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

    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...

  • Up in smoke: Vape vendor’s online hustle snuffed out in Thailand | Thaiger

    Up in smoke: Vape vendor’s online hustle snuffed out in Thailand

    Police arrested an online seller of e-cigarettes and vape liquids at her residence, seizing over 1,000 items. The suspect admitted today, July 24, to selling products to up to 10 customers daily, earning around 4,000 baht per day. She was taken to Din Daeng Police Station for formal charges. Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau,…

  • Paws of glory: Hero rider saves cat from blaze in Bangkok condo | Thaiger

    Paws of glory: Hero rider saves cat from blaze in Bangkok condo

    A dramatic TikTok video is melting hearts online after capturing the moment a heroic delivery rider charged into a burning Bangkok condominium to rescue a trapped cat—emerging moments later covered in soot and cradling the lifeless feline in his arms. The video, posted on July 23 by user @pluem_sora, shows the rider—who is also a volunteer firefighter—bravely climbing through the…

  • Paetongtarn faces sedition heat over leaked call scandal | Thaiger

    Paetongtarn faces sedition heat over leaked call scandal

    An explosive investigation into suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been escalated to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), following allegations of sedition linked to a leaked phone conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. According to a source within the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), a team led by CIB Deputy Commissioner Police Major General Suwat Saennoom has completed its investigation…

  • Senate backs amnesty for impulsive youth in political offences | Thaiger

    Senate backs amnesty for impulsive youth in political offences

    A Senate committee expressed support for an amnesty aimed at young people who may have committed political offences due to recklessness or impulsivity. The Senate Committee on Political Development, Public Participation, Human Rights, Liberties, and Consumer Protection convened on Tuesday, July 22, to assess four amnesty bills, three of which are also being reviewed by a House committee. On July…

  • Pheu Thai power play to crown Bangkok’s first female council chief | Thaiger

    Pheu Thai power play to crown Bangkok’s first female council chief

    Bangkok Metropolitan Council President Surachit Phongsinghvitaya is reportedly stepping down on July 29, paving the way for a political shake-up that could see the capital get its first-ever female council president. Insiders say Surachit’s resignation has been quietly orchestrated by senior figures within the ruling Pheu Thai Party, which is pushing to elevate Kanoknuch Klinsung, a councillor from Don Mueang…

  • Thais get lucky with new retirement lottery scheme | Thaiger

    Thais get lucky with new retirement lottery scheme

    The House of Representatives has given the green light to a game-changing amendment that could turn every lottery ticket into a retirement win. Yesterday, July 23, MPs voted overwhelmingly to approve changes to the National Savings Fund Act, introducing a brand-new weekly retirement lottery aimed at helping Thais build long-term savings while still enjoying their favourite national pastime. The new…

  • Car scam duo linked to southern Thailand bomb network | Thaiger

    Car scam duo linked to southern Thailand bomb network

    Two men arrested for selling used cars with fake licence plates and forged documents have been linked to a high-stakes crime ring supplying vehicles to car-bombers in Thailand’s Deep South, according to police. In a sweeping raid yesterday, July 22, more than 50 officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) stormed 14 locations across Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok in pursuit…

  • Phumtham backs Paetongtarn to beat court case and return as PM | Thaiger

    Phumtham backs Paetongtarn to beat court case and return as PM

    Thailand’s political soap opera just took another twist—with acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai backing suspended PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra to beat the rap and reclaim her throne. Speaking to reporters today, July 23, at the Interior Ministry, Phumtham declared he was “confident” that Paetongtarn would emerge from her Constitutional Court battle unscathed and resume leadership of the country. “The prime minister…

  • Qantas passengers forced to surrender passports in Bangkok (video) | Thaiger

    Qantas passengers forced to surrender passports in Bangkok (video)

    Aussie travellers were left fuming in Bangkok after their Qantas flight was cancelled at the last minute—forcing them to choose between handing over their passports or sleeping on the airport floor. The service from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Sydney was initially delayed for six hours before being officially cancelled late on Monday night, July 21, stranding dozens of passengers…

  • Hot wheels: Fire destroys Mercedes-Benz on Bangkok expressway | Thaiger

    Hot wheels: Fire destroys Mercedes-Benz on Bangkok expressway

    A luxury Mercedes-Benz burst into flames on a Bangkok expressway, sending black smoke billowing into the night sky and leaving behind a charred wreck. The dramatic incident unfolded at around 8.30pm yesterday, July 22, when a grey Mercedes-Benz E200 caught fire on the Borommaratchachonnani elevated expressway parallel route in the Chimphli subdistrict of Taling Chan district. The Phan Fa Radio…

