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.

  • 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?...

  • Thai poultry exports soar, feathering their cap as world’s third-largest

    Thai poultry exports soar, feathering their cap as world’s third-largest

    With over 100,000 tonnes of chicken valued at a staggering 100 billion baht shipped abroad last year alone, Thailand has secured its spot as the world’s third-largest exporter, trailing only behind Brazil and the US. Thailand’s poultry industry has been on an upward trajectory, with Chaweewan Kampa, President of the Poultry Promotion Association of Thailand, hailing the nation’s climb to…

  • BMA halts mega transit plans due to cash crunch

    BMA halts mega transit plans due to cash crunch

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) slammed the brakes on the construction of three ambitious mass transit projects, citing a crippling shortage of funds. Instead, the projects, the Silver, Grey, and Light Blue lines, will now be handed over to the Ministry of Transport for execution, leaving commuters in the Thai capital hanging in uncertainty. The decision, rubber-stamped at a meeting…

  • PM Srettha urges citizens to dress yellow on Mondays in homage to Thai King

    PM Srettha urges citizens to dress yellow on Mondays in homage to Thai King

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ignited a national fervour, urging Thai citizens to pay homage to His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday. Addressing the nation post-Tuesday’s Cabinet summit, the 61 year old Thai PM, clad in golden hues, disclosed plans for a weekly ritual. “In jubilant celebration of His Majesty’s sixth-cycle milestone on July 28. I’ve directed civil servants to don…

  • Sexbomb Tom Jones set to rock Bangkok with March concert

    Sexbomb Tom Jones set to rock Bangkok with March concert

    Following the likes of Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and Bruno Mars, Sexbomb Tom Jones will be performing at UOB Live of Emsphere, Bangkok on March 14, starting at 8pm. Tom Jones: Ages & Stages Tour In Bangkok, presented by Live Nation Tero, guarantees an evening of musical magic with the British icon, who has captivated audiences worldwide with his sensational voice…

  • Thai Airways’ turbulence at Suvarnabhumi: Transport minister threatens contract termination

    Thai Airways’ turbulence at Suvarnabhumi: Transport minister threatens contract termination

    Transport Minister Suriya Jungroongreangkit issued a warning to Thai Airways International (THAI) following a series of complaints about subpar ground services at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Speaking after a pivotal meeting with airport service operators, Suriya unveiled a roadmap for dramatic improvements or contractual consequences. “The ministry has been inundated with grievances regarding the dismal quality of ground services provided by…

  • Thai woman seeks foreign couple who rescued her mother from Chao Phraya River

    Thai woman seeks foreign couple who rescued her mother from Chao Phraya River

    A Thai woman took to social media to look for a foreign couple who saved her mother from drowning in the Chao Phraya River in the central province of Ayutthaya. The woman, Kornwipha Thongnoom, is searching for a foreign man and woman who helped her mother on February 8 wishing to extend her gratitude to the couple. Kornwipha shared the…

  • Thai government announces five-day weekend for Songkran holiday

    Thai government announces five-day weekend for Songkran holiday

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared Friday, April 12 a special government holiday, amplifying the Songkran celebrations with a five-day weekend. The decision made a full two months ahead of the festival, aims to provide ample time for both individuals and businesses to prepare for the festivities. The 61 year old Thai PM-cum-finance minister expressed his desire for the Ministry of Tourism…

  • Ed Sheeran concert uproar prompts Paetongtarn to deny VIP noise

    Ed Sheeran concert uproar prompts Paetongtarn to deny VIP noise

    Concertgoers at Ed Sheeran’s recent performance in Bangkok were met with an unexpected disturbance emanating from the VIP section, leading to a heated debate across social media platforms. Amidst the furore, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, addressed the issue today, staunchly denying involvement in the disruptive noise that prompted some audience members to leave the venue.…

  • Beware, Valentine’s Day romance scams on the rise

    Beware, Valentine’s Day romance scams on the rise

    With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) issued a warning to the public, particularly women, urging caution against falling victim to cyber criminals preying on the lovestruck. In the age of digital love, the romance scam has become a sinister ploy, requiring minimal effort from fraudsters. All it takes is a fake social media profile, some attractive…

  • The White Lotus season 3 to welcome Blackpink’s Lisa

    The White Lotus season 3 to welcome Blackpink’s Lisa

    Blackpink’s Lisa is poised to make waves in the world of Hollywood as she gears up for her acting debut in the acclaimed American series, The White Lotus. The K-pop sensation will follow in the footsteps of her bandmate Jennie Ruby Jane, stepping onto the HBO stage and igniting excitement amongst fans worldwide. According to Variety’s latest report, Lisa will…

  • Thai stepfather denies abusing 4 year old boy despite visible injuries (video)

    Thai stepfather denies abusing 4 year old boy despite visible injuries (video)

    A Thai social media influencer solicited help from the police to rescue a four year old boy from his abusive stepfather, who denied allegations of abuse despite visible bite marks, bruises, and burns on the child’s body. A community leader in the Khlong Samwa district of Bangkok reported the child abuse to the Bangkok Metropolitan Council and social media influencer…

  • Ready for takeoff: Suvarnabhumi Airport set to soar with new runway

    Ready for takeoff: Suvarnabhumi Airport set to soar with new runway

    Transport Minister Suriya Jungroongreangkit announced a surge in Suvarnabhumi Airport’s operational prowess with the imminent completion of its third runway in July. Suriya forecasts a soaring increase, propelling the airport’s flight handling capability from 67 flights per hour to a whopping 94, a pivotal move in fortifying Thailand’s position as a pivotal aviation nucleus in the region. The forthcoming third…

  • 17 years cold: Japanese tourist’s murder mystery in Thailand haunts family as killer remains at large

    17 years cold: Japanese tourist’s murder mystery in Thailand haunts family as killer remains at large

    In a heart-wrenching tale spanning over a decade, the unresolved murder of Japanese tourist Tamako Kawashita continues to cast a long shadow of sorrow and frustration over her family. Tamako’s father, Yasuaki, stood at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, his voice heavy with grief as he recounted the tragic events. “Her life ended tragically during the trip and, sadly, her killer is…

  • Reporter, photographer arrested for covering political activist news

    Reporter, photographer arrested for covering political activist news

    Officers from Phrarachawang Police Station arrested a reporter and a freelance photographer from the Prachathai news agency for covering the story of the political activist who sprayed number 112 and an anarchy symbol on the wall of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace last year. The 24 year old political activist, Sutthawee Soikham, was arrested in March last year…

  • Digital love: 80% of Thais to swipe right on online Valentine’s gifts

    Digital love: 80% of Thais to swipe right on online Valentine’s gifts

    According to a recent study conducted by the YouGov analysis institute, sponsored by Visa, the go-to name in digital payments, 80% of Thais will be ordering their Valentine’s Day treats from the comfort of their screens. The research delved deep into the hearts and wallets of Thai consumers, uncovering fascinating insights into how lovebirds navigate the digital aisles in search…

  • AOT announces 4.4bn baht plan to boost Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports

    AOT announces 4.4bn baht plan to boost Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports

    Airports of Thailand (AOT) revealed an ambitious investment plan of 4.4 billion baht for enhancements at Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang International Airport. These plans were made public by AOT Deputy Director Keerati Kitmanawat, who shared the vision of increasing service and security standards at Suvarnabhumi Airport to meet the passenger traffic that is expected to bounce back to…

  • Party chief Suwat celebrates 69th birthday with prime minister

    Party chief Suwat celebrates 69th birthday with prime minister

    Chart Pattana Kla Party chief Suwat Liptapanlop celebrated his 69th birthday by hosting the prime minister and lending his backing to the government’s highly debated digital wallet policy. Despite facing opposition from the central bank and various government agencies, Suwat firmly believes that the controversial plan to distribute 10,000 baht to nearly every Thai aged 16 and above is crucial…

  • Chinese New Year celebrations across Thailand: Golden dragons, vibrant attire, and mouthwatering feasts

    Chinese New Year celebrations across Thailand: Golden dragons, vibrant attire, and mouthwatering feasts

    Chiang Mai has been transformed into a mesmerising spectacle as lion and golden dragon dance troupes from Bangkok took to the streets for the Chinese New Year celebrations. Store owners eagerly invited them inside, hoping to bask in the good luck and prosperity they brought. Meanwhile, at the iconic Tha Phae Gate, Chinese tourists swarmed, dressed in Thai traditional attire,…

  • Australian governor-general to visit Thailand, strengthening ties

    Australian governor-general to visit Thailand, strengthening ties

    The longstanding ties between Thailand and Australia are set to be celebrated as Governor-General of Australia David John Hurley prepares for a visit to Thailand from February 13 to 17. The visit, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promises to be a significant event in the annals of both nations. The itinerary of the visit includes a royal…

  • Lunar New Year rituals at Bangkok’s dragon lotus temple draw Thai-Chinese community

    Lunar New Year rituals at Bangkok’s dragon lotus temple draw Thai-Chinese community

