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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    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...

  • Thaksin sues Warong for 100 million baht over bribery defamation

    Thaksin sues Warong for 100 million baht over bribery defamation

    Thaksin Shinawatra initiated a lawsuit against Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom, demanding 100 million baht for alleged defamation related to a 2-billion-baht bribe accusation. Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chartmontree, filed the suit yesterday, June 27, following Warong’s comments on social media and during a rally near Government House. Warong’s remarks, though not directly naming Thaksin, strongly implied his involvement in…

  • SCB denies UN claims of aiding Myanmar military transactions

    SCB denies UN claims of aiding Myanmar military transactions

    Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) firmly denied any involvement in irregular transactions with Myanmar, challenging claims made in a recent United Nations report concerning the bank’s alleged role in financing military procurement. Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, released a report this week detailing how Myanmar’s military regime continues to acquire weapons used against civilians. The…

  • Police arrest man for smuggling crystal meth in clothes in Bangkok

    Police arrest man for smuggling crystal meth in clothes in Bangkok

    Bangkok Police arrested a Thai man for smuggling crystal methamphetamine hidden in second-hand clothing parcels. The man confessed to working for over a month, earning 3,000 baht daily by packing and shipping drugs. Police officers, including Kiattikul Sonthinene, received a report from Kornwarat Promsawan and the Romklao investigation team about alleged drug trafficking activities in the Rong Kha Daeng community.…

  • 50 illegal Cambodian and Burmese immigrants arrested after brawl

    50 illegal Cambodian and Burmese immigrants arrested after brawl

    Police raided a condominium in Samut Prakan, uncovering a violent feud between Cambodian and Burmese immigrants. The raid, led by Police Major General Wichit Boonchinwutikul, Chief of Samut Prakan Provincial Police, saw over 50 officers descend on the Bang Pu area, resulting in the arrest of 50 illegal migrant workers. The crackdown was triggered by a brutal altercation on Monday…

  • Defence Ministry: 44 advisers axed over bribery allegations

    Defence Ministry: 44 advisers axed over bribery allegations

    Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang axed 44 of his advisers following bribery allegations. The move came after reports surfaced suggesting that some of his advisers were taking bribes from military units and related agencies. Sutin, who signed the dismissal order on Monday, explained that he was “streamlining his team and optimising the work process.” “Reports of bribery among some defence advisers…

  • Bhutan prime minister visits Thailand after 10 years

    Bhutan prime minister visits Thailand after 10 years

    Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay kicked off his official visit to Thailand on Tuesday, June 25, making history as the first Bhutanese leader to do so in over 10 years. The visit, which marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, has set the stage for a series of significant discussions and agreements aimed at strengthening…

  • Purr-fect innovation: Chulalongkorn’s urine luck with cat health kit

    Purr-fect innovation: Chulalongkorn’s urine luck with cat health kit

    Researchers from Chulalongkorn University unveiled the Cat Urine Test Kit designed to screen for kidney disease, gallstones, and cystitis in cats. This easy-to-use test kit promises quick and precise results, ensuring prompt treatment for our furry friends. All cat lovers cherish their pets’ health, but cats, like humans, can suffer from various ailments. The most prevalent feline issues include kidney…

  • Music teacher in Bangkok denied bail over sexual abuse charges

    Music teacher in Bangkok denied bail over sexual abuse charges

    A 38 year old music teacher from a prestigious school in the Ekkamai area was taken to the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court for a remand hearing. Facing 10 serious sexual abuse charges, he was denied bail by investigators. The teacher remained expressionless as the police escorted him from the cell to the police vehicle, ignoring questions from the media. The…

  • Big Joke dismissed over alleged gambling ties

    Big Joke dismissed over alleged gambling ties

    Police Commission members voted unanimously yesterday to support the acting national police chief’s order to dismiss Police General Surachate Hakparn, better known as Big Joke, as deputy chief over alleged ties to an online gambling network. The 12-member panel, chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, spent three hours deliberating before reaching their decision. Big Joke, a prominent figure known for…

  • Former PM Niwatthamrong faces Senate election defeat

    Former PM Niwatthamrong faces Senate election defeat

    Former Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan faced an early exit in the first round of the national Senate elections yesterday, June 26. Despite his loss, Niwatthamrong, who served as caretaker prime minister following Yingluck Shinawatra’s removal by the Constitutional Court in 2013, remains unbowed and resolute. Niwatthamrong admitted that, like his fellow candidates, he had cast a vote for himself…

