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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    How one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip

    Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...

  • Outrage as Chinese tourists let child urinate near sacred Thai site

    Outrage as Chinese tourists let child urinate near sacred Thai site

    A photograph of two Chinese tourists allowing their child to urinate on a path near Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall in Bangkok has ignited a heated online debate. The Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall, nestled within the Royal Grand Palace in Bangkok, is a symbol of national pride and a key venue for state ceremonies. Formerly a royal residence, it…

  • Thai halal boom targets 84 trillion baht market

    Thai halal boom targets 84 trillion baht market

    In a move to capture a share of the burgeoning US$2.3 trillion (approximately 84 trillion baht) global halal market, the Ministry of Industry has launched the Thai Halal Industry Centre. This strategic initiative aims to position Thailand as the regional hub for halal products and services, with the market value expected to soar to US$2.8 trillion by 2025, driven by…

  • Thaksin’s shadow over Pheu Thai and election scandal rejected

    Thaksin’s shadow over Pheu Thai and election scandal rejected

    The Constitutional Court unanimously rejected a high-profile petition accusing the Pheu Thai Party of being dominated by paroled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The petition alleged that Thaksin’s influence and the controversial digital wallet scheme used in their election campaign violated section 49 of the Constitution. Decha Chairat, the petitioner, didn’t stop there. He also accused Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin…

  • Man’s body found in car park in Bangkok market

    Man’s body found in car park in Bangkok market

    A Bangkok market was thrown into chaos yesterday after the discovery of a man’s body in a parking lot. The police are investigating suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, including wounds that do not match the position of the body when found. At 8am yesterday, police officer Thananchai Kanthahatthi from Rat Burana Police Station received a report of a dead man…

  • Ex minister refunds Japanese tourist overcharged by tuk tuk driver

    Ex minister refunds Japanese tourist overcharged by tuk tuk driver

    A former transport minister personally compensated a Japanese victim overcharged by a greedy tuk tuk driver in Bangkok with 2,000 baht in cash, declaring it was his duty as a Thai citizen. The Japanese man took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on May 13, to report that he was overcharged by a tuk tuk driver, later identified as 29…

  • Weed demand justice: Cannabis advocates’ reclassification rally in Bangkok

    Weed demand justice: Cannabis advocates’ reclassification rally in Bangkok

    Cannabis entrepreneurs, farmers, and activists gathered in Bangkok to protest the government’s plan to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic, only two years after its decriminalisation. The rally, held yesterday in front of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific headquarters, saw nearly 2,000 signatures collected to support a legal petition aimed at halting the government’s…

  • Making cents: Thai PM showers BoT governor with praise

    Making cents: Thai PM showers BoT governor with praise

    During the Council of Economic Ministers’ meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin showered praise on Central Bank Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput for his constructive opinions on economic measures. This commendation comes hot on the heels of criticism from the PM’s adviser, Pichai Naripathaphan, who had lambasted the central bank for its inaction in supporting the government’s efforts to spur economic growth.…

  • Bangkok Pride parade to celebrate love on June 1

    Bangkok Pride parade to celebrate love on June 1

    Bangkok Pride announced an open invitation for the public to join the Bangkok Pride Parade festival, set to take place along Rama I Road in Pathumwan. Scheduled for June 1, the event will feature the LGBTQ+ community marching on what has been dubbed the rainbow road of equality. The pride parade will follow the Celebration of Love theme and will…

  • Thai banks urged to ‘transact green’ by BoT to aid local businesses

    Thai banks urged to ‘transact green’ by BoT to aid local businesses

    The Bank of Thailand (BoT) urges large commercial banks in Thailand to provide transition finance to aid local businesses in shifting from carbon-intensive operations to more sustainable practices. During the seminar EARTH JUMP 2024: The Edge of Action organised by Kasikornbank, Ronadol Numnonda, deputy governor of the central bank, revealed that last year, large local banks reported a total of…

  • Thailand seeks BRICS membership for global influence

    Thailand seeks BRICS membership for global influence

    Thailand set its sights on joining the intergovernmental organisation BRICS, which is expanding beyond its original membership of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The Thai Cabinet approved a draft of the official letter indicating Thailand’s intention to join the group, according to government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates became official members of…

