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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Bangkok grapples with severe air pollution despite New Year holiday lull
Despite the reduced traffic during the New Year holiday, Bangkok continues to battle severe air pollution issues. A total of 16 districts were marked as red zones due to significant health risks today, December 29. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) website revealed that at 8am, PM2.5 dust levels were recorded above 75 microgrammes per cubic metre (μg/m3)…
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Teenage Grab driver fatally stabbed in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district
An 18 year old Grab driver was fatally stabbed in the early morning today, December 29, in a major alleyway in Bangkok‘s Chatuchak district. Atit (last name withheld), who was outfitted with a label from a technical institute on his belt, was found with three head wounds and four body stab wounds. The scene of the crime, Ratchadaphisek Soi 36, also…
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Bazaar Hotel Bangkok fined 1.3m baht over controversial sculpture
Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchadaphisek Co, operating the Bazaar Hotel Bangkok, has been slapped with a fine of 1.3 million baht. The penalty comes after the company allowed for the installation of a gargoyle-like sculpture, known as Khru Kai Kaew, on its rented premises. The half-god, half-demon figure sparked controversy due to its frightening appearance leading to numerous complaints from…
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Thai woman offers 2,000 baht reward for thief’s surrender after police inaction
A Thai woman is searching alone for a thief and offering a reward of 2,000 baht if the thief surrenders to her after officers at Bangpho Police Station ignored her case and delayed the investigation processes. The victim, Parichat, lost her wallet to a male thief on December 17 and reported the theft to Bangpho Police Station on the same…
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Cambodian woman scalded by co-worker in Thailand in horrific attack
A Cambodian domestic worker in Thailand is battling severe facial injuries after an argument turned violent, with her Myanmar co-worker scalding her face with boiling water. Seeking justice, she reached out to the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok, sparking a diplomatic intervention in this distressing cross-border incident. Katta Orn, spokesman for the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training revealed that on…
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Zika virus spreads rapidly in Bangkok: Expert issues urgent warning
Professor Dr Yong Poovorawan, the leading expert from the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University, has sounded the alarm on the escalating Zika virus crisis in Bangkok. In a Facebook post today, December 27, Dr Yong disclosed that the virus, primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, is running rampant through the city, with symptoms mirroring those of dengue…
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Bangkok free water refill plan to reduce plastic use
Central Pattana, alongside influential partners, spearheads the Bottle Free Seas campaign, urging Bangkokians to swap the bottle for reusable options. With a staggering 70 million plastic bottles drowning Bangkok monthly, the initiative aims to flood the city with free water dispensers, starting with the iconic Central World shopping mall. The campaign, a collaborative effort between Central Pattana, the Bangkok Metropolitan…
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3.48 trillion budget approved by Cabinet for next year
Prime Minister Srettha, in a post-Cabinet meeting press conference declared that the budget bill, meticulously scrutinised by the Office of Council of State, will be delivered for approval. Typically, budget bills are sealed and delivered before the fiscal year kicks off in October. However, this year’s extravaganza faced a dramatic delay, thanks to the intricate dance of forming a coalition…
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New Year gift baskets examined to ensure safety
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), alongside the Consumer Protection Board and other state agencies, was on a mission to expose potential dangers lurking in New Year gift baskets. Their crackdown involved a meticulous inspection of major shopping hubs, supermarkets, online retailers, and even alms-giving sets to ensure compliance with stringent Thai food safety regulations. BMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Wantanee Wattana,…
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Erawan Shrine: The bombing and astonishing comeback
Towering over the vibrant Ratchaprasong Square, Erawan Shrine, haven to the Hindu god Brahma outshines seven other shrines dedicated to deities like Ganesha, Trimurti, Uma, Lakshmi, Chatumaharajika, Indra, and Narayana. But amidst the spiritual serenity, tragedy struck in 2015, when the Erawan Shrine became the unexpected target of a bombing, claiming 20 lives and injuring 125. Shockingly, an ethnic Uighur…
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Thai man arrested for tricking more than 20 young boys into sex for porn
Police arrested a 28 year old Thai man for tricking more than 20 young boys aged between 12 to 15 years old into having sex for porn and selling child porn online. A Thai mother, identified only as A, filed a complaint with Wang Sapung Police Station in the northeastern province of Loei on December 29 that her 12 year…
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Update: Progressive social security triumphs in historic election
In a groundbreaking victory, the Progressive Social Security group clinched triumph in the nation’s inaugural Social Security Board (SSB) election on December 24, as the final vote count approached completion. The election, a pivotal moment in shaping the future of social security, saw the selection of 14 new board members by members of the Social Security Fund (SSF). Half of…
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Thai industries battle tide of cheap imports: Government gears up for tough measures
In a bid to rescue Thailand‘s floundering manufacturing sector, the Thai government is gearing up for a fierce showdown against a deluge of low-priced imports that threaten to drown local industries. The Commerce Ministry’s crackdown, aimed primarily at products flooding in from China, promises to safeguard Thai manufacturers from the relentless assault on their market share. Thailand’s industrial output has…
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Thai MICE boom faces hurdles next year
Thailand‘s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) industry, once on the brink, surged back to 80% of its 2019 glory this year, however, a looming slowdown in 2024 raises eyebrows. Thailand’s MICE industry is poised for a remarkable recovery, reaching 80% of its pre-pandemic revenue in 2019. President of Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), Sumate Sudasna, highlights Thailand’s allure as…
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Japan revs up Thai automotive industry: Major automakers inject 150 billion baht boost
In a move set to ignite Thailand‘s automotive industry, four major Japanese car giants are gearing up to pump a staggering 150 billion baht into manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) in the country. This collaboration underscores Thailand’s ascent as a powerhouse in the automotive world and spotlights the government’s triumphant push towards an electrifying future. Four heavyweight Japanese automotive juggernauts are…
