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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Former PM Niwatthamrong faces Senate election defeat
Former Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan faced an early exit in the first round of the national Senate elections yesterday, June 26. Despite his loss, Niwatthamrong, who served as caretaker prime minister following Yingluck Shinawatra’s removal by the Constitutional Court in 2013, remains unbowed and resolute. Niwatthamrong admitted that, like his fellow candidates, he had cast a vote for himself…
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Thaksin’s comeback: Ex-PM delivers lecture at Pheu Thai HQ
Paroled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a high-profile appearance at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters yesterday. As a special guest speaker for the Pheu Thai Party Academy, Thaksin delivered a riveting lecture, urging party members to continually improve their skills and embrace lifelong learning. Addressing a class comprised predominantly of Pheu Thai MPs, Thaksin commended their active participation in…
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BLACKPINK’s Lisa transforms Bangkok mall in latest MV (video)
Thailand’s K-pop sensation Lalisa Manoban, better known as Lisa, of the renowned girl group BLACKPINK, has set social media ablaze with a 10-second teaser of her latest solo track, Rockstar, sparking a frenzy among fans worldwide. The teaser, a mere glimpse of the full song set to release this Friday, showcases vibrant scenes from Bangkok’s Chinatown at night. Iconic locations…
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AOT shakes up commercial space at Bangkok and Phuket airports
Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to reclaim prime commercial and office spaces at Suvarnabhumi and Phuket International Airports in a move to improve passenger satisfaction, despite facing a potential loss of over 90 million baht. AOT revealed plans to reclaim areas currently operated by King Power Duty-Free and office spaces used by key government agencies, including the Immigration Bureau, the…
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Thailand government slashes hotel fees in tourism boost gamble
The Thai Cabinet made a bold move to bolster its tourism sector by extending a waiver on operating fees for hoteliers for another two years. This strategic decision, made yesterday, June 25, aims to support the country’s ongoing economic recovery following the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The fee exemption, which spares hoteliers from the annual charge of 40…
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Mysterious dead body mistaken for a doll in Bangkok Canal
The body of a woman was discovered floating in Bang Mot Canal today by a passerby who initially mistook the body for a doll before realising it was a dead person. Bang Mot Police Station Police Lieutenant Thanakorn Thammaniramon received a report of the woman’s body floating in Bang Mot Canal, Thung Khru, Bangkok. Police quickly coordinated with forensic doctors…
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EC under fire for broken livestream promise
Yingcheep Atchanont, the manager of Internet Dialogue on Law Reform (iLaw), unleashed a scathing critique against the Election Commission (EC) for failing to live up to its promise of livestreaming the crucial final round of senatorial election voting. “The EC had publicly promised that observers could follow the procedure on CCTV streamed from the halls. What we found, however, is…
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Senate bid: Ex-PM Somchai reveals the secret to his success
Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat revealed the key to his success in reaching the final round of the Senate election: His wife’s unwavering support. Upon arriving at Impact Arena in Mueang Thong Thani today to participate in the election, Somchai dispelled rumours that he had been chosen to lead the next Senate. He clarified that he was competing in the…
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Thailand government launches ambitious Cloud initiative
The Thai government greenlit a new committee to spearhead its ambitious Cloud First Policy. This transformative initiative, revealed by an insider from the Government House, aims to transition the nation’s administration into a fully digital realm, harnessing the power of cloud technology. The Cloud First Policy is designed to integrate cloud infrastructure across all governmental agencies, propelling Thailand towards its…
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Thailand ranked 4th most beautiful country in the world
Thailand has been ranked as the 4th most beautiful country in the world, according to the latest report by the World of Statistics. The ranking, which was shared on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, used global reports and data from the United States to determine the results. Thailand stands out as the 4th most beautiful country, following New…
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Thailand needs to step up its fight against human trafficking
Thailand remains in Tier 2 on the US Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, indicating a determined effort to combat human trafficking. The US authority remarked that although Thailand has not met the minimum standards for eradicating trafficking, the government is making significant strides. “The [Thai] government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period. These…
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Seized drug assets to fund addict rehabilitation in Thailand
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin endorsed initiatives to allocate seized assets from narcotic drug cases towards funding the rehabilitation of drug addicts. Somsak revealed that during his tenure as the Justice Ministry chair, he had amended several narcotic laws, particularly those concerning asset seizures. He noted that the previous laws were too passive, resulting in only 20 million baht annually…
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Government to accelerate Sino-Thai HSR project
The Sino-Thai high-speed rail (HSR) link construction will be a major item on the agenda at next week’s mobile Cabinet meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima, with the government eager to accelerate the project, according to Digital Economy and Society (MDES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong. The 250.77-kilometre high-speed rail link between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima is projected to be completed by 2028. Currently,…
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Thailand to adopt offset policy for military procurements
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasised the necessity for the armed forces to adopt an offset policy when procuring weapons and military hardware. This policy aims to secure reciprocal benefits as a precondition for approving new procurement deals. The Thai premier said the policy should include opportunities for Thailand to participate in the development of new defence technology from the country…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain and flash floods in 47 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued an announcement warning of heavy to very heavy rain in 47 provinces, including Bangkok. Residents are advised to be cautious of flash floods and strong winds. The warning remains in effect until tomorrow. TMD’s announcement forecasts significant rainfall across Thailand due to a monsoon trough passing through the northern and upper northeastern regions, combined…
