Bangkok News
Dive into the latest happenings in Bangkok with The Thaiger. Our team delivers up-to-date news, insightful analysis, and exclusive stories from the heart of Thailand’s dynamic capital. Keep your finger on the pulse of Bangkok’s ever-evolving political, economic, and cultural scene, as well as its thriving entertainment and nightlife. Stay informed about local events, transportation updates, and expat experiences in this vibrant metropolis.
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Sponsored Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort puts sustainability at its heart
The term sustainability is often thrown around as a buzzword in the hospitality industry, but at Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort, it’s genuinely part of their mission. Located in Makham Bay, just south of Phuket Town, the beautiful resort puts...
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House approves 122 billion baht digital wallet scheme budget
The House of Representatives approved a supplementary bill to increase the budget for the current fiscal year by 122 billion baht, in a vote held late yesterday. This additional funding aims to partially finance the government’s digital wallet handout scheme. A total of 297 MPs voted in favour of the bill, while 164 opposed it, with no abstentions recorded. Among…
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Bangchak cuts high-premium fuel prices by 5 baht per litre
Bangchak Corporation announced a significant price reduction on its high-premium fuel types, offering a discount of 5 baht per litre nationwide from today to tomorrow, July 20. This promotion includes both Bangchak Hi Premium 97 and Bangchak Hi Premium Diesel S, with no minimum purchase required. Bangchak Corporation, a leading company in the fuel industry, is running its major annual…
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Thai AirAsia X suspends Sydney-Bangkok route
Thai AirAsia X announced the suspension of its sole Australian route between Sydney and Bangkok, effective August 1. Despite the temporary halt, the airline assures it remains committed to the Australian market and plans a grand return in December with increased flights and enhanced connectivity. The decision to suspend services was driven by fleet management and operation hub movement. As…
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4th female Supreme Court president in Thai history to be appointed
Chanakarn Theeravechpolkul is set to become the 4th female president of Thailand’s Supreme Court on October 1. This historic appointment marks a dramatic reversal in the traditionally male-dominated judiciary. On July 8, the Judicial Commission unanimously voted to appoint Chanakarn as the 50th chief of the country’s top court. She will succeed Anocha Chevitsophon, the third woman to hold the…
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Newborn’s body found in Bangkok rubbish bin sparks urgent probe
A tragic discovery of a newborn baby girl’s body, wrapped in a towel and concealed in a black bag inside a blue rubbish bin, was made yesterday by a waste collector in Bangkok. Police are now urgently investigating the case. Pitak Kaewkamhan, an inspector from Sutthisan Police Station, received a report at around 8pm yesterday about the incident in Soi…
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Thailand hosts Summer Sonic Bangkok music festival in August
Thailand will be hosting the Summer Sonic Music Festival in Bangkok for the first time on August 24 to 25 at Impact Challenger, Mueang Thong Thani. This inaugural event promises an impressive lineup of artists from across the globe. OneRepublic, the American rock band famous for hits like Apologize, Counting Stars, and I Ain’t Worried, is among the headliners. Their…
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Vietnamese murder-suicide: Cryptic letter found, tour guide questioned
Police discovered a suspicious message written in Chinese on the phone of the alleged killer of the Vietnamese nationals poisoned in a Bangkok hotel. A Vietnamese tour guide who bought medicine for one of the deceased is also under suspicion and is currently being questioned by police. Metropolitan Police Bureau officers are continuing their investigation into the murder-suicide case, which…
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Thailand restaurant market to hit 400 billion baht in 2024
Central Restaurants Group (CRG) anticipates a 5% sales growth in 2024, driven by the digital wallet handout scheme, while Thailand’s restaurant market value is projected to reach 400 billion baht this year. Nath Vongphanich, CRG President, addressed the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s upcoming 10,000-baht digital wallet handout scheme, expected to launch in the fourth quarter. He mentioned that the company…
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Suspect wanted for gold heist at Bangkok department store
A daring heist took place at a prominent department store in Min Buri district, Bangkok, where a lone rider made off with gold weighing 40 baht. The store’s CCTV captured the incident clearly, and the suspect was seen fleeing the scene on Ramkhamhaeng Road. Officers from the Min Buri Police Station responded to a report of a theft at the…