  • Miracle orange cat rises after Bangkok building collapse | Thaiger

    Miracle orange cat rises after Bangkok building collapse

    An orange cat with a princess pout has clawed her way into hearts across Thailand after surviving a deadly building collapse — and now she’s not just famous, she’s fundraising too. The feline, named Satong, was pulled from the rubble of the Office of the Auditor General building in Bangkok following its dramatic collapse on March 28. Miraculously unharmed, the…

  • No laughing matter: Comedian accused of fleeing after crash, dodging repair costs | Thaiger

    No laughing matter: Comedian accused of fleeing after crash, dodging repair costs

    A Thai woman is demanding accountability from a well-known comedian who allegedly crashed his car into hers on a Bangkok road but has yet to fully cover the cost of damages. The victim, 30 year old Hathaiphat “Ploy” Wasusaksiri, contacted the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive on July 22, stating that she had to personally cover the outstanding repair cost of…

  • Charter showdown: Court to rule on referendum timing | Thaiger

    Charter showdown: Court to rule on referendum timing

    The Constitutional Court announced that it will deliver a landmark ruling on September 10, which could reshape how Thailand amends its constitution. At the heart of the case is a critical question: can Parliament greenlight a draft charter before the public has its say via referendum? The legal dispute stems from urgent motions filed during a joint parliamentary session on March 17 by…

  • From monk to suspect: Abbot may face charges over false theft report | Thaiger

    From monk to suspect: Abbot may face charges over false theft report

    Evidence emerged suggesting that the abbot of Muang Temple in the Bang Khae district of Bangkok may have fabricated a reported theft involving 10 million baht in cash and nearly 13 million baht in gold. The abbot, Phra Ratchawatchara Phattanatorn, also known as Chao Khun Narong, filed a complaint with Phetchakasem Police Station on July 1, claiming that personal assets,…

  • Suvarnabhumi crowned world’s No.1 airport for airline service | Thaiger

    Suvarnabhumi crowned world’s No.1 airport for airline service

    Suvarnabhumi International Airport has been ranked the world’s No.1 airport for the most airlines in service, with a staggering 113 carriers now operating from its runways, according to a recent survey by Brilliant Maps. That puts it ahead of major global hubs like Paris Charles de Gaulle (105 airlines), Dubai International (97), and Singapore Changi (82). Transport Minister and Deputy…

  • Bangkok drug dealer Por Hua Benz arrested for assaults and meth use | Thaiger

    Bangkok drug dealer Por Hua Benz arrested for assaults and meth use

    Police Region 3 apprehended a major drug dealer in the Hathairat area, following multiple reports of him assaulting his parents. The arrest of the suspect, Tiwa, also known as Por Hua Benz, took place yesterday, July 21, at his residence on Hathairat Soi 25, Min Buri, Bangkok, as directed by Police Major General Siam Boonsom, alongside other senior police officers.…

  • Man arrested after targeting coin-operated car washes in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Man arrested after targeting coin-operated car washes in Bangkok

    Metropolitan police apprehended a 41 year old man after he allegedly broke into coin-operated car wash machines twice. Facing unemployment and financial difficulties, the suspect, Pongpan admitted to committing these crimes. The arrest took place on July 18 at a rented room in Din Daeng district, Bangkok. On July 2, around 5pm, the victim received a report from a relative that…

  • Thaksin to attend secretive coalition dinner sparking influence row | Thaiger

    Thaksin to attend secretive coalition dinner sparking influence row

    Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be dining with ruling coalition MPs today, reigniting speculation over his behind-the-scenes influence in Thai politics. Chief Government Whip Wisut Chainaroon confirmed the meeting, calling it a rare but much-needed gathering to strengthen unity before Parliament reconvenes. “This isn’t unusual,” said Wisut, a list MP from the Pheu Thai Party. “Since this government took…

  • Bangkok delivery rider caught with Trump-themed ecstasy pills | Thaiger

    Bangkok delivery rider caught with Trump-themed ecstasy pills

    Police in Chok Chai apprehended a 35 year old delivery rider at a checkpoint on Lat Phrao Road, Bangkok, on July 21. He was found in possession of 59 ecstasy pills, which bore the likeness of former US President Donald Trump. The arrest of the suspect, Ekarin, also known as Diao, was part of a routine traffic and crime suppression…

  • Bangkok blitz: Over 1.3 million fake goods seized in massive raid | Thaiger

    Bangkok blitz: Over 1.3 million fake goods seized in massive raid

    In a sweeping six-month crackdown, the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has seized over 1.3 million counterfeit items in raids across Bangkok and beyond. The campaign has already triggered 139 legal cases, signalling a renewed push to clean up the country’s notorious counterfeit trade. “This is a serious issue,” said DIP Director General Nusara Kanjanakul. “It impacts not only consumer…

