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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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Bangkok holds five-day Pride fest to boost LGBTQ+ tourism
Thailand is gearing up to host a five-day Pride event in Bangkok, aiming to establish itself as Asia’s rainbow capital. This event, organised by the government alongside private and civil sectors, will feature a series of activities running from May 31 to June 4 under the theme Celebration of Love. Ann Chumaporn, founder and president of the Bangkok Pride Parade,…
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900-year-old statue returned to Thailand
A 900-year-old statue, smuggled out of Thailand by a notorious art dealer in 1975, has finally been returned to its homeland after spending over three decades in the possession of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The 129-centimetre bronze statue, known as the Golden Boy and believed to depict the Hindu god Shiva, along with a smaller statue…
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Thai man with mental health issues leaps from Bangkok BTS station
A Thai man with mental health issues jumped to his death off the Royal Thai Air Force Museum BTS Station in Bangkok on Saturday. Saimai Police Station officers investigated the death of the 25 year old Thai man, Nithi Thipthep, on Pahonyothin Road in the Bang Khen district of Bangkok. Nithi was wearing a dark blue T-shirt, black shorts, and…
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Drunk & disorderly: Chinese vandal wreaks havoc in Bangkok hotel
Police arrested a drunk Chinese vandal after he smashed up electronic devices and furniture at a hotel in the Sathorn district of Bangkok. Tungmahamek Police Station officers were alerted by a hotel manager on the Southern Sathorn Road yesterday, May 19, that the 30 year old Chinese man, whose identity remains undisclosed, went on a rampage. Upon arrival, officers found…
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Bangkok beats the heat: A top summer destination
Bangkok clinched a spot among the world’s top 10 summer destinations, according to the latest Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) report. The MEI’s Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries reveals that Bangkok is set to see a surge in tourist demand over the next three months, ranking 7th globally. David Mann, Mastercard’s chief economist for Asia Pacific (APAC), highlighted that Thailand’s tourism…
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E-cigarette drug ring busted in Bangkok: Meth-infused vapes
Thai authorities announced the capture of an international drug ring after a dramatic raid on several Bangkok condominiums on Thursday. The Thai Special Service Division (SSD) and other agencies revealed their findings in a high-profile press conference. According to the SSD, the operation targeted a criminal network distributing modified e-cigarettes laced with methamphetamine and other dangerous substances. The investigation began…
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Black May deceased protesters honoured: Demand for democracy
In a poignant gathering to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the Black May protests, politicians, academics, activists, and relatives of those killed in the 1992 crackdown honoured the fallen democracy heroes. The Black May 1992 Memorial on Ratchadamnoen Avenue was the site of a solemn ceremony and merit-making rituals for the deceased yesterday. Officially, 44 lives were lost, though the…
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Thai mother-in-law admits to fatal stabbing in Nonthaburi
A mother-in-law confessed to fatally stabbing her son-in-law after a heated argument between him and her daughter over a video call with another woman. The incident occurred in a village in Maha Sawat, Bang Kruai District, Nonthaburi Province. The victim, 38 year old Warakorn, was found dead in his home with stab wounds. Following the incident, the mother in law,…
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From smog to serenity: Bangkok’s Benjakitti Park breathes new life
Bangkok, former home to a sprawling industrial estate, where Thailand’s state-owned tobacco monopoly churned out millions of cigarettes for over half a century, emerges from the smog. Benjakitti Park, an urban oasis, has rapidly become a beloved haven for Bangkok’s 11 million residents. Officially opened in August 2022 to honour Queen Sirikit’s 90th birthday, the now 40-hectare Benjakitti Park boasts…
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Thailand’s unemployment crisis soars despite tourism boom
Thailand’s unemployment rate continues to climb, with a staggering 410,000 people out of work in the first quarter of this year, according to the National Statistical Office. The hardest-hit group is those with higher education degrees. Office director Piyanuch Wuttisorn revealed that of the total, around 79,000 people have been unemployed for more than a year.” The statistics paint a…
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Red carpet rollout: Thaksin spotted at ex-redshirt’s new restaurant
