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?...
-
Thailand state welfare card benefits updated for May
The Department of Comptroller General has announced the updated benefit schedule for state welfare cardholders in May, with key entitlements rolling out in two stages. Deputy Director General Tiwaporn Phasuk confirmed the details, urging recipients to check their eligibility and use the benefits promptly. On May 1, cardholders automatically received: A 300 baht monthly spending allowance, redeemable for essential goods…
-
Gang members arrested in Bangkok assault investigation
Police apprehended several members of a gang involved in assaults on fellow nationals, with ongoing investigations focusing on two areas in central Bangkok. The incident stemmed from conflicts dated May 5, when Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom led a team to arrest three men linked to the attacks. Those arrested include 18 year old Chakraphat (surname withheld), a Thai Yai…
-
Transgender fortune teller denies defrauding, sexually assaulting boy
A transgender fortune teller in Bangkok denied scamming a 16 year old boy out of 500,000 baht and also rejected claims of sexually assaulting him. She insisted the teen voluntarily gave her around 200,000 baht and nothing more. A Thai mother accompanied her teenage son to meet the well-known lawyer, Ronnarong Kaewphet, to spread a warning to the public. The…
-
Paws and effect: New Bangkok law to shake up pet ownership rules
A new law set to take effect in Bangkok early next year will significantly alter pet ownership regulations. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Ordinance on Animal Keeping and Release Control 2024, coming into force on January 10 next year, seeks to manage stray populations and promote responsible pet ownership, particularly affecting dog and cat owners. The ordinance classifies Bangkok as…
-
Young woman in Soi Ratchada 13 assaulted, suspects charged
Police are actively assisting a victim assaulted in Soi Ratchada 13, who, after being discovered with drugs, has developed mental health issues. The person is currently receiving treatment, while police have charged four suspects and are searching for another. At 6pm yesterday, May 5 at Sutthisan Police Station, Doctor Thanakrit Jittareerat, assistant to the minister of public health, and Kanthas…
-
Thai police apologise after ignoring influencer’s stalking complaint
Thai police issued an apology to a female social media influencer for acting inappropriately and initially ignoring her complaints of being stalked and threatened by a Burmese man. The influencer, 28 year old Linrada “Lin” Warakornsittichai, posted on her Facebook account, Sanella Linvar, to seek help after officers from Bang Khun Thian Police Station failed to provide any updates on…
-
Search at collapsed audit office site nears completion, 14 still missing
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt provided an update today, May 5, on the ongoing search for missing persons at the collapsed State Audit Office building under construction in Chatuchak district. The building collapsed following the March 28 earthquake. Chadchart said rescue operations have made steady progress, with teams now reaching the basement level of Zone SC2, where no further victims are…
-
Bangkok woman assaulted by gang, mother seek justice (video)
A large group of friends gathered at a police station after their friend, a 27 year old woman, was assaulted by a gang in Bangkok. The incident, which was captured on video, set her mother on a path to seek justice. Today, May 5, a video of a violent incident outside an apartment in Ratchada Soi 13, Din Daeng district,…
-
Foreign restaurateurs accused of stealing menu from Bangkok eatery
A Thai restaurant in the Central Embassy shopping mall in Bangkok exposed the actions of a foreign couple who stole two menu books on April 29, reportedly intending to copy them to operate a restaurant in their home country. The well-known restaurant, Kaithong Original, shared CCTV screenshots of the couple on its official page on May 1, accompanied by a…
-
Thai parliament’s renovation plan criticised amid economic strain
Thai Parliament faces criticism after requesting an additional budget of hundreds of millions of baht for renovations amidst economic challenges for many Thais. The budget would fund a 4D cinema and refurbish the seldom-used Sala Kaeo pavilion, a proposal widely condemned as frivolous by critics, including MPs from the People’s Party. The plan allocates 113 million baht to refurbish Sala…
-
Thailand urged to adopt single cigarette tax rate to boost revenue
Thailand’s current tiered tax system on cigarettes has been criticised by academics, who urge the government to switch to a single excise tax rate as advised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The existing system is said to neither reduce illegal cigarette sales nor increase state revenue or deter new smokers. Dr Roengrudee Patanavanich from Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine…
-
400 shark fins seized in major smuggling bust at Bangkok airport
Thai Customs seized over 400 shark fins in a major bust. The fins were on their way to China, but thanks to a swift operation, their illegal journey has been stopped. Thailand’s Customs Department, in collaboration with Chinese authorities, successfully intercepted more than 400 shark fins in a significant smuggling operation aimed at curbing illegal wildlife trafficking. The 402 fins,…
-
Heavy rain lashes 43 provinces, Bangkok braces for floods
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts heavy rain across 43 provinces today, with significant impact expected in the South and 60% of Bangkok. Residents are advised to be cautious of potential flash floods and forest run-off, particularly in areas near water flows or low-lying regions. The forecast for today, May 3, indicates that the South will experience increased rainfall with…
-
Giant monitor lizard statue draws crowds to Bangkok park
It slinks, it swims, and now it poses — Bangkok’s iconic monitor lizard just got a supersized tribute in the city’s most famous park. Tourists and locals heading to Lumphini Park can now snap selfies with a massive foam monitor lizard statue — a new temporary installation celebrating one of Bangkok’s most misunderstood but iconic residents. Sanon Wangsangboon, Deputy Governor…
-
Bangkok overhaul plan could hand governor more power
Should Bangkok be run more like a country than a city? Politicians think so — and big changes could be coming. Yesterday, May 1, at Bangkok City Hall’s Nopparat Room near the Giant Swing, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt welcomed Members of Parliament to discuss sweeping proposals to overhaul the city’s outdated administration system. The meeting brought together top Bangkok executives and…
-
Bangkok SAO death toll hits 68 after 5 more bodies found