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Shocking hike: Thai industries spark concern over electricity rates
Thailand’s plan to hike electricity rates later this year could deter foreign direct investment, warned the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The alert followed the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) announcement on Friday, indicating an imminent rise in power bills for both businesses and households. The ERC has proposed three new power tariff options, featuring increases from 11% to 44% above…
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Former Thai MP faces charges over film fiasco
Former Thai Civilised Party MP Mongkolkit Suksintharanon faces charges for allegedly breaching the code of ethics by skipping a crucial House meeting to catch a film. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) voted 6:1 to charge Mongkolkit, now a Democrat Party member, for missing a House session on December 15, 2021. The NACC plans to take the case to the Supreme…
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MFP leader asserts party will not be dissolved
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Chaithawat Tulathon stands firm, confidently asserting that his party will not be dissolved by the Constitutional Court next month. However, not everyone shares his optimism. MP Rangsiman Rome has voiced serious doubts about their chances. Chaithawat appeared upbeat despite the looming court decision on August 7. In stark contrast, party-list MP Rangsiman Rome expressed deep…
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Butterbear bakery mascot sparks nostalgic craze in Thailand
The popularity of Butterbear, the mascot of Butterbear bakery located on the G floor of EmSphere shopping mall, has become a new phenomenon in Thailand. Part of the Coffee Beans by Dao brand, Butterbear has attracted crowds similar to those seen for superstar artists, with people queuing as early as 4am to take pictures with the beloved character. Butterbear has…
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Thailand’s digital wallet disaster: MFP oppose budget
Opposition parties have taken a firm stand against the supplementary budget bill, targeting the controversial digital wallet scheme. Estimated at a staggering 450 billion baht, the scheme is criticised for its alleged inefficacy in boosting the GDP and potential legal issues, which could set a detrimental precedent for future national budgeting and fiscal policies. Sirikanya Tansakul, Deputy Leader of the…
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Royal flush: Thai cops deal out arrests in billion-baht gambling bust
Royal Thai Police (RTP) swooped on a gambling website with over five billion baht in circulation and arrested two Thai men behind the operation. One of them, the son of a former senator, was arrested during a Dhamma retreat. Officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) and the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) launched Operation Shutdown, targeting two e-payment service…
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Bangkok’s Wat Pho climbs Asia’s top travel list
Bangkok’s Wat Phra Chetuphon, famously known as Wat Pho, clinched a coveted spot among TripAdvisor’s 25 most popular destinations in Asia for 2024. This year, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha proudly stands at 9th place, a testament to its enduring appeal since it first made the list in 2020. TripAdvisor’s glowing recommendation highlights the tranquil allure of Wat Pho,…
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Bangkok National Gallery’s 200-year Thai art history exhibition
The National Gallery in Bangkok invites you to, 200 Years Journey Through Thai Modern Art History, a spectacular exhibition running until August 31. This exhibition, held in collaboration with the Art Auction Centre, offers a rare opportunity to explore over two centuries of Thai art history. From the traditional works of Khrua In Khong, who flourished during the reigns of…
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Court snubs Move Forward Party’s plea: Verdict moved to August 7
The Constitutional Court has thrown out the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP)‘s request for an inquiry, claiming it has ample evidence to make a ruling. The Election Commission (EC) has been pushing for the party’s dissolution and a 10-year political ban on its executive committee, due to their election campaign advocating for the amendment of the lèse majestĂ© law. Despite…
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Thai tattoo artist allegedly rapes client, leading to attempted suicide
A Thai mother is seeking justice for her 20 year old daughter, who attempted suicide after being raped by a tattoo artist in Bangkok. The victim is in a critical condition and the alleged rapist has not yet been apprehended. The victim’s mother told Channel 7 that her daughter sent a message saying, “Mother, I love you” on July 12,…
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Murder-suicide: 6 Vietnamese deaths linked to 10 million baht debt
Following the suspicious deaths of six Vietnamese nationals at a hotel in Bangkok, Thai police discovered that one of the deceased, a Vietnamese-American woman, allegedly poisoned her friends before committing suicide with the toxin over a 10 million baht debt. The Metropolitan Police Bureau of Thailand revealed more details of the case in a press conference, today, July 17, following…
