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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    Answers to the most common questions about international health insurance

    If you’ve been thinking of staying in Thailand long-term, you’ve probably already asked the big question, “Do I actually need international health insurance?” It’s a question that often comes up among expats, digital nomads, retirees, and even frequent travellers. Sure,...

  • Bangkok rail fares capped at 20 baht by March 2026

    Bangkok rail fares capped at 20 baht by March 2026

    The government is set to implement a 20-baht fare cap across all of Greater Bangkok’s rail network by March 2026, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced yesterday. Suriya confirmed the decision following a meeting with the Common Ticketing System Policy Committee. The committee approved the plan to impose a 20-baht limit on ticket prices throughout Bangkok’s rail network and has instructed…

  • Thai court to review 2001 Thai-Cambodian MoU’s constitutionality

    Thai court to review 2001 Thai-Cambodian MoU’s constitutionality

    Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) Deputy Leader Paiboon Nititawan has taken his concerns about the 2001 Thai-Cambodian memorandum of understanding (MoU) on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand to the Constitutional Court, questioning its alignment with the Thai constitution. Paiboon had initially requested the Ombudsman to petition the court on April 10 but, after the Ombudsman failed to act within…

  • Family searches for missing 77 year old Thai woman in Bangkok

    Family searches for missing 77 year old Thai woman in Bangkok

    Relatives are urgently searching for a 77 year old woman who has been missing for two days after visiting a health centre in the Khlong Sam Wa district. Efforts to locate her have so far been unsuccessful. Facebook user Ratchakorn Wichaitcharn posted an announcement seeking help to find the elderly woman, Ubon Jaitam, who disappeared from Public Health Service Centre…

  • Election shocker: Over 23,000 candidates’ personal data exposed

    Election shocker: Over 23,000 candidates’ personal data exposed

    The Election Commission (EC) accidentally exposed the national ID numbers of over 23,000 candidates who had advanced to the district-level senatorial elections. The Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC)’s Eagle Eye Centre sounded the alarm, revealing the EC Office had breached personal data protection laws. “The EC Office must immediately conceal the leaked numbers and provide an explanation.” The PDPC, under…

  • BMW flips after hitting old toll booth at Chaeng Watthana

    BMW flips after hitting old toll booth at Chaeng Watthana

    A black BMW crashed into an old toll booth at Chaeng Watthana, flipping over and injuring one person. The accident occurred when the driver momentarily took their eyes off the road. Facebook page JS100 Radio reported that the incident happened yesterday at the old toll booth which has not been dismantled yet. The car, travelling at around 40 kilometres per…

  • Pheu Thai in crisis: Will new strategies save the day?

    Pheu Thai in crisis: Will new strategies save the day?

    Political analysts predict the ruling Pheu Thai Party will deploy fresh strategies to revive its sagging popularity after a lacklustre performance over the past nine months. Despite a government survey by the National Statistical Office showing 44.3% satisfaction with the administration, a NIDA Poll tells a grimmer story: only 25.19% of the public are content. A significant 34.35% of respondents…

  • Train travel from Bangkok to Beijing inching closer

    Train travel from Bangkok to Beijing inching closer

    Train travel between Bangkok and Beijing is moving closer to reality as Thailand gears up to expand its rail network. This new venture promises to transform travel and trade in the region, connecting major cities in Thailand, Laos, and China. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced a trial service between Bangkok and Vientiane, the capital of Laos, on July…

  • TikTok warning: Bolt rider assaults Thai woman over fare dispute

    TikTok warning: Bolt rider assaults Thai woman over fare dispute

    A Thai woman took to TikTok to warn other users about her experience with the Bolt ride-hailing application, where the rider in Bangkok physically assaulted her after she refused to pay his inflated fare. The victim shared security camera footage of the physical assault on her TikTok account, @picnicka, yesterday, June 12. According to the victim, the violent app-based rider…

  • Bangkok steps up crackdown on illegal begging

    Bangkok steps up crackdown on illegal begging

    Police in Bangkok have intensified efforts to curb illegal begging, with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) spearheading routine inspections in collaboration with various sectors. The initiative, announced by Varawut Silpa-archa, involves inspecting for illegal beggars five times a month, aiming to address the persistent issue effectively. During these inspections, Thai beggars are transferred to the Centre…

  • Siberian Husky in urgent need of blood donation after snake bite

    Siberian Husky in urgent need of blood donation after snake bite

    A Siberian Husky faces a dire situation after being bitten by a snake and requiring an urgent blood donation at Kasetsart Animal Hospital in Bang Khen. The dog’s condition necessitated an immediate amputation of its right hind leg to prevent the spread of infection. The heartfelt plea for help was posted on the Facebook page ปู่ลอยด์, urging dog owners to…

