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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
-
Bangkok taxi crackdown nets 76 drivers for cheating and refusals
Bangkok’s tourist police are cracking down hard on taxi drivers who cheat tourists by refusing rides, avoiding meters, or blocking traffic. In a major enforcement sweep, 76 drivers were arrested for violating the law in the city’s busy tourist areas. Today, May 27, Police Lieutenant General Saksira Pueak-am, Commander-in-Chief of the Tourist Police Bureau, ordered strict action to ensure taxi…
-
27 animals seized, 2 arrested in Bangkok airport wildlife sting
Thai police dealt a major blow to wildlife traffickers after intercepting 27 exotic animals hidden in luggage on two separate flights at Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt. The first haul included 20 blue iguanas and two sulcata tortoises found in the luggage of an Indian passenger preparing to board flight TG325…
-
BLACKPINK is back: Bangkok gears up for epic ‘deadline’ tour stop
BLINKs, it’s happening! K-pop royalty BLACKPINK is officially reuniting for a brand-new world tour—and yes, Bangkok is on the map. After making waves worldwide with solo projects and smashing records with their last tour, Born Pink, the chart-topping girl group is turning up the heat once again with the BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR <DEADLINE>. The electrifying new tour kicks off in Seoul on…
-
4 year old Thai boy rescued after seen smoking cigarette in viral video
A Thai man sought help for a four year old boy after encountering the young child smoking a cigarette and playing alone under the Rama VIII Bridge in Bangkok. The man shared a video of the boy on his Facebook account, แฟร้งค์’ เฟิร์ต, yesterday, May 26, in the hope that a relevant government agency would intervene and provide the child…
-
Thai police ground aircraft for safety checks after fatal crashes
The national police chief has suspended all police aircraft for comprehensive safety evaluations following two crashes within a month that resulted in the deaths of nine people. Police General Kittharath Punpetch announced yesterday, May 26, that all planes belonging to the Thai Police Aviation Division (TPAD) would remain grounded until they complete new safety inspections. “Experiencing two crashes in a…
-
Bangkok restaurant criticised over misleading birthday promotion
A Japanese restaurant in Bangkok faces criticism after a customer’s dissatisfaction with a birthday promotion gained traction on social media. The incident was highlighted yesterday, May 26, by a well-known Thai consumer rights Facebook group. The customer visited a popular à la carte Japanese restaurant, enticed by an online promotion offering a complimentary salmon rice cake for those celebrating their…
-
From run to ruin: mini-marathon at Bangkok park turns out to be scam
Nearly 2,000 runners fell victim to a scam mini-marathon at Suan Luang Rama IX Public Park in Bangkok. The total amount of financial loss remains under investigation. Several runners took to social media yesterday, May 25, to condemn the organiser of the mini-marathon, Run for Destination 2025. Around 1,800 runners arrived at the venue only to find an eerily quiet…
-
Bangkok shakes hands with Google to launch AI traffic project
Officials in Bangkok have teamed up with Google to launch an AI-driven initiative aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in the capital. Yesterday, May 26, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesperson Ekwaranyu Amrapal announced progress on the city’s ‘Green Light’ project, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to optimise traffic light systems in real-time. The project…
-
Bangkok driver rams into motorcyclist for stopping at zebra crossing
A Thai motorcyclist accused a hatchback driver of deliberately ramming into him on a Bangkok road on May 22, allegedly out of anger after the rider stopped at a zebra crossing, which briefly blocked the driver’s way. The 24 year old victim, Butchart, sought assistance from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after officers at Bang Khen Police Station allegedly ignored his…
-
Body of worker retrieved from 19-metre hole in Bangkok
The body of 33 year old Sarawut Chantasont, also known as Dao, has been successfully retrieved after falling into a 19-metre deep pile foundation hole at a construction site of the Orange Line metro project in Bangkok. The incident, which took place on May 19 at the site located between Soi Lan Luang 6 and 8, required an extensive rescue…
