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 much travel insurance should cost you in Thailand (By trip length)

    When planning a trip to Thailand, travel insurance is a smart investment that can save you from unexpected costs. Whether it’s medical expenses, lost luggage, or trip cancellations, the right coverage can provide peace of mind and financial protection against...

  • Thai House passes amnesty bills but snubs lese majeste cases

    Thai House passes amnesty bills but snubs lese majeste cases

    Thailand’s lower house approved three Promote Peaceful Society amnesty bills in their first readings yesterday, but rejected two others backed by the People’s Party and civil society networks, sparking criticism for excluding those charged under the kingdom’s harsh royal defamation laws. The passed bills, tabled by MPs from the United Thai Nation (UTN), Klatham, and Bhumjaithai parties, garnered overwhelming support.…

  • Man posing as police arrested for phone theft in Bangkok

    Man posing as police arrested for phone theft in Bangkok

    A man impersonating a police officer was arrested for stealing a mobile phone, with a history of similar offences across various locations. Today, July 17, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, together with Police Major General Noppasilp Phunsawat and other officials, apprehended 51 year old Wilai or Pang at a hotel on Lat Ya Road, Khlong San, Bangkok, seizing a mobile…

  • Thaksin to hear lese majeste ruling on exile anniversary

    Thaksin to hear lese majeste ruling on exile anniversary

    All eyes are on Thailand’s Criminal Court as it prepares to deliver a high-stakes verdict in the lese majeste case against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra—a decision that could reignite political tensions across the country. Today, July 16, Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chartmontree, announced that the court had scheduled August 22 as the date for the ruling. Fittingly, the decision will…

  • 20-baht Bangkok train fare sparks clash over big business perks

    20-baht Bangkok train fare sparks clash over big business perks

    Thailand’s transport boss has come out swinging against claims that the government’s 20-baht flat fare scheme is just a handout for big business, insisting it’s about easing the financial pain of ordinary commuters, not lining investors’ pockets. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit dismissed accusations from the main opposition People’s Party (PP), which alleged the low-fare policy is…

  • Ham-fisted: Cambodian couple busted for illegal pork stall in Bangkok

    Ham-fisted: Cambodian couple busted for illegal pork stall in Bangkok

    A Cambodian couple was apprehended by police for illegally operating a pork stall in Bangkok’s Khlong Sam Wa district. The pair, identified as 31 year old Nga Phon and 30 year old Chanty Rav, were found selling fresh pork at a market in the Bang Chan subdistrict on Monday, July 14. The operation was led by Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom,…

  • Fake AMLO boss gang busted in Bangkok for scamming student

    Fake AMLO boss gang busted in Bangkok for scamming student

    Police in Bangkok have dismantled a criminal gang posing as a fake director of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), who deceived a postgraduate student into losing hundreds of thousands of baht. The group, notorious for its call centre scams, was apprehended at a popular shopping mall in the Bang Na area yesterday, July 15. The operation was led by Police…

  • Puff justice: Cops snuff out illegal cigarettes shop in Bangkok

    Puff justice: Cops snuff out illegal cigarettes shop in Bangkok

    A Chinese convenience store in the Prawet district of Bangkok was raided by police for selling illegal cigarettes. The operation yesterday, July 15, led by Police Colonel Santi Kornkasem, along with other officers, resulted in the arrest of Thai national, 32 year old Chutima or Yo and 29 year old Myanmar national, Naw Aye. They were found in possession of…

  • Truck brake failure causes pile-up, four injured near Bangkok

    Truck brake failure causes pile-up, four injured near Bangkok

    A 10-wheel truck experienced brake failure and collided with eight vehicles, resulting in four injuries, outside a prominent shopping mall in Ngamwongwan. The incident led to severe traffic congestion. The driver faced charges but was released temporarily. Yesterday, July 15, at 8.30pm, officers from the Rattanathibet Police Station received reports of a 10-wheel truck experiencing brake failure and causing a…

  • Bangkok launches waste separation campaign with fee discounts

    Bangkok launches waste separation campaign with fee discounts

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched a new waste-separation campaign named This House Doesn’t Mix Waste. This initiative encourages city residents to sort their waste correctly in exchange for discounts on trash collection fees. Registration for the campaign starts on August 1, with the official rollout scheduled for October. The programme involves collaboration with the private sector and offers…

  • Thailand calls Cambodia to Bangkok for border talks

    Thailand calls Cambodia to Bangkok for border talks

    Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa confirmed today that Thailand will send an official invitation to Cambodia for the long-awaited seventh Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting. The summit is scheduled for September 15 in the Thai capital, with hopes of injecting momentum into stalled negotiations over contested stretches of their shared frontier. Speaking at Government House, Maris admitted the border situation has…