  • MRT wins legal battle to extend Orange Line

    MRT wins legal battle to extend Orange Line

    The Supreme Administrative Court has upheld a previous ruling by the Central Administrative Court, greenlighting the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRT) to ink a deal with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company (BEM) for the Orange Line extension from Bang Khun Non to Min Buri. The legal tussle began when Bangkok Mass Transit System Company (BTSC) took the MRT to…

  • Truck fire near gas station causes major disruption in Bangkok

    Truck fire near gas station causes major disruption in Bangkok

    A 22-wheel trailer truck carrying 15 tonnes of rubber scrap caught fire near a gas station, causing significant damage and triggering a substantial emergency response. Five fire trucks were dispatched to control the blaze, which erupted around 4.05am today. Police received a report of the fire from Apivat Sinpru, an investigator at the Thammasala Police Station. The incident occurred in…

  • EC ordered to present evidence against Move Forward Party

    EC ordered to present evidence against Move Forward Party

    The Election Commission (EC) has been ordered by the Constitutional Court to present its list of witnesses and evidence in the high-stakes case against the Move Forward Party (MFP) before the next hearing on June 18. The nine judges of the Constitutional Court convened today to deliberate the EC’s petition to dissolve the MFP. The embattled party had already filed…

  • On track: SRT proposes dual-track railway to Nakhon Ratchasima

    On track: SRT proposes dual-track railway to Nakhon Ratchasima

    The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) proposed two options for the construction of a dual-track railway between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima, assuring locals that the Simathani Bridge will not be demolished. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Transport, aimed to finalise plans and address concerns. The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Transport Surapong Piyachote along with numerous…

  • Shock fare hike on MRT Blue Line: Pay up to 45 baht from July 3

    Shock fare hike on MRT Blue Line: Pay up to 45 baht from July 3

    The Thai Cabinet approved a fare increase for the MRT Blue Line, effective from July 3. This means passengers will soon be paying between 17 baht and 45 baht for their journeys, up from the current maximum of 43 baht. Deputy Government Spokesperson Kenika Anudit announced the decision yesterday, June 11, confirming that the Cabinet had greenlit the draft regulations…

  • More than 99% of Thais back marriage equality

    More than 99% of Thais back marriage equality

    A recent poll reveals that over 99% of Thais are in favour of the Marriage Equality Bill, advocating for legal benefits for same-sex couples. This groundbreaking survey, conducted by content platform The Attraction between May 20 and June 9, indicates a powerful push towards equality in Thailand. An overwhelming 99.3% of respondents backed the bill, though the exact number of…

  • Cyber police dismantle global call centre scam network in Bangkok

    Cyber police dismantle global call centre scam network in Bangkok

    Thai cyber police dismantled a global call centre scam network, arresting a key member in Bangkok. The investigation revealed that the network had defrauded victims of over 200 million baht, claiming they were coerced into working in Poipet, Cambodia. Police Lieutenant General Worawat Watnakornbancha, Head of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), directed the operation led by Police Major General…

  • Thai commando takes taxi driver for a ride after fare fraud fiasco

    Thai commando takes taxi driver for a ride after fare fraud fiasco

    A Thai commando police officer dragged a taxi driver to Huay Kwang Police Station in Bangkok after the driver attempted to overcharge him using a modified meter. The driver claimed he needed the money to feed stray dogs and cats. Police Lance Corporal Phubate Rattanaphong told Channel 3 that the incident took place on the morning of June 9 during…

  • Political turmoil sends Thai stock market plummeting

    Political turmoil sends Thai stock market plummeting

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin acknowledged that Thailand’s current political turmoil is likely behind the recent stock market plunge, which hit a four-year low on Monday. Analysts have pointed to three high-profile court cases shaking the nation’s political landscape as the primary cause of investor anxiety. “It is about stock market sentiment.” PM Srettha highlighted that he, among others involved in…

  • Thailand’s food delivery apps dish out tasty profits

    Thailand’s food delivery apps dish out tasty profits

    Thailand’s food delivery and on-demand super apps have demonstrated moderate growth despite economic hurdles, with major players generating significant revenue increases in 2023. Business data provider creden.co reports that total revenue for these apps reached 31.7 billion baht last year, rising from 27 billion baht in 2022. Grab Taxi (Thailand) achieved a profit for the second year running, with revenue…

  • Thailand drastically lowers threshold for meth possession

    Thailand drastically lowers threshold for meth possession

    In a landmark decision, the Thai Cabinet redefined what constitutes personal drug use, slashing the permissible quantity of methamphetamine, also known as Yaba, and crystal methamphetamine (ice). Possessing just one Yaba tablet or 100mg of ice will now classify an individual as a drug user, a dramatic reduction from the previous threshold of five tablets or 500mg. Deputy government spokesperson…

  • Nearly 30% of Thailand’s beggars are foreigners

    Nearly 30% of Thailand’s beggars are foreigners

    Thailand’s bustling streets are teeming with beggars, and the latest statistics reveal a startling trend: nearly 30% of them are foreigners. Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa made the revelation today, June 11, addressing a surge of complaints on social media about the growing presence of beggars, especially outside Bangkok’s major shopping malls. According to Varawut, approximately 8,000…

  • Bangkok police arrest four at luxury hotel for drug investigation

    Bangkok police arrest four at luxury hotel for drug investigation

    Police arrested four individuals at a luxury hotel in central Bangkok yesterday, including relatives of a prominent politician, and are preparing to conduct drug tests on them. The suspects, who were detained at 11.30am, are cooperating with the investigation. The four suspects, Naraset Thaises, Gitcha, Valis, and Anchaleeporn, are currently being processed at Makkasan Police Station, where officers are recording…

  • Bangkok probes corruption in exercise equipment procurement

    Bangkok probes corruption in exercise equipment procurement

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is intensifying its investigation into allegations of corruption related to the procurement of exercise equipment for public parks in Bangkok. Evidence pointing toward potential irregularities has emerged during an initial probe, prompting a more extensive inquiry. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and BMA Deputy Permanent Secretary Nathapong Disayabutra revealed the expansion plans following a board meeting.…

  • PM Srettha defends appointment of Pichit Chuenban

    PM Srettha defends appointment of Pichit Chuenban

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin presented his defence to the Constitutional Court regarding the contentious appointment of politician Pichit Chuenban as PM Office minister. The defence, submitted last Friday, was acknowledged by PM Srettha who refrained from divulging the specifics when questioned by the media. “It’s more of a clarification. I have the duty to clarify, and I think I’ve covered…

  • Chao Phraya River embankment collapse causes waves of concern

    Chao Phraya River embankment collapse causes waves of concern

    A section of Chao Phraya River embankment collapsed causing significant concern among locals and governmental officials in Nonthaburi’s Pak Kret district. The embankment collapsed at approximately 5.40pm yesterday, June 9, leaving concrete rubble and exposed rebar stretching 75 metres. This incident was reported to the subdistrict administrative organisation by Phra Khru Nontakun Phiphat, the abbot of Wat Choeng Lane, a temple…

  • Motorcyclist dies after falling from Bangkok overpass

    Motorcyclist dies after falling from Bangkok overpass

    A motorcyclist tragically lost his life after losing control and falling from an overpass onto a road near Phran Nok-Phutthamonthon Sai 2 Park. The incident occurred around 6pm yesterday. Despite extensive CPR efforts by rescue personnel, the man could not be revived. Police Lieutenant Detchawat Sadinchan, Deputy Inspector at Sala Daeng Police Station, received a report of the accident and…

  • New automatic passport control tested at Suvarnabhumi Airport

    New automatic passport control tested at Suvarnabhumi Airport

    The new Automatic Channel for passport control at Suvarnabhumi Airport was personally tested by Wisanu Prasarttong-Osoth, chairman of Airports of Thailand (AOT), before its official launch yesterday. This system aims to ease congestion at immigration checkpoints. Wisanu participated in a real-world test of the new automatic passport control system before heading to Malaysia on flight TG415. The new system is…

  • Thai condo market faces turbulence with Myanmar buyers blocked

    Thai condo market faces turbulence with Myanmar buyers blocked

    The Thai condominium market is bracing for a storm as Myanmar’s crackdown on property purchases by its citizens threatens to halt a major influx of foreign investment. According to the Thai Condominium Association, the clampdown could significantly impact condo transfers during the second and third quarters of this year. Prasert Taedullayasatit, president of the association, revealed that Thai condo units…

  • Austrian Airlines to operate more flights to Bangkok

    Austrian Airlines to operate more flights to Bangkok

    Austrian Airlines, boasting a modern fleet of Airbus A320s, Boeing 767s, and Boeing 777s, has increased its weekly flights from Vienna to Bangkok to 13 flights. Brendan Shashoua, Lufthansa Group Senior Director Sales – Southeast Asia and the Pacific made the announcement. “Since 1988, Austrian Airlines has connected Vienna with the vibrant Thai capital of Bangkok. With Thailand being a…