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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Sponsored What’s not covered by health insurance in Thailand?
Health insurance in Thailand has important limits that everyone should know. Many policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, motorcycle accidents, extreme sports, or specific treatments. These gaps can lead to unexpected costs during emergencies. Coverage for outpatient care and hospital...
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Civil group pushes for casino referendum with 50,000 signatures
A civil network has initiated a campaign to collect signatures for a referendum on the potential legalisation of casinos in the country. Thanakorn Komkris, Secretary General of the Stop Gambling Foundation, stated that the network aims to collect a minimum of 50,000 signatures to prompt a referendum for public input on the matter. Previously, the foundation launched an online petition…
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Thai cops shut down illegal steroid lab in Bangkok
Thai police have smashed a massive underground steroid operation, seizing 1.9 million unregistered Dexamethasone tablets in a dramatic raid in Bangkok on January 24. The joint crackdown by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Central Investigation Bureau (CIB)exposed a dangerous black market scheme, where the powerful steroid was being illegally produced and mixed into health products, from herbal remedies and drinks to cosmetics. Dexamethasone, a controlled substance…
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High-profile Chinese inmate accuses Thai officials of treating him unfairly
A high-profile Chinese inmate sought assistance from INTERPOL, accusing Thai officials at Bangkok Remand Prison of treating him unfairly. This Chinese inmate is She Zhijiang, the Chinese President of Yatai International Holding Group (IHG) and the founder of the crime hub in Shwe Kokko, Myanmar. He was arrested in Thailand in August 2022 and imprisoned at Bangkok Remand Prison. Zhijiang was arrested…
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Thailand denies mistreatment of jailed Chinese gambling tycoon
Thailand has refuted allegations of mistreatment against She Zhijiang, a jailed gambling tycoon facing extradition to China over charges of running illegal online gambling operations in Southeast Asia, said Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong. She, a Chinese Cambodian businessman, has claimed he experienced inhumane treatment in a Thai prison, including violence that has rendered him unable to stand. This claim was…
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2 Chinese and 4 Burmese nationals arrested in Bangkok salon raid
Thai Tourist Police officers arrested two Chinese and four Burmese nationals for illegally working at a beauty salon in the Rama 9 neighbourhood of Bangkok yesterday. The Tourist Police launched a special operation called “Happy Chinese New Year 68” and raided a beauty salon in Rama 9, named Yinhaijinchuan Barber & Salon, where the Chinese suspects were arrested. In addition…
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Thai Airways’ A320 business class: Luxury or letdown?
Thai Airways is stepping up its game, rolling out regional business class on its single-aisle Airbus A320 jets, promising premium perks and a smoother flying experience. But is it the luxury upgrade travellers crave—or just a glorified economy seat with extra legroom? Dubbed Royal Silk Class, Thai’s A320 business cabin features 12 wide reclining seats with a 38” pitch and 5” recline—a significant improvement over…
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Bangkok residents frustrated by Chinese New Year fireworks chaos (video)
Residents in Bangkok are voicing their dissatisfaction over Chinese people setting off fireworks to celebrate the Chinese New Year, with little regard for police intervention. The fireworks have sparked fires in nearby grasslands, causing chaos for fire services, and have left pets in distress. Social media users have reported complaints from multiple areas across the city, including Huai Khwang, Rama…
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Man arrested in Bangkok for motorcycle theft and knife threat
A 47 year old man was apprehended by Sutthisan police after allegedly threatening a victim with a knife and stealing their motorcycle yesterday, January 28. The suspect, identified as Nui Somchai, was caught during a routine patrol after officers noticed suspicious behaviour near Sutthisan Police Station in Bangkok. Police Colonel Siam Boonsom directed Police Colonel Porntep Chalermkiat and other officers from…
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Vietnamese national arrested for illegal cannabis farm in Bangkok
A Vietnamese national was arrested for illegal cannabis cultivation in a building in Bangkok, following complaints about noise and odours. The suspect claimed to have been hired by a Thai person for 20,000 baht a month. Yesterday, January 28, Police Major General Prasart Kemmaprasit, Commander of Immigration Division 1, alongside officers including Police Colonel Rapeepat Utsaha, Deputy Commander and Acting…
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Thai taxi rider arrested for snatching Burmese woman’s gold necklace
