Bangkok News
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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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State Railway of Thailand introduces advance booking service for Songkran
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) rolled out a game-changing 90-day advance booking service for CNR express trains on key routes, just in time for the upcoming Songkran festivities. This initiative, set to kick off tomorrow, January 12, aims to alleviate the surge in travel demand during the Thai New Year celebrations. Kicking off with Songkran, the service allows eager…
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Chinese tourist tricked into purchasing 1.4 million baht counterfeit Hermes handbag in Bangkok
After being duped into purchasing a counterfeit Hermes crocodile leather handbag from a seller in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong district, a Chinese tourist expressed frustration over the lack of a government agency to protect tourists’ rights. The victim, 27 year old Deng, wife of a Singapore-based Chinese businessman, enlisted a lawyer to report the incident to the media yesterday, January 10. She…
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Investment scam: Thai man claiming to be marijuana consultant arrested in Bang Kaeo
A 52 year old Thai man was arrested for falsely claiming to be a marijuana investment consultant in Bang Kaeo Subdistrict, Bang Kaeo District, Samut Prakan province on January 9. Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsaeng, Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasin Poolsawat, Deputy Commander of the Police Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej Thamsuthee, Pol. Col. Atchawasit…
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Bangkok Governor Chadchart coordinates campaigns to combat PM2.5 with draft bill
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stipulated guidelines for preventing and solving the PM2.5 dust problem in the Thai capital, yesterday, January 10, at Bangkok City Hall, Din Daeng. A campaign has been implemented to change engine oil and air filters according to the usage cycle accordingly to reduce dust caused by dark smoke and exhaust emissions from the combustion engine (diesel). Both…
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From beauty queen to brave MP: Sirilapas Kongtrakarn’s inspiring battle against depression
In a plea for increased public funding for mental health services, Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Sirilapas Kongtrakarn, also known as Mew, spoke unreservedly during a passionate parliamentary debate on the budget bill last Friday, January 5. The 36 year old politician, who has been an advocate for mental health, shared her harrowing journey with depression, calling for attention and…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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DNP arrests Vietnamese trio in Bangkok, saving 1,000+ animals from illegal trafficking
Officers from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) arrested three Vietnamese men in the Lat Phrao district of Bangkok for an illegal wildlife trafficking attempt. More than 1,000 animals were rescued. The Watchdog Thailand Foundation (WDT) reported the wildlife trafficking to the DNP, claiming that their members had observed suspicious activities at a residence in Sinthon…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Thai disabilities fund unleashes hefty support for home repairs and rent
The Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities Fund announced an expansion of financial support for house repairs and rent today, January 9, as declared by the Social Development and Human Security Minister, Varawut Silpa-archa. This revolutionary decision, inked during the fund’s pivotal meeting on December 27 last year, promises substantial relief for those navigating the challenges of disabilities. Varawut, the driving…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Invisible thief’s vanishing act fails: Police unmask man who believed in his invisibility powers
Police successfully arrested a Thai man claiming to possess invisible powers after he stole from a car parked near Tha Tian Pier in Bangkok. The man believes he has an invisibility superpower that can evade CCTV detection. Fortunately for the police, his invisibility powers weren’t working that day. The owner of a white Mercedes Benz filed a complaint at Phrarachawang…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Srettha promises to save Thailand from fiscal chaos
In a parliamentary revelation yesterday, January 5, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin admitted that his government had inherited the controversial fiscal 2024 budget and was scrambling to make necessary improvements. Opposition MPs, particularly from the Democrat Party, unleashed a barrage of complaints, alleging unfair budget allocations that left southern provinces in the lurch. PM Srettha found himself in the hot seat…
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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,…
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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.…
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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…
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Pub-goers sound off: Uproar over 4am curfew storms Thai nightlife in major hotspots
A storm of complaints has erupted following the controversial 4am curfew for pubs, bars, and entertainment hubs kicked in across Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui in Surat Thani province. Some 5,785 grievances have been filed since December 15. Amidst the cacophony, a Government House insider revealed that the Cabinet has urgently directed the Interior Ministry to…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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City Hall city sweeps streets, leaves residents puzzled: 200 abandoned cars vanish
City Hall successfully wiped over 200 abandoned cars off the streets of Bangkok, leaving residents baffled. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) disclosed their battle against 1,399 derelict vehicles from 2019 to last year. However, the real jaw-dropper is the 203 abandoned cars that mysteriously disappeared after no owners claimed them. Bangkok Deputy Governor Chakkraphan Phiewngam took charge on January 2,…
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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…
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