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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Over a million Buddhists gather to venerate Buddha’s relics in Bangkok
Sanam Luang in Bangkok recently played host to over 1 million Buddhists who congregated to venerate the relics of the Lord Buddha and his chief disciples, Sariputra and Moggallana. The Ministry of Culture reported this mass gathering took place between February 24 and March 3. The Culture Minister, Sermsak Pongpanich, revealed that roughly 100,000 Buddhists visited each day during the…
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Mono next to test AI-generated news anchors on digital platform
Mono Next, a publicly traded media and content provider, announced plans to test artificial intelligence (AI)-generated news anchors on its Mono 29 digital TV channel and online platform. The trial run, set to kick off next month, will be used to gauge audience reactions to these AI-generated anchors. Patompong Sirachairat, Mono’s chief executive, clarifies that the move is not aimed…
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Violent clash between Thai and Filipina trans groups rocks Bangkok
Chaos erupted early this morning outside a hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 11 when a violent confrontation broke out between Thai and Filipina ladyboys. The Thai group assembled in response to an incident today, March 5, where a Thai ladyboy was assaulted and robbed by a group of about 20 Filipina ladyboys. Tensions heightened as the Thai group demanded justice, leading…
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Bangkok hosts Lim Ko Niao spiritual event for devotees
Bangkok’s Po Teck Tung Foundation currently hosts a revered spiritual event, inviting devotees to venerate the goddess Lim Ko Niao from Hat Yai. The event at the foundation’s headquarters in Plabplachai is a collaborative effort with the Samakkhi Mitrapap Foundation (Thung Siang Tung) from Hat Yai. It runs from March 10 to 13 corresponding to the Western calendar. On Sunday,…
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Indian man escapes after hitting Thai boy with motorcycle on footpath
An Indian man finally surrendered to police and paid 5,000 baht in compensation after he hit a six year old Thai boy with a motorcycle on a footpath in the Lat Krabang district of Bangkok on February 29. A Thai mother sought help from Channel 7 after her son suffered a bruise on his cheek in a motorcycle accident on…
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Thai pilot turns midwife to deliver baby on Taiwan to Bangkok flight
In a tale straight out of a gripping Hollywood movie, a Thai airline pilot stepped up to the plate as the heroic Bruce Willis/John McClane-type protagonist to deliver a baby after a pregnant mother went into labour on a flight from Taiwan to Bangkok. The courageous Thai pilot, Jakarin Sararnrakskul, reportedly lacked medical training beyond basic first aid but he…
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From top chef to Michelin stars: The inspiring journey of Chef Tam
Top Thai chef Chudaree Debhakam, better known as Chef Tam, reminisced about the nerve-wracking moments preceding the grand announcement at the 2024 Michelin Guide Thailand Ceremony. Chef Tam’s restaurant, Baan Tepa, clinched two Michelin stars, catapulting her into culinary stardom and making history as the first Thai female chef to achieve such a feat. “Retaining a single Michelin star is…
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Thai surrogacy revolution: Foreign couples welcome
Authorities in Thailand are on the brink of a groundbreaking change in surrogacy laws, poised to welcome foreign couples into the country for surrogate births, reveals the Department of Health Service Support. The current legislation, known as the Protection for Children Born through Assisted Reproductive Technologies Act, restricts surrogacy services to Thai nationals alone, clarified Arkhom Praditsuwan, the department’s deputy…
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Bangkok’s iconic river sees revamped Tha Tien Pier reopened
Tha Tien pier, nestled in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district, is poised for a grand reopening following extensive renovations, announced Marine Department Director-General Kritpetch Chaichuay. Teaming up with the Crown Property Bureau, the department has meticulously upgraded the pier and its environs to seamlessly blend with the area’s rich historical architecture. Endorsed by the preservation committee overseeing Rattanakosin and old cities,…
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Transport Co warns against taxi surcharge at bus terminus
Amidst a surge of complaints, Transport Co Ltd, a state enterprise under the Transport Ministry, took swift action against taxi drivers fleecing passengers with a hefty 50-baht surcharge at the terminus, better known as Mo Chit 2, servicing provinces in the North and Northeast. As of Friday, Transport Co has put the brakes on the arrival area, redirecting all interprovincial…
