Bangkok News
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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Turtle-saving tech: Thai students invent beach lamp
Thailand’s sea turtles are getting a lifeline, thanks to a bright idea from students at Chulalongkorn University. Enter COCOLAMP—a clever light-diverting bulb shade designed to protect baby turtles from disorienting beach lights, ensuring they can safely crawl to the sea. With sea turtles at risk of extinction, this innovation could make all the difference. Lights from beachfront hotels, resorts, and…
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DSI fast-tracks fraud case against celebrity retailer Kornkanok
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong authorised the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to expedite the high-profile fraud case against celebrity online retailer Kornkanok “Mae Tuck” Suwannabut. The case has been designated a special case to ensure a swift resolution. Kornkanok and her husband, Kanpon Rueang-aram, were arrested on September 30 in Bangkok, facing multiple charges. They are accused of public fraud,…
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Thailand races to attract 10 million more tourists before year-end
Thailand is pulling out all the stops to reclaim its crown as a world-class tourism destination. In a high-profile meeting yesterday, October 3, at the Dusit Thani Bangkok, the Tourism and Sports Ministry, along with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), unveiled their ambitious plans to attract more tourists to the Land of Smiles. With representatives from TAT’s 74 domestic…
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Fake Thai monk’s gamble goes bust in Bangkok mall
Police arrested a fake Thai monk at a bank within a shopping mall in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok yesterday, October 3, for scamming money from Buddhists to clear his gambling debts. Ironically named “Duangdee,” which translates to “good fortune” in Thai, this bogus monk’s luck ran out as he was apprehended outside Krungthai Bank in Central Lat Phrao shopping…
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Bangkok races ahead: Minister shifts gears for F1 street spectacle
Bangkok might soon be revving its engines as Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong, vows to secure a Formula 1 (F1) street race in the capital. Sorawong is working hard to finalise the deal by the end of this year, after holding talks with Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body of F1. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is…
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Thief gets carted away: Salt-and-battery in Bangkok bust
Police in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district arrested a Thai man along with his trusty red tricycle cart. The suspect had been masquerading as a salt seller while secretly breaking into unattended homes in the area to steal valuables. Police officials received a report today, October 4, from the local community that homes were being robbed during the day when residents…
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Bangkok on the ropes: Ex-boxer dodges arrest and takes hostages
A former Thai boxer remains at large after evading arrest for theft. The fugitive then went on a rampage in Bangkok’s Phrayathai district, taking two innocent people hostage in the process. The 39 year old theft suspect, Santi Jehali, began his disturbing behaviour after officers from Tao Poon Police Station raided his home to arrest him yesterday, October 3, at around…
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Cabbie chaos: Thai app rider punches cop in Bangkok (video)
A Thai app-based taxi rider physically assaulted a police officer and damaged his car, claiming the cop was responsible for an earlier road accident in Bangkok. The footage of the physical assault on 30 year old Police Corporal Wirodom Najaiboon, from the Protection and Crowd Control Division, went viral on Thai social media and was shared by many news outlets.…
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Pheu Thai hits the brakes on Amnesty push
The Pheu Thai Party has put the brakes on its push for an Amnesty Bill, aware that it could spark a political storm and risk the stability of its already fragile coalition government. The ruling party, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is walking a tightrope, as opposition from the Senate looms large. Despite holding a slim majority in Parliament,…
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Bangkok safe from floods despite heavy rain, says PM
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra assured the public that Bangkok will remain safe from flooding, noting that the current rainfall levels are significantly lower than those experienced during the devastating floods of 2011. The Thai premier reviewed the water situation yesterday, October 2, at the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi. She highlighted that while Thailand was…
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Thailand’s new PM makes TIME100 Next list
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has made waves by being included in the prestigious TIME100 Next list of leaders for 2024, as announced by Time magazine. This remarkable recognition marks a significant milestone for the 38 year old politician, who has emerged as a trailblazer in Thai politics. Elected as Thailand’s 31st Prime Minister following the dismissal of property tycoon Srettha…
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New opposition leader takes the helm after party collapse
People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has officially taken on the role of opposition leader, following a royal command issued by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua. This appointment, made on September 25, marks the beginning of a crucial chapter for Natthaphong and the People’s Party, as they step into the role of holding the government to account. The royal…
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Cat’s out of the bag: Tomboy’s stolen car ride ends in Bangkok arrest (video)
Police swooped in yesterday to arrest a Thai tomboy struggling with mental health issues in a car park at an apartment in the Lat Phrao district of Bangkok after she stole a car, complete with a pet cat inside, from a shopping mall in the Ratchada area. Footage of security guards desperately trying to stop the black Honda HRV from speeding out of…
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Bangkok drug bust seizes meth worth 100m baht, three arrested
A major drug bust in Bangkok led to the arrest of three alleged members of a substantial drug network, with methamphetamine (meth) pills and crystal meth worth over 100 million baht seized. Police Lieutenant General Samran Nuanma, assistant national police chief, and senior police officials, announced the operation at the Metropolitan Police Bureau office yesterday, October 2. The suspects, identified…
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Milking it: ThaiBev pours 18 billion baht into dairy, drinks expansion
ThaiBev Group plans to invest 18 billion baht in 2025, more than doubling its annual investment, focusing on strengthening its non-alcoholic beverage and dairy businesses, including establishing a dairy farm in Malaysia. ThaiBev Group, led by CEO Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, announced a significant investment increase to 18 billion baht for the fiscal year 2025, which spans from October to September 2025.…