  • Bangkok sinking: City could be underwater by 2030

    Bangkok sinking: City could be underwater by 2030

    Bangkok, already notorious for choking traffic and fierce floods, is now staring down an even grimmer fate—sinking beneath the sea within the next decade if climate change and unchecked development continue unabated. Recent studies have singled out Bangkok alongside Jakarta as two of Southeast Asia’s fastest-sinking cities. According to The Guardian, Bangkok is subsiding by over one centimetre a year…

  • Sticker shock: Thai food prices soar 106% as wages lag behind

    Sticker shock: Thai food prices soar 106% as wages lag behind

    Eating out in Bangkok is becoming a luxury few can afford, with research revealing Thai food prices have more than doubled in just over a decade, while wages have barely kept pace. A new study by the Agency for Real Estate Affairs (AREA) has revealed that the cost of food in Thailand has skyrocketed by 106.5% over the past 13…

  • Bangkok BTS policy under question after armed police denied entry

    Bangkok BTS policy under question after armed police denied entry

    Thai police officers raised concerns over safety measures on Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain system after being barred from carrying firearms while using the service. According to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) regulations, passengers are prohibited from bringing any weapons onto the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), except for government officials legally authorised to do so. The BTS website reiterates this rule under…

  • Pheu Thai hits back: Thaksin no puppet master, just an adviser

    Pheu Thai hits back: Thaksin no puppet master, just an adviser

    The Pheu Thai Party firmly rejected accusations that Thaksin Shinawatra is exerting improper influence over the government, branding the claims as baseless and politically driven. Wisut Chainarun, a Pheu Thai list-MP and chief government whip, defended the former prime minister’s involvement, stressing that seeking his counsel does not amount to taking orders. “Thaksin is a knowledgeable and capable individual who…

  • Finance minister reveals final contenders to lead Bank of Thailand

    Finance minister reveals final contenders to lead Bank of Thailand

    Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira confirmed yesterday that he has officially signed off on his nominee to lead the Bank of Thailand (BoT) and submitted the selection to the Cabinet for consideration today. Speaking to reporters, Pichai made it clear he had no reservations about collaborating with whichever candidate ultimately gets the nod. “Whoever is selected, I’ll…

  • Highway: Foreign tourist tries to pay Pattaya taxi fare with marijuana

    Highway: Foreign tourist tries to pay Pattaya taxi fare with marijuana

    A foreign tourist tried to pay his 2,000-baht taxi fare from Bangkok to Pattaya with a giant bag of marijuana, leaving the stunned cabbie out of pocket and steaming mad. The bizarre incident unfolded in the early hours of today, July 15, when 54 year old veteran driver Prachuap, picked up the man at Suvarnabhumi International Airport for a trip…

  • Naked American man in Bangkok sewer refuses help and bites rescuers

    Naked American man in Bangkok sewer refuses help and bites rescuers

    A naked American man, trapped in a Bangkok sewer, refused assistance from a rescue team and bit one of the rescuers on her wrist. Officers from Bang Khun Thian Police Station today, July 14, responded to an incident outside a condominium on Kanlapaphruek Road in the Chom Thong district of Bangkok after the condo manager reported seeing a naked foreign…

  • Two women arrested for stealing phone from elderly monk

    Two women arrested for stealing phone from elderly monk

    Two women were arrested for allegedly stealing a mobile phone from an 80 year old monk at his residence. The police apprehended the suspects in a rented room following their confession and are proceeding with legal action. On July 11, Manun, the 29 year old nephew of a monk, Thong Suk, at Bang Mod Sothonaram Temple, sought media assistance to…

  • Bangkok shop raid uncovers kratom juice and dangerous drugs

    Bangkok shop raid uncovers kratom juice and dangerous drugs

    Police raided a shop called TOM GUN KUP near a university in Bangkok, seizing a large quantity of kratom juice and dangerous drugs. The operation yesterday, July 13, led to the arrest of 26 year old Jirakit and 23 year old sales employee, Nanthanat. Police Colonel Santi Kornkasem, along with his team, including Deputy Superintendent Voraprat Wuttarak and Police Captain…

  • Woman admits false motorcycle theft claim in Bangkok after dispute

    Woman admits false motorcycle theft claim in Bangkok after dispute

    A 34 year old woman reported her motorcycle stolen by her boyfriend, prompting police action in Taling Chan district, Bangkok. The woman later admitted the theft claim was false, driven by anger over alleged domestic abuse. Officers at Taling Chan Police Station were informed of the theft yesterday, July 13. The woman, identified as Kanda, alleged that her motorcycle, registered…

