Bangkok News

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    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?...

  • 120 million baht compensation for SAO building collapse victims

    120 million baht compensation for SAO building collapse victims

    In a step towards addressing the devastating collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building, China Railway No. 10 (Thailand) has pledged 120 million baht in compensation for the victims, as confirmed by Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong. The move comes amidst ongoing investigations into the tragedy, with no impact on the criminal proceedings. Minister Tawee confirmed yesterday, April…

  • Bangkok’s new law: Register and microchip pets by January 2026

    Bangkok’s new law: Register and microchip pets by January 2026

    From January 10 next year, Bangkok residents will be required to register and microchip their cats and dogs under a new city law aimed at tackling the growing problem of stray animals. The bold new regulation, announced by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), will impose strict requirements on pet ownership, including limits on the number of pets allowed in certain living…

  • Pork chop: Police sizzle illegal slaughterhouse in Bangkok bust

    Pork chop: Police sizzle illegal slaughterhouse in Bangkok bust

    Police and the Department of Livestock Development launched an operation to dismantle an illegal pig slaughterhouse in Bangkok’s Bang Sue district. The operation resulted in the seizure of 1.8 tonnes of unapproved pig carcasses. Police Major General Wacharin Poosit, commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, directed the operation yesterday, April 22, along with other officials. They arrested…

  • Foodpanda to bow out of Thailand next month

    Foodpanda to bow out of Thailand next month

    Foodpanda announced it will cease operations in Thailand, with the delivery giant confirming that its services will end on May 23. The shocking decision marks the end of an era for the popular food delivery platform, which has served millions of Thai customers since its launch. In a statement released today, April 23, via their official fan page, Foodpanda Thailand…

  • Pregnant Thai woman released on bail after killing mistress

    Pregnant Thai woman released on bail after killing mistress

    Police released a pregnant woman on bail of 150,000 baht after she fatally attacked her husband’s mistress at a love hotel in the Min Buri district of Bangkok on April 21. Police granted bail to a pregnant woman, posting 150,000 baht, after she allegedly launched a fatal attack on her husband’s mistress at a love hotel in Bangkok’s Min Buri district.…

  • Bangkok influencer summoned over online gambling promotion

    Bangkok influencer summoned over online gambling promotion

    A Saimai district influencer is facing serious legal trouble after cyber police revealed they would issue a summons over allegations of promoting online gambling. The influencer, known for his social media presence, is now under investigation after presenting what police says is incriminating evidence. The controversy unfolded yesterday, April 22, when Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiwpharn, the commander of the…

  • Ferrari and Mercedes destroyed in fiery Bangkok crash

    Ferrari and Mercedes destroyed in fiery Bangkok crash

    A collision involving three vehicles led to a fire that destroyed a Ferrari and a Mercedes-Benz, leaving only the charred remains, and resulted in one person being injured. Emergency services responded promptly to the incident, which occurred at 2.20am today, April 23, near Soi Borommaratchachonnani 76, Borommaratchachonnani Road, Sala Thammasop subdistrict, Thawi Watthana district, Bangkok. The scene involved a three-car…

  • Paetongtarn denies Cabinet reshuffle amid coalition speculation

    Paetongtarn denies Cabinet reshuffle amid coalition speculation

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra dismissed speculation regarding a potential Cabinet reshuffle, asserting that the government remains cohesive and unchanged. Addressing concerns about coalition tensions and calls to alter economic portfolios, she confirmed no intentions to reorganise. “Everything remains the same, and I’m aware of opinion polls and open to all views. Also, everything is impermanent, even the position of the…

  • Microsoft launches AI programme to upskill 1 million Thais

    Microsoft launches AI programme to upskill 1 million Thais

    Microsoft Thailand has launched a groundbreaking initiative, the THAI Academy: Accelerating Thailand’s AI Future, aimed at offering over 1 million Thais the chance to gain AI upskilling opportunities. Announced yesterday, April 21, the programme is part of an ongoing collaboration between Microsoft and the Thai government, supported by 35 partners from both the public and private sectors. This major step…

  • 400 million baht for new Rama 2 parallel route construction

    400 million baht for new Rama 2 parallel route construction

    The Department of Highways has allocated 400 million baht to alleviate traffic congestion on Rama 2 Road by constructing a parallel route and new bridges. Construction is expected to begin in September this year, and officials assure that it will not affect traffic on the main route. Yesterday, April 21, Apirat Chaiwongnoi, Director General of the Department of Highways, discussed…

  • Bangkok taxi driver praised for safely transporting unconscious woman to police (video)