  • Bangkok ranked 17th dream destination for expats to work

    Bangkok ranked 17th dream destination for expats to work

    Bangkok secured a spot in the top 20 dream destinations for expat talent worldwide, as revealed in the 2024 Decoding Global Talent Report. The capital of Thailand claimed 17th position in the prestigious report. Published by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in conjunction with recruitment website The Network and digital recruitment platform The Stepstone Group, the report delves into workforce mobility,…

  • Heartbroken Thai man discovers girlfriend’s true nature as gold thief

    Heartbroken Thai man discovers girlfriend’s true nature as gold thief

    A Thai man was heartbroken to discover that his girlfriend of six years was a thief, stealing gold accessories and bars from him worth over 2 million baht. The Thai man, 33 year old Anupong, filed a complaint against his girlfriend at Prachachuen Police Station after the woman revealed her true nature three months after moving into his Bangkok home.…

  • PM tunes up tourism: Bangkok’s Song Wat set to hit high notes

    PM tunes up tourism: Bangkok’s Song Wat set to hit high notes

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to enhance the promotion of Song Wat, one of Bangkok’s most historic trading areas, as a prime tourism destination. Following a walk along Song Wat Road and discussions with young entrepreneurs yesterday, the Thai premier expressed on his X account, formerly Twitter, that…

  • Bangkok braces for Srettha’s inspection blitz

    Bangkok braces for Srettha’s inspection blitz

    In a highly anticipated tour, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin inspected two pivotal development projects in Bangkok yesterday, May 25. The premier’s whirlwind visit kicked off at 2pm at the PTT Park construction site in the Lak Si district. He scrutinised the Kamphaeng Phet 6 Land Development Project, received a comprehensive briefing and conducted a meticulous on-site examination. The focus was…

  • Bangkok’s gingerbread house gains historical status

    Bangkok’s gingerbread house gains historical status

    Windsor House in the Kudeejeen community and the First Presbyterian Church in the Samre area of Bangkok have been registered as historical sites by the Fine Arts Department. Windsor House, located in the Thon Buri district, stands out for its gingerbread style, intricate woodwork, and weathered appearance. This two-storey wooden house, built during the reign of King Mongkut, was originally…

  • High-speed rail link between three airports to start this year

    High-speed rail link between three airports to start this year

    The high-speed rail project connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports is set to kick off later this year following a revised agreement between the state and project developers. Anan Phonimdang, Deputy Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), confirmed that the SRT’s board has acknowledged the agreement. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee and the Cabinet will…

  • Chinese fugitive running luxury scams in Thailand arrested

    Chinese fugitive running luxury scams in Thailand arrested

    Thai immigration authorities nabbed a Chinese fugitive running an illicit tour operation in Bangkok. Following a tip-off about an Asian man suspected of working and residing illegally in Thailand, officers launched an in-depth investigation. Duan, a 42 year old Chinese fugitive residing in a posh condominium in the Ramkhamhaeng district was apprehended. Duan was already on the radar in China…

  • Brace for impact: Torrential downpours set to soak Thailand

    Brace for impact: Torrential downpours set to soak Thailand

    Thailand is set to be drenched as a fierce weather system promises torrential downpours, sparking concerns of flash floods and hazardous conditions. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) has issued an urgent warning for residents to brace for torrential downpours, with Bangkok and its surrounding areas facing a 70% chance of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. A relatively strong southwest monsoon…

  • NACC criticised for redacted Prawit watch case report

    NACC criticised for redacted Prawit watch case report

    The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) handed over a report on the controversial watch case involving former deputy premier Prawit Wongsuwon to activist Veera Somkwamkid yesterday, following an order by the Administrative Court. Despite this, many sections of the report remain heavily redacted, as Veera, head of the Anti-Corruption People’s Network. The court had mandated the NACC to deliver the case…

  • Paetongtarn reluctant to become PM amid Srettha’s legal issues

    Paetongtarn reluctant to become PM amid Srettha’s legal issues

    Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, expressed her reluctance to step into the role of prime minister if Srettha Thavisin is removed from office due to a case involving the appointment of a minister with a prison record. Despite her hesitation, Paetongtarn remains optimistic about the Constitutional Court ruling in the Bangkok-born Srettha’s favour. “There should be…

  • Singapore Airlines overhauls turbulence protocols after fatal flight

    Singapore Airlines overhauls turbulence protocols after fatal flight

    Singapore Airlines has swiftly tightened its cabin service rules after a harrowing incident on a flight from London left one passenger dead and many others injured earlier this week. The airline announced today that it is adopting a more cautious approach to managing turbulence following the sudden altitude drop of Flight SQ321 on Tuesday, which necessitated an emergency landing in…

