Bangkok News

Bangkok news, politics, business, crime, and nightlife—stay updated with breaking stories, events, and expat updates from Thailand’s capital. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted Bangkok news source.

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    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...

  • From run to ruin: mini-marathon at Bangkok park turns out to be scam

    From run to ruin: mini-marathon at Bangkok park turns out to be scam

    Nearly 2,000 runners fell victim to a scam mini-marathon at Suan Luang Rama IX Public Park in Bangkok. The total amount of financial loss remains under investigation. Several runners took to social media yesterday, May 25, to condemn the organiser of the mini-marathon, Run for Destination 2025. Around 1,800 runners arrived at the venue only to find an eerily quiet…

  • Bangkok shakes hands with Google to launch AI traffic project

    Bangkok shakes hands with Google to launch AI traffic project

    Officials in Bangkok have teamed up with Google to launch an AI-driven initiative aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in the capital. Yesterday, May 26, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesperson Ekwaranyu Amrapal announced progress on the city’s ‘Green Light’ project, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to optimise traffic light systems in real-time. The project…

  • Fatal motorcycle taxi driver stabbing in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei

    Fatal motorcycle taxi driver stabbing in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei

    A dispute between two intoxicated motorcycle taxi drivers in Bangkok escalated into a fatal stabbing, resulting in the death of one person. The incident occurred on Ratchadaphisek Road in Khlong Toei district on May 24 at approximately 11pm. During the altercation, 32 year old Apivat, who was drinking beer at the scene, got into a heated argument with 27 year…

  • Bangkok driver rams into motorcyclist for stopping at zebra crossing

    Bangkok driver rams into motorcyclist for stopping at zebra crossing

    A Thai motorcyclist accused a hatchback driver of deliberately ramming into him on a Bangkok road on May 22, allegedly out of anger after the rider stopped at a zebra crossing, which briefly blocked the driver’s way. The 24 year old victim, Butchart, sought assistance from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after officers at Bang Khen Police Station allegedly ignored his…

  • Bangkok mall busted for counterfeit luxury goods in crackdown

    Bangkok mall busted for counterfeit luxury goods in crackdown

    Yesterday, a major operation targeted a well-known shopping mall in Bangkok, uncovering counterfeit luxury brands, including bags and watches. The Thai government is intensifying its efforts to combat copyright infringement, aiming to remove Thailand from international watch lists for such issues. Government Spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap highlighted the importance placed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s administration on addressing all forms of…

  • Bangkok police arrest Chinese photo scam ringleaders

    Bangkok police arrest Chinese photo scam ringleaders

    A ruthless gang of Chinese and Thai fraudsters has been busted in Bangkok after swindling victims out of millions of baht with a bogus photo promotion scam. Two Chinese nationals, 29 year old Di Tian Shaanxi and 44 year old Li Shengyou, along with three Thai accomplices, were arrested near a shopping mall on Phahon Yothin Road on Thursday, May…

  • Bangkok transwoman caught on CCTV stealing neighbours’ parcels

    Bangkok transwoman caught on CCTV stealing neighbours’ parcels

    The family of a Thai transwoman who stole her neighbours’ parcels at a condominium in Bangkok attributed her actions to mental illness and pledged to compensate the victims. Residents of a condominium in Thong Lo, Bangkok, took to social media to expose the thefts. Victims claimed that officers, reportedly from Makkasan Police Station, were unable to resolve the matter effectively.…

  • Thai actress reveals series of assaults by ex-boyfriend with police ties

    Thai actress reveals series of assaults by ex-boyfriend with police ties

    A Thai actress is seeking justice and protection after being brutally assaulted by her ex-boyfriend, who also threatened her against taking legal action, boasting of his father’s influence as a police officer. The actress, identified only as Bell, contacted the Foundation Campaigning to Reclaim Social Justice (CRSJ) for assistance and went public with her story, expressing hope that the suspect…

  • Senators revolt: Block vote on key appointments amid scandal

    Senators revolt: Block vote on key appointments amid scandal

    Thailand’s political arena is heating up as a group of senators prepares to demand the suspension of a key selection process amid explosive allegations of vote-rigging. A coalition of so-called “minority senators,” led by Premsak Piayura and Nantana Nantavaropas, is gathering signatures to halt the Senate’s scheduled selection of members to several independent organisations during its session May 29-30. The…

  • Teen girl arrested for orchestrating online sex trade in Bangkok

    Teen girl arrested for orchestrating online sex trade in Bangkok

    A 15 year old girl has been apprehended for allegedly orchestrating an online sex trade, involving peers for up to 5,000 baht per engagement while pocketing commissions of 2,000 to 3,000 baht. Police coordinated the arrest after the suspect confessed to repeated involvement. Today, May 22, Police Major General Songklod Krikkritya directed Police Colonel Korkiet Wutjamnong and his team to…

