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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The 5 most common travel emergencies in Thailand and how to be prepared
Thailand is a popular destination known for its dynamic culture, stunning beaches, and bustling cities however, travellers can face unexpected travel emergencies that include medical issues, road accidents, petty theft, and natural disasters. To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip,...
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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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Sustainable solutions: Bangkok’s waste-to-energy plants
To combat the Thai capital’s mounting garbage crisis, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is rolling out two cutting-edge waste-to-energy plants to revolutionise waste management by 2026. BMA permanent secretary Wanthanee Wattana voiced unwavering confidence in the timely completion of these game-changing facilities. Wattana revealed that construction is well underway at the Nong Khaem and On Nut garbage disposal centres, with Privy…
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Bangkok food vendor’s rooftop standoff ends after wife’s negotiation
A food vendor threatened to leap from the fourth floor of the Bang Khun Thian District Office on Rama 2 Road. A two-hour negotiation ensued after local law enforcement was alerted to the situation today at 9am. Perched precariously on the fourth floor of the District Office, the 33 year old vendor, Prawit (surname withheld) was seen leaning against a wall,…
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Deputy foreign minister backs Mekong region trade
To revitalise cross-border commerce, the Thailand deputy foreign minister made a pivotal visit to Chiang Saen Port on Monday, accentuating its pivotal role in the lower Mekong region. With cross-border trade in Chiang Rai soaring to an estimated 100 billion baht last year, according to the Foreign Ministry, the port’s strategic location where the Kok and Mekong Rivers converge offers…
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Corrections Department: Double standards in Thaksin’s treatment
The Corrections Department is under fire for its alleged double standards in handling the case of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Despite being imprisoned at the Police General Hospital for six months, the 74 year old Thaksin enjoyed an early release, sparking accusations of preferential treatment. Critics are pointing fingers at Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, the Corrections Department’s…
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Worker fatally electrocuted outside Bangkok mall, others injured
Tragedy struck yesterday when a worker was fatally electrocuted in front of a well-known shopping mall in the Bang Kapi area of Bangkok. In a horrific turn of events, one person lost their life while two others were revived with CPR, and several more suffered injuries. The incident occurred as a tree relocation vehicle entangled with high-voltage power lines. Police…
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Giant albino buffalo stuns PM Srettha in historic encounter
Ko Muang Phet, a majestic albino buffalo, towering at an impressive 180 centimetres and tipping the scales at a hefty 1.5 tonnes, made a grand entrance at the Government House yesterday. The nearly five-year-old stud, a symbol of rarity and grace, was escorted to meet Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in remarkable advocacy for the promotion of Thai buffaloes as a…
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Bangkok blaze claims gold investor’s life in Wang Thonglang district
A tragic fire engulfed a luxurious residence in the Wang Thonglang district of Bangkok, claiming the life of a gold stock investor, the house owner, in his bedroom. The incident occurred early in the morning, and by the time the emergency services arrived, the fire had rapidly spread throughout the property, leaving little to salvage. In the early hours of…
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Thailand celebrates UN’s International Day of Happiness
Thailand is basking in the glow of happiness as it marks the International Day of Happiness, a celebration initiated by the United Nations on March 20 (today). This year, the nation has every reason to rejoice as it ascends two places in the global happiness index, landing at an impressive 58th spot, though trailing behind regional counterparts like Singapore, the…
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Thai health ministry assures data security amid breach rumours
The Public Health Ministry of Thailand, under the leadership of Cholnan Srikaew, assured the public of the safety and security of patient data in their system. This response was prompted by a rumour suggesting a breach that exposed the personal information of more than 2.2 million Thai citizens. The rumour originated from the Rural Doctors Society (RDS), which alleged that…
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Legal team denies Big Joke’s involvement with BNK Master
The legal team of Deputy National Police Chief Surachate Hakparn aka Big Joke divulged that nearly 30 police officers are being implicated in a corruption scandal linked to an illicitly operated online gambling network known as BNK Master. The officers under scrutiny are thought to have been involved in receiving underhand payments from the network, which has also implicated Big Joke.…
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Facebook Thailand launches ‘Take It Down’ to combat sextortion
To combat online exploitation, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, unveils the Take It Down programme in Thailand. Aimed at empowering teens to reclaim their digital privacy, the initiative marks a pivotal step in the fight against sextortion. In a press conference held at Meta’s Thailand office, Malina Enlund, Meta’s APAC Safety Policy Manager, highlighted the significance of the programme.…
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Chinese financier faces 50 years for illegal transnational surrogacy
The Criminal Court handed down a 50-year prison sentence to a Chinese financier and his Thai cohorts for orchestrating a transnational surrogacy syndicate. A Chinese financier, Ran Zhao, along with his three Thai partners known as Thamnoon, Nopporn, and Nikhom, received a hefty sentence after being found guilty of spearheading a notorious transnational criminal enterprise and running commercial surrogacy operations…
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