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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Monk with sword causes stir in Bangkok’s Lad Ya area (video)
A monk wielding a sword caused a commotion in the Lad Ya area, Bangkok, late last night. Residents alerted the police, leading to a tense situation before the individual was taken into custody for questioning. A startling incident unfolded yesterday, September 22, when a man dressed as a monk was seen walking in the middle of Lad Ya Road, brandishing…
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Thai man seriously injured by motorcycle on Bangkok zebra crossing
A Thai man suffered serious injuries after a motorcycle rider hit him on a zebra crossing in Bangkok. The rider also sustained a leg injury. CCTV footage of the accident, which occurred on September 19, was shared by several media outlets and Thai netizens. The victim, aged around 50, was seen waiting to cross the road from the footpath at a…
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Indonesian woman arrested for illegally working as tour guide
Police arrested an Indonesian woman at Wat Pho in Bangkok yesterday for illegally working as a tour guide. Tourist Police Bureau officers received a complaint that an Indonesian woman illegally offered a travel package in Thailand to 133 Indonesian tourists between September 19 and 22. The woman did not possess a tour guide permit and her travel package was not…
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Thai woman caught after fleeing arrest to join call centre scam gang
Police arrested a Thai woman after she stole cash and valuables worth about 200,000 baht from her boyfriend in July and fled arrest to work as a call centre scammer in a neighbouring country. The 27 year old Thai man, named Ton, took to social media on July 24 to expose the criminal behaviour of his girlfriend, 21 year old…
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Crash course in chaos: 22-wheeled truck causes traffic jam
A 22-wheeled truck collided with 16 other vehicles yesterday, causing mayhem and gridlock on Kanchanaphisek Road in Samut Prakan’s Phra Pradaeng district. The chaos unfolded around 5pm, yesterday, September 22, on the Bang Phli-Suksawat stretch of the southern ring road, with rescue teams rushing to the scene after receiving frantic reports. The crash forced a complete closure of the road…
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Bangkok police arrest repeat thief targeting university students
Police from Bang Khen Investigation Unit in Bangkok raided a rental room to arrest a man suspected of stealing from a prominent university student. Clear CCTV footage identified the suspect as a repeat offender with a lengthy criminal record who had recently been released from prison. Anan Worasat, the superintendent of Bang Khen Police Station, directed Kosonpiya Sima, the deputy…
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Heavy rain causes severe flooding in Don Mueang
Heavy rainfall has caused significant flooding in Don Mueang, affecting residential areas and main roads. Some homes have already been inundated. Don Mueang International Airport has advised travellers to allow an additional three to four hours for their journey. Recent reports indicate that heavy rain has hit multiple areas across Bangkok, leading to widespread flooding. Don Mueang district has been…
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Bangkok and Nonthaburi face power outages in 19 areas
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has announced a temporary power outage affecting 19 areas in Bangkok and Nonthaburi starting today from 8am onwards. Residents in Bangkok will experience power cuts in several locations. Along Krungthonburi Road, the power will be out from the Krungthonburi Road intersection to the Sinsathorn Building from 8am to 3pm. Panya-Indra Road within Panya Village P.4…
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Marriage Equality Bill set for January enactment in Thailand
Civil society groups are eagerly anticipating the Marriage Equality Bill’s announcement in the Royal Gazette by October 2, with enforcement expected to commence in January next year. Waaddao Anne Chumaporn, founder of Bangkok Pride, shared that the bill passed the Senate on June 18 this year, and former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin submitted it for His Majesty the King’s endorsement…
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Ex-foreign minister’s grandson acquitted in Thai actress rape case
The grandson of a former foreign minister has been acquitted in a criminal case where he allegedly sexually abused a 21 year old Thai actress. The court believed that the woman was conscious and aware during the incident. The Criminal Court scheduled a hearing for the verdict in the sexual offence case number A.2878/2022 today, September 20, in which the…
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Phanom district honoured at Beautiful District Awards in Bangkok
Phanom district in Bangkok received an honourable mention at the Ministry of Interior’s Beautiful District Awards ceremony held yesterday. The event, organised by the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Interior Housewives Association, and the Department of Local Administration, celebrated districts providing exemplary public services. The ceremony took place at the Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao. Present at the…
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Bangkok street vendors must be poor enough to operate: BMA
In a move that’s bound to shake up Bangkok’s bustling street food scene, new City Hall regulations will allow only “poor Thais” to operate as street vendors. The bold rules, signed by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, have sparked controversy with their stringent requirements, including a ban on migrant workers. Once published in the Royal Gazette, the new rules will go…
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Brakes off: Bangkok’s car free day lets tourists cruise sans traffic
Bangkok is revving up for Car Free Day this weekend on Banthat Thong Road, offering a vehicle-free zone for tourists to cruise around and soak up various activities. The event, dubbed Bangkok Car Free 2024: Connecting for Life, aligns with the annual World Car Free Day on September 22, according to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala. In a…
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UK signs pivotal trade and investment deal with Thailand
The United Kingdom government has finalised a significant trade and investment agreement with Thailand, marking the first such deal since the Labour government assumed office in July. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan and UK Trade Minister Douglas Alexander signed the enhanced trade partnership agreement in Bangkok yesterday, September 18. The deal seeks to eliminate specific trade barriers, focusing on sectors such as…
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Bangkok Bank gives a healthy boost to Siriraj with 70 million baht
Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (PCL) made a healthy contribution of more than 70 million baht to Siriraj Hospital through its Bangkok Bank-Siriraj Card Project, reinforcing the bank’s dedication to social responsibility and community support. On Mahidol Day, Pochanee Kongkalai, Executive Vice President and Assistant VP of Customer Banking, proudly presented the cheque for 70,315,053.39 baht to Professor Dr Apichat Asavamongkolkul,…
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Cannabis chaos: Thailand’s weed rules you can’t afford to break
Thailand’s cannabis scene is about to get a whole lot more official but there are big consequences for those who don’t play by the rules. From January 1, 2025, consumers will still have access to the country’s wide variety of dry flowers but breaking key regulations could land you in hot water. The rules are simple: no smoking in public,…
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Heavy rain, high waves to hit Thailand due to monsoon and storm
Heavy rain and high waves are anticipated across Thailand from today, September 19 to Monday, September 23, driven by the annual monsoon and an emerging tropical storm set to impact Vietnam tomorrow. Kornrawee Sitthichivapak, Director-General of the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), announced yesterday that the north, northeast, and central plain, including Greater Bangkok, the east, and south regions will experience…
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Singaporean drug smuggler arrested in Samut Prakan
A Singaporean drug smuggler arrested this week in Samut Prakan faces deportation back to his home country, where he is likely to receive the death penalty. Benny Kee Soon Chuan orchestrated a smuggling operation involving crystal meth, ketamine, and ecstasy, shipping these substances from Thailand to Australia and Singapore, according to Police Lieutenant General Panurat Lakboonto, secretary-general of the Office…
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People’s Party bets on transparency in casino concerns
The People’s Party raised concerns about the Thailand government’s casino project, citing fears that recent revisions to the plan could lead to questionable business practices. Nont Pisarnlimjaroenkit, a People’s Party MP for Nonthaburi, addressed Parliament, stating that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s administration aims to generate new revenue by integrating underground businesses into the tax system. This proposal includes an entertainment…
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Prawit’s leaked audio drama: Secret ambitions exposed?