Five more bodies have been recovered from the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building, bringing the death toll to 68. Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, reported that the bodies were discovered in Zone D between 10pm on Wednesday, April 30, and 9am yesterday, May 1. The search for the missing continues, with heavy machinery operating…
-
Thai Army denies online ops, says it’s just ‘correcting facts’
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) claims that it does not engage in online military-style information-influencing operations but instead provides factual corrections to misleading social media information. During a House Committee on National Security meeting, the army spokesperson discussed the state’s use of social media. The session included representatives from the Office of Policy and Planning, Internal Security Operations Command, and…
-
Family demands answers after Rama II concrete block tragedy
The family of a 46 year old man who died after a concrete block fell on his vehicle on Rama II Road is seeking answers about his death. The incident, which resulted in Amnat’s passing at the hospital, left the family questioning whether a blood transfusion error contributed to his low blood pressure and subsequent death. On Tuesday, April 29,…
-
Thunderstorms and strong winds batter Thailand, TMD warns
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, May 2. Thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast across upper Thailand, with Bangkok also affected. Residents are cautioned about the potential dangers of intense weather conditions, particularly in the North, northeast, and central regions. Upper Thailand will experience thunderstorms and strong winds due to easterly and southeasterly winds…
-
Fake police caught extorting migrant workers, employers in Bangkok
Officers arrested a Thai man posing as a police officer who extorted money from migrant workers and their employers at the popular tourist destination Asiatique the Riverfront, in the Charoen Krung neighbourhood of Bangkok Restaurant owners and business operators in the area questioned officers at Wat Phraya Krai Police Station about the frequency of operations targeting migrant workers after observing…
-
Chinese men accuse Thai official of extortion and illegal watch seizure
Two Chinese nationals accused Thai Customs officials of extortion and unlawful luxury watch seizure at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on August 4 last year. The alleged corruption by the Thai officials came to light after the news-focused X (formerly Twitter) account, Red Skull, shared the story on April 28. The account reportedly obtained the details from a man whose two Chinese…
-
Teenage degenerate caught with his hand in the kiddie trafficking till
In a jaw-dropping scandal, a teenage degenerate has been arrested by the Crime Suppression Division for orchestrating a shocking underage gay sex ring in Bangkok. The debauched 14 year old, referred to as “A,” confessed to gaining a 400 baht profit from his seedy enterprise, which involved exploiting friends of the same age. The saga unfolded on Tuesday night, April…
-
Retired police general in Bangkok hit-and-run incident
A retired police general was involved in a hit-and-run accident involving a luxury car and a motorcycle near the entrance of Kluaynamthai Hospital on Rama 4 Road, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei district, Bangkok. The incident occurred at 11pm on April 27. The driver fled towards Phra Khanong intersection, where vigilant locals managed to stop him. The area falls under the…
-
Transport ministry proposes MRT Act changes for 20-baht flat fare
The Ministry of Transport is set to propose changes to the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Act during a special session of the House of Representatives next month. This aligns with the introduction of a 20-baht flat fare for the electric railway system planned for September. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri stated yesterday, April 29, that the ministry is finalising a…
-
Luxury durian afternoon tea launched to boost Thai tourism
Durian lovers, rejoice! Thailand’s King of Fruits is getting a five-star makeover. To boost gastronomy tourism, Thailand is promoting its premium Mon Thong durian with an exclusive Durian Decadent Afternoon Tea campaign, aiming to create unforgettable travel experiences for modern, experience-seeking tourists. Launched during the summer High Season, this campaign highlights innovative culinary experiences featuring Thailand’s prized Mon Thong durian,…
-
BMTA to launch super app for Bangkok commuters in October
Bangkok commuters may soon enjoy a smoother ride, digitally, at least. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) announced that its much-anticipated “super app” is set to launch this October, promising to simplify payments, provide route updates, and offer a digital platform for feedback and complaints. But while the promise sounds slick, there are still a few speed bumps ahead. Kittikarn…
-
Cement block falls onto truck, driver injured on Rama II expressway
A motorist has been injured after a large cement block fell from the construction site of the Rama II elevated expressway, smashing onto his pickup truck as he was driving beneath the ongoing project. The shocking incident occurred on Rama II Road, as the driver was heading towards Samut Sakhon. The unnamed driver told emergency medical technicians (EMTs) that he…
-
Thai locals show compassion, aid foreign woman in roadside seizure (video)
A foreign woman experienced a seizure on the roadside, prompting immediate assistance from nearby Thais who showed great compassion. Yesterday, April 28, a TikTok user @guyslumclub posted a video capturing the incident, highlighting the kindness of Thai locals who rushed to help without hesitation. The post humorously encouraged support for the poster’s noodle shop, Ann’s Kuay Teow Khua Gai, Baanthat…
-
Thai transport ministry fast-tracks 20 baht train fare policy
The Ministry of Transport is accelerating efforts to implement the 20 baht flat fare for electric trains policy, targeting completion by September 2025. A new draft of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand Act is slated for Cabinet consideration in May. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri highlighted that the ministry is currently detailing the draft law, aimed at modernising…
-
Summer storm hits Thailand with heavy rain and hail
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a forecast warning of a summer storm affecting 58 provinces with heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and possible lightning. The announcement yesterday, April 28, to Thursday, May 1, with regions in northern and northeastern Thailand expected to be affected. The TMD’s 24-hour forecast indicates that upper Thailand will experience summer storms, characterised by thunderstorms,…
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.