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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Former prosecutor files lawsuit in Red Bull hit-and-run case
A former senior prosecutor from the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) filed a lawsuit against Police Colonel Thanasit Taengchan, a former forensic officer for the infamous 2012 hit-and-run incident involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya, also known as Boss. Chainarong, accompanied by his lawyer Paisan Chuarphon, lodged the lawsuit at Bangkok South Criminal Court yesterday. The case accuses Pol. Col.…
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Minimum wage rises to 400 baht in 10 Thai provinces
The minimum wage in selected areas of 10 Thai provinces is set to rise to 400 baht per day, as decreed by the tripartite wage committee yesterday. This new wage increase, which comes into effect on April 13, will apply to tourism-related businesses and four-star hotels with a staff of 50 or more. Pairoj Chotikasathien, the committee’s chairman and permanent…
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Friend of Thai comedian suspected of stealing from shoe collection
A close acquaintance of renowned Thai comedian Jazz Chuanchuen has been issued with an arrest warrant for making off with several items from Jazz’s extensive shoe collection, worth over 300,000 baht. Min Buri Police Station Chief, Police Colonel Kris Komnoi, stated that investigators had gathered evidence, particularly from a social media livestream by the individual claiming responsibility for the break-in and…
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Parents of eye doctor killed in hit-and-run to receive 27 million baht
A court ruling yesterday determined that a 23 year old police officer must pay 27.3 million baht in compensation to the parents of a doctor he fatally hit while riding a motorcycle in 2022. The incident occurred when the officer, Norawich Buadok, who was travelling between 108 and 128 kilometres per hour on his Ducati Monster big bike, struck 33…
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Can Thailand achieve high-income status by 2037? (video)
As Thailand steers towards high-income status by 2037, a formidable obstacle looms large: rampant flooding wreaking havoc on its economy. In an exclusive interview with Thai PBS World, the World Bank unveils a groundbreaking strategy to expedite flood management, potentially transforming Thailand’s economic landscape. Read on to discover the game-changing insights and bold plans set to redefine Thailand’s future. Amid…
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Thaksin Shinawatra’s secretive meet-up sparks political uproar
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s sudden appearance at the Pheu Thai Party’s headquarters has sparked intense speculation about his true intentions. To dispel mounting rumours, Phumtham Wechayachai, former Pheu Thai Secretary-General, clarified that Thaksin’s scheduled rendezvous on Tuesday was merely a gesture of convenience. “It’s not about control. It’s about respect.” Phumtham asserted that the visit was solely to facilitate…
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Thai telecom tycoon ties the knot
Somchai Lertsutiwong, the CEO of Thai telecommunication giant Advanced Info Service (AIS), finally tied the knot. The media mogul yesterday stunned many with his hush-hush marriage announcement. Somchai exchanged vows with 31 year old Kuntita Chartsomboonchai, also known as Pear, a standout brand representative from the AIS Smart Gen 2018 project. This covert ceremony, held on March 23, was a…
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Rapid test kit set to combat kidney disease epidemic
Chulalongkorn Hospital unveils the nation’s first rapid kidney disease test kit, a potential game-changer in battling a growing health crisis. A research team, spearheaded by Dr Nattachai Srisawat, unveils the ALB11 kit, designed to swiftly detect microalbuminuria, a crucial marker for kidney disease, in the comfort of one’s home. “An initial screening for the disease is pivotal for swift medical…
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Motorcycle crash claims teen’s life in Samut Prakan
A tragic accident occurred this morning when a 17 year old male motorcyclist was killed and his girlfriend critically injured after their motorcycle crashed into a stationary pickup truck in Samut Prakan. The incident took place around 2.30am this morning near the entrance to the Samut Prakan Hospital on Suk Sawat Road, in the Pak Klong Bang Pla Kot subdistrict of…
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Homeowner wins 1 million baht settlement in property dispute
A gang involved in a property dispute has agreed to pay 1 million baht in damages to an elderly homeowner, with the payment to be made in three instalments. The Min Buri Civil Court will deliver the final judgment in the trespassing case on May 7. At the Min Buri Civil Court today, lawyer Amnuayporn Maneevan, representing the homeowner in…
