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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Thai king and queen open Suvarnabhumi’s terminal and runway
King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida yesterday inaugurated the first satellite terminal and the third runway at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan province. This ceremony coincided with the auspicious royal event marking the king’s 72nd birthday on July 28 last year. Upon their arrival, they were welcomed by key figures, including Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit,…
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6 year old Thai boy kidnapped by teenage girl reunited with family
A 15 year old girl kidnapped a six year old boy in the central province of Pathum Thani. The pair were found near the Victory Monument in Bangkok. The motive of the young girl remains under investigation. The family of the six year old boy, named Kao, took to social media to share his missing poster after he disappeared from…
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Rama II drama: Crane truck collapse severely injures man
Following the Dao Khanong Expressway Bridge collapse, Bangkok’s Rama II saw yet another serious accident as a crane truck used for tree pruning collapsed, injuring a 63 year old man. The man suffered a serious forehead injury, requiring immediate medical attention, including a ventilator, at the hospital. The incident occurred yesterday, March 20 on Rama II Road near Soi 44.…
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Paetongtarn hits back at opposition’s ‘secret deal’ claims
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has lashed out at the opposition People’s Party after they accused her of making political deals for her family’s gain. Dismissing the allegations as baseless, she’s calling for reason over rumours as the no-confidence debate heats up. In a fiery response to accusations from the opposition, the Thai premier spoke to reporters yesterday, March 20, denying…
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Car repair shop fire in Bangkok destroys cars and kills two dogs
A devastating fire tore through a car repair shop in Bang Bon district in Bangkok, leaving behind a trail of destruction, including the loss of two beloved dogs. Firefighters acted swiftly to contain the flames, but the damage was extensive. The fire broke out around 10pm, yesterday, March 20, at a car repair shop located on Soi Bang Bon 4,…
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Thailand braces for colder weather, strong winds, and heavy rain
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts a significant weather change with colder temperatures, strong winds, and heavy rain expected in the coming days. Specific regions, especially in the south, should prepare for severe weather conditions, and residents are advised to take health precautions. Yesterday, March 20, a high-pressure system from China affected the upper regions of Thailand and the South…
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Weight woes: Bangkok tips the scales in obesity rankings
Following a report from the Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok has the highest number of overweight and obese residents in Thailand, including both adults and children. The World Obesity Federation has designated March 4 each year as World Obesity Day to inspire those affected to change their perspectives and lifestyles in order to combat obesity. The event also aims to…
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Bangkok chokes its way into world’s top 10 most polluted cities
Bangkok today landed among the world’s most polluted cities, ranking eighth in the latest IQAir report, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 141. The city’s air pollution has once again raised health concerns, especially for vulnerable groups. The AQI scale categorises air quality as follows: 0-50 (Good) 51-100 (Moderate) 101-150 (Unhealthy for sensitive groups) 151-200 (Unhealthy) 201-300 (Very unhealthy) 301+…
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PM Paetongtarn defends family time amidst farmers’ protest
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has responded to criticism following her controversial appearance with her children during a farmers’ protest outside Government House. The incident, which took place on Tuesday, March 18, has sparked outrage as farmers from 19 provinces unloaded truckloads of blackchin tilapia near the Government House fence. The farmers were protesting the government’s slow response to eradicating the…
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Indian national found dead in Bangkok townhouse
A housekeeper discovered the unusual death of a 38 year old Indian national, who had rented a townhouse in Thon Buri district, Bangkok, for about two months. His relatives lost contact with him, prompting the house owner to request an inspection. At 2pm yesterday, March 19, Police Lieutenant Satha Duang-Iad, Deputy Inspector at Samre Police Station, responded to a report…
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Thai taxi driver hits rock bottom, then throws rocks at Bangkok cab
Police yesterday arrested a Thai taxi driver for throwing rocks at another taxi driver’s car in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. The suspect claimed he committed the offence out of stress after his business went bankrupt. A 58 year old taxi driver named Pornsawat rushed to Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station in a state of fright on Tuesday, March 18,…
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Bad karma: Ex-builder nabbed for 16m baht amulets, gold theft
A former construction worker has been arrested for stealing 107 amulets and 35 baht worth of gold from a renowned amulet trader’s home, resulting in a loss of approximately 16 million baht. The arrest took place after a thorough investigation by the police in Lat Krabang. Today, March 19, at 9am, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, the Metropolitan Police Chief,…
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Bangkok bust: 191 unit raids luxury home, nabs drug dealer
The 191 police unit conducted a raid on a luxurious residence in the Wang Thonglang district of Bangkok, arresting a man involved in drug possession. The operation, which took place yesterday, March 18 at 10.30am, resulted in the seizure of substantial evidence, including 313 ketamine vape pods, 80 bags of ketamine, 53 ecstasy pills, and 38 disposable e-cigarettes. The operation…
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Rama II expressway lane reopens after fatal bridge collapse
The inbound lane to the expressway on Rama II Road, affected by the bridge project collapse last Saturday, will reopen by tomorrow. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) stated that demolition work on the collapsed bridge is 90% complete, with the contractor, Italian-Thai Development (ITD), pledging compensation for victims. The collapse on Saturday, March 15, involved a concrete beam under…
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PM rejects opposition’s request for full 30-hour debate control
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has not approved the opposition’s request to control the entire duration of a 30-hour censure debate. She acknowledged that determining the length of the debate is not within her authourity. Yesterday, March 18, the Thai PM commented that the opposition’s request might not be logical, a sentiment echoed by the coalition government, which found the demand excessive.…
