Bangkok News
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PM Paetongtarn embraces political moniker amid press scrutiny
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been nicknamed “Paetongphoey” by Government House reporters, as part of their tradition of assigning monikers to senior officials at the year’s end. The nickname combines the first two syllables of her name with the Thai word “phoey,” meaning “script,” referencing her reliance on prepared speeches during significant events. When asked about the nickname, the 38…
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MPs urged to prioritise urgent bills in packed Parliamentary session
Chief government whip Wisut Chainarun is optimistic that the House will successfully scrutinise approximately 20 urgent bills during the current Parliamentary session. This session, which commenced yesterday, December 22, has a packed agenda with bills of significant economic and social impact awaiting approval. The urgent bills include legislation on fisheries, aimed at tackling industry challenges, and a bill to introduce…
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Alcohol sale breaks record on Air India Express’s inaugural flight to Bangkok
Air India Express marked the launch of its new direct route from Surat in India to Bangkok with an unforgettable incident as passengers reportedly consumed the entire alcohol supply, valued at around 70,000 baht, before landing. The Indian low-cost airline announced in November that it would begin direct flights in December from Surat and Pune to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport,…
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Thai police arrest six Chinese nationals in call centre fraud bust
Thai police have taken decisive action against an international call centre fraud operation by arresting six Chinese nationals in Bangkok. The operation, which was uncovered in a luxury condominium on Ratchadapisek Road, Huai Khwang, involved a sophisticated network of equipment, including 286 Sim Boxes, 208,652 SIM cards, and 636 mobile phones. The arrested individuals, identified as Fengran Wen, Zhang Jun,…
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Thai government to choose sites for casino complexes
The Thai government is set to centrally determine the locations for proposed casino-entertainment complexes, a move aimed at ensuring fair competition among prospective investors, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. The initiative hinges on the passage of a bill legalising gambling, which is currently under consideration. “If the locations are chosen by the government, this will allow investors to…
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Thai court orders DLT to issue vehicle tax sticker to driver
A driver has triumphed in a legal battle against the Department of Land Transport (DLT) over their refusal to issue a vehicle tax sticker due to unpaid traffic fines. The Central Administrative Court instructed the department to provide the sticker to the driver, who had filed a lawsuit against the DLT, its director-general, the Bangkok Land Transport office, and the…
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Thailand braces for cold spell with mountain lows of 5 degrees
Thailand is experiencing a cold spell today, with mountain peak temperatures dropping to a minimum of 5 degrees Celsius (°C). Fog blankets Bangkok this morning, while the south faces thunderstorms due to moderate monsoon winds. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts a chilling climate for the next 24 hours as a moderate cold air mass settles over northern and upper…
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PM Paetongtarn crowned Politician of the Year in Bangkok poll
Move over, rivals! Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has stormed ahead in the political popularity race, clinching the top spot in a nationwide survey that crowned her Politician of the Year 2024. The North Bangkok Poll, conducted by North Bangkok University between December 10 and 15, asked 1,500 respondents from across Thailand a simple but telling question: “Who do you think…
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Bangkok police arrest scrap shop owners for pollution offences
Police launched Operation STOP POLLUTION THE SERIES 3, targeting 14 scrap shops in On Nut’s waste alley for releasing foul odours and causing environmental pollution. Police acted on complaints from locals in Phra Khanong, Bangkok, about improper waste management and air pollution issues. The operation, led by police officers from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division (NREC), resulted in…
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Heroin addiction: Temple donation box thief arrested in Bangkok
Bangkok police apprehended a 22 year old Thai man for allegedly breaking into donation boxes at temples to fund his heroin addiction, under the guise of treating an illness. Vorakan was arrested after a comprehensive investigation led by the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Bang Rak police officers. The arrest took place at a car park of a temple in the…
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Flight fright: Passenger tries to open exit on THAI flight from Taiwan (video)
A tense incident unfolded on a Thai Airways flight when a Thai worker returning from Taiwan experienced hallucinations and attempted to open the emergency exit mid-flight. Quick-thinking passengers managed to subdue and restrain him, averting potential disaster. A TikTok user, @yao1926.new who was on the flight, shared a video capturing the dramatic event. The user recounted that on the flight…
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Bangkok crowned Christmas travel top spot, beating Tokyo
Move over Tokyo, Bangkok is stealing the spotlight this festive season! Agoda’s latest insights reveal that Thailand’s bustling capital has clinched the title of the world’s top destination for international travellers this Christmas. With a 14% surge in accommodation searches compared to last year, Bangkok has overtaken Tokyo and is proving irresistible to holidaymakers. Bangkok also ranks as the second…
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Thailand health ministry warns of new year disease risks
The Ministry of Public Health issued a warning about diseases to watch out for during the new year, particularly influenza and sudden hearing loss. They urged travellers to monitor their health upon returning from trips abroad. With the weather cooling down and many people travelling internationally, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) has updated its list of diseases with potential…
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Police officer cites Buddhism in rejecting promotion
A police officer from Lamae Police Station in Chumphon province caused a stir by formally requesting not to be considered for a higher-ranking position. The officer, Pisan, provided a philosophical reasoning drawn from Buddhist teachings to support this unusual decision. Pisan, who serves as an inspector at Lamae Police Station, officially sent his request to the Chumphon Provincial Police Commander.…
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Thailand’s power plan may see revisions for climate goals
Thailand’s 2024 power development plan (PDP) may undergo significant revisions to enhance the management of the nation’s long-term energy supply and bolster efforts against global warming. This was suggested by Energy Ministry Permanent Secretary Prasert Sinsukprasertas after he highlighted the need for adaptation in response to evolving energy concerns. The Energy Policy and Planning Office is currently evaluating the PDP. Once…
