Bangkok News
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Thaksin to hear lese majeste ruling on exile anniversary
All eyes are on Thailand’s Criminal Court as it prepares to deliver a high-stakes verdict in the lese majeste case against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra—a decision that could reignite political tensions across the country. Today, July 16, Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chartmontree, announced that the court had scheduled August 22 as the date for the ruling. Fittingly, the decision will…
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20-baht Bangkok train fare sparks clash over big business perks
Thailand’s transport boss has come out swinging against claims that the government’s 20-baht flat fare scheme is just a handout for big business, insisting it’s about easing the financial pain of ordinary commuters, not lining investors’ pockets. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit dismissed accusations from the main opposition People’s Party (PP), which alleged the low-fare policy is…
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Bangkok’s ‘Thai Hot Guys’ restaurant to shut doors after 9 years (video)
Bangkok’s most flamboyant seafood joint—famous for its cross-dressing, muscle-bound waiters—will soon sashay off into history. Staneemeehoi, the legendary venue where diners were serenaded by dancing “Thai Hot Guys” in silky pyjamas and crop tops, has announced it will close on July 31 after nearly a decade of saucy performances. The closure comes as the restaurant’s lease at Hua Mum Night…
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Ham-fisted: Cambodian couple busted for illegal pork stall in Bangkok
A Cambodian couple was apprehended by police for illegally operating a pork stall in Bangkok’s Khlong Sam Wa district. The pair, identified as 31 year old Nga Phon and 30 year old Chanty Rav, were found selling fresh pork at a market in the Bang Chan subdistrict on Monday, July 14. The operation was led by Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom,…
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Puff justice: Cops snuff out illegal cigarettes shop in Bangkok
A Chinese convenience store in the Prawet district of Bangkok was raided by police for selling illegal cigarettes. The operation yesterday, July 15, led by Police Colonel Santi Kornkasem, along with other officers, resulted in the arrest of Thai national, 32 year old Chutima or Yo and 29 year old Myanmar national, Naw Aye. They were found in possession of…
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Truck brake failure causes pile-up, four injured near Bangkok
A 10-wheel truck experienced brake failure and collided with eight vehicles, resulting in four injuries, outside a prominent shopping mall in Ngamwongwan. The incident led to severe traffic congestion. The driver faced charges but was released temporarily. Yesterday, July 15, at 8.30pm, officers from the Rattanathibet Police Station received reports of a 10-wheel truck experiencing brake failure and causing a…
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Asia awaits: Turkish Airlines unleashes flight frenzy on Bangkok
Turkish Airlines is poised to significantly expand its presence in Southeast Asia, with Bangkok firmly in its sights. From October 27, the airline will offer an impressive 21 flights per week to the Thai capital from Istanbul, marking a substantial boost in connectivity. This ambitious move underscores Turkish Airlines’ commitment to the region and solidifies Bangkok’s status as a premier global…
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Bangkok launches waste separation campaign with fee discounts
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched a new waste-separation campaign named This House Doesn’t Mix Waste. This initiative encourages city residents to sort their waste correctly in exchange for discounts on trash collection fees. Registration for the campaign starts on August 1, with the official rollout scheduled for October. The programme involves collaboration with the private sector and offers…
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Bangkok sinking: City could be underwater by 2030
Bangkok, already notorious for choking traffic and fierce floods, is now staring down an even grimmer fate—sinking beneath the sea within the next decade if climate change and unchecked development continue unabated. Recent studies have singled out Bangkok alongside Jakarta as two of Southeast Asia’s fastest-sinking cities. According to The Guardian, Bangkok is subsiding by over one centimetre a year…
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Sticker shock: Thai food prices soar 106% as wages lag behind
Eating out in Bangkok is becoming a luxury few can afford, with research revealing Thai food prices have more than doubled in just over a decade, while wages have barely kept pace. A new study by the Agency for Real Estate Affairs (AREA) has revealed that the cost of food in Thailand has skyrocketed by 106.5% over the past 13…
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Japanese tourist faces legal action for train vandalism in Bangkok
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has taken legal action against a Japanese tourist accused of spray-painting a train and its carriages near a railway bridge on Kanchanaphisek Road, Bangkok. The incident occurred on Sunday, July 13, and resulted in property damage and train delays. According to Weeras Amrapal, the SRT Governor, the foreign tourist used spray paint on the…
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Bangkok BTS policy under question after armed police denied entry
Thai police officers raised concerns over safety measures on Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain system after being barred from carrying firearms while using the service. According to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) regulations, passengers are prohibited from bringing any weapons onto the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), except for government officials legally authorised to do so. The BTS website reiterates this rule under…
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Finance minister reveals final contenders to lead Bank of Thailand
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira confirmed yesterday that he has officially signed off on his nominee to lead the Bank of Thailand (BoT) and submitted the selection to the Cabinet for consideration today. Speaking to reporters, Pichai made it clear he had no reservations about collaborating with whichever candidate ultimately gets the nod. “Whoever is selected, I’ll…
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Highway: Foreign tourist tries to pay Pattaya taxi fare with marijuana
A foreign tourist tried to pay his 2,000-baht taxi fare from Bangkok to Pattaya with a giant bag of marijuana, leaving the stunned cabbie out of pocket and steaming mad. The bizarre incident unfolded in the early hours of today, July 15, when 54 year old veteran driver Prachuap, picked up the man at Suvarnabhumi International Airport for a trip…
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Wat Arun added to UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that UNESCO has added the Phra Prang of Wat Arun to its Tentative List for World Heritage status. This initial listing marks a significant step towards achieving full World Heritage status in the future. The currently suspended prime minister, and minister of culture, shared the news on her Ing Shinawatra page, highlighting the inclusion of…
