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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Drug-fuelled gun incident in Suan Luang ends with arrest
A dramatic incident unfolded in the Suan Luang area when a man under the influence of drugs fired a gun in a residential area. Special operation forces, fully armed, surrounded the area and managed to apprehend the suspect. The man now faces serious charges. Police were alerted to the situation around 5am today, November 6, following instructions from Witthawat Chinkham,…
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BDMS Wellness Clinic boosts health tourism with Longevity Card
BDMS Wellness Clinic launched a new health initiative amid the rising global interest in wellness, particularly as societies worldwide face ageing populations and an increase in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity, and stress. This trend has significantly boosted the popularity of the wellness industry. Global wellness market data indicates an expected annual growth of approximately 8.6%, potentially…
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Thailand introduces new inspection system for fuel measurement
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has initiated a new registration system for private entities to become certified inspection units, aiming to enhance the reliability of fuel measurement at service stations. The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) announced the criteria for this registration process. Starting July 26, they have been promoting this initiative and welcoming applications since August. This move is part…
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Seven arrested in Bangkok market immigration crackdown
Thai immigration officers apprehended seven foreign nationals, including individuals from China, Laos, and Myanmar, for illegally selling clothes at stalls in the Bobae Market in Bangkok. This operation was part of a broader crackdown on illegal activities. The operation was conducted by immigration officers who went undercover as customers in Bobae Market. Acting on a directive from the police chief,…
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Big Joke’s wife sues woman and her husband over alleged false theft complaint
The wife of former police chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, filed a lawsuit against a woman and her police officer husband for allegedly lodging a false theft complaint accusing her of stealing gold and cash valued at 5.7 million baht. Sirinatda Hakparn, the wife of Big Joke, visited Phra Kanong Police Station on October 24 to deny accusations of theft…
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Bangkok sings the blues: Cops bust Chinese in illegal karaoke bar
Police officers raided an illegal karaoke bar in the Huay Kwang district of Bangkok yesterday, arresting 26 Chinese nationals involved in a drug party. Officers from Huay Kwang Police Station and the Youth and Women’s Welfare Centre received a tip-off about the illegal bar and acted swiftly, conducting the raid yesterday, November 5. Upon arrival, they encountered a 25 year…
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Thailand ranks No.5 for female secondhand smoke exposure
Thailand is grappling with a significant public health concern as it ranks No.5 globally for the number of female victims of secondhand smoke. These women face a 1.24 times higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those in smoke-free settings, according to health experts. Dr Roengrudee Patanavanish from Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine highlighted the pressing issue of secondhand…
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PM Paetongtarn attends key regional conferences in China
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to attend two significant regional conferences in Kunming, China. These gatherings, scheduled today, November 6, and tomorrow, will precede her journey to Peru for the APEC summit on Sunday, as confirmed by Jirayu Houngsub, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office. The initial conference is the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Programme Summit (GMS…
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3 children rescued in Bangkok after being abused by babysitter (video)
Locals in the Pracha Ruamjai Community in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district rescued three children today after they were reportedly physically abused by a female babysitter. Residents called Prachachuen Police Station and the Ruam Katanyu Foundation to bring the three young victims to a safe place. The children were aged five years, seven months, and six months, with the five year old…
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Thai police slam brakes on unlicenced drivers in Phaya Thai
Police in Phaya Thai, Bangkok are cracking down on parking violations and unlicensed foreign drivers, aiming to enforce traffic discipline and ensure public safety. Phaya Thai Police Station’s superintendent, Watcharawee Thammasema, tasked traffic inspector Jumphon Yenpathomkul and 10 other traffic officers to implement stricter measures at the Phaya Thai intersection. These measures focus on two main aspects: regulating parking that…
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Monitor lizards now open for commercial harvesting in Thailand
A bold new opportunity has emerged in the world of wildlife conservation and commerce: monitor lizards and two species of swiftlet birds have just been reclassified as protected species eligible for commercial farming. Thanks to a landmark move by Thailand’s Wildlife Conservation and Protection Committee, Germain’s swiftlet (Aerodramus germani), Black-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus), and monitor lizards can now be legally…
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Two arrested in Lat Phrao for knife robbery of jogger’s phone
Police in Lat Phrao district, Bangkok, successfully apprehended two young men who allegedly used a knife to rob a jogger of a mobile phone, which they later sold to fund their methamphetamine habit. The arrest took place at 4.30pm yesterday, November 4, under the direction of Thanaphan Phadungkan, Chief of Lat Phrao Police Station, along with Ratchat Asalertirun, Deputy Chief, and…
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Soapy king returns for Thai court hearing amid health struggles
Thai ex-politician Chuwit Kamolvisit returned to Thailand to attend a court hearing after spending nearly a year abroad for cancer treatment. The 63 year old appeared at Bangkok South Criminal Court in a defamation case filed by Santhana Prayoonrat. The two individuals met and exchanged words, revealing Chuwit’s current health condition. Reports revealed that the former self-proclaimed soapy massage king came…
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Thai nurse steals umbilical cord, placenta for illegal stem cell production
A Thai nurse at a hospital in Bangkok allegedly stole umbilical cords and placentas from newborn babies and sold them to a clinic to create growth factors and stem cells, which were then distributed illegally to more than 100 beauty clinics and hospitals in Thailand. The shocking theft and illegal production of stem cells and growth factors came to light…
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3 foreigners arrested for attempting to smuggle cannabis to Europe
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and Thai Customs officials arrested three drug smuggling foreigners, two Malaysians and one Singaporean, at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok for attempting to smuggle cannabis to Italy and the UK. Officials received a tip-off that certain foreigners intended to use Thailand as a route to traffic cannabis into Italy and the UK,…
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Bangkok aims to turn Chatuchak Market into soft power paradise
Thailand is setting its sights on transforming the iconic Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok into a hub for soft power, with an ambitious two-year plan spearheaded by the National Committee on Soft Power Development. This initiative aims to capitalise on the market’s popularity and diverse offerings to bolster Thailand’s global cultural influence. Surapong Suebwonglee, chair of the National Committee on…
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Bangkok MRT Orange Line construction to disrupt traffic this month
Construction on the western segment of Bangkok’s MRT Orange Line is set to bring some disruptions, as announced by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). The project, which aims to enhance the city’s transit network, will necessitate the closure of a traffic lane along the initial five stops of the light rail line, stretching from Bang Khun Non…
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Bangkok mandates microchipping for pets under new law
Bangkok is set to enforce a new regulation requiring all dogs and cats to be microchipped, alongside measures to control stray animal populations and manage dangerous dogs. The Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) has recently approved a draft ordinance regarding pet ownership and stray animals. Naphaphon Chirakul, a member of the BMC for the Bang Khun Non district, and head of…
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Thai schools to allow regular attire for scout events
Thailand’s Education Ministry is set to introduce a new regulation allowing children to wear regular school attire instead of traditional scout uniforms during scout events. This change aims to offer more flexibility and reduce the burden on both teachers and students, according to Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob. Permpoon revealed that the National Scout Executive Committee is in the process of…
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Thailand to upskill 5 million workers by 2025 for economic growth
The Department of Skill Development (DSD) in Thailand is gearing up for a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the skills of over 5 million workers by 2025, prioritising digital technology to bolster industrial growth. This ambitious retraining programme is a strategic response to evolving business needs, as highlighted by Decha Pruekphathanarak, the deputy permanent secretary for the Ministry of Labour.…
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Thai man slaps famous lawyer allegedly over criticism of Islam
A Thai man slapped a famous lawyer during an interview at the Central Investigation Bureau’s Complaint Centre in Bangkok today, November 1, claiming he was offended by the lawyer’s criticism of Islam. Pictures and videos of the incident, in which renowned lawyer Dhammarat Sarapanya was slapped, circulated on Thai social media this afternoon. Dhammarat was seen giving an interview at…
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South Korean man takes an ‘unfare’ ride in stolen Bangkok taxi
Police yesterday arrested a South Korean man for stealing a taxi parked near a petrol station in the Chatuchak neighbourhood of Bangkok. Officers from Bang Sue Police Station arrested the South Korean man, 52 year old Kim Hwangil, yesterday, October 31, shortly after he stole a blue Toyota Altis taxi with the registration plate ทฬ 9000 Bangkok, from 38 year…
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Thai mother pimped out autistic daughter to dealer for drugs
Police arrested a Thai mother at her home in the Khlong Sam Wa district of Bangkok on Tuesday, after she pimped out her 16 year old autistic daughter to a dealer to obtain free drugs. A Thai grandmother filed a complaint with Nimitmai Police Station, yesterday, October 30 that her autistic granddaughter went missing from their home in the Khlong Sam…
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Bangkok hospital manager criticised following pharmacist’s suicide
Opinions among Thai netizens are divided after viewing a conversation between a manager at Rama 9 Hospital in Bangkok and a pharmacist who recently committed suicide, leaving a note claiming that pressure from his manager led to his tragic decision. Esor News yesterday, October 30, shared screenshots of the conversation between the hospital manager named Aof and the pharmacist named…
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Bangkok’s grey gamble: Elderly caught playing their cards wrong
Police in Bangkok arrested a group of elderly people for illegal gambling, seizing 200 baht in cash and other gambling paraphernalia. The raid, prompted by complaints about parked vehicles blocking traffic, saw an 80 year old among the detainees engaging in a friendly game of chance with peers. Police in Bangkok, led by high-ranking officials, launched a raid on a…
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Thai influencer arrested with drugs and firearms in Bangkok
Thai social media influencer Phor Ban Khlong Toei, renowned for his presence on TikTok and participation in Fight Club Thailand, was apprehended by police at his residence yesterday. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Division 5 seized a quantity of crystal methamphetamine and firearms during the arrest. The arrest sent ripples through the online community, as many followers of Phor…
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British Airways spreads its wings: Gatwick-Bangkok flights back on
In a move that’s set to soar to new heights, British Airways relaunched its direct flights from London Gatwick to the bustling city of Bangkok. The inaugural flight, BA 2231, took to the skies from Gatwick, yesterday, October 29, making a graceful touchdown at Suvarnabhumi Internationa Airport this afternoon, marking a triumphant return to the Land of Smiles. Tourism Authority…
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Tragic truck accident on Bangkok bridge claims driver’s life
A tragic accident occurred when a four-wheel truck driver stopped to change a tyre on the Lad Phrao Bridge in Bangkok and was fatally struck by a six-wheel truck. The accident left his wife devastated as she recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the collision. The incident took place at 5.40am today, October 30. Thosaporn Rungjang, a police lieutenant…
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Bangkok’s Orange Line expansion advances with overpass removals
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is accelerating discussions with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to dismantle overpasses in anticipation of the Orange Line’s expansion. This strategic move is set to facilitate the construction of the western segment of the Bang Khun Non-Min Buri rail system, aiming for completion by 2030. Vithaya Punmongkol, acting governor for the MRTA,…
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Ex-Russian mercenary hits a wall of ammunition trouble in Bangkok
An ex-Russian war dog found himself in the clutches of Bangkok police after a stash of ammunition was discovered in his swanky condo, along with explosive threats to take out rivals. Immigration police officers swooped on 25 year old Russian national, Milo Yanovich, at his Makkasan-area pad in the Ratchathewi district yesterday, October 28. Police Major General Phanthana Nuchanart, deputy…
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