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 to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?

    Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....

  • Thailand vows zero dropout rate as education overhaul unveiled

    Thailand vows zero dropout rate as education overhaul unveiled

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared his government’s determined mission to tackle Thailand’s education inequality crisis. The premier revealed his commitment to eradicating the denial of educational opportunities for Thai children entirely. PM Srettha disclosed that one of his first actions upon assuming office last year was to direct key government agencies, including the Fund for Education Equality, the Ministry of Digital…

  • BMA accused of favouring capitalists with new city plan for Bangkok

    BMA accused of favouring capitalists with new city plan for Bangkok

    Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) outlined an ambitious new city plan for the capital, marking the first update in 11 years. However, the BMA is facing criticism from the public, who claim that the new plan primarily benefits large capitalists. The new city plan sparked a heated debate on social media, as many residents were unaware of the proposed changes, despite…

  • BOI electric push: Thai circuit suppliers charged up with global incentives

    BOI electric push: Thai circuit suppliers charged up with global incentives

    Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) unleashed a wave of support and several incentives to catapult local electronic circuit suppliers onto the global stage. This commitment aligns with Thailand’s grand vision of becoming Southeast Asia’s electronic industry hub, focusing on the cutting-edge production of Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) and Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) – the lifeblood of all smart devices.…

  • Alternative heartache: Party spokesperson’s daughters report mother for years of abuse (video)

    Alternative heartache: Party spokesperson’s daughters report mother for years of abuse (video)

    The daughters of New Alternative Party Spokesperson Sarinthip Sripak yesterday reported their mother to the police after years of physical abuse. Sarinthip, also known as Nikki, the owner of the Nikki Ka-yee Khao Facebook page was called to answer physical abuse charges. Nikki’s daughter, A (nickname) claimed that her mother forced her to extort hundreds of thousands of baht from…

  • Switzerland criticised: Thai electric buses would have been introduced without carbon offsets

    Switzerland criticised: Thai electric buses would have been introduced without carbon offsets

    Switzerland‘s purchase of carbon offsets from Thailand under the Paris Agreement‘s Article 6.2 mechanism has been criticised as the legitimacy of the emission reductions claimed comes under fire. Switzerland has sealed the first-ever transaction under the Paris Agreement’s Article 6.2, acquiring carbon offsets from Thailand linked to the introduction of electric buses in Bangkok. Despite parties celebrating it as a…

  • Thai prisons chief promises answers for Thaksin’s prolonged hospital stay by next week

    Thai prisons chief promises answers for Thaksin’s prolonged hospital stay by next week

    Prisons Chief Sahakarn Phetnarin promises to provide long-awaited answers for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra‘s extended residency at the Police General Hospital. Director-General Phetnarin cited the need for a few more days to gather information meticulously from both the prison hospital and the Police General Hospital regarding Thaksin’s health conditions. He assured the public that all lingering questions would be…

  • Thai PM denies hold up with digital wallet plan

    Thai PM denies hold up with digital wallet plan

    The government remains undeterred as it stands firm on its 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, scheduled for a May launch, despite legal challenges. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin promised a consensus after seeking opinions from key players. “We stand by the original timeframe.” The Council of State recently weighed in on the legality of the government’s plan to borrow a hefty 500…

  • Father-in-law shoots son-in-law dead over money dispute

    Father-in-law shoots son-in-law dead over money dispute

    A Thai man residing in Samut Prakan province shot his son-in-law dead after he grew frustrated that the son-in-law did not return borrowed money. Police Lieutenant Natthanicha Ruengkwan of Phra Samut Chedi Police Station received a report at 9pm yesterday, January 9, that there was a fatality from a shooting incident at Village No. 4, Nai Khlong Bang Pla Kot Subdistrict,…

  • Rangsit Highway overpass missing a strip of steel railing, emergency repairs

    Rangsit Highway overpass missing a strip of steel railing, emergency repairs

    Safety concerns were sparked after strips of steep railing over a pedestrian bridge were found missing across Tesco Lotus Rangsit branch, Phahonyothin Road, Prachathipat Subdistrict, Thanyaburi District, Pathum Thani province. Meanwhile, Rangsit Highway is expediting immediate repairs to the flyover, as well as solving the problem of road lighting to ensure safety at night. Reporters went to inspect the overpass…

  • Rajamangala University students fight at Siam Skywalk, one injured

    Rajamangala University students fight at Siam Skywalk, one injured

    A fight broke out between university students at Pathum Wan District, Bangkok, at approximately 5.50pm yesterday. A group of 30 to 40 students from Rajamangala University of Technology, Uthen Thawai Campus walked around Siam Skywalk on the Tokyo shopping mall side, and at the same time, another group of students from the Pathum Wan Campus came up from the Art…