-
Bangkok mall busted for counterfeit luxury goods in crackdown
Yesterday, a major operation targeted a well-known shopping mall in Bangkok, uncovering counterfeit luxury brands, including bags and watches. The Thai government is intensifying its efforts to combat copyright infringement, aiming to remove Thailand from international watch lists for such issues. Government Spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap highlighted the importance placed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s administration on addressing all forms of…
-
Bangkok police arrest Chinese photo scam ringleaders
A ruthless gang of Chinese and Thai fraudsters has been busted in Bangkok after swindling victims out of millions of baht with a bogus photo promotion scam. Two Chinese nationals, 29 year old Di Tian Shaanxi and 44 year old Li Shengyou, along with three Thai accomplices, were arrested near a shopping mall on Phahon Yothin Road on Thursday, May…
-
Thai actress reveals series of assaults by ex-boyfriend with police ties
A Thai actress is seeking justice and protection after being brutally assaulted by her ex-boyfriend, who also threatened her against taking legal action, boasting of his father’s influence as a police officer. The actress, identified only as Bell, contacted the Foundation Campaigning to Reclaim Social Justice (CRSJ) for assistance and went public with her story, expressing hope that the suspect…
-
Thai defence minister warns of potential future coup
Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has not dismissed the potential for a future coup in Thailand, urging all sides to reflect on past events to bolster democratic institutions. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the 2014 coup by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), he emphasised the need for patience and adherence to democratic processes, warning against…
-
Senators revolt: Block vote on key appointments amid scandal
Thailand’s political arena is heating up as a group of senators prepares to demand the suspension of a key selection process amid explosive allegations of vote-rigging. A coalition of so-called “minority senators,” led by Premsak Piayura and Nantana Nantavaropas, is gathering signatures to halt the Senate’s scheduled selection of members to several independent organisations during its session May 29-30. The…
-
Teen girl arrested for orchestrating online sex trade in Bangkok
A 15 year old girl has been apprehended for allegedly orchestrating an online sex trade, involving peers for up to 5,000 baht per engagement while pocketing commissions of 2,000 to 3,000 baht. Police coordinated the arrest after the suspect confessed to repeated involvement. Today, May 22, Police Major General Songklod Krikkritya directed Police Colonel Korkiet Wutjamnong and his team to…
-
Bangkok police arrest notorious motorcycle theft gang
Siam Boonsom, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, and senior police officials, successfully apprehended a motorcycle theft gang in Bangkok. The suspects, 45 year old Somsak, known as Ood, and 40 year old Ting Ko Ko Oo, yesterday, May 21, were caught in possession of four motorcycles and numerous spare parts in Soi Lat Phrao 119, Khlong Chan, Bang Kapi district. The investigation…
-
Overturned truck causes crude oil spill on Bangkok road
A sleepy trucker turned a Bangkok expressway into a hazardous oil slick early this morning after dozing off behind the wheel and flipping his 18-wheeler. The incident unfolded at 1.20am today, May 22, on the Kanchanaphisek Road, near kilometre marker 52+900 in Prawet district, as the 18-wheel trailer truck veered into the central reservation and overturned, spilling over 30 tonnes…
-
Thai airports to boost services for elderly and disabled passengers
Flying in Thailand is about to get a major upgrade—especially for those who need it most. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is rolling out a new set of regulations aimed at dramatically improving service standards for passengers requiring special assistance. Whether you’re elderly, injured, or living with a disability, these new rules are designed to make air travel…
-
Man arrested in Bangkok for 8 million baht fraud scheme
A 46 year old man has been arrested for fraud, impersonation, and deceiving victims into investing over 8 million baht. Before his arrest yesterday, May 21, Vorathep, known for his polished appearance, had been duping people by presenting himself as a doctor or executive. Police Major General Witthaya Sriprasertpab, along with Police Colonel Ekkasit Pansithao and Police Lieutenant Jeerattawat Kitrungruengdet…