    Today marks the onset of the Lunar New Year, also known as the Year of the Dragon, a significant occasion for Thais with Chinese roots. The shared belief of expelling impending misfortune, termed as fixing a cursed year or Pi Chong in Thai, strengthens the cultural ties between the two communities. A customary practice during the Lunar New Year involves…

  • Thai woman arrested in murder for hire case after 16 years

    Thai woman arrested in murder for hire case after 16 years

    Officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) arrested a Thai woman in Bangkok in a murder for hire case after she evaded arrest for over 16 years. The body of a Thai woman was found in a canal in Pak Poon sub-district, Mueang district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province on July 8, 2008. She bore signs of strangling on her neck…

  • PM Srettha heralds visa-free travel between Thailand and China (video)

    PM Srettha heralds visa-free travel between Thailand and China (video)

    In a heartening message marking the Lunar New Year, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed his optimism about the newly lifted visa requirements between Thailand and China, anticipating a significant boost in bilateral relations and travel. During his well-wishing messages on Lunar New Year, PM Srettha conveyed his hopes that the lifting of visa requirements would foster increased interaction between Thailand…

  • Interior minister condemns student activist’s act of defiance towards Thai royal convoy

    Interior minister condemns student activist’s act of defiance towards Thai royal convoy

    Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiseth strongly condemned the actions of student activist Tantawan Tuatulanon and her friend for their behaviour towards a royal motorcade in Bangkok. Chada expressed his disapproval, stating that the motorcade was not causing any traffic obstruction and that the pair could have chosen alternative lanes. The deputy interior minister emphasised that honking at the royal convoy…

  • Crackdown on underage prostitution, teen Thai pimp arrested

    Crackdown on underage prostitution, teen Thai pimp arrested

    Children and Women Protection Sub-Division and Chana Songkram Police Station officers swooped on an underage prostitution racket and arrested a 19 year old pimp as she accompanied two underage sex workers to a hotel in Bangkok. The teenage pimp, Rapheporn, was arrested on Wednesday, February 7, at the hotel on Prachathipatai Road in the Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok, and…

  • The realities of PM2.5 in Thailand revealed by ‘Check Dust’

    The realities of PM2.5 in Thailand revealed by ‘Check Dust’

    Thailand is facing a grave environmental crisis as PM 2.5 levels soar to dangerous heights, threatening the health of millions. The Thai Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), in partnership with the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) and other relevant bodies, took decisive action to combat this escalating threat. The Check Dust application, utilising cutting-edge…

  • Thai PM proposes campus switch to diffuse student conflict at Rajamangala University

    Thai PM proposes campus switch to diffuse student conflict at Rajamangala University

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday suggested that the relocation of Rajamangala University of Technology’s Uthenthawai Campus (Uthen) from its current location in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district could be the key to resolving its longstanding rivalry with Pathumwan Institute of Technology students. The 61 year old Thai prime minister emphasised that a change of location and a shift in student mindset are…

  • Thai taxi driver threatens Japanese man for refusing his service

    Thai taxi driver threatens Japanese man for refusing his service

    A Thai taxi driver faces four charges for threatening a Japanese man with a knife after the foreigner refused to use his service because he would not use his meter and demanded 150 baht for a destination only 1 kilometre away. On February 5, the Japanese victim took to his Twitter account, @ginn_taro, to share his experience with a Thai…

  • Honouring His Majesty’s 72nd birthday: Lord Buddha’s relics

    Honouring His Majesty’s 72nd birthday: Lord Buddha’s relics

    The Department of Religious Affairs declared that rare relics of the Lord Buddha and his chief disciples Sariputra and Moggallana will be transported from India to be showcased at Sanam Luang, allowing the public to offer their respects from 9am to 8pm, starting from February 22 until March 19. Following this period, the relics will embark on a journey to…

  • Update: Meet the first female president of the Football Association of Thailand

    Update: Meet the first female president of the Football Association of Thailand

    Nualphan Lamsam clinched a resounding victory to become the new president of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), leaving her competitors in the dust. The former men’s team manager secured an impressive 68 out of 73 votes, marking a significant shift in leadership at the association, as she takes over from Police General Somyot Poompunmuang following his eight-year tenure. The…

  • Thai football in turmoil: Race for FAT presidency and financial promises revealed

    Thai football in turmoil: Race for FAT presidency and financial promises revealed

    The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) is set to usher in a new president, marking the conclusion of Police General Somyot Poompunmuang’s eight-year tenure as the nation’s football chief. The battle for the coveted position has seen former national men’s team manager Nualphan Lamsam emerge as the frontrunner, with the election scheduled to take place at FAT headquarters in Bangkok’s…