An aide to Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader General Prawit Wongsuwan filed a police complaint against two high-profile figures for allegedly leaking a bombshell phone conversation. The explosive recording, which Prawit previously dismissed as a doctored or AI-manipulated fake, has now landed two individuals in hot water. PPRP Secretary-General Paibul Nititawan took the reins, filing the complaint today at Hua…
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Bangkok joins 30-baht healthcare scheme with 6 billion baht budget
A budget allocation of 5.9 billion baht has been approved to support the 30-baht healthcare scheme, which will now extend to Bangkok, making it the 46th province in the programme. The project will be officially launched on September 27. The announcement was made at the National Health Security Office (NHSO) in Bangkok, where Jadej Thamatachaaree, Secretary-General of the NHSO, explained…
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Thailand to give digital money to vulnerable groups via PromptPay
Thailand announced a significant economic stimulus package targeting vulnerable groups, including those with disabilities and state welfare cardholders. Starting Wednesday, September 25, the government will distribute 10,000 baht per person through the PromptPay system. The initiative, approved by the Cabinet for the 2024 economic stimulus plan, aims to support 14.55 million recipients. The distribution will be managed by the Comptroller…
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Capella Bangkok named World’s Best Hotel 2024
Capella Bangkok has taken the hospitality world by storm, claiming the coveted top spot on The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024 list. Leaping from No.11 in 2023 to No.1 this year, the hotel not only tops the global rankings but also secures the title of Best Hotel in Asia. Since its 2020 opening, the riverside retreat has charmed guests with…
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Thailand Cabinet keeps VAT at 7% for another year
The Thailand Cabinet has decided to maintain the current value-added tax (VAT) rate at 7% for another year. This decision was announced by Jirayu Huangsub, an advisor to the Prime Minister of Thailand, at 12.40pm yesterday, September 17. The announcement follows a Cabinet meeting where the economic situation was discussed, especially concerning the VAT rate set to expire at the…
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National wage committee to finalise 400-baht minimum wage
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced that the national wage committee will reconvene on Friday to discuss the implementation of a 400-baht minimum wage for large employers nationwide starting October 1. The tripartite committee, which includes representatives from employees, employers, and the government, met on Monday. However, all five employer representatives were absent, leaving only the 10 members from the employee…
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Jirayu Houngsub to become new Thailand govt spokesperson
Jirayu Houngsub, previously a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, is on course to become the new government spokesperson next week. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra appointed Jirayu as her public relations adviser yesterday while his credentials are further scrutinised. The screening process for political appointees intensified due to a surge in ethics-related complaints. The Pheu Thai Party and PM Paetongtarn are…
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Green Day announces first Thailand concert in 14 years
Green Day fans are in for a treat as the legendary post-punk rock band announced a concert in Thailand after a 14-year hiatus. Scheduled for February 12, 2025, the event will take place at Impact Arena, Mueang Thong Thani, and is organised by Live Nation Tero. The announcement, made yesterday, September 16, has thrilled rock enthusiasts across the country. Green…
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Two Bangkok districts to become pedestrian paradise
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is shaking things up with a plan to transform the eastern districts of Phra Khanong and Bang Na into a pedestrian’s dream. In a move that will have locals leaving their cars at home, the new zones will encourage walking, running, and biking as part of a healthier, greener lifestyle. Deputy Bangkok Governor Tavida Kamolvej…
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Jet fuel boom: Thailand’s aviation set for sky-high growth
Thailand’s aviation sector is ready to soar, fuelled by a surge in air travel and jet fuel demand, according to Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Plc (BAFS). The refuelling giant, which serves Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, is seeing a bright future as the aviation industry bounces back from the pandemic slump. BAFS President ML Nathasit Diskul revealed the company’s expected…
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Ex-British PM Tony Blair joins Bangkok’s AI revolution
In a high-stakes meeting at Bangkok City Hall, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair sat down with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) could revolutionise public management. The duo’s discussions centred on one burning question: Can AI make Bangkok a more liveable city? Blair, executive chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), shared…
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