-
Scam city: Bangkok tops list for tourist fraud
Planning a holiday in Thailand? You’d better watch your wallet. Bangkok has just been named one of the world’s top hotspots for tourist fraud, with nearly half of all reported scams involving dodgy taxi and car rental deals, according to a new report by the Mastercard Economics Institute. Released this week and highlighted by CNBC, the report reveals a disturbing…
-
Prawit takes a tumble at Bangkok’s Wat Pho (video)
General Prawit Wongsuwan, better known as “Big Pom,” took a dramatic tumble down the stairs at Wat Pho, one of Bangkok’s most iconic temples, during a royal blessing ceremony on Monday evening. But despite the fall, party officials insist the political heavyweight is in fighting form. The incident occurred on Monday, May 19, just after 7pm, as General Prawit, leader…
-
Grab wars: Bangkok taxi drivers threaten airport chaos
Fuming taxi drivers vowed to bring chaos to Bangkok’s skies and streets, threatening to blockade Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Government House if the PM doesn’t scrap Grab’s airport access. Tempers flared at Government House today, May 21, as more than 50 furious cabbies rallied outside Gate 5, demanding an end to what they call “unfair favouritism” towards Grab drivers at…
-
MGM Resorts urges Thailand to adopt competitive casino tax rate
MGM Resorts International suggests Thailand should adopt a casino tax rate competitive with Singapore and permit a significant number of locals to visit casino complexes to foster tourism and economic growth. The company is exploring a potential investment of US$3-5 billion in a casino facility in Bangkok. Ed Bowers, President of Global Development at MGM Resorts, stated that emerging markets…
-
Ex-British air hostess claims she’s been ‘suitcased’ in drug bust
A former British air hostess claims she’s been stitched up in a £1.5 million (66.5 million baht) drug bust in Sri Lanka, insisting she had no clue 46 kilogrammes of cannabis was stuffed in her suitcase. Charlotte May Lee is facing years behind bars in a notorious Sri Lankan prison after being arrested in Colombo with a suitcase stuffed with…
-
Sink or spend? Thailand nears decision on submarine deal
Thailand’s long-delayed and controversy-laden submarine deal is finally approaching crunch time — and it’s sink or spend for the Defence Ministry. Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed that a final decision on the 13.5 billion baht submarine procurement project could be made by the end of this month or in early June. The high-stakes verdict follows consultations with the Royal Thai…
-
SRT approves delayed Lat Krabang container depot overhaul
After years of frustrating delays, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is finally pushing forward with a 40 billion baht upgrade of Bangkok’s Inland Container Depot in Lat Krabang and the green light couldn’t come soon enough. The SRT board last Thursday, May 15, approved a long-awaited study into the project’s future, identifying a public-private partnership (PPP) under a net…
-
Super spreader Covid variant rips through Thailand
A new Covid-19 variant is sweeping through Thailand at breakneck speed, with infections skyrocketing and vulnerable groups most at risk. Health authorities are on high alert as the XEC variant, a descendant of Omicron, spreads nearly seven times faster than seasonal influenza. Since January 1, the Public Health Ministry has recorded 108,891 infections and 27 fatalities linked to the strain,…
-
Snake protest forces Bangkok condo management to act on hidden pets
A Bangkok condominium resident released two snakes into a hallway in protest after the building’s management allegedly ignored complaints about noisy pets kept by residents who were violating the no-pet policy. Several residents of the condominium, in the Ratchada area of the capital, shared videos and photos of the two large snakes on their social media accounts. They explained that…
-
Busted: Aussie caught with 22kg of crystal meth at Bangkok airport
An Australian man’s flight to freedom ended in handcuffs after he was caught trying to smuggle a staggering 22 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “Ice,” aboard a plane bound for Melbourne. The suspect, 28 year old Tran Huybao Khang, was arrested on Sunday, May 18, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport next to Thai Airways flight TG461. He was reportedly…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.