Police arrested a Thai motorcycle taxi rider for snatching a gold necklace from a Burmese victim as she was walking on a footpath in Bangkok on Sunday, January. 26 The Burmese woman, Moe Moe Win, lodged a complaint with Phetchakasem Police Station at around 9.40am on Sunday following the theft. The incident occurred outside the Nanyang shoe factory in Soi…
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Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi leads Southeast Asia aviation industry
Southeast Asia’s aviation industry is taking off this year, with major airports and emerging destinations recording impressive growth in seat capacity. Fuelled by surging travel demand, expanded airline networks, and strategic connectivity upgrades, the region is cementing its position as a global aviation powerhouse. Leading the charge is Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, adding a staggering 407,000 seats in January—a 16% increase…
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Bangkok prison scrutinised for bribes and Chinese inmate privilege
A Thai political activist and former inmate accused officials at Bangkok Remand Prison of accepting bribes from a Chinese inmate and granting them privileges. The activist, Ekkachai Hongkangwan, took to Facebook on Tuesday, January 21, to share his experiences in Bangkok Remand Prison between 2022 and 2023. His post highlighted the comfortable lives of Chinese call centre scam suspects and alleged…
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Bangkok train ridership surges 60% amid free transport initiative
Train ridership across Greater Bangkok experienced a significant 60% rise on January 26, marking the second day of the government’s week-long initiative of free public transport aimed at combating air pollution, as reported by the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) today, January 28. DRT director-general Pichet Kunathammarak noted that the city’s electric train network saw a 60.90% increase in ridership…
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Thai motorcyclist hits South Korean man on zebra crossing
A Thai motorcyclist struck a South Korean pedestrian at a zebra crossing on a Bangkok road on Thursday, 23 January. The incident occurred at the same location as a case in 2022 when a Thai ophthalmologist was fatally struck by a motorcycle. The Facebook page เรารักด่านตรวจ (translating to “We Love Police Checkpoints”) shared dashcam footage of the accident on Phaya…
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Critics slam 140m baht quick fix for Bangkok haze crisis
Critics have blasted the government for allocating 140 million baht to fund free public transport in Bangkok for one week, calling it a waste of taxpayers’ money that fails to tackle the root cause of the city’s haze pollution crisis. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra introduced the measure, which began last Saturday, January 25, to combat surging levels of hazardous PM2.5…
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New haze directives to combat deadly pollution in Thailand
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will provide additional directives at a Cabinet meeting today to address the ongoing haze issue, according to government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub. The meeting will prioritise PM2.5 pollution, following the prime minister’s return from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, over the weekend. She emphasised that the worsening pollution crisis extends beyond national boundaries. The 38…
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2 suspects at large after assaulting Thai doctor outside Bangkok clinic
Police are searching for two suspects who physically assaulted a doctor outside his beauty clinic in Silom, Bangkok on Saturday, January 25. The 37 year old Thai doctor, Chanesd Srisukho, filed a complaint at Tung Mahamek Police Station after the incident, which occurred at 7.36am on Saturday. The physical assault took place outside Chanesd’s clinic, Mali Clinic, located in Silom…
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Bangkok governor urged to enforce demolition of illegal condo
Rosana Tositrakul, a former senator, is urging the Bangkok governor to enforce a 10 year old court order for the demolition of the Aetas condominium in Pathumwan district due to a breach of the Building Control Act. Through a Facebook post yesterday, January 26, Rosana called on Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to act on the Supreme Administrative Court’s directive to dismantle…
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Bangkok fire leaves three injured, investigations underway
A fire broke out in a commercial building in Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok yesterday, January 26 at 2.15pm, resulting in three injuries. A 57 year old man sought refuge on the rooftop, using water from a tank to cool himself as firefighters battled the flames for over four hours. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sathorn Rabiabpho received a report of the incident…
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Worker electrocuted in Bangkok tragedy cleaning building