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Google invests 36 billion baht to boost Thai cloud and AI services
Google committed to a significant investment of 36 billion baht to expand its cloud infrastructure and data centres in Bangkok and Chon Buri, announced on Monday, September 30. Ruth Porat, the President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, highlighted that this expansion aims to meet the growing demand for cloud services in Southeast Asia and globally, while also…
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BMA assesses Thon Buri historical sites to boost tourism
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) embarked on a comprehensive assessment of historical sites in Thon Buri to promote tourism and bolster the city development plan. Thaiwut Khankaew, director of the BMA’s City Planning and Development Department, stated that his team, alongside A-Seven Corporation, a consultancy firm, recently visited numerous communities and landmarks. Their objective is to enhance land use potential…
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Filler fiasco: Fake doc’s botched injections leave dentist’s family disfigured
A Thai dentist and her family members are seeking compensation from an illegal beauty clinic in Bangkok, owned by a fake doctor, after suffering disfigurement from filler injections. The unnamed dentist visited the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) office yesterday, October 1, together with her sister and mother, to file a complaint against the fake doctor who illegally operated a beauty…
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Anutin denies Bhumjaithai influenced Senate’s double majority vote
Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, firmly denied allegations yesterday, October 1, that his party influenced the Senate’s decision to maintain the double majority requirement for passing a referendum on a new constitution. “We had nothing to do with it,” stated Anutin, responding to comments by Senator Nantana Nantavaropas, who suggested that the vote might have been manipulated. Anutin,…
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Raid & seek: Bangkok cops bust contraband in Chinese minimarts
Police in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district recently conducted a significant raid on 10 Chinese-owned minimarts, following complaints from local businesses about the influx of contraband foreign goods. Health and anti-money laundering officials, along with local police, spearheaded the operation. The Network for Thai Entrepreneur Protection had earlier lodged a complaint asserting that these convenience stores were selling smuggled consumer goods.…
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Thai AirAsia X switches all flights to Don Mueang Airport
Thai AirAsia X has switched all its international flights back to Don Mueang Airport, effective yesterday, October 1. If you’re jetting off to Japan, South Korea, China, or Australia, you’d better double-check your flight details—or risk turning up at the wrong airport. All flights under Thai AirAsia X (code XJ) to popular destinations like Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Nagoya, Seoul, Shanghai,…
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Activist faces extradition to Vietnam: Thai court
A Thai court sparked international outrage by ordering the extradition of a Vietnamese activist, despite fears he could face grave danger if returned to his home country. The Bangkok Criminal Court granted Vietnam’s request to extradite 32 year old Y Quynh Bdap, a co-founder of the Montagnards Stand for Justice group on September 30. Bdap was detained in Bangkok in June…
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Frozen in time: British expats losing out on pensions in Thailand
Three British expats reveal their nightmare experiences of having their UK pension frozen, thanks to a government policy that leaves them with unadjusted savings, sparking widespread outrage. David McConkey believed he was heading for paradise when he retired to Bangkok in May this year. After 40 gruelling years as an electronics buyer, the 72 year old Scot was ready to…
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Malaysian couple vanishes after Bangkok layover
A young couple from Penang, Malaysia, has mysteriously disappeared, leaving their families in turmoil after a layover in Bangkok more than three weeks ago. The missing pair, 21 year old Wu Mingson and his 23 year old girlfriend Wu Yingying, have not been heard from since early September. The chilling details have been shared by Mingson’s cousin, Shii Yiing Tan,…
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Thai Airways flight runs off runway in Bangkok storm scare
Passengers on a Thai Airways (THAI) flight got more excitement than they bargained for when their Airbus A350-900 temporarily veered off the runway upon landing in Bangkok, causing a serious incident and damaging runway edge lights. THAI flight TG466, arriving from Melbourne on September 14, was making a standard approach to runway 19L at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) when things…
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Thai deputy superintendent commits suicide at Bangkok police station
A deputy superintendent tragically committed suicide yesterday at Udomsuk Police Station, in Bangkok. The senior officer’s heartbreaking decision is believed to be driven by a valiant struggle with depression and debilitating congenital diseases. Police officers on duty heard a gunshot from the second floor of the police station yesterday, September 30, and rushed to investigate. In the office of the…
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Thai man attacked at Bangkok bar for protecting Chinese tourist
A Thai man sustained a head injury after being attacked by a group of 10 men outside a bar in Bangkok for protecting a Chinese tourist. The victim, 50 year old Rongrit Choomee, urged Thai news agencies to help him seek justice, as the gang that attacked him claimed to be powerful and well-connected with officers at Bangna Police Station…
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Thai actress slams police inaction after Russian assaults brother
A Thai actress criticised the police for their inaction and bias after a Russian man physically assaulted her younger brother. The police later asked her and her family to drop the case to maintain the country’s appeal to foreign tourists. The well-known Thai actress Chalida “Mint” Wijitvongthong, came forward to seek justice for her younger brother, 30 year old Rachan…
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Man arrested for brandishing knife and cannabis on Bangkok bus
A 19 year old man was arrested by traffic police for brandishing a knife and causing a disturbance on a bus, heading towards an expressway. Upon searching his bag, police found cannabis, drug paraphernalia, and additional knives. Traffic police apprehended the suspect at approximately 1pm yesterday near the Phahonyothin 1 expressway exit in Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok. The operation was…
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Bangkok residents invited to apply as lottery draw officials
The Government Lottery Office (GLO) has announced an opportunity for the public to become lottery draw officials, with applications open until late next month. Residents of Bangkok and its metropolitan areas may apply. The GLO shared a post via Facebook yesterday, September 27 inviting the public to join as officials for the lottery draw. The recruitment message specified the following…
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