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340 tonnes of seized narcotics to be burnt, says government
In an unprecedented move to combat the soaring drug crisis, 340 tonnes of seized narcotics are set to go up in flames at the Bang Pu Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan over a two-week operation commencing today, December 26. Led by Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong and Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, the ceremonious drug incineration aims to create…
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WHO praises Thai cuisine for trans-fat removal
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently hailed Thailand‘s efforts in eliminating trans fat in its cuisine, placing the country alongside Denmark, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, and Poland. Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) luminary, Dr Narong Aphikulwanit, stated that the FDA’s commitment to vanquish trans fats has earned the country a top-tier accolade, which is a testament to their unwavering dedication…
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Thai BOI reveals game-changing green plan with 150 billion baht EV investment
The Board of Investment (BOI) of Thailand has declared its strategic vision for the next four years, placing a robust emphasis on the burgeoning sectors of bio, circular, and green (BCG) industries. Speaking passionately at the Go Thailand: Green Economy-Land Bridge forum in Bangkok, BOI secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi highlighted the global trend towards sustainability in business operations. “From BOI’s roadshow…
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Thai transport minister denies plans for petrol tax hike
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has clarified that the proposed excise tax increase on petrol in Greater Bangkok is merely a proposal, and there are no current plans for its implementation. This statement came yesterday, December 22, following misunderstandings about the proposal’s intent and potential ramifications. Suriya apologised for any confusion, explaining that the idea of the tax increase was a…
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Former Buddhist chief and executives charged with embezzling 30 million baht
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is set to charge a former head of the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) and two high-ranking executives with embezzling millions from temple budgets. The NACC, after green-lighting resolutions on two alleged temple embezzlement cases, is now preparing to unleash a legal storm upon the accused trio, led by ex-NOB chief Nopparat Benjawattananan. NACC Secretary-General…
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Siriraj Hospital to upgrade elderly healthcare
Siriraj Hospital is set to unveil its Academic Centre of Geriatric Medicine, a game-changer for Thai elders’ healthcare. With Thailand hurtling towards a super-aged society, this initiative, in collaboration with Minor Food Group, promises to reshape the future of healthcare. At a press conference yesterday, December 21, Wisit Vamvanij, Siriraj’s deputy dean, revealed the hospital’s ambitious plan. “Thailand is on…
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Thai economy set to boom with 106 billion baht splash with new year expenses
The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) predicts a staggering 106 billion baht surge in consumer spending during the upcoming New Year festivities – a four-year high that could inject new life into the nation’s financial veins. President Thanavath Phonvichai, the maestro behind this optimistic symphony, attributes the spending spree to the government’s strategic new year’s gift measures.…
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Staggering investment of 150 billion baht in AOT airports
In a move set to revolutionise Thailand‘s air travel scene, Airports of Thailand (AOT) has unveiled ambitious plans for the construction of two new airports and a staggering investment of 150 billion baht. Speaking exclusively at the Section II: Next Step seminar on December 20, AOT’s dynamic CEO, Kirati Kitmanawat revealed plans for the Lanna and Andaman airports. These megastructures,…
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Listening devices found at MCOT headquarters
Authorities unearthed concealed listening devices strategically placed within the conference rooms of Thailand‘s Mass Communication Organisation (MCOT) yesterday, December 21. The discovery took place during a thorough sweep of the MCOT headquarters. The eavesdropping devices, cunningly planted in the rooms designated for MCOT board meetings, sent shockwaves through the media landscape. The police, accompanied by forensic experts, meticulously combed through…
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Vietnamese man arrested for illegally operating beauty clinic in Bangkok condo
Officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) arrested a Vietnamese man for turning a condominium in Bangkok into a beauty clinic and illegally providing beauty services without a permit. CPPD officers received a report that a Facebook user of a Vietnamese man advertised a beauty clinic in Bangkok. The complainant was unsure whether the beauty clinic was legal or…
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Bangkok BTS accepts WeChat Pay
In a move set to revolutionise the travel experience for Chinese tourists in Bangkok, the city’s iconic BTS Skytrain has opened its gates to the Chinese WeChat Pay. Tourists will be able to enjoy a seamless journey across the vibrant city as this alternative payment option takes centre stage at every ticket vending machine across all 68 stations on the…
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Thai traditional dress set to be listed on UNESCO
The Ministry of Culture is gearing up to propose the inclusion of Thai traditional dress in UNESCO‘s prestigious intangible cultural heritage listings. The visionary behind this move is none other than Kowit Pakamart, the director-general of the Department of Cultural Promotion. To pave the way for this historic proposal, the department recently orchestrated a vibrant brainstorming session at the Thailand…
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Thai PM and Interior Minister slam brakes on gun licences until December 2024
In a bid to quell the rising tide of shooting tragedies, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul have issued a joint directive, temporarily halting the issuance of gun licences until December 19, 2024. The move, effective yesterday, December 20, was officially announced by Traisulee Traisoranakul, deputy government spokesperson, who revealed that the directive had been published in…
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Where to celebrate Christmas in Bangkok 2023
The most wonderful time of the year is coming! And after all those Christmas shopping, you deserve a festive feast. Luckily, numerous restaurants and hotels in Bangkok are offering extravagant and delightful Christmas dining experiences to turn up the holiday cheer. From roast turkey with all the trimmings to seafood and Thai dishes, you can treat yourself and your loved ones…
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Will the 2024 fiscal year save the Thai economy?
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat revealed that Thailand‘s eagerly awaited 3.48 trillion baht budget for the 2024 fiscal year won’t see the light until early May. Originally set to kick off on October 1, the budget got tangled in the web of politics, with May’s election and the lengthy government formation process pushing the official start to September 5. According…
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