  • Cambodian PM’s Thai-ties tour set for February 7

    Cambodian PM’s Thai-ties tour set for February 7

    Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet is gearing up for a visit to Bangkok on February 7 to bolster bilateral ties between Cambodia and Thailand, as revealed by a well-placed diplomatic source. The diplomatic meeting will focus on an array of crucial topics to elevate the partnership between the two nations. Topping the discussion agenda is the cross-border trade, a joint crackdown…

  • Election disinformation: Threat on integrity and democracy

    Election disinformation: Threat on integrity and democracy

    A staggering 87% of 8,000 respondents across 16 countries, bracing for elections in 2024, are deeply concerned about the impact of disinformation on the integrity of their democratic process. A shocking 47% are very concerned, unveiling a digital battlefield that poses a grave threat to the core of democracy. According to UNESCO-IPSOS, their Global Survey of Online Disinformation and Hate…

  • 2 armed robbers flee after shooting homeowner and stealing 235,000 baht of gold

    2 armed robbers flee after shooting homeowner and stealing 235,000 baht of gold

    Police are searching for two armed robbers who shot a homeowner and stole gold necklaces and a mobile phone from his family members at a house in the Ramkamhaeng neighbourhood of Bangkok. The crime was committed yesterday, January 7, and the loss totalled 264,000 baht. Wang Thong Lang Police Station officers were alerted to the shooting and robbery at a…

  • Hong Kong actor’s extravagant French-inspired penthouse in Bangkok

    Hong Kong actor’s extravagant French-inspired penthouse in Bangkok

    In the heart of Bangkok, an anonymous Hong Kong actor has unveiled his secret sanctuary — a lavish 5,000-square foot penthouse offering a jaw-dropping 270-degree panoramic view of the city. This celeb hideaway, designed by the renowned Soil Studios, combines sleek modernity with the warm allure of a French holiday home, creating an opulent retreat fit for a star. The…

  • Thailand’s bid to become ASEAN halal haven

    Thailand’s bid to become ASEAN halal haven

    Thailand‘s Industry Ministry, under the dynamic leadership of Minister Pimpattra Wichaikul, is set to revolutionise the nation into an ASEAN Halal hub. The minister is gearing up for a high-stakes meeting with Saudi Arabian officials, the powerhouse behind the world’s colossal halal markets. Scheduled to confer with the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), Pimpattra is on a mission…

  • Government plans to transform military bases into drug rehab centres

    Government plans to transform military bases into drug rehab centres

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed a strategic initiative to repurpose military facilities as sanctuaries for treating and stabilising drug addicts. The visionary plan, aimed at curbing the societal fallout from illicit drugs, comes after discussions with Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and army chief General Charoenchai Hinthao. The Thai PM made an announcement on social media. “Drug problems have negative impacts…

  • New Bangkok bus terminal set for Bang Sue area

    New Bangkok bus terminal set for Bang Sue area

    The Transport Ministry is working on a project to construct a new Bangkok Bus Terminal in the Bang Sue vicinity, close to the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. This decision came to light during a House debate over the 2024 fiscal budget, where Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit addressed concerns raised by Suphanat Minchaiynunt, the Move Forward Party MP for the Chatuchak,…

  • Bangkok on alert as dust season brings severe air pollution

    Bangkok on alert as dust season brings severe air pollution

    The Pollution Control Department issued a statement signalling the advent of the dust season in Bangkok and its vicinity, cautioning residents about heightened air pollution levels expected from January 5 to 12. The announcement, made by the Communication Centre for Solving Air Pollution Problems and spearheaded by Director-General Preeyaporn Suwannakes, comes in response to a concerning uptick in air pollution.…

  • Provincial administration officials to assist 34 Thai job seekers in Taiwan scam

    Provincial administration officials to assist 34 Thai job seekers in Taiwan scam

    Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment (DLA), revealed that 34 Thai citizens have filed complaints with the Central Employment Registration and Job Seeker Protection Division. At the end of November last year, the Thai citizens in question said they had been recruited by a group of illegal job hirers claiming to be the owner of a company located…

  • Ministry of Energy: Exclusive discounts and extended assistance period for NGV prices

    Ministry of Energy: Exclusive discounts and extended assistance period for NGV prices

    The Ministry of Energy, led by Deputy Prime Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, is rolling out an unprecedented lifeline for truck operators, public transport, and taxi drivers grappling with soaring natural gas prices for vehicles (NGV). Pirapan announced the formation of a dedicated working group aimed at tackling the escalating issue of surging NGV prices. The superhero in this saga, PTT Public…