In a surprising public appearance today, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra surfaced to congratulate an ex-redshirt leader on the grand opening of his second southern Thai cuisine restaurant in Bangkok. The 74 year old ex PM was warmly welcomed at Yeam Tai on Chaiyaphruk Road by a cadre of influential political figures. Among them were Bhumjaithai Party leader and Deputy…
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Thai man seeks justice after assault by Bangkok nightclub thug (video)
A Thai man is seeking justice after being brutally assaulted by a thug outside an entertainment venue in Bangkok. His crime? Intervening to protect a female friend from harassment. The 21 year old victim, Prayut, reached out to non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after the attacker, Parkphoom, remained at large despite the serious assault on him on April 21. Prayut revealed that…
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Mahidol University to launch first mRNA malaria vaccine trial
Mahidol University is nearing the start of the world’s first clinical trial for an mRNA vaccine targeting malaria. This pioneering effort follows successful laboratory trials on mice and is set to advance to testing on monkeys before reaching human subjects. Professor Jetsumon Prachumsri from the Faculty of Tropical Medicine at Mahidol University and chief of the Mahidol Vivax Research Unit…
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Bangkok’s electrifying plan to bury cables sparks into life
Bangkok citizens may have scoffed last year when the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) declared its grand plan to bury 1,454 kilometres of electrical cables underground over the next decade. It seemed like a shocking revelation but the sparks of doubt soon flickered away as the city geared up for the electrifying endeavour. This initiative was further illuminated by the newly…
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Prime minister’s wife enrolls in prestigious politics course
The corridors of power just got a fresh infusion of intrigue as the wife of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin joined the ranks of students at a top-notch political institution. Dr Pakpilai Thavisin, a prominent figure in the medical world at Bumrungrad International Hospital, secured her spot amongst the prestigious cohort at the College of Politics and Governance, King Prajadhipok’s Institute…
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Progressive Movement leader’s monumental move in Paris
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the leader of Thailand’s Progressive Movement, is set to make waves this weekend with his grand revelation concerning the former residence of the esteemed late Thai Prime Minister Pridi Banomyong, nestled in the serene suburbs of Antony, Paris. The much-anticipated announcement, scheduled for Saturday, will be broadcast live via the movement’s Facebook page. In a tantalising sneak peek…
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Fears mount as Thailand’s 10 year old rice set to hit Nigeria
Growing concerns and fears are emerging in Africa’s most populous country over the possibility of Thailand’s 10-year-old stored rice entering the Nigerian and African markets. This comes after the Thai government announced plans to sell it to the public, BusinessDay Nigeria has reported. Thailand plans to auction 150,000 sacks of rice that have been kept in warehouses for 10 years,…
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Outcry as activist dies in custody: PM Srettha vows transparency
The untimely demise of political activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom sparked outrage and drew sharp attention to the justice system’s handling of detainees. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, expressing profound sorrow, conveyed his condolences to Netiporn’s family. Vowing transparency and justice, the Thai PM promptly ordered the Justice Ministry to investigate the circumstances of her passing. Netiporn’s demise on Tuesday ignited a storm…
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THEOS-2 satellite captures first high-detail images of Bangkok
Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) unveiled the first images captured by its THEOS-2 satellite. Launched into space on October 9 last year, the satellite has now successfully entered orbit and undergone rigorous testing and calibration by engineering teams to ensure it meets universal standards. Dr Pornthep Navakitkanok, Director of the National Satellite Manufacturing Centre, confirmed that THEOS-2…
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Thai woman steals 560,000 baht from businessman in romance scam
A Thai woman confessed to working with a romance scam gang to defraud a Thai businessman of approximately 560,000 baht. The victim, 41 year old Nontaphan, reached out to non-profit organisation Saimai Survive on May 9 after losing 560,000 baht to the 26 year old Thai woman named Akira. He sought their help to track down the woman, who was…