  • Thaksin’s comeback: Ex-PM delivers lecture at Pheu Thai HQ

    Thaksin’s comeback: Ex-PM delivers lecture at Pheu Thai HQ

    Paroled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a high-profile appearance at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters yesterday. As a special guest speaker for the Pheu Thai Party Academy, Thaksin delivered a riveting lecture, urging party members to continually improve their skills and embrace lifelong learning. Addressing a class comprised predominantly of Pheu Thai MPs, Thaksin commended their active participation in…

  • BLACKPINK’s Lisa transforms Bangkok mall in latest MV (video)

    BLACKPINK’s Lisa transforms Bangkok mall in latest MV (video)

    Thailand’s K-pop sensation Lalisa Manoban, better known as Lisa, of the renowned girl group BLACKPINK, has set social media ablaze with a 10-second teaser of her latest solo track, Rockstar, sparking a frenzy among fans worldwide. The teaser, a mere glimpse of the full song set to release this Friday, showcases vibrant scenes from Bangkok’s Chinatown at night. Iconic locations…

  • Bangkok police arrest serial burglar for construction store theft

    Bangkok police arrest serial burglar for construction store theft

    Bangkok Police arrested a man for a series of burglaries, including a recent theft at a construction materials store. The 53 year old man was apprehended following a detailed investigation. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, led by Teeradet Thamsuthi, along with the Udomsuk Police Station, successfully arrested the man, known as Yanyont, or Sinu, in an apartment in Phra…

  • Thailand government slashes hotel fees in tourism boost gamble

    Thailand government slashes hotel fees in tourism boost gamble

    The Thai Cabinet made a bold move to bolster its tourism sector by extending a waiver on operating fees for hoteliers for another two years. This strategic decision, made yesterday, June 25, aims to support the country’s ongoing economic recovery following the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The fee exemption, which spares hoteliers from the annual charge of 40…

  • Mysterious dead body mistaken for a doll in Bangkok Canal

    Mysterious dead body mistaken for a doll in Bangkok Canal

    The body of a woman was discovered floating in Bang Mot Canal today by a passerby who initially mistook the body for a doll before realising it was a dead person. Bang Mot Police Station Police Lieutenant Thanakorn Thammaniramon received a report of the woman’s body floating in Bang Mot Canal, Thung Khru, Bangkok. Police quickly coordinated with forensic doctors…

  • EC under fire for broken livestream promise

    EC under fire for broken livestream promise

    Yingcheep Atchanont, the manager of Internet Dialogue on Law Reform (iLaw), unleashed a scathing critique against the Election Commission (EC) for failing to live up to its promise of livestreaming the crucial final round of senatorial election voting. “The EC had publicly promised that observers could follow the procedure on CCTV streamed from the halls. What we found, however, is…

  • Arrest warrant issued for political activist Parit Chiwarak

    Arrest warrant issued for political activist Parit Chiwarak

    The Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Parit Chiwarak, better known as Penguin, after the political activist failed to appear for a ruling in a high-profile lese majeste case. Parit, facing approximately 24 charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, remains free on bail, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). The ruling, originally scheduled for yesterday,…

  • Thailand government launches ambitious Cloud initiative

    Thailand government launches ambitious Cloud initiative

    The Thai government greenlit a new committee to spearhead its ambitious Cloud First Policy. This transformative initiative, revealed by an insider from the Government House, aims to transition the nation’s administration into a fully digital realm, harnessing the power of cloud technology. The Cloud First Policy is designed to integrate cloud infrastructure across all governmental agencies, propelling Thailand towards its…

  • Thailand ranked 4th most beautiful country in the world

    Thailand ranked 4th most beautiful country in the world

    Thailand has been ranked as the 4th most beautiful country in the world, according to the latest report by the World of Statistics. The ranking, which was shared on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, used global reports and data from the United States to determine the results. Thailand stands out as the 4th most beautiful country, following New…

  • Thailand needs to step up its fight against human trafficking

    Thailand needs to step up its fight against human trafficking

    Thailand remains in Tier 2 on the US Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, indicating a determined effort to combat human trafficking. The US authority remarked that although Thailand has not met the minimum standards for eradicating trafficking, the government is making significant strides. “The [Thai] government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period. These…