  • Foreign man arrested for sexually harassing teenage Thai girl

    Foreign man arrested for sexually harassing teenage Thai girl

    Police today arrested a foreign man for the sexual harassment and attempted rape of a 16 year old Thai girl at a hotel in the Asoke neighbourhood of Bangkok. The victim’s mother filed a complaint against her foreign boyfriend accusing him of sexually harassing her daughter in the early hours of this morning, January 4. The woman told police that…

  • Transport minister: Feeder buses to save Red and Purple Lines

    Transport minister: Feeder buses to save Red and Purple Lines

    Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit slammed naysayers in Parliament, asserting confidence that the state-owned Purple and Red Lines train services are on the brink of turning a profit within the next six months, all thanks to a game-changing feeder bus system. Addressing critics of the government’s daring move to cap maximum fares at 20 baht for electric train services in Bangkok,…

  • 100% recovery predicted for Thailand’s hospitality sector

    100% recovery predicted for Thailand’s hospitality sector

    In an exclusive interview, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, the Thai Hotel Association (THA) President, shared her optimism about Thailand‘s tourism prospects, predicting a remarkable comeback from the pandemic’s impact by the latter half of 2024. “2023 saw Thai hotels at a 60% occupancy rate, down from the pre-Covid glory of 75% in 2019. However, with more flights to Thailand and a…

  • Zika alert: Hua Hin calls for pregnant women to undergo virus test

    Zika alert: Hua Hin calls for pregnant women to undergo virus test

    As Zika fears grip Hua Hin, the quaint Thai resort town finds itself battling a sudden surge in cases. The Public Health Office of Prachuap Khiri Khan is sounding the alarm, urging expectant mothers to take immediate action. In response to an alarming spike in Zika virus cases, the Public Health Office of Prachuap Khiri Khan has issued a stark…

  • Government’s budget blunder: MFP MP slams 3.5 trillion baht bill

    Government’s budget blunder: MFP MP slams 3.5 trillion baht bill

    In a fiery critique that rocked the House of Representatives, Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Sirikanya Tansakun aimed at the government‘s 3.48-trillion-baht budget for 2024, labelling it a masterpiece of unprofessional blunders. On the opening day of the budget bill’s inaugural reading, Sirikanya, the deputy leader of MFP, unleashed scathing criticism, claiming that the government had failed to craft a…

  • Students and activists set to storm Government House over Thaksin’s VIP treatment

    Students and activists set to storm Government House over Thaksin’s VIP treatment

    Students and activists from the People’s Network for Thailand Reform (STR) are set to storm Government House next Friday, January 12, demanding answers over the controversial treatment of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin, convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison, has spent nearly five months receiving special privileges outside the confines of incarceration, sparking suspicions of preferential treatment.…

  • Democrat Jurin calls government budget plan ‘lame duck’

    Democrat Jurin calls government budget plan ‘lame duck’

    Jurin Laksanawisit, a Democrat party-list MP, slammed the Thai government, branding its budget a “lame duck catastrophe.” Unleashing a fiery critique, Jurin accused the ruling Pheu Thai Party of political trickery, leaving the nation teetering on an economic tightrope. Jurin took centre stage, launching an attack against the government’s budget yesterday, January 3. Describing it as a lame duck, he…

  • Thai elderly in yellow aprons fight homelessness on Bangkok streets

    Thai elderly in yellow aprons fight homelessness on Bangkok streets

    The sight of elderly individuals in yellow aprons diligently cleaning pedestrian flyovers under the pelting sun may be disturbing to many. After all, most Thais have been raised to respect the elders and ensure they are well looked after. With Jang Wan Kha, or Please Hire Us, boldly written on their aprons, these seasoned citizens are not forgotten souls left…

  • Naked Thai man arrested for breaking into woman’s home and masturbating (video)

    Naked Thai man arrested for breaking into woman’s home and masturbating (video)

    Police arrested a perverted Thai man for breaking into a woman’s home naked in the Ramkamhaeng neighbourhood of Bangkok on January 1 and masturbating. Fortunately, the woman and her father were unharmed. The Thai woman, 34 year old Aydalin “Ai” Akkarasirasakul, shared with her social media followers on January 1 that a naked man broke into her house. She later…

  • From leprosy colony to culinary queen: Thai food blogger’s epic journey

    From leprosy colony to culinary queen: Thai food blogger’s epic journey

    Suwanee Lennon‘s incredible life story takes us from the shadows of a leprosy colony in Thailand to the vibrant kitchens of her American home. Suwanee Lennon’s life began in the heart of Bangkok, within a leprosy colony that stood as a symbol of fear and isolation. Now, she’s a wife, mother, food blogger, and photographer who uses the power of…