud technology
In a move to stay ahead of the competition, Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited has embraced RISE with SAP, a comprehensive business transformation package featuring cloud solutions, infrastructure, and services. This shift aims to boost the airline’s operational efficiency, adaptability, and competitive edge with state-of-the-art technologies. Bangkok Airways, a premier boutique airline in Asia, serves over 12 domestic and seven…
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Pride Month kicks off with Rainbow Runway in Bangkok (video)
Pride Month celebrations kicked off with grandeur on the 80-metre Rainbow Runway at the centralwOrld Rhythm of Pride 2024 event held at CentralWorld in Bangkok. The event underscored diversity and equality for the LGBTQ+ community, marking a significant celebration in the heart of Bangkok. The highlight of the event was Metinee Kingpayome, a prominent figure in the LGBTQIAN+ community, who…
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Woman arrested for theft from tourists in Bangkok for the 12th time
Authorities at Phra Ratchawang Police Station have apprehended a Thai woman for stealing from foreign tourists in Bangkok. This marks the 12th time she has been caught, with her latest release from jail occurring only a few months ago. Officers led by Phawat Watsupat, commander of the Phra Ratchawang Police Station, and Paisan Detkalaya, deputy commander of investigation, along with…
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Ex-MP Vatana to return to Samut Prakan after 15 years on the run
Former Samut Prakan MP and Deputy Interior Minister Vatana Asavahame has announced his intention to return to Samut Prakan in two months to visit locals after evading corruption charges for 15 years. A housewarming ceremony took place yesterday at the new residence of Soontorn Pansangtong, the former deputy minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the former deputy chief of Samut…
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Heavy rainfall warning issued for 46 provinces including Bangkok
The Meteorological Department has issued a severe weather warning, forecasting heavy rainfall in 46 provinces, including Bangkok, with 70% of the area expected to be affected. Residents are advised to take precautions against potential flash floods and forest runoff. Moderate southwesterly monsoon winds are covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, coupled with a low-pressure area over…
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Temples banned from requiring HIV tests for ordination
The Sangha Supreme Council has endorsed a proposal from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to prevent temples from mandating HIV tests for men seeking ordination, arguing that HIV is not a chronic infectious disease. Wasan Paileeklee, a member of the NHRC, announced yesterday that the commission had looked into a complaint about a temple in Bangkok’s Suan Luang district,…
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MFP minister faces tough questions on foreign policy
Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Chulapong Yukate demanded that Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa reveal his vision for Thailand’s foreign policy. The call came during a House Committee on Foreign Affairs meeting, leaving the nation eager for answers. Chulapong, who serves as the deputy chairperson of the committee stated that the public wants to know in which direction the foreign minister…
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Thai man stabbed by girlfriend’s ex, attacker flees with woman
A Thai man is seeking justice after being stabbed by his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend at a condominium in Bangkok. The attacker escaped arrest and fled to the central province of Chainart with the victim’s girlfriend. The victim, 21 year old Thanawat Phontaecha, urged non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to follow up on the complaint of the physical assault for him. Thanawat claimed…
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Toll fees waived on three expressways to honour Queen’s birthday
Toll fees will be waived on three expressways to commemorate the Queen’s birthday. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), along with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) and Northern Bangkok Expressway Company Limited (NECL), have announced this special exemption. The announcement, made yesterday, specifies that the toll-free access is in honour of the Queen’s birthday on June 3.…
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Mother mourns British woman found dead in Bangkok hotel
The heartbroken mother of a 36 year old British woman from Bexhill, East Sussex, southeast England has paid an emotional tribute to her daughter, who was recently found dead in a Bangkok hotel room. Rebecca Turner was on an adventure in Southeast Asia with friends when tragedy struck. Her mother, Anita Turner, described her as a vivacious and outgoing woman…
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