Bangkok News
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Sponsored How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Extra 25,000 seats on Thailand flights for Songkran
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit unveiled plans to launch an aerial bonanza this Songkran, pledging to add a whopping 25,000 seats on domestic flights while slashing airfares on select routes by a tantalising 30%. With the festival fervour set to peak between April 11 to 17, Suriya held an emergency summit yesterday, March 10. Flanked by state agency moguls and industry…
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Walk of shame: Brand-new Bangkok footpath crumbles (video)
A newly constructed footpath along Vibhavadi Road, built just one month ago, has collapsed under the weight of a pedestrian. This incident has sparked widespread criticism on social media, questioning the quality standards of state agencies. The Facebook page Drama-addict shared a video of the footpath caving in as a person walked over it, highlighting that the path had been…
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Busted buds: Indian men nabbed in Bangkok airport cannabis scam
Two Indian men were arrested at Don Mueang International Airport for attempting to smuggle a staggering 22 kilogrammes of cannabis disguised as snack bags. The duo’s audacious plan to slip the marijuana past customs was thwarted in a dramatic operation today, March 10. The masterminds behind the daring plot, Kamarudheen and Shibin, both 34 years of age, were apprehended at…
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No-confidence motion barred over Thaksin reference
Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha stated that a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will not be included on the Parliamentary agenda if it continues to reference former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. After the motion was submitted to him, Wan informed opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut that any mention of Thaksin must be removed. He argued that referencing Thaksin, who…
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Endangered Bryde’s whale found dead off Samut Prakan coast
The remains of a giant Bryde’s whale have been discovered floating off the coast of Samut Prakan, sparking concerns over the threats faced by Thailand’s endangered marine life. Locals in Bang Pu, a coastal area near Bangkok, spotted the massive 8 to 9-metre-long whale carcass around 8.30am yesterday, March 7. The mature female, weighing approximately 8 tonnes, had been dead…
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Casino bill to require 50m baht bank balance for Thai entry
The Entertainment Complex Bill, set for revision, is anticipated to be submitted for Cabinet approval next week, according to PM’s Office Minister Chousak Sirinil. The bill has been prioritised as an urgent policy, following discussions with the Interior Ministry and the Finance Ministry, with aims to expedite its legislative process. The bill includes a condition requiring Thai citizens to maintain…
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Big Joke faces dismissal without pension, says committee
A committee has unanimously recommended the dismissal of Big Joke from the police force without pension benefits. This decision will be presented to the Police Commissioner General for signature. The meeting took place at 2pm yesterday, March 7, at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters. Police General Kraisorn Suwanrat, the most senior deputy commissioner general, chaired the meeting of the disciplinary…
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‘Black Bag Cop’ found dead in Thai prison, suspected suicide (video)
Disgraced former Police Colonel Thitisak Uthanaphon, infamously known as “Director Joe,” or Joe Ferrari, has been found dead in his prison cell at Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok. The 43 year old, who was serving a life sentence for the torture and killing of a drug suspect, reportedly took his own life – but suspicions linger over the circumstances…
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Bangkok taxi driver returns 154,000 baht to Japanese passenger
A Bangkok taxi driver has returned more than 154,000 baht in cash to a Japanese passenger who had left it in his cab. The woman, who had already flown back to Japan on March 6, never expected to see her valuables again. The 63 year old taxi driver, Chum Khamwiangsa, handed the black bag full of cash to Phithak Santirat…
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NHSO reveals Bangkok clinics earn up to 7 million baht annually
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has disclosed budget allocations for each community clinic, revealing some clinics receive up to 7 million baht annually. The income of these clinics largely depends on the number of patients treated and services provided. The Association of Warm Community Clinics yesterday, March 6, released data on per capita budget allocations from the NHSO. They…