  • Monk donates 300,000 baht to rebuild fire-damaged residence

    Monk donates 300,000 baht to rebuild fire-damaged residence

    A monk known for altruism donated 300,000 baht to aid in rebuilding a fire-damaged monk’s residence at Wat Suan Kaew in Nonthaburi. The fire tragically claimed the lives of three boys, with the exact cause still under investigation. Kom Saengbumrung, the former Director of the Engineering Division of Nonthaburi Municipality, was tasked yesterday, May 23, at 6.30pm by Luang Ta Sin…

  • Thai courier claims to lose 2 million baht in gold on Bangkok road

    Thai courier claims to lose 2 million baht in gold on Bangkok road

    A Thai courier filed a complaint with the police, claiming she lost 2 million baht in gold on the Borommaratchachonnani Road in Bangkok while delivering the valuables to a gold shop she worked for. The 58 year old woman named Pailin Kaewphet filed a complaint at Bang Yi Khan Police Station yesterday, May 23, stating that she lost gold necklaces…

  • Homeless man suffocates under plastic sheet in Nontha Buri rain

    Homeless man suffocates under plastic sheet in Nontha Buri rain

    A homeless man collecting recyclables was found dead on a roadside near a luxury home after using a plastic sheet to shield himself from the rain, leading to suffocation. The incident occurred early today at around 4.30am when police and forensic doctors were called to the scene on Ngam Wong Wan Road in Bang Khen, Nontha Buri. The deceased, identified…

  • Singapore turbulent flight: Aussie survivor’s desperate plea

    Singapore turbulent flight: Aussie survivor’s desperate plea

    An Australian passenger from the ill-fated Singapore Airlines flight 321 has broken his silence from his Bangkok hospital room. Keith Davis, previously blocked from speaking to the media, revealed the harrowing details of the flight’s emergency landing in Thailand that left his wife critically injured. Davis’ wife has been in intensive care since their flight from London to Singapore was…

  • Panel to auction 15,000 tonnes of rice from Yingluck era

    Panel to auction 15,000 tonnes of rice from Yingluck era

    A dedicated panel has been established to manage the auction of 15,000 tonnes of rice remaining from the contentious rice-pledging scheme initiated during former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s tenure. This announcement came from Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The panel is set to draft the terms of reference (ToR) for the auction, with completion expected by the end of this month.…

  • Illegal delivery: Six arrested in Khlong San for drug trafficking

    Illegal delivery: Six arrested in Khlong San for drug trafficking

    Six individuals posing as delivery service riders were apprehended in Khlong San district yesterday on suspicion of drug trafficking. Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) Deputy Commissioner Thinnakorn Rangmat announced that the suspects were detained in the Wat Thong Phleng community, located in the Khlong Ton Sai subdistrict. Authorities confiscated 6.95 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, 100,000 methamphetamine pills, 78.3 grammes of heroin,…

  • Oxygen tank explosion kills worker and damages Bangkok home

    Oxygen tank explosion kills worker and damages Bangkok home

    An explosion from an oxygen tank tragically claimed the life of a young man, causing extensive damage to a two-storey house and instilling fear among residents in the Nong Khang Phlu area of Bangkok. Police were alerted at around noon yesterday, May 22, to an explosion in Soi Phetkasem 77/8, Nong Khang Phlu, Nong Khaem District, Bangkok. Upon reaching the…

  • Thai minister reveals groundbreaking health initiative with China

    Thai minister reveals groundbreaking health initiative with China

    Thailand’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation unveiled a pioneering research programme in collaboration with China’s leading genome research powerhouse, BGI. This initiative, aimed at transforming healthcare in Thailand, promises to elevate the quality of life for locals while slashing healthcare costs tied to late-stage diseases. The ambitious project, spearheaded by Thailand’s National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology…

  • Royal splendour: King and Queen lead Visakha Bucha ceremony

    Royal splendour: King and Queen lead Visakha Bucha ceremony

    Their Majesties, King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida graced the Temple of the Emerald Buddha within Bangkok’s Grand Palace complex yesterday, presiding over a solemn religious ceremony to mark Visakha Bucha Day. A group of venerable senior monks orchestrated the spiritual proceedings, infusing the ancient halls with sacred reverence. As twilight descended, the king took the lead in the wian…