  • Eight foreigners detained for illegal street food sales in Bangkok

    Eight foreigners detained for illegal street food sales in Bangkok

    Eight foreigners, consisting of one Turkish national and seven from Myanmar, were detained for illegally selling street food on Khao San Road and Rambuttri Road in Bangkok. The operation was a collaboration between Immigration Division 1 and Chanasongkram Police Station. This initiative aimed to address the issue of foreigners working without proper authorisation in Bangkok’s major tourist areas. The focus…

  • Bangkok police arrest notorious motorcycle theft gang

    Bangkok police arrest notorious motorcycle theft gang

    Siam Boonsom, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, and senior police officials, successfully apprehended a motorcycle theft gang in Bangkok. The suspects, 45 year old Somsak, known as Ood, and 40 year old Ting Ko Ko Oo, yesterday, May 21, were caught in possession of four motorcycles and numerous spare parts in Soi Lat Phrao 119, Khlong Chan, Bang Kapi district. The investigation…

  • Thai airports to boost services for elderly and disabled passengers

    Thai airports to boost services for elderly and disabled passengers

    Flying in Thailand is about to get a major upgrade—especially for those who need it most. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is rolling out a new set of regulations aimed at dramatically improving service standards for passengers requiring special assistance. Whether you’re elderly, injured, or living with a disability, these new rules are designed to make air travel…

  • Man arrested in Bangkok for 8 million baht fraud scheme

    Man arrested in Bangkok for 8 million baht fraud scheme

    A 46 year old man has been arrested for fraud, impersonation, and deceiving victims into investing over 8 million baht. Before his arrest yesterday, May 21, Vorathep, known for his polished appearance, had been duping people by presenting himself as a doctor or executive. Police Major General Witthaya Sriprasertpab, along with Police Colonel Ekkasit Pansithao and Police Lieutenant Jeerattawat Kitrungruengdet…

  • Bangkok job fair to offer over 600k opportunities next month

    Bangkok job fair to offer over 600k opportunities next month

    The Ministry of Labour will be hosting a significant job fair in Bangkok next month, presenting over 600,000 opportunities across various age groups to enhance national employment and prepare the workforce for future demands. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced that Job Expo Thailand 2025 will take place June 6-8 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The event will feature…

  • Scam city: Bangkok tops list for tourist fraud

    Scam city: Bangkok tops list for tourist fraud

    Planning a holiday in Thailand? You’d better watch your wallet. Bangkok has just been named one of the world’s top hotspots for tourist fraud, with nearly half of all reported scams involving dodgy taxi and car rental deals, according to a new report by the Mastercard Economics Institute. Released this week and highlighted by CNBC, the report reveals a disturbing…

  • Grab wars: Bangkok taxi drivers threaten airport chaos

    Grab wars: Bangkok taxi drivers threaten airport chaos

    Fuming taxi drivers vowed to bring chaos to Bangkok’s skies and streets, threatening to blockade Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Government House if the PM doesn’t scrap Grab’s airport access. Tempers flared at Government House today, May 21, as more than 50 furious cabbies rallied outside Gate 5, demanding an end to what they call “unfair favouritism” towards Grab drivers at…

  • MGM Resorts urges Thailand to adopt competitive casino tax rate

    MGM Resorts urges Thailand to adopt competitive casino tax rate

    MGM Resorts International suggests Thailand should adopt a casino tax rate competitive with Singapore and permit a significant number of locals to visit casino complexes to foster tourism and economic growth. The company is exploring a potential investment of US$3-5 billion in a casino facility in Bangkok. Ed Bowers, President of Global Development at MGM Resorts, stated that emerging markets…

  • Monorail mania: Thailand’s Pink Line to operate free trial run

    Monorail mania: Thailand’s Pink Line to operate free trial run

    Bangkok commuters have a new reason to celebrate — the long-awaited Pink Line monorail extension to Muang Thong Thani officially opened yesterday, May 20, promising to ease traffic headaches and ramp up convenience for eventgoers. Even better? It’s completely free to ride until June 16. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), which owns the project, along with operator…

  • Ex-British air hostess claims she’s been ‘suitcased’ in drug bust

    Ex-British air hostess claims she’s been ‘suitcased’ in drug bust

    A former British air hostess claims she’s been stitched up in a £1.5 million (66.5 million baht) drug bust in Sri Lanka, insisting she had no clue 46 kilogrammes of cannabis was stuffed in her suitcase. Charlotte May Lee is facing years behind bars in a notorious Sri Lankan prison after being arrested in Colombo with a suitcase stuffed with…

  • SRT approves delayed Lat Krabang container depot overhaul

    SRT approves delayed Lat Krabang container depot overhaul

    After years of frustrating delays, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is finally pushing forward with a 40 billion baht upgrade of Bangkok’s Inland Container Depot in Lat Krabang and the green light couldn’t come soon enough. The SRT board last Thursday, May 15, approved a long-awaited study into the project’s future, identifying a public-private partnership (PPP) under a net…

  • Super spreader Covid variant rips through Thailand

    Super spreader Covid variant rips through Thailand

    A new Covid-19 variant is sweeping through Thailand at breakneck speed, with infections skyrocketing and vulnerable groups most at risk. Health authorities are on high alert as the XEC variant, a descendant of Omicron, spreads nearly seven times faster than seasonal influenza. Since January 1, the Public Health Ministry has recorded 108,891 infections and 27 fatalities linked to the strain,…

  • Van fire on Bangkok bridge disrupts traffic, no injuries

    Van fire on Bangkok bridge disrupts traffic, no injuries

    A fire engulfed a van on a bridge over the Ramintra intersection at kilometre 8, causing extensive damage to the vehicle. The incident, reported today, May 21, required intervention by fire and rescue teams. An electrical short circuit is suspected to have started the blaze. Police from Khan Na Yao station received a report of a vehicle fire on the…

  • Snake protest forces Bangkok condo management to act on hidden pets

    Snake protest forces Bangkok condo management to act on hidden pets

    A Bangkok condominium resident released two snakes into a hallway in protest after the building’s management allegedly ignored complaints about noisy pets kept by residents who were violating the no-pet policy. Several residents of the condominium, in the Ratchada area of the capital, shared videos and photos of the two large snakes on their social media accounts. They explained that…

  • Sky high fixes: Bangkok’s traffic nightmare gets new overpasses

    Sky high fixes: Bangkok’s traffic nightmare gets new overpasses

    Bangkok’s endless traffic jams might soon have a silver lining—up in the sky. The Transport Ministry has announced an ambitious plan to tackle the capital’s notorious congestion by building a series of new overpasses in the city and surrounding provinces. The move comes as part of a wider push to ease pressure on key transport routes during peak hours, particularly…

  • Search continues for Thai worker buried in landslide at MRT site

    Search continues for Thai worker buried in landslide at MRT site

    An operation is ongoing to locate a Thai construction worker who went missing following a landslide at the construction site of the MRT Orange Line on Lan Luang Road in Bangkok. The worker, 33 year old Sarawut “Dao” Chanthason, yesterday, May 19, fell into a 19-metre-deep hole that had been drilled for a foundation pile of the Lan Luang MRT…

  • Near miss: Cement chunk smashes woman’s car on Rama II

    Near miss: Cement chunk smashes woman’s car on Rama II

    A terrified motorist narrowly escaped injury after a chunk of cement came crashing down from an overpass and smashed into her rear window while she was driving. The alarming incident occurred yesterday, May 19, on Phra Ram 2 Road near The Niche ID Rama 2 condo, at the expressway exit ramp. The road, notorious for its endless construction and traffic…

  • Landslide at Bangkok MRT construction site leaves 1 worker missing

    Landslide at Bangkok MRT construction site leaves 1 worker missing

    A worker went missing in a landslide at a construction site for the MRT Orange Line on Lan Luang Road in Bangkok today, May 19. Renowned Thai journalist Anuwat Fuangthongdang reported the accident on his official Facebook page this afternoon. “Breaking news on May 19, at noon: a construction worker at the MRT station fell into a 19-metre-deep hole and was buried by…

  • Bangkok coffee shop worker gives birth unexpectedly in petrol station toilet

    Bangkok coffee shop worker gives birth unexpectedly in petrol station toilet

    Yesterday, May 18, a 31 year old coffee shop employee, identified as A, unexpectedly gave birth in a toilet at a petrol station located at the entrance of Soi Seri Thai 38, in the Ram Inthra subdistrict of Khan Na Yao district, Bangkok. The newborn, a baby boy, was discovered in the toilet bowl with the umbilical cord still attached.…

  • Tragic electrocution claims couple’s lives in Bangkok home

    Tragic electrocution claims couple’s lives in Bangkok home

    A couple was found deceased from electrocution at their home in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district on May 18. Initially thought to be a seizure, the wife attempted to assist her husband, leading to both being electrocuted. At 7.53am, Police Lieutenant Suwat Deepholngam, deputy inspector of Suwinthawong Police Station, received a report of an electrocution incident at a residence in Krathum…