  • Thai transwoman arrested behind 50 million baht job scam | Thaiger

    Thai transwoman arrested behind 50 million baht job scam

    Police arrested a Thai transwoman at a market in Bangkok for orchestrating an overseas job scam that reportedly caused damages totalling between 40 and 50 million baht. A representative of the 250 to 300 victims sought help from the Pavena Foundation for Women and Children. According to the representative, victims were deceived into paying between 150,000 and 200,000 baht each…

  • Quake mistake: Tycoon named in deadly Bangkok building collapse probe | Thaiger

    Quake mistake: Tycoon named in deadly Bangkok building collapse probe

    Bangkok police have wrapped up their investigation into the deadly collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building, with 23 big names, including a top tycoon, now facing possible criminal charges over the catastrophic disaster. The SAO tower, a 30-storey structure still under construction, came crashing down on March 28 after a 4.5-magnitude earthquake rattled the capital, leaving at least…

  • Bangkok electric train fare capped at 20 baht from 2025 | Thaiger

    Bangkok electric train fare capped at 20 baht from 2025

    Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit confirmed that the maximum fare for the Bangkok metropolitan electric train network would be capped at 20 baht per journey starting October 1, 2025. The initiative will cover eight lines, spanning 13 routes, totalling 276.84 kilometres and 194 stations. On July 18, Suriya met with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and private sector…

  • Dispute between vendors leads to fatal shooting in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Dispute between vendors leads to fatal shooting in Bangkok

    A dispute between second-hand jeans vendors resulted in a fatal shooting at Thung Khru Plaza Market in Bangkok. Yesterday, July 20, at 6pm, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jirasak Homnan from Rat Burana Police Station received a report regarding a shooting incident involving firearms, which led to a death. The incident took place in Soi Pracha Uthit 61, Thung Khru district. Officers…

  • Toyota Camry fire on Sirat Expressway swiftly extinguished in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Toyota Camry fire on Sirat Expressway swiftly extinguished in Bangkok

    Firefighters swiftly responded to a car fire on Sirat Expressway in Bangkok yesterday afternoon when a grey Toyota Camry caught fire. The incident, believed to be caused by an engine malfunction, resulted in no injuries or fatalities. The fire erupted at 5.06pm near the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning in the Phaya Thai district. The 199…

  • Suvarnabhumi tests indoor smoking rooms to curb toilet puffing | Thaiger

    Suvarnabhumi tests indoor smoking rooms to curb toilet puffing

    Smokers flying through Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport may soon breathe a sigh of relief — indoors. In a controversial move, Thai health authorities are building two prototype smoking rooms inside the airport, aiming to clamp down on passengers lighting up in restricted areas like toilets. The Department of Disease Control (DDC) confirmed the rooms are expected to be completed by the…

  • Vietnamese dealer busted in Bangkok bar drug raid | Thaiger

    Vietnamese dealer busted in Bangkok bar drug raid

    A wild Bangkok nightlife scene turned into a full-blown drug bust early yesterday morning after police swooped in on a popular entertainment venue in Wang Thonglang district, arresting a Vietnamese dealer and detaining 40 others who tested positive for drugs. The raid was the climax of an ongoing investigation by the Metropolitan Police Bureau into a suspected drug operation run…

  • Bangkok lift horror: Woman killed in goods elevator accident | Thaiger

    Bangkok lift horror: Woman killed in goods elevator accident

    A Bangkok worker was crushed to death in a horrific elevator accident yesterday after a goods lift malfunctioned at a commercial building in the capital’s Pom Prap Sattru Phai district. The victim, a 46 year old woman known only as Koi, worked at a forklift parts shop on Ban Batr Road. She was killed instantly when her head became trapped…

  • Vietjet stuns with 0 baht fares on new Bangkok-Kolkata route | Thaiger

    Vietjet stuns with 0 baht fares on new Bangkok-Kolkata route

    Bargain-hunters, brace yourselves—VietJet Thailand is shaking up the skies again, this time with 0 baht fares to India. The budget airline has announced a jaw-dropping promotion to celebrate its brand-new direct route from Bangkok to Kolkata, launching this November. VietJet Thailand CEO Voranate Laprabang revealed that the new route is part of the carrier’s aggressive push to expand its international…

  • Thai actress catches Laotian housemaid stealing nearly 1 million baht | Thaiger

    Thai actress catches Laotian housemaid stealing nearly 1 million baht

    A Thai actress discovered that her Laotian housemaid had been stealing cash in small amounts over the course of a year, leading to a total loss of nearly 1 million baht. The actress, Nathalie Devies, and her husband filed a police complaint on July 10 after realising that cash in both Thai and foreign currencies had gone missing from their…