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Man arrested in Bangkok after fatal knife attack on wife
A brutal incident unfolded in Bangkok when a man fatally attacked his wife with a knife before attempting to flee the scene. The suspect, a 49 year old Myanmar national named Sarin, was apprehended by police at the Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal as he was preparing to board a bus to Mae Sot. The murder weapon, a large cleaver…
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Tantawan moved to hospital after activist’s death sparks stress
Political activist Tantawan Tuatulanon was transferred to Thammasat University Hospital due to severe stress after learning of the death of fellow inmate Netiporn Sansomsak, known as Bung. The transfer was recommended by medical professionals, and the prison authorities stated that there was no emergency condition prompting the move. Tantawan, who was being held at the Bangkok Remand Prison, was reportedly…
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Move Forward Party races against the clock for its final defence
The Constitutional Court has thrown a lifeline to the embattled Move Forward Party (MFP), granting a 15-day extension in their high-stakes battle against dissolution. Citing the noble cause of justice, this last-minute reprieve pushes the deadline to June 2, marking the final opportunity for the main opposition to salvage its political future. The legal saga dates back to April 3…
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Parking pandemonium: Thai woman’s pickup takes flight off rooftop (video)
A Thai woman today crashed her pickup into another on the fourth floor of a hospital parking building in Bangkok, sending the vehicle flying off the roof and onto the road below. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident. The incident happened today, May 15, at about 7.24am, on the fourth floor of the 10-storey parking building at Phramongkutklao…
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Bangkok’s tourist boom fuelled by cross-dressing craze
In the heart of Bangkok’s cultural tapestry, temples and palaces stand as timeless monuments, attracting a staggering influx of tourists, now bolstered by an unexpected trend: The rise of cross-dressing among travellers. This unconventional craze, captured in a recent viral video, showcases groups of male tourists donning traditional Thai female attire as they explore the city’s iconic landmarks. Thapanee Kiatphaibool,…
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NBTC member corruption complaint thrown out
The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases has dismissed a high-profile dereliction of duties complaint against NBTC bigwig Pirongrong Ramasoota. The ruling cited insufficient evidence to support the allegations. True Digital Group, a faction of True Corporation, ignited the legal firestorm back in March, accusing Pirongrong of stirring up trouble by dispatching notices to 127 TV and radio…
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Bangkok man gets mental health help after faeces-hurling habit
A Thai man is finally receiving treatment for mental illness after throwing his faeces at neighbours’ houses in the Ratchada area of Bangkok for over two years. A Thai woman named Pha sought help from social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet after reporting the incidents to the man’s parents, Phahonyothin Police Station, and various government organisations, but was ignored. Pha recounted…
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Thai tyrant’s son blames shadowy figure for student massacre
Colonel Narong Kittikachorn, once notorious as one of Thailand’s three tyrants of the 1970s, passed away yesterday morning at the age of 90 in Bangkok’s Phramongkutklao Hospital. Hospital officials confirmed he had been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit. Born on October 21, 1933, Narong was the son of the infamous Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn and the son-in-law of…
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Thailand champions LGBTQ rights with World Pride 2030 bid
As Thailand gears up to potentially host the prestigious World Pride event in 2030, Siam Piwat Group is championing a progressive stance on LGBTQ rights. The property and retail giant has launched the “Celebration: Right to Love” campaign in anticipation of the same-sex marriage bill’s enactment by the end of the year. This legislative milestone would position Thailand as the…
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Ex-minister dodges jail over Pattaya luxury condo scandal
The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases acquitted former Culture Minister and ex-mayor of Pattaya City Itthipol Khunpluem in a luxury condo scandal case. The high-profile case, involving allegations of abuse of power, reached its statute of limitations, allowing Itthipol to escape legal repercussions. Itthipol, who attended the court session in Rayong province yesterday, left without addressing the media…
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