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Naked American man in Bangkok sewer refuses help and bites rescuers
A naked American man, trapped in a Bangkok sewer, refused assistance from a rescue team and bit one of the rescuers on her wrist. Officers from Bang Khun Thian Police Station today, July 14, responded to an incident outside a condominium on Kanlapaphruek Road in the Chom Thong district of Bangkok after the condo manager reported seeing a naked foreign…
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Bangkok shop raid uncovers kratom juice and dangerous drugs
Police raided a shop called TOM GUN KUP near a university in Bangkok, seizing a large quantity of kratom juice and dangerous drugs. The operation yesterday, July 13, led to the arrest of 26 year old Jirakit and 23 year old sales employee, Nanthanat. Police Colonel Santi Kornkasem, along with his team, including Deputy Superintendent Voraprat Wuttarak and Police Captain…
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Woman admits false motorcycle theft claim in Bangkok after dispute
A 34 year old woman reported her motorcycle stolen by her boyfriend, prompting police action in Taling Chan district, Bangkok. The woman later admitted the theft claim was false, driven by anger over alleged domestic abuse. Officers at Taling Chan Police Station were informed of the theft yesterday, July 13. The woman, identified as Kanda, alleged that her motorcycle, registered…
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Pae’s the limit: New poll reveals most Thais want PM to quit
Pressure is piling on currently suspended Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with a new poll showing most of the public want her to quit or call fresh elections, just weeks after a leaked audio tape threw her government into crisis. The latest survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA poll), titled “What path should Thai politics take?” found…
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Motorcyclist’s body found in canal after Bangkok accident
A motorcyclist’s tragic accident resulted in his body being found in a drainage canal, prompting police to examine CCTV footage for a clearer understanding of the incident. Witnesses questioned whether a public transport vehicle was involved. At 1.30am today, July 13, Police Lieutenant Nattapong Kanarat from Bukkhalo Police Station received a report of a fatal motorcycle accident at the entrance…
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Bangkok launches Sukhumvit Model to improve safety and public order
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has introduced the Sukhumvit Model, a project designed to enhance safety, public order, and the quality of life along Sukhumvit Road. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt conducted an inspection of the area on the night of July 10, accompanied by deputy governor Wisanu Subsompon, Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich, and other senior officials. The inspection covered…
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Runaway pig sparks traffic chaos on Rama II road (video)
Motorists on one of Bangkok’s busiest highways were left gobsmacked when a pig decided to take a leisurely stroll across multiple lanes—sparking a traffic jam worthy of a comedy sketch. Rama II Road turned into an unlikely pig pen yesterday, July 11, after a fully grown pig was spotted calmly wandering among fast-moving vehicles. The surreal spectacle was caught on…
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Bank of Thailand dismisses deflation fears despite low inflation
Economists are increasingly concerned about potential deflationary trends but the Bank of Thailand (BoT) asserts there are no definitive signs of deflation despite ongoing low inflation. At a monetary policy forum on Wednesday, July 9, Surach Tanboon, senior director of the central bank’s monetary policy department, stated that the bank has not identified any signals of deflation, although inflation remains subdued.…
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Throttle warning: Thailand’s motorcycle market may hit the brakes
Thailand’s motorcycle market is revving up but the industry’s top brass are warning it could stall in the slow lane before year’s end. While production and sales of motorcycles jumped in the first five months of 2025, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) says a cocktail of weak consumer spending, tight lending, and political unrest could derail the sector. Surapong…
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Bangkok police bust illegal cannabis shop, arrest 28 year old man
A significant operation led by the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau resulted in the arrest of a 28 year old man, Worapong, at a cannabis shop in Din Daeng, Bangkok. The raid, which took place yesterday, July 9, uncovered illicit substances including psychedelic mushrooms, cannabis-infused electronic cigarettes, and edibles. The police operation was spearheaded by Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, along…
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Casino clash: Paetongtarn blasts Anutin for twisting Xi’s words
Thailand’s suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra fired back at Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, accusing him of distorting Chinese President Xi Jinping’s views on Thailand’s controversial casino policy. Speaking in her capacity as culture minister, Paetongtarn took aim at Anutin’s claim that President Xi had voiced strong objections to Thailand’s plans for entertainment complexes that include casinos. “Xi offered various…
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Bangkok taxi driver arrested with methamphetamine pills
Officers, including Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and Police Major General Pallop Aeremla, arrested 46 year old man in front of a petrol station on Charoen Rat Road, Bang Kho Laem district, Bangkok. He was found with nine methamphetamine pills and drug paraphernalia in his possession while sitting in a red taxi with registration number ทห1579 Bangkok. Police were patrolling…
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Man throws stones at cars in Bangkok, subdued by locals (video)
A dramatic incident unfolded on Srinakarin Road, near Soi 27, in Bangkok, when a man was seen carrying a metal rod and throwing stones at passing vehicles. The situation was captured in a TikTok video posted by user @ion_x_noi, yesterday, July 8, showcasing the tense moments as several brave locals intervened to subdue the man. The video depicted the man,…
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3 thieves arrested for stealing luxury bags worth over 1 million baht
Police arrested three suspects for stealing luxury bags worth over 1 million baht from a house in Bangkok and attempting to sell them. The victim filed a complaint at Phetchakasem Police Station after the theft occurred at a residence in Soi Phetchakasem 67, Bang Kae district, between 4.30am and 5am on July 4. Eleven luxury brand handbags were stolen from…
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Thailand flexes soft power with food and film frenzy
Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared Thailand’s creative soft power the key to global influence at a major Bangkok forum. Speaking yesterday, July 8, at the second annual SPLASH – Soft Power Forum 2025, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Paetongtarn pulled no punches about the government’s ambitions to elevate Thailand’s soft power to dazzling new heights. “Creative culture…
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