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Chinese tourist mowed down on zebra crossing in Samut Prakan
A Chinese tourist was fatally struck down on a zebra crossing by a reckless pickup truck driver in Bang Bo district, Samut Prakan province. The Chinese tourist, merely on his first day in Thailand, faced an untimely demise in the flurry of Friday night chaos. Authorities have launched a frantic search for a 35 year old Cambodian suspect allegedly behind…
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Thailand apologises to India for comments on rice export policy
A formal apology to India has been issued by Thailand, following inappropriate comments made by Thailand’s World Trade Organisation (WTO) ambassador regarding India’s rice export policy. The comments were made during the 13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO in the United Arab Emirates. Phumtham Wechayachai, the Commerce Minister of Thailand, confirmed the apology. The Indian government received a written apology…
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Bangkok’s Loy Krathong goes digital and eco-Friendly, wins Asia Pinnacle Awards
Bangkok won the Asia Pinnacle Awards for Best Eco-Friendly Festival category under Loy Krathong Digital’s judges’ assessment on 28 February. BMA Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary to the Governor of Bangkok, Mr. Aekvarunyoo Amrapala, announced that the first “Bangkok Digital Loy Krathong Festival”, held on November 27, 2023, at Khlong Ong Ang, Phra Nakhon District, and Samphanthawong District by the Bangkok…
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AirAsia launches Takeover Thailand campaign with celeb partner
AirAsia is doubling down on its commitment to boost regional tourism, unveiling the Takeover Thailand campaign, aimed at thrusting Thailand into the spotlight as the go-to destination for travellers from Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Strategically aligning forces with Tay Tawan, a distinguished Thai personality appointed as AirAsia’s Route Presenter for Malaysia, the airline is geared up to elevate the travel…
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PM Srettha’s billion-baht plan to transform Suvarnabhumi Airport
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced plans to boost the annual capacity of Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan. “We’re gearing up to more than double our capacity to a staggering 150 million passengers annually.” Currently handling a substantial 60 million passengers, Suvarnabhumi Airport is set for a dramatic makeover, including the addition of a third runway. This makeover will catapult…
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Dine-and-dash: Fake cop shirks 1,500 baht bill from Michelin-starred Jay Fai
Bangkok’s culinary Michelin-starred hotspot, Jay Fai, fell victim to a brazen food theft, leaving locals and tourists stunned as a fake cop vanished after downing a delectable 1,500-baht feast. The Samranrat Police Station is hot on the trail of the impostor but with no affiliation to their force. Colonel Tossapon Ampaipipatkul, the superintendent leading the investigation, reassured that the police…
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Bangkok’s expressway toll fees skyrocket starting today
Toll fees along Bangkok’s Chalong Rat and Burapha Withi expressways are seeing a steep increase starting from today, March 1. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) dropped this bombshell earlier this month, announcing a hefty hike in toll charges. For four-wheel vehicles traversing the Chalong Rat Expressway, be prepared to shell out an extra 5 baht, pushing the toll to…
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Thai skies to sparkle: 30 aircraft to blitz pollution and sizzle summer heat
In a move to combat air pollution and beat back the scorching summer heat, Thailand is unleashing a squadron of 30 aircraft across the nation. These aerial warriors aren’t armed with missiles but with the power to summon rain itself, in a bid to douse the flames of pollution and ease the parched lands. Artificial rain, also known as cloud…
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Off-duty officer causes multiple collision in Samut Prakan
A police officer driving under the influence of alcohol caused a multi-vehicle collision in Samut Prakan province, claiming a gearbox issue led to the crash. The officer, who was driving a Toyota Vios, collided with a bus and then reversed into two parked pickup trucks. The incident, which occurred near Soi Nakhon Khuean Khan 8 in the Phra Pradaeng district,…
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Don Mueang Airport combats congestion with designated drop lanes
An initiative to combat heavy traffic congestion at Don Mueang International Airport‘s Terminal 2 will see the enforcement of designated passenger drop lanes for taxi drivers starting today, March 1. This mandate is part of the Transport Ministry’s broader strategy to enhance passenger experience at the nation’s largest low-carrier hub, an imperative necessity as the Songkran holiday period is expected…