  • Singaporean man drugged, robbed by Thai girlfriend in Bangkok

    Singaporean man drugged, robbed by Thai girlfriend in Bangkok

    A Singaporean man filed a complaint against his Thai girlfriend after she allegedly drugged him at a hotel in Bangkok and stole cash and valuables worth over 1 million baht. The Singaporean victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, complained to Huay Kwang Police Station yesterday, June 25. He explained that he met the Thai woman, aged about 30, online and had…

  • Government to accelerate Sino-Thai HSR project

    Government to accelerate Sino-Thai HSR project

    The Sino-Thai high-speed rail (HSR) link construction will be a major item on the agenda at next week’s mobile Cabinet meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima, with the government eager to accelerate the project, according to Digital Economy and Society (MDES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong. The 250.77-kilometre high-speed rail link between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima is projected to be completed by 2028. Currently,…

  • Thailand to adopt offset policy for military procurements

    Thailand to adopt offset policy for military procurements

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasised the necessity for the armed forces to adopt an offset policy when procuring weapons and military hardware. This policy aims to secure reciprocal benefits as a precondition for approving new procurement deals. The Thai premier said the policy should include opportunities for Thailand to participate in the development of new defence technology from the country…

  • Thailand braces for heavy rain and flash floods in 47 provinces

    Thailand braces for heavy rain and flash floods in 47 provinces

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued an announcement warning of heavy to very heavy rain in 47 provinces, including Bangkok. Residents are advised to be cautious of flash floods and strong winds. The warning remains in effect until tomorrow. TMD’s announcement forecasts significant rainfall across Thailand due to a monsoon trough passing through the northern and upper northeastern regions, combined…

  • Groundbreaking Thai sci-fi flick ‘Uranus2324’ to release in July

    Groundbreaking Thai sci-fi flick ‘Uranus2324’ to release in July

    In a historic milestone for Thai cinema, Uranus2324, the nation’s first space science fiction film, is set to premiere on July 4. This highly anticipated film has already garnered significant attention, being one of only four films to receive funding under Thailand’s Soft Power initiative and securing global distribution deals. Produced by Velcurve Studio in collaboration with GM Generators Co.,…

  • Thailand imports shrimp from Ecuador amid local production crisis

    Thailand imports shrimp from Ecuador amid local production crisis

    Thailand, once the world’s leading shrimp exporter, now finds itself importing shrimp from Ecuador. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Department of Fisheries to investigate and report back in the next Cabinet meeting. The nation, which used to produce and export 600,000 tonnes of shrimp annually, now produces only 200,000 tonnes. This significant decline has necessitated the importation of shrimp,…

  • Singapore foreign minister visits Thailand to discuss bilateral issues

    Singapore foreign minister visits Thailand to discuss bilateral issues

    Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan kicked off his official visit to Thailand today, answering the call of his Thai counterpart, Maris Sangiampongsa. Today’s packed agenda includes a working luncheon with Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and a formal welcome dinner hosted by Maris. According to the Thai Foreign Ministry, the two leaders are set to discuss key bilateral issues, fortifying…

  • Senators’ showdown: Bangkok hotel hosts candidate meetup

    Senators’ showdown: Bangkok hotel hosts candidate meetup

    In a bustling gathering at Bangkok’s Amari Don Mueang Airport Hotel, over 500 hopefuls vying for senatorial seats met yesterday, June 24, for an event known as the Meeting of Independent Senate Candidates. This lively assembly saw candidates from across the nation converge, all eager to make their mark on the upcoming election. Sources revealed today that each attendee paid…

  • PM Srettha faces corruption probe over asset disclosure

    PM Srettha faces corruption probe over asset disclosure

    Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana is pushing for a corruption investigation against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, accusing him of failing to fully disclose his assets and previous executive roles. Ruangkrai announced his petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate potential inconsistencies in the wealth and former position statements submitted by the Thai premier upon assuming office as prime minister…

  • DSI slaps Stark CEO with a torrent of charges

    DSI slaps Stark CEO with a torrent of charges

    In a dramatic twist to one of Thailand’s largest corporate frauds, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) charged Chanin Yensudchai, former CEO of Stark Corporation, with a slew of serious offences including money laundering and document forgery. Acting DSI Director Yutthana Praedam confirmed the charges also encompass negligence, fraud, embezzlement, and violations of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1992. Despite…