  • Motorcyclist’s body found in canal after Bangkok accident

    Motorcyclist’s body found in canal after Bangkok accident

    A motorcyclist’s tragic accident resulted in his body being found in a drainage canal, prompting police to examine CCTV footage for a clearer understanding of the incident. Witnesses questioned whether a public transport vehicle was involved. At 1.30am today, July 13, Police Lieutenant Nattapong Kanarat from Bukkhalo Police Station received a report of a fatal motorcycle accident at the entrance…

  • Luxury watch worth 5.65 million baht stolen in Bangkok scam

    Luxury watch worth 5.65 million baht stolen in Bangkok scam

    A high-end luxury watch valued at 5.65 million baht was reportedly stolen after a man expressed interest in purchasing it but failed to transfer the payment. The incident was reported today, July 13, at a renowned parcel delivery service located in Soi Lat Phrao 101, Bangkok, where the seller had placed the watch for pickup. Police Major Ekpote Manee from…

  • Bangkok launches Sukhumvit Model to improve safety and public order

    Bangkok launches Sukhumvit Model to improve safety and public order

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has introduced the Sukhumvit Model, a project designed to enhance safety, public order, and the quality of life along Sukhumvit Road. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt conducted an inspection of the area on the night of July 10, accompanied by deputy governor Wisanu Subsompon, Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich, and other senior officials. The inspection covered…

  • Runaway pig sparks traffic chaos on Rama II road (video)

    Runaway pig sparks traffic chaos on Rama II road (video)

    Motorists on one of Bangkok’s busiest highways were left gobsmacked when a pig decided to take a leisurely stroll across multiple lanes—sparking a traffic jam worthy of a comedy sketch. Rama II Road turned into an unlikely pig pen yesterday, July 11, after a fully grown pig was spotted calmly wandering among fast-moving vehicles. The surreal spectacle was caught on…

  • Throttle warning: Thailand’s motorcycle market may hit the brakes

    Throttle warning: Thailand’s motorcycle market may hit the brakes

    Thailand’s motorcycle market is revving up but the industry’s top brass are warning it could stall in the slow lane before year’s end. While production and sales of motorcycles jumped in the first five months of 2025, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) says a cocktail of weak consumer spending, tight lending, and political unrest could derail the sector. Surapong…

  • Tuk tuk and truck drivers summoned after shocking Yaowarat crash

    Tuk tuk and truck drivers summoned after shocking Yaowarat crash

    Police summoned both a truck driver and a tuk tuk driver for legal proceedings following the circulation of a viral video showing a shocking collision on Yaowarat Road in Bangkok. The video, widely shared on Thai social media this week, shows a 10-wheel truck travelling in the middle lane veering into a tuk tuk carrying three passengers. At the moment…

  • Bangkok police bust illegal cannabis shop, arrest 28 year old man

    Bangkok police bust illegal cannabis shop, arrest 28 year old man

    A significant operation led by the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau resulted in the arrest of a 28 year old man, Worapong, at a cannabis shop in Din Daeng, Bangkok. The raid, which took place yesterday, July 9, uncovered illicit substances including psychedelic mushrooms, cannabis-infused electronic cigarettes, and edibles. The police operation was spearheaded by Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, along…

  • Casino clash: Paetongtarn blasts Anutin for twisting Xi’s words

    Casino clash: Paetongtarn blasts Anutin for twisting Xi’s words

    Thailand’s suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra fired back at Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, accusing him of distorting Chinese President Xi Jinping’s views on Thailand’s controversial casino policy. Speaking in her capacity as culture minister, Paetongtarn took aim at Anutin’s claim that President Xi had voiced strong objections to Thailand’s plans for entertainment complexes that include casinos. “Xi offered various…

  • Man throws stones at cars in Bangkok, subdued by locals (video)

    Man throws stones at cars in Bangkok, subdued by locals (video)

    A dramatic incident unfolded on Srinakarin Road, near Soi 27, in Bangkok, when a man was seen carrying a metal rod and throwing stones at passing vehicles. The situation was captured in a TikTok video posted by user @ion_x_noi, yesterday, July 8, showcasing the tense moments as several brave locals intervened to subdue the man. The video depicted the man,…

  • Fermented fury: Barefoot pensioner splashes Hun Sen portrait

    Fermented fury: Barefoot pensioner splashes Hun Sen portrait

    Bangkok commuters were treated to a bizarre spectacle on Monday, July 7, when a barefoot pensioner splashed fermented fish sauce over a portrait of Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, earning himself a small fine and a lot of attention. Retired tennis coach 69 year old Thewa Sritawan set out from his home in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi province, before dawn, carrying…

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