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Thai police arrest duo after violent mugging in Bangkok Noi
Bangkok police apprehended two young men following a violent assault and robbery in Bangkok Noi district. The suspects, identified as 23 year old Pongpattan from Kalasin, and 29 year old Somjai from Bangkok allegedly demanded money from a pedestrian and subsequently attacked and robbed the individual when the request was denied. The incident occurred yesterday when the victim was walking…
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Thai citizenship for migrant workers’ kids to boost birth rates
In a bid to address Thailand’s declining birth rates, the research director of inclusive development at the Thailand Research Development Institute (TDRI) has put forward a radical proposal to grant Thai citizenship to migrant workers’ children. With a projected drop of 100,000 births over the next four to five years, attributed to financial constraints and lifestyle choices, Dr Somchai Jitsuchon’s…
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Tuk tuks and taxis: Bangkok’s solution to overcharging crisis
In a move to safeguard tourists’ wallets, Bangkok unveils an arsenal of measures to tackle the notorious tuk tuk and taxi overcharging crisis. Amidst a flurry of concerns raised over the fleecing of foreign tourists by tuk tuk and taxi drivers, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has taken a decisive stand. Permanent Secretary Wanthanee Wattana spearheaded this pivotal moment following…
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Bangkok gems and jewellery fair exceeds expectations
The 69th Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, concluded on a high note, exceeding its initial expectations. The event, organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT), recorded an estimated value of orders surpassing 3.7 billion baht, a 12% increase over the target.…
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Singapore’s Tada revs up in Thailand with zero commission fees
In a bid to capture the hearts and wallets of Thai commuters, Tada, the Singapore-based ride-hailing giant, is revving up for its grand entrance into Bangkok’s competitive market. With zero commission fees and a vow to balance the books within three to five years, Tada aims to disrupt the status quo and dominate Thailand’s ride-hailing landscape. Establishing its foothold in…
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War on online scams: Nearly 40,000 fraudulent accounts frozen
Since its establishment on November 1 last year, the Anti-Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC 1441) has waged a battle against cyber fraud, culminating in the freezing of 39,918 bank accounts, revealed Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong. Prasert disclosed that this drastic action was prompted by a deluge of 307,515 complaints received by AOC as of January’s conclusion. Explaining…
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Planting seeds of change: Thai veggie market sprouts into billion-baht industry
In a culinary revolution, plant-based food companies are urged to overhaul taste, slash prices, and boost health benefits. Will this signal a paradigm shift in global dining habits? The Thai plant-based food market, once a niche, is now a burgeoning industry worth billions. By 2024, it’s expected to skyrocket to 45 billion baht, according to Statista, a German online platform…
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Thai minister vows to improve Rama 2 Road traffic ahead of Songkran
The quality of traffic on Rama 2 Road in Thailand is set to improve ahead of the Songkran Festival, as promised by the Thai Minister of Transport, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, on February 27. The vow comes in the wake of a delay in the road’s construction, a setback attributed to the impact of Covid-19 on the contractors in charge of the…
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Swedish boxer-turned-chef spices up Bangkok’s culinary scene
An ex-Swedish boxer carved a unique path from the world of Swedish Muay Thai to the heart of Bangkok’s culinary landscape. As the executive head chef of the acclaimed Villa Frantzen, Nilas Corneliussen’s story is one of determination, passion, and a love affair with Thailand that transcends borders. “I’m both a night and morning person. I much prefer to be in…
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AOT and immigration unite to tackle Suvarnabhumi Airport queues
Airports of Thailand (AOT) and Immigration Division 2 are joining hands to tackle a pressing issue at Suvarnabhumi Airport: inordinately long passenger queues. The urgency to address this problem was triggered by the concerns raised by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin about the prolonged processing times at the airport. AOT President Kerati Kijmanawat and Immigration Division 2’s Police Major General Choengron…
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