    Bangkok taxi driver praised for safely transporting unconscious woman to police (video)

    A woman who lost consciousness was safely transported to Thong Lo Police Station, Bangkok, by a conscientious taxi driver, drawing admiration from netizens. Yesterday, April 21, a TikTok user, @kanthachok_759, who is a patrol officer at Thong Lo police Station, shared a video showing the unconscious woman lying in the backseat of a taxi. “The driver, acting responsibly, brought her…

  • Bangkok bungler! Ex-con caught robbing shop with a toy gun

    Bangkok bungler! Ex-con caught robbing shop with a toy gun

    Police last night apprehended a 29 year old man for armed robbery at a well-known convenience store in Bangkok’s Bang Bon district. The suspect, Surat, also known as M, had recently completed a sentence for theft and was unemployed before just starting a job as a security guard. The arrest occurred at approximately 10pm yesterday, April 21. Police Major General…

  • Rolling the dice: Pheu Thai MPs bet on casino and amnesty bills

    Rolling the dice: Pheu Thai MPs bet on casino and amnesty bills

    Pheu Thai lawmakers have been directed to advocate for the casino-entertainment complex and political amnesty bills within their constituencies during the Parliamentary recess. This effort aims to facilitate the smooth passage of these bills. Pheu Thai spokesperson and Member of Parliament Danuporn Punnakanta stated that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra advised party MPs to assess public opinion on several issues, including…

  • Pregnant woman fatally attacks mistress at Bangkok love hotel

    Pregnant woman fatally attacks mistress at Bangkok love hotel

    An eight-month pregnant woman yesterday fatally attacked her husband’s mistress at a love hotel in the Min Buri district of Bangkok. The man later confessed that he was scared of his wife and did not dare to intervene during the assault. Officers from Min Buri Police Station launched an investigation at the resort and interviewed staff who witnessed the incident. The…

  • Red Bull heir at centre of corruption case as verdict nears

    Red Bull heir at centre of corruption case as verdict nears

    A major corruption case involving Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya reaches its climax today, April 22. The court will deliver a verdict on allegations of evidence tampering in the 2012 hit-and-run that killed a police officer. The case, number 131/2024, sees former Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Police General Somyot Pumpanmuang, and Net Naksuk, the former Deputy Public…

  • Executives sought in Thailand building collapse probe

    Executives sought in Thailand building collapse probe

    Three executives from China Railway No.10 (Thailand) Co. are being sought by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in connection with the collapse of the State Audit Office building in Bangkok during an earthquake on Friday, March 28, which resulted in the deaths of numerous workers. The DSI revealed the search following the arrest of Zhang Chuanling, a Chinese executive…

  • Transport worker arrested for stealing amulets worth 16 million baht

    Transport worker arrested for stealing amulets worth 16 million baht

    A 36 year old employee of a transport company was arrested for stealing sacred Ai Khai amulets worth 16 million baht. Trusted with keys to a storage room, he allegedly took the items to sell last year. Yesterday, April 20, at 4pm, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, along with other senior officers, reported the arrest of Thanaphat at his residence…

  • Thai man stabs ex-girlfriend 12 times in Bangkok rented room

    Thai man stabs ex-girlfriend 12 times in Bangkok rented room

    A Thai man murdered his ex-girlfriend by stabbing her 12 times in a rented room in Bangkok on Saturday, 19 April, after seeing her with a new boyfriend. Officers from Wat Phraya Krai Police Station, along with a medical team from Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital, rushed to assist the victim, 28 year old Nattacha Tojeen, and arrested the perpetrator, 29 year old…

  • Over 8,000 Chinese food items seized for lacking FDA approval

    Over 8,000 Chinese food items seized for lacking FDA approval

    Over 8,000 pieces of noodles, mala soup, and dried bean curd worth more than 300,000 baht were seized in Bangkok for lacking Thai FDA approval. These goods, originating from China, were set for distribution to local restaurants. Yesterday, April 20, Police Major General Tasanapoom Charupradit, Commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division, directed Police Colonel Narupon Karuna and Police Lieutenant…

  • Bangkok man arrested for drug sales from rental room

    Bangkok man arrested for drug sales from rental room

    Police in Chokchai district apprehended a 29 year old man for operating a daily rental room used for selling e-cigarettes and illegal substances, including ketamine pods and methamphetamine. Police discovered financial transactions totalling 1 million baht (US$29,985) over six months. The suspect, , Wanakaset “Film” Wattanakaset, faces four serious charges. Today, April 21, police officials, including Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom,…