A tragic accident occurred in Bangkok’s Bang Kho Laem district when a 32 year old Myanmar man, identified as Nim, fell to his death after being electrocuted while cleaning the exterior of a five-storey commercial building. The incident happened at 1pm yesterday, January 25, with emergency services responding swiftly to the scene. Police Lieutenant Colonel Nattawut Rodsoongnoen from Wat Phraya…
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Transport ministry: Bangkok Port to host entertainment complex
The Transport Ministry has approved a proposal for Bangkok Port to host an integrated entertainment complex. Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit referenced an instruction from his deputy, Manaporn Charoensri, to establish a committee to assess the feasibility of developing such complexes at locations like ports. Several potential sites are under consideration. Suriya highlighted the Khlong Toei area of Bangkok Port as a…
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Singapore and Thailand mark 60 years of diplomatic ties
Singapore and Thailand celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year. To honour this milestone, the Singaporean Embassy has unveiled a logo, which emerged as the winner of a competition held last year in collaboration with the foreign ministries of both nations and the Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore. During the logo launch event at Siam Paragon, Catherine…
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Bangkok ranks 4th worst for air quality as haze chokes city
Bangkok’s air quality took a nosedive today, earning it the grim title of the fourth worst city in the world for air pollution, according to Swiss-based monitoring platform IQAir. The capital’s air quality index (AQI) hit a hazardous 188 as of 9.40am, with toxic PM2.5 levels far exceeding safe thresholds. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) declared 48 out of 50…
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Rock singer offers compensation after fatal Bangkok van crash
Rock singer Manaswin Nuntasane, also known as Tik Shiro, and his family have expressed their willingness to compensate the family of two people who died in a van accident in Bangkok on October 10 last year. They offer to pay 4 to 5 million baht, although the victims’ family is seeking 24 million baht. Tik Shiro, aged 63, addressed the…
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AMLO combats fraud by closing 680,000 mule accounts
The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has listed 72,031 persons for electronic transaction monitoring and closed over 680,000 mule accounts. AMLO’s Assistant Secretary-General, Witya Neetitham, yesterday reported on the Transaction Committee’s actions from December 2024 to January under the leadership of AMLO Secretary-General Tepsu Bowonchodidara. The committee has targeted assets linked to drug offences, fraud, and online gambling. In drug-related offences,…
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Bangkok fights smog with free public transport for a week
The Thai government is taking bold action to tackle Bangkok’s persistent smog problem by offering free rides on the BTS, MRT, and BMTA buses for seven days, starting tomorrow, January 25. The initiative aims to reduce vehicle usage and ease air pollution in the capital. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced the measure today. “From January…
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Bangkok hospital confirms no elderly death in foreign man rampage
A hospital in Bangkok confirmed that no elderly patient deaths were reported following a rampage caused by a foreign man on Wednesday, January 22. The identity of the foreigner remains under investigation. A video showing a foreign man going on a rampage at what was later confirmed to be Sirindhorn Hospital in Bangkok was shared on the Facebook page AggressiveDoctor. The…
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Temperatures drop as cold air mass covers Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its first warning of a cold air mass that will result in significant temperature drops across upper Thailand. The southern region should also brace for heavy rainfall due to a monsoon. The notice outlines the impact from January 26 to 28. A new surge of high pressure or a cold air mass from China…
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Thai couple arrested in Bangkok condominium raid for producing Pod K
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau raided a luxury condominium in Bangkok’s Thon Buri neighbourhood on Tuesday, January 21, and arrested a Thai couple for producing and distributing a new narcotic known as Pod K. Pod K, a substance similar in appearance to e-cigarettes, contains e-liquid laced with ketamine. This new drug gained popularity among Thai teenagers due to its accessibility,…
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Drunk foreign man crawls on Bangkok road, causing traffic jam
A viral video captured a drunk foreign man crawling along a road in the Town in Town neighbourhood of Wang Thong Lang district, Bangkok, causing a traffic jam during the morning rush hour. The news Facebook page Jmoi v+ shared pictures and a video of the foreign man, whose nationality remains unidentified, crawling in the middle of the road. Two…
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