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Thai Attorney General charges 8 in contract killing case (video)
The Thai Attorney General’s office has filed charges against eight defendants in a high-profile case involving the alleged contract killing of Chaimate “Tong” Sittisanitpong. The case includes charges of conspiracy to commit murder and illegal possession of firearms. Yesterday, the Attorney General’s inspector, Sak Kesem Nithaiyok, and spokesperson for the office, revealed details about the case dating back to February…
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Cat’s out the bag! Cops claw back wildlife in Bangkok airport bust
In a purrfectly executed operation at Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok, Thai police proudly announced a successful swoop on a hair-raising attempt to smuggle exotic wildlife out of Thailand. The operation on Sunday, March 2, led to the apprehension of a 44 year old Indian woman, who was trying to wing it by sneaking protected animals aboard AirAsia flight FD 137 bound…
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Royal Thai Navy’s billion-baht battle over subs and frigates
Thailand’s troubled submarine deal and ambitious warship plans are caught in political limbo, with the Pheu Thai-led government showing little urgency in making key defence decisions. As Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra prepares for a censure debate later this month, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN)’s long-stalled projects remain up in the air. The RTN initially accepted China’s offer of an S26T…
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Fury on the streets: Protesters clash with govt over casino bill
Angry protesters stormed the Finance Ministry yesterday, demanding the government scrap its controversial plan to legalise casinos. The demonstration, led by three hardline groups, accused Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat of backing a bill that, they claim, will open the floodgates for Thai gamblers rather than targeting foreign tourists. The Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Reform, the Dharma…
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Thai motorcyclist praised for his kindness to disabled man in Bangkok
Thai TikTok users praised a Thai motorcyclist for helping a disabled man in a wheelchair cross a steep bridge in Bangkok. The female TikToker, @aileen_eenn, shared a video of the incident on Tuesday, March 4 to highlight the generosity of the motorcyclist. She added a caption to the video stating, “Others may not notice your good deeds, but I do.”…
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Heavy rain and hail hit Thailand amid summer storm
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) has issued its sixth warning for a summer storm expected to hit 46 provinces, including Bangkok, with heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and lightning in certain areas. Residents are advised to exercise caution. Issued at 5pm yesterday, March 6, the announcement details that northern, northeastern, central Thailand, Bangkok and its surrounding areas, and the…
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Court blocks Thaksin’s request to leave Thailand for Indonesia
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra faced a legal setback today after the Criminal Court denied his request to travel abroad. The court ruled that there was not sufficient reason to allow him to leave the country, blocking his planned trip to Indonesia for the upcoming ASEAN meeting. This morning, Thaksin arrived at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road in his…
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Optimus Prime creator clashes with bar over new figure donation
A Thai Optimus Prime creator clashed with a coffee shop and cocktail bar after a refusal to support his donation campaign to build two new figures following the viral and allegedly sacred figure near Bangkok’s Chinatown. The coffee shop and cocktail bar, Hypnotized, made the Optimus Prime figure go viral after sharing videos of offerings, including cocktails, engine oil, and traditional…
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Two firms sued after crane collapse kills 6 on Rama II Road
Two companies face legal action after a construction crane collapsed on Rama II Road, Bangkok, resulting in six fatalities and nine injuries. Investigations are underway to determine the cause and responsibility, with experts being consulted for insights. A meeting was held at the conference room of the Provincial Police Region 7 headquarters yesterday, March 5 at 2.30pm to discuss the…
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New 100 baht note marks Finance Ministry’s 150th anniversary
The Ministry of Finance announced the release of a commemorative 100 baht banknote to mark its 150th anniversary. The note, which can legally be used for transactions, will be issued on April 14. The announcement was published on the Royal Gazette’s website, detailing the characteristics, colour, and size of the commemorative note. Signed by Pichai Chunhavajira, the finance minister, the…
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Bangkok man caught with meth pills during traffic stop
A Bangkok man’s suspicious behaviour at a traffic checkpoint led to his arrest after police found 60 methamphetamine (meth) pills hidden inside a cigarette pack. The operation took place yesterday, March 5 along the inbound Vibhavadi Road in Chatuchak district, where officers from the Vibhavadi Rangsit Traffic Control Centre were enforcing traffic rules, particularly targeting motorcyclists using the main lanes.…
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Bangkok bust: Nigerian duo caught in a powder keg of trouble
Two Nigerian nationals were apprehended in Bangkok following the implication of their involvement in drug trafficking by a woman caught attempting to smuggle cocaine into Japan. Both men were identified as overstayers and are now facing immediate immigration charges, alongside being investigated for alleged drug-related offences. Immigration and narcotics control police conducted a raid on a condominium on Navamin-Ram Intra…
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Karaoke crackdown: Illegal workers caught off-key in Bangkok raid
The Department of Employment, under the Ministry of Labour, conducted a raid on seven karaoke venues in Khlong San district, uncovering 28 illegal workers. The operation, yesterday, March 5, followed a tip-off about foreign workers lacking proper permits. The investigation identified 52 migrant workers, with 24 possessing valid documents, while 28 were found working illegally. Legal proceedings have been initiated…
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Home for Thais registration ends soon, housing lottery set for April
Registration for the Home for Thais initiative will end this month, with a property owner lottery scheduled for next month, according to Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote. Since the project started on January 17, around 350,000 people have registered. However, fewer than half, approximately 140,000 applicants, have passed the initial qualification screening, making them eligible for housing loans from the…
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Bet and busted: Poker faces flop in 51 million baht Bangkok bust
Thai police made a full house of arrests on Tuesday, swooping down on a clandestine poker den tucked away in a Bangkok warehouse. The audacious raid on March 4, led by officers from Ladprao Police Station, captured 52 gamblers, both locals and foreigners, caught red-handed amidst a sea of chips worth a staggering 51.4 million baht. Tipped off about the…
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Phuket Airport immigration chief transferred amid nepotism claims
Police Colonel Padthongtew Damapong, chief of Phuket Airport Immigration, has been promoted to head Nonthaburi Immigration, part of the Greater Bangkok area after only ten months. The move, which follows another fast-tracked promotion just 10 months earlier, raised eyebrows due to his high-profile family connections. Pol. Col. Padthongtew is the nephew of Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, the ex-wife of former…
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Thai woman crashes car into boyfriend’s vehicle over jealousy
A Thai woman crashed her car into her boyfriend’s vehicle on a road in the Romklao district of Bangkok last night, following a dispute driven by jealousy. The argument arose after her boyfriend had repeatedly sneaked out to party with his friends. The Facebook page ZOOM Rayong shared a video of the incident, with a caption reading, “The couple argued,…
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Bangkok Airways suspends northern flights due to smog
Bangkok Airways announced the temporary suspension of all flights between Suvarnabhumi International Airport and the northern destinations of Lampang and Mae Hong Son, as thick smog and hazardous air pollution continue to engulf the region. The airline confirmed that services would be grounded from March 15 to April 20 due to dangerously low visibility caused by persistent haze, which has…
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Digging trouble: Bangkok man arrested for shovelling blows at cops
A 38 year old man was arrested in Bangkok after allegedly assaulting two police officers with a shovel. The incident occurred on March 3, when the man, Kamla, was reportedly found engaging in indecent behaviour in public. Subsequently, he fled into a construction building, where the confrontation ensued. At approximately 9.04pm, police received a report of a man undressing and engaging…
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Man found dead in Bangkok tuk tuk with stab wound and drugs
A 49 year old man from Roi Et was found dead with a stab wound in a tuk tuk in Ratchathewi district, Bangkok. Police discovered 10 methamphetamine pills at the scene. The police are currently investigating the incident to determine the cause of death. The incident occurred at noon yesterday, March 4, when Police Lieutenant Jeeranan Kaoeian, Deputy Inspector at…
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