  • City Hall pledges extra funds for earthquake repair after criticism

    City Hall pledges extra funds for earthquake repair after criticism

    City Hall has responded to criticism regarding the inadequacy of compensation offered for home repairs to earthquake victims, stating that additional funds may be allocated in exceptional circumstances. The compensation issue was addressed during a press conference on earthquake relief, led by Deputy Bangkok Governor Tavida Kamolvej, after a public outcry was triggered by a complaint posted on Facebook by…

  • Chinese executive detained over Bangkok tower collapse fatalities

    Chinese executive detained over Bangkok tower collapse fatalities

    The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has detained a Chinese executive from a construction company involved in the State Audit Office tower project in Bangkok, where numerous fatalities occurred following its collapse during the earthquake on March 28. Zhang Chuanling was apprehended at a hotel in the Ratchadaphisek area of Bangkok yesterday, April 19, as confirmed by the DSI. He…

  • Bangkok to receive 500 electric buses in clean energy transition

    Bangkok to receive 500 electric buses in clean energy transition

    The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) plans to replace its natural gas-powered (NGV) buses with an all-new lineup of electric-powered (EV) air-conditioned buses, beginning with a delivery of 500 EV buses this year. BMTA Director Kittikan Chomdoung Charuworapolkul provided an update on the agency’s progress in leasing electric buses, marking a transition from NGV buses to cleaner energy alternatives. The…

  • Escalators in Thailand to follow new earthquake safety standards

    Escalators in Thailand to follow new earthquake safety standards

    The Office of Industrial Product Standards is set to classify escalators and moving walkways as controlled products, ensuring they meet safety standards, including earthquake resistance. This new regulation is expected to take effect in October 2025, with non-compliance resulting in legal consequences. Escalators and moving walkways, commonly found in public spaces such as shopping malls, airports, and train stations, are…

  • Bangkok tests mobile alert system for emergency warnings

    Bangkok tests mobile alert system for emergency warnings

    Telecom operators and regulators successfully tested a comprehensive virtual cell broadcast entity (CBE) mobile emergency alert system in Bangkok. The test involved Advanced Info Service (AIS), True Corp, and the state-owned National Telecom, alongside staff from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). It confirmed that alerts could be sent to both Android and iOS smartphones, following Apple’s inclusion of…

  • Thunderstorms and strong winds to hit 50 Thai provinces

    Thunderstorms and strong winds to hit 50 Thai provinces

    The Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather forecast, warning of continuous thunderstorms and strong winds in 50 provinces, including Bangkok, today, April 19. Residents are advised to exercise caution, particularly in the afternoon and evening. In the next 24 hours, upper Thailand will experience generally hot weather, with extreme heat in some areas accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds.…

  • ‘Someone will pay’: Arrests looming over Bangkok building collapse

    ‘Someone will pay’: Arrests looming over Bangkok building collapse

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra vowed justice after a deadly building collapse in Bangkok, warning that arrest warrants are coming soon for those responsible. The dramatic statement from the 38 year old PM came today following high-level meetings with government agencies over the collapse of the 30-storey State Audit Office (SAO) building in Chatuchak district. The disaster, triggered by the March…

  • 4 Indian nationals rescued from kidnapping gang in Bangkok

    4 Indian nationals rescued from kidnapping gang in Bangkok

    Police today successfully rescued four Indian nationals from a kidnapping for ransom operation carried out by fellow countrymen at a house in Bangkok. An Indian man named Sanjeeve Kumar filed a complaint with officers at Yannawa Police Station on Wednesday, April 16 after learning that his two friends, Ramesh Sharmar and Amandeep Kajal, were detained by a criminal gang. Sharmar’s…

  • Bangkok set for major law shake-up after 40 years

    Bangkok set for major law shake-up after 40 years

    Is Bangkok finally getting the makeover it desperately needs? The capital is set for a long-overdue shake-up, as officials prepare to modernise the decades-old law that governs the city, and it could change how Bangkok is run for generations to come. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced plans to revise the BMA Act 1985, a 40 year old law that…

  • Malaysian PM meets Myanmar junta boss in Bangkok hotel

    Malaysian PM meets Myanmar junta boss in Bangkok hotel

    In a move shaking up Southeast Asian diplomacy, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has become the first ASEAN chair to meet face-to-face with Myanmar’s military leader — and he did it in a Bangkok hotel. The unannounced one-hour sit-down between Anwar and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing took place yesterday, April 17, during Anwar’s two-day working visit to Thailand. Also…