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Thailand uncertain on US visa ban after Uyghur deportation
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed uncertainty regarding her inclusion on a list of Thai officials recently barred from obtaining US visas following the deportation of 40 Uyghur detainees to China. Addressing the media yesterday, March 18, she said, “There’s no confirmation yet. I still don’t know.” The 38 year old PM explained that the Foreign Affairs Ministry would further clarify…
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Baht boost: Thailand greenlights 200 billion for Bangkok transit line
Thailand has sanctioned investment applications amounting to a total of 200 billion baht, spearheaded by a Bangkok transit line and three data centres, offering a potential uplift to the country’s subdued economic growth. The primary initiative is Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc’s 109 billion baht (US$3.2 billion) investment in the Orange Line, aimed at connecting Bangkok’s western and eastern suburbs,…
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Pickup truck’s unsafe metal door transport sparks expressway safety alert
A post from the ข่าวสารงานจราจรทางพิเศษ บางพลี-สุขสวัสดิ์ (Bang Phli-Suksawat Expressway Traffic News) Facebook page today highlighted a safety concern involving a pickup truck carrying metal doors on an expressway. The image accompanying the post showed the truck transporting oversized doors without proper securing methods. The post indicated that such vehicles are not allowed on expressways, as it violated regulations and poses…
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Walking the talk: Bangkok chief to revamp Asoke footpaths by July
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt plans to renovate footpaths along Asoke Montri Road, with the project expected to start by July this year. Governor Chadchart, accompanied by Deputy Governor Wissanu Subsomphon, inspected the footpath along Asoke Montri Road on Sunday, March 16, to assess pedestrian issues in the area. He also livestreamed his visit on his Facebook page. The governor revealed…
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Man meditates on Bangkok’s Democracy Monument, sparks emergency response
A man dressed in white robes drew the public’s attention when he climbed the Democracy Monument and meditated on one of its ledges. The incident, which occurred around 3.40pm yesterday, March 17, prompted police and rescue workers to respond to the scene. The man, sitting in a meditative pose, caused confusion among passersby on Ratchadamnoen Road. Police and rescue teams,…
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Branching out: Bangkok governor vows to plant over a million trees
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced a plan to plant 1.06 million trees in the eastern suburbs of the capital by April next year. The initiative will span nine districts, with the majority of 400,000 trees being planted in Nong Chok district. Klong Sam Wa and Lat Krabang will each see 300,000 trees, while the remaining districts will receive 10,000 trees…
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Illegal kratom and cigarette ring busted in Bangkok
Three young people were apprehended today in the Thon Buri district of Bangkok for operating an illicit business involving the sale of contraband cigarettes and kratom juice mixed with cough syrup. The operation yielded daily earnings of nearly 10,000 baht. Police Major General Thathapoom Charupradit, head of the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECS), directed Police Colonel Naruepol Karuna and Police…
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Thai call scam losses fall by 200 million baht after power cuts
The Thai government’s controversial decision to cut power, oil, and Internet services to border areas near Myanmar has reportedly paid off, with losses from call scams plummeting by at least 200 million baht. Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong revealed that since the power cut-off on February 5, there has been a significant drop in cybercrime activity, with call…
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Bangkok bus driver fined 2,000 baht after blind passenger falls (video)
The Department of Land Transport has fined a bus driver 2,000 baht after an incident where a blind passenger and their guide fell from a bus as they attempted to board through the rear door. The driver stated he was focusing on traffic to the right and did not notice passengers boarding. The Department of Land Transport yesterday, March 17,…
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Thailand considers raising pension age to 65, SSO clarifies
The Social Security Office (SSO) has clarified that the proposed increase in the retirement age for pension eligibility from 55 to 65 is a suggestion from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and is not yet implemented in Thailand. SSO Secretary General Marasri Jairangsee indicated that this idea, initially presented by the ILO, has been under consideration by the SSO since…
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Bangkok road sweeper gains fame as model after portrait by Russian man
A Thai road sweeper went viral on social media after a Russian photographer shared her portrait from a street photoshoot in Bangkok’s Chinatown on his TikTok account on Friday, March 14. The Russian photographer, Semyon Rezchikov, typically shares videos of himself taking portraits of people he meets on the street in each country he visits. The video shows the reaction…
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Bridge over troubled water: BMA’s Bangkok river crossing race
Bangkok’s city planners are racing against the clock to complete the much-anticipated Kiakkai Bridge over the Chao Phraya River by 2026. This ambitious project is set to transform commuting across the bustling city, offering a smoother journey over the river. BMA Public Works Department chief Tawatchai Napasaksri dished out details on the various bridge projects currently weaving through the cityscape.…
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Expressway chaos: Bangkok traffic mayhem as flyover tumbles
Transport chiefs in Thailand have urged motorists to seek alternative routes after a key section of the Bangkok–Thon Buri expressway collapsed on Saturday, causing traffic bedlam and blocking crucial ramps. Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) chief Surachet Laophulsuk warned of severe congestion around the Chalerm Maha Nakhon expressway ramp, particularly near the Dao Khanong toll plaza, starting today, Monday, March…
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Last call: Drunk man’s tragic death in a Khlong Tan police cell
A 55 year old man died in a detention cell at Khlong Tan Police Station after being arrested for disorderly conduct while drunk. His family revealed he had a heart condition and a history of drug use. The incident involved a man, Pairoh, whose surname is withheld, causing a disturbance in Soi Phatthanakan 10 Intersection 1. Police from Khlong Tan…
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Thailand offers free HPV vaccines for girls and young women
The Government of Thailand is offering free cervical cancer vaccinations to girls and young women aged 11 to 20 until the end of April, part of an initiative supported by the Ministry of Public Health. Cervical cancer, described by Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan as a silent disease, results in numerous fatalities annually in Thailand. The vaccine protects against the…
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