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Attack in Moscow: PM Srettha assures safety of Thai citizens
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin takes a stand to reassure Thais amidst the chaos of a shooting spree in Moscow. PM Srettha, speaking from Wing 6 of Don Mueang Airport, delivered a message of condolence and concern following the shocking massacre at a concert hall in Russia. The Bangkok-born PM issued the following statement on X, formerly Twitter. “I am deeply…
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Thai citizens set to receive government handout by year-end
To dispense a financial lifeline, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat unveiled plans to ensure that eligible Thais receive a 10,000 baht handout before the year’s end. The initiative, slated to be facilitated through digital wallets, hinges on a decisive timeframe to be determined by the digital wallet committee. Speaking confidently yesterday, March 25, the minister expressed optimism that the committee,…
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Bangkok tuk tuk driver and tailor shop scam British YouTuber
A British YouTuber warned foreign tourists of a transport scam in Bangkok, recounting his experience when a tuk tuk driver and a tailor shop attempted to swindle him out of money. British YouTuber Phil Bland shared the video when he was scammed on his YouTube channel on May 25 of last year. However, the video recently gained attention on Thai…
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Fare fight: Thai woman’s plea after Bangkok taxi driver slaps her
A Thai woman took to social media to seek justice and also issue a warning to others after a male taxi driver in Bangkok slapped her in the face for refusing his dishonest service. The victim posted details of the incident on her Facebook account, stating that it occurred around 11pm on March 22. She mentioned flagging down a yellow…
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Bowl brawl: Thai monk’s alms lid swipe has woman in stitches
A violent Thai monk struck a local woman with the lid of his alms bowl, leaving the victim with four stitches to her head. The monk’s thuggish attack was reportedly prompted by the woman’s delay in helping him pack his food offerings. A witness recorded a video capturing the moment when the monk, identified as Nart, attempted to flee after…
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Bangkok couple arrested for scamming delivery workers via app
Bangkok police have arrested a couple accused of orchestrating a delivery app scam that tricked delivery employees into topping up a digital wallet, causing significant financial losses. The operation, led by high-ranking police officials, culminated in the capture of the suspects at their home yesterday. The police were alerted to the criminal activity following complaints from delivery workers who had…
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Deputy police chief Big Joke evades charges
A fresh summons notice is plastered on the door of Deputy National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn aka Big Joke’s residence. The embattled deputy finds himself at the centre of a money-laundering storm, with authorities hot on his trail. Big Joke’s former abode in a plush Bangkok neighbourhood became the scene of drama as officers from Thung Song Hong Police Station…
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E-cigarette manufacturers target students with new ‘toy pod’ trend
The rise of a new breed of e-cigarettes, dubbed “toy pods” has sparked growing concern among academics. This new variant, designed to resemble popular cartoon characters or toy miniatures, is targeted explicitly at school and university students. Srirach Lapyai, a project manager at the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Centre (TRC), shed light on this alarming trend. According to…
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Chao Phraya Princess enhances cruise services to boost tourism
Thailand’s tourism industry is witnessing a revival, with operators enhancing their services to attract the global inflow of tourists. A sought-after experience for many first-time visitors in Bangkok is a scenic cruise along the Chao Phraya River, the country’s main thoroughfare. Chao Phraya Princess, among the largest river cruise operators, has weathered several crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic. To survive…
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Power down for the planet: Bangkok joins global Earth Hour
To combat climate change, Bangkokians are urged to power off their lights and unused appliances from 8.30pm to 9.30pm tomorrow, aligning with the annual Earth Hour tradition observed internationally on the penultimate Saturday of March. Spearheaded by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and other partners since 2008, this symbolic gesture…
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Bangkok’s Airport Rail Link faces major maintenance