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Bangkok police arrest Thai woman for trafficking underage girls
Police apprehended a 22 year old Thai woman for trafficking underage girls for prostitution at a well-known hotel in Bangkok. A 14 year old girl was among the victims and police are providing immediate assistance. Officers from the Bang Rak Police Station, led by Thammasak Saraboon and Tharet Wongwaranurak, arrested a Thai woman named Luksana (surname withheld) at a hotel…
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Thai Finance Ministry pledges market confidence amid scandal
Thailand’s Finance Ministry vows to restore confidence in the Thai capital market following allegations of fraud involving former executives of Energy Absolute (EA), a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit expressed optimism that actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in collaboration with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the…
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Cyanide poisoning suspected in deaths of 6 Vietnamese nationals
A Thai academic suspects that cyanide poisoning may have been used in the deaths of six Vietnamese nationals at a hotel in Bangkok. The deaths of the six Vietnamese visitors came to light at approximately 7.30pm, yesterday, July 16. They were found lifeless in the same room on the fifth floor of a luxury hotel, reported to be the Grand…
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BREAKING: 6 Vietnamese nationals found dead at hotel in Bangkok
Six Vietnamese nationals mysteriously died today at a luxury hotel in Bangkok after allegedly drinking tea and coffee mixed with poison. Police believe there may be a seventh Vietnamese but that individual has not been located. The deaths of the six foreigners were reported to the Metropolitan Police Bureau at approximately 7.30pm today, July 16. They were reportedly found lifeless…
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Five charged in Thai Rice Department extortion case
Police have completed their investigation and forwarded the case to prosecutors involving five individuals accused of extorting 1.5 million baht from the Director-General of Thailand’s Rice Department. These individuals face multiple charges related to corruption and abuse of power. Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, Police Colonel Anek Taosupap, announced that the investigation team has concluded their work on…
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Bangkok governor goes fishing for answers over fish deaths
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt inspected Bueng Makkasan in Ratchathewi district following a large number of fish deaths, suspected to be caused by oxygen depletion and expressed concern over the potential spread of the blackchin tilapia to other areas. Chadchart visited Bueng Makkasan in the Ratchathewi district today to investigate the mass fish deaths in the area. Local fishers reported that…
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Fertiliser fiasco: Thailand halts farmers’ subsidy scheme
Trouble is brewing for Thailand’s farmers as the much-anticipated fertiliser subsidy faces suspension until next year, according to Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow. Thamanat announced plans to discuss the troubled fertiliser subsidy policy with economic ministers, following revelations that the scheme could be on hold until 2024. Initially, the government had approved subsidies of 500 baht per rai, capped at 10,000…
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Power play: Thailand’s coalition leaders unite over dinner
Emerging from a high-profile dinner meeting at the Nai Lert Park Heritage Home, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confidently asserted that the coalition now commands the unwavering support of over 314 MPs. The informal dinner, attended by core leaders of the 11 coalition parties, underscored the unity among the partners. The 62 year old Thai premier highlighted the solidarity within…
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Bus fare collector dies in tragic motorcycle crash in Bangkok
A tragic accident occurred when a bus fare collector, riding a motorcycle to work, lost control and crashed into a signpost, resulting in his death before reaching the BMTA bus depot. The fatal accident involved a motorcycle losing control at a curve and crashing into a signpost. The incident occurred around 4.30am today, July 16, on a newly constructed road…
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Thailand approves genome editing to boost agricultural yields
Thailand officially sanctioned Genome Editing (GEd) technology for advanced plant breeding, aiming to boost yields while reducing chemical use in agriculture, according to the Department of Agriculture (DoA). DoA Chief Rapeepat Chansriwong announced the approval of the GEd technique under a ministerial regulation. This decision was endorsed by the agriculture minister and subsequently published in the Royal Gazette. Typically, new…
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