Bangkok News
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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Indian PM to headline BIMSTECS summit in Thailand
Sources reveal that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among the key figures at the upcoming Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTECS) summit. The summit, themed Towards Resilient Regions, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People, marks the 5th gathering of this crucial bloc. Leaders from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have already confirmed their…
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AI reporter KATIE joins Bangkok Biz’s newsroom
In a move that cements its position as Thailand’s premier economic and business news channel, Krungthep Turakij, also known as Bangkok Biz News, introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) reporter named KATIE to its platforms. Following the lead of Nation TV, Post Today, and Thansettakij, this latest innovation marks a significant leap for the Nation Group media arm. KATIE, an AI-generated…
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Bangkok police hunt motorcycle gang after fatal shooting
Bangkok Metropolitan Police mobilised a special investigation team to pursue and arrest a notorious motorcycle gang involved in a brutal shooting incident. The gang, comprising 12 motorcycles and 23 individuals, is accused of chasing and shooting at a black Toyota Fortuner, resulting in the death of a 39 year old passenger. The incident took place late at night when two…
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Finance Ministry to launch new 100 billion baht investment fund
Plans are underway at the Finance Ministry to establish a new investment fund similar to the previous state-controlled Vayupak Fund, aimed at bolstering Thai shares with strong fundamentals. This initiative is expected to be finalised within two weeks. Finance permanent secretary Lavaron Sangsnit announced that the new fund is projected to attract a minimum of 100 billion baht into the…
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SEC bill to launch 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge project by 2026
The draft of the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) bill is on track to be submitted to the Cabinet by the end of September, aiming to kickstart the 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject in 2026, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced yesterday. The blueprint for the project is currently being adjusted to align with the expectations of foreign investors and locals. These adjustments…
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Road-raging Bangkok taxi driver ready to serve a knuckle sandwich
A Bangkok taxi driver brandished brass knuckles and other weapons in an alarming road rage incident, leaving other drivers in fear. The incident was reported on social media by a prominent Facebook page which shared a video clip sent by a concerned follower. A public taxi driver, wearing a strikingly patterned shirt, reportedly displayed brass knuckles and an array of weapons…
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Bangkok airport’s automatic passport control ready for check-in
The head of the Thai Immigration Bureau inspected the readiness of Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s new automatic passport control channels, which will start being used by Thai citizens tomorrow, July 3. He also took the time to dine with the immigration officers, expressing the need to uphold their welfare. The Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, Ittipol Ittisarnronnachai, visited the immigration checkpoint…
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Fire under Ramkamhaeng Airport Rail Link Station under control
A ferocious fire broke out at a house and stalls under the Ramkhamhaeng Airport Rail Link Station in Bangkok at around 4.30am today. The situation is under control, no deaths or injuries were reported and train services resumed at 8.30am, today, July 1. Praram Radio Centre 199 received a report of the blaze at about 4.30am. The fire reportedly started…
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Japanese man arrested in Bangkok for overstaying visa
Thai Immigration apprehended a Japanese national in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei district after receiving a tip-off about his illegal stay. The 43 year old man was found to have overstayed his visa. Further investigations revealed the Japanese man, Miyoshi’s alarming criminal history. Allegedly involved in 111 theft cases across five areas in Japan last year, he caused damages amounting to approximately…
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Thai beautician tops senator votes with 79 votes
A 45 year old beautician emerged as one of the 200 newly elected senators, achieving the highest vote count with 79 votes. Her victory highlights a notable career in preventive medicine, skin and beauty expertise, and extensive advisory roles. Chinnachot Saengsang secured 77 votes, Police Lieutenant General Yutthana Thaiphakdi received 76 votes, General Kriangkrai Srirak garnered 74 votes, and Sopon…
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Taxi driver alerts police to car fire on Bangkok expressway
A taxi driver witnessed a dramatic car fire on an expressway and quickly alerted the police, resulting in a successful containment of the blaze. The incident, which occurred at 4.30am today, saw a Toyota Corolla engulfed in flames on the Chalerm Mahanakorn Expressway near the Sukhumvit 62 curve in the Phra Khanong district of Bangkok. Police Captain Paniphak Silachot, an…
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Thailand poised for unprecedented surge in tourists
Thailand is set to witness a phenomenal surge in tourists, with visitor numbers from four key markets, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia, expected to hit record highs in 2024, thanks to robust government support and the country’s soft power initiatives. According to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), arrivals from Malaysia are projected to soar to 5 million…
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Fare cut: Bangkok train rides slashed to just 20 baht
The Transport Ministry announced that commuters on Bangkok’s Blue, Yellow, and Pink electric train lines will pay a maximum fare of 20 baht by June 2025. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, revealed the progress of the government’s initiative to implement this fare cap on all electric train routes in the capital by September next…
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BLACKPINK Lisa’s ‘Rockstar’ hits two million views (video)
Lisa from BLACKPINK took the Internet and social media by storm with her latest release, Rockstar, which surpassed two million views within just an hour of its debut. This marks the Thai star’s first solo project since establishing her own company, LLOUD Co. Thai netizens were glued to their screens as Lisa’s highly anticipated video dropped at 7am today on…
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PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban’s jail time drastically reduced
The Appeals Court upheld the convictions of key People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leaders, including Suthep Thaugsuban, but significantly reduced their prison sentences. Suthep Thaugsuban and Thavorn Senniam, initially handed hefty sentences by the Criminal Court, saw their prison terms cut to just one year each. Sawat Charoenphol, Suthep’s lawyer, stated that the Appeals Court made this decision without providing…
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Thailand’s digital wallet budget faces review
A portion of Thailand’s 2025 national budget designated for the government’s digital wallet scheme is likely to be reconsidered by the special House Committee vetting the budget bill within the next couple of weeks, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Julapun, who serves as vice chairman of the 72-member committee, commented on the panel’s decision to suspend scrutiny over…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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Thai blaze: Narcotics go up in smoke on international anti-drug day
To mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Thailand incinerated over 20 tonnes of confiscated narcotics valued at a staggering 6.45 billion baht yesterday, June 26. The vast quantity of drugs, primarily methamphetamine, was seized from 41,800 cases, underscoring the country’s relentless war on drugs. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin stated that this destruction is part of…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Army general tops polls in national Senate election
The Election Commission (EC)’s vote counting began at 9.40pm yesterday and concluded around 5am today, revealing the biggest political surprise of the year. With 2,989 candidates vying for seats, the new Senate will comprise 200 members from 20 professions, replacing the 250 junta-appointed senators whose term expired on May 10. Former 4th Army Region Commander General Kriangkrai Srirak, a classmate…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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AOT shakes up commercial space at Bangkok and Phuket airports
Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to reclaim prime commercial and office spaces at Suvarnabhumi and Phuket International Airports in a move to improve passenger satisfaction, despite facing a potential loss of over 90 million baht. AOT revealed plans to reclaim areas currently operated by King Power Duty-Free and office spaces used by key government agencies, including the Immigration Bureau, the…
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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…
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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…
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