Bangkok’s bustling Airport Rail Link, a lifeline for commuters to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport, is gearing up for a major overhaul after 14 years in operation. After a recent inspection flagged critical issues, the Department of Rail Transport issued a stark warning: Neglecting maintenance could spell disaster for passengers, Director-General Pichet Kunadhamraks revealed yesterday. “Skipping this important step could jeopardise…
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7-Eleven stores to get police reporting points for tourist safety
The Tourist Police Bureau, in partnership with CP All Public Company Limited, is rolling out a new initiative to boost tourist safety with the help of 7-Eleven convenience stores. This project will establish incident reporting points in 7-Eleven convenience stores across 20 major tourist hotspots in the country. This move is part of a broader strategy to promote Thailand’s tourism image and…
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Stink city: Residents hold noses as foul odour fills Bangkok streets
Residents in the capital city were left pinching their noses last night after an unpleasant smell permeated several districts of Bangkok. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) attributed the smell to a sudden weather shift and ensuing chemical reactions with airborne pollutants. The BMA issued the statement in response to numerous reports from citizens who were disturbed by a pungent, burning scent…
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Prayut’s 70th birthday sparks lottery number frenzy in Thailand
The 70th birthday of former Prime Minister and Privy Councillor Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday sparked a flurry of activity among lottery enthusiasts eager to jot down lucky numbers associated with Big Tu for the upcoming draw. Prayut, born on March 21, 1954, served as Thailand’s 29th Prime Minister from August 24, 2014, until his term ended on August 22, 2022, totalling…
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Stark Corporation scandal: Court declares class action
The Bangkok South Civil Court ruled in favour of turning the lawsuit against former executives of Stark Corporation into a class action. Accused of duping the public under the Securities Act, the defendants, Vonnarat Tangkaravakoon, Chanin Yensudjai, Chinnawat Assavapokee, Sathar Chantrasettalead, and Kittisak Jitprasertngam, now face the wrath of 4,500 shareholders seeking justice. Upon thorough evaluation of the plaintiffs and…
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Sutin: PM2.5 pollution focus of high stakes meeting with Cambodia
In a high-profile diplomatic move, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang has declared war on PM2.5 pollution, setting the stage for a showdown with Cambodia. Sutin is gearing up for a fierce clash during the 16th General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Phnom Penh. He pointed fingers at Cambodian farm practices exacerbating pollution woes across borders. “I will confront Tea Seiha on…
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Toll-free motorway unveiled for Songkran holidays
Motorists are set to enjoy a toll-free journey on the newly announced Intercity Highway Number 81 (M81), disclosed Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachot yesterday. With 97.5% completion, the highway promises to revolutionise travel during the long Songkran break. Surapong highlighted its pivotal role in easing travel woes for residents of Kanchanaburi and neighbouring provinces. “The M81 Highway will be a…
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Thai defence ministry to downsize military
The Thai Ministry of Defence outlined a comprehensive plan to downsize service personnel by approximately 700 individuals within the next three years. This strategic move aims to restructure the military and is expected to result in savings of up to 34 million baht. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang confirmed these details after a Defence Council meeting last Thursday. The initial phase…
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Thai man admits to killing his ex-girlfriend and staging her suicide
A Thai man confessed to killing his ex-girlfriend at an apartment in Lat Phrao district of Bangkok and staging her suicide to evade arrest. The suspect, Nattaphon “Bank” Wannasut, reported the death of his ex-girlfriend, 21 year old On-arun “Fon” Naowarath, to an apartment security guard on the morning of March 18. The 30 year old claimed Fon committed suicide…
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Powering down to unplug overhead chaos for underground gain
Four major organisations, namely the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, have joined forces to replace overhead cables with underground ones along 116 routes. This substantial project, spanning across both Bangkok and other provinces, will cover a total distance of 213 kilometres. Originally slated for…
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