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Khlong Toei residents unite to control fire in Bangkok village
A fire erupted in the Khlong Toei community in Bangkok, specifically in the 70 Rai Village, where residents joined forces to extinguish the flames. The fire was brought under control by 10.41pm yesterday, December 18 after a quick response from local firefighters. The Rama Radio Centre received a report via hotline 199 about a blaze affecting residential homes in the…
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Court dismisses claims of favouritism in Thaksin hospital stay
The Constitutional Court dismissed allegations yesterday that state officials facilitated former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s hospital stay during his prison sentence. The petition, brought forward by Kongdecha Chairat, accused key figures, including Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, the Department of Corrections (DoC) Director General, and the chief of Bangkok Remand Prison, of allowing Thaksin to serve his sentence at…
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Thailand goes high-tech: New E-Visa set to transform travel
Thailand is taking a leap into the digital age with the launch of its revolutionary Thai E-Visa system, simplifying life for globe-trotters everywhere. From January 1, 2025, international travellers can kiss goodbye to cumbersome paperwork and apply for their visas online with ease. This slick new development promises to make the visa process faster, safer, and more convenient, ensuring the…
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Hair today, gone tomorrow: Bangkok cops snip illegal Myanmar barbers
Police in Bang Khun Thian district arrested four Myanmar nationals working as barbers, allegedly taking jobs from Thai citizens. This incident unfolded yesterday, December 17, at the ANGEL-20 hair salon located at the end of Nai Riang Market, Bang Bon, Bangkok. The arrest followed a tip-off received by Kittisak Bunsermsak, a police inspector at Bang Khun Thian Police Station. He…
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Thailand’s first F1 race planned for Bangkok’s Chatuchak by 2027
The Thai government is continuing the Formula One (F1) project initiated by former Prime Minister (PM) Srettha Thavisin, with plans to hold Thailand’s first F1 race in the Chatuchak neighbourhood of Bangkok. F1 enthusiasts were given hope after former PM Srettha discussed the project with the race organisers during his visit to France in March this year. The former PM…
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PEA to sue firms for illegal cable use on power poles
Private firms and state enterprises face legal action by the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) for the illegal installation of communication cables on power poles. This decisive move follows directives from Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, urging the PEA to clamp down on these violations. The PEA has long grappled with this issue. According to Prasit Chanprasith, the…
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Family of young girl injured by drunk driver seeks compensation
A family in Bangkok is still seeking compensation for an accident which left a young girl severely injured. In 2014, a drunk driver, racing a modified pickup truck, lost control and crashed into a steakhouse at the entrance of Soi Ekachai 119, Bang Bon district, causing severe injuries to a young girl. Cartoon’s father fought a legal battle and won…
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Bangkok swipes right: Tinder crowns it top love hotspot in 2024
Tinder released a ranking based on its passport feature, revealing that Bangkok is the top location in 2024 where Tinder users in the Asia-Pacific region pin and search for friends and partners the most. The popular Tinder dating app connects single people in the same area. Users can view other Tinder users near their location and swipe right on those they…
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Thailand rejects call to abolish death penalty
Thailand’s Cabinet dismissed the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) proposal to abolish the death penalty. This decision, announced by deputy government spokesperson Kharom Polpornklang, underscores the government’s alignment with the courts of justice, which deem capital punishment necessary for certain grave offences. The NHRC had pushed for the abolition, citing the global trend of eliminating what they consider an excessively…
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Pheu Thai: Panthongtae Shinawatra plays no role in govt
The Pheu Thai Party swiftly quashed rumours spreading across social media about Panthongtae Shinawatra’s alleged appointment as chief of strategy and national economy. Chayapa Sindhuprai, serving as the party’s deputy spokesperson, made an emphatic statement on X, clarifying that these reports were unfounded and likely intended to sow confusion and damage the coalition government’s reputation. Chayapa asserted that during the…
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Homeless Thai woman confesses to bludgeoning boyfriend over hallucination
Police yesterday, December 17, arrested a homeless Thai woman in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok, for bludgeoning her homeless boyfriend to death in an abandoned house in Bangkok on Friday, December 13. The 56 year old homeless man, Udom “Pok” Art-onsri, was found dead at the abandoned house on Sukhaphiban 5 Road in the Saimai district of Bangkok on Saturday,…
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20 expelled PPRP MPs to join Thailand’s Kla Party
Narumon Pinyosinwat, leader of the Kla Party, announced that the 20 MPs recently expelled from the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) are set to join her party soon. The confirmation came following their ejection last week due to their association with Thamanat Prompow, a former influential figure in the PPRP. Thamanat is anticipated to take on a significant role within the…
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Malaysian man and Thai wife arrested in Bangkok for money laundering
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers arrested a Malaysian man and his Thai wife today at a luxury house in Bangkok for running a money laundering operation for a gambling website. The assistant to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) Commissioner, Thatchai Pitaneerabut, and the acting Commissioner of the CCIB, Trairong Phewphan, along with 20 other officers today, , December 17,…
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Former PM Srettha cleared in police chief appointment scandal
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) cleared former Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the Police Commission of any wrongdoing in the controversial appointment of Police General Torsak Sukvimol as National Police Chief. NACC spokesperson Saroj Phuengramphan announced the findings yesterday, December 16. “The commission found no evidence of misconduct or undue influence in the selection process.” The ruling puts to…
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DSI apprehends 5th suspect in illegal surrogacy case in Bangkok
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) apprehended another suspect involved in an illegal surrogacy network, marking the fifth arrest in the case. Police detained Siriporn, who was wanted under a warrant issued by the Criminal Court on November 21, for allegedly engaging in commercial surrogacy operations and acting as a broker. Siriporn was caught at the DSI building in the…
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