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DLT proposes four new electric bus routes for Rangsit station
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) proposes four new electric bus routes to improve connectivity to the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) Red Line Rangsit Station in Pathum Thani province. The plan aims to address the inadequacies in the current feeder system, which were highlighted by a recent Transport Ministry survey. Transport Ministry spokesperson Krichanont Iyapunya stated that the DLT’s…
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Thailand imports shrimp from Ecuador amid local production crisis
Thailand, once the world’s leading shrimp exporter, now finds itself importing shrimp from Ecuador. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Department of Fisheries to investigate and report back in the next Cabinet meeting. The nation, which used to produce and export 600,000 tonnes of shrimp annually, now produces only 200,000 tonnes. This significant decline has necessitated the importation of shrimp,…
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Singapore foreign minister visits Thailand to discuss bilateral issues
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan kicked off his official visit to Thailand today, answering the call of his Thai counterpart, Maris Sangiampongsa. Today’s packed agenda includes a working luncheon with Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and a formal welcome dinner hosted by Maris. According to the Thai Foreign Ministry, the two leaders are set to discuss key bilateral issues, fortifying…
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Senators’ showdown: Bangkok hotel hosts candidate meetup
In a bustling gathering at Bangkok’s Amari Don Mueang Airport Hotel, over 500 hopefuls vying for senatorial seats met yesterday, June 24, for an event known as the Meeting of Independent Senate Candidates. This lively assembly saw candidates from across the nation converge, all eager to make their mark on the upcoming election. Sources revealed today that each attendee paid…
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Thailand’s tourism revenue goal in jeopardy: Tourism minister
Thailand faces an uphill battle in reaching its ambitious 3.5 trillion-baht tourism revenue target for 2024, as admitted by Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich. Speaking at the Thai Hotels Association’s annual conference, Sermsak highlighted the current progress and challenges ahead. “In the first five months of this year, Thailand has welcomed 15 million foreign tourists, generating 1.1 trillion baht.…
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DSI slaps Stark CEO with a torrent of charges
In a dramatic twist to one of Thailand’s largest corporate frauds, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) charged Chanin Yensudchai, former CEO of Stark Corporation, with a slew of serious offences including money laundering and document forgery. Acting DSI Director Yutthana Praedam confirmed the charges also encompass negligence, fraud, embezzlement, and violations of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1992. Despite…
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Budget battle: Defence minister stands his ground on expenditures
During the ongoing budget debate in Parliament, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang fiercely defended his military spending plans against a barrage of criticism from the opposition. The Move Forward Party (MFP)’s Wiroj Lakkanaadisorn launched a scathing attack on the defence budget last Friday, June 21, accusing it of prioritising troop salaries and benefits over the advanced weaponry necessary for modern warfare.…
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Big Joke vs Srettha: Deputy police chief vows to return
Deputy Police Chief Police General Surachate Hakparn, aka Big Joke, issued an ultimatum to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. He threatened to file a malfeasance complaint against the PM if he failed to revoke the order temporarily dismissing him from the force. Big Joke revealed he had already appealed to the Police Virtue Protection Committee and petitioned the prime minister, who…
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Malaysia Airlines flight to Bangkok returns to Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Airlines has clarified an emergency incident involving flight MH780, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The flight had to return to Kuala Lumpur International Airport due to technical issues. Flight MH780, operated by Malaysia Airlines, declared an emergency code 7700, indicating a serious issue requiring immediate attention. The aircraft descended from its cruising altitude to…
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Bangkok police arrest man for selling modified blank guns
Police in Bangkok have apprehended a 26 year old man for selling modified blank guns. Despite attempting to flee by jumping over a fence, he was captured. He admitted to selling these weapons to local teenagers and has a notable criminal history. Today, June 23, officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, under the leadership of Theeradech Thammasuthee, alongside Kiattisak Sarathong-Aoi,…
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Phuket governor celebrates SDG localisation at Bangkok event
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat participated in the closing ceremony of the SDGs Localisation: Thailand’s Journey Towards Sustainability project orchestrated by the United Nations in Bangkok yesterday. The event, held at the ESCAP Hall meeting room at the United Nations Conference Centre on Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, served as a platform to spotlight Thailand’s initiatives in integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into…
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Thailand scoops top honours in travel awards including Koh Samui
Thailand has cemented its status as a premier travel destination, sweeping the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024. Koh Samui has been crowned the Best Island in the Asia Pacific, while Samui Airport secured a commendable fourth place among the region’s best airports. Bangkok also emerged victorious, being named the Best City in the Asia Pacific. These accolades…
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PM Srettha crushes coalition crisis rumours
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has slammed rumours suggesting the Palang Pracharath Party might be ousted from the coalition government. Speaking to reporters at Parliament yesterday, June 21, Srettha decisively quashed the speculation. “I have never mentioned any changes, and these rumours did not come from me.” The 62 year old PM assured that the coalition’s internal communications remained harmonious.…
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Gold shop worker in Samut Prakan caught stealing for gambling
A female employee at a gold shop in Samut Prakan has been caught stealing gold over several months to fund her online gambling habit. The shop owner, 48 year old Chak Kamol Tantarasmee reported the theft to the police at Samrong Tai Police Station, armed with CCTV footage as evidence. Chak noticed irregularities in his employee’s spending habits, which led…
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Samut Prakan teen girl attempted assault suspect arrested
A suspect accused of attempting to assault a 15 year old student in Samut Prakan has been arrested. The incident involved the suspect allegedly following the girl from school on his motorcycle to her residence, where he attempted to commit the assault. The girl’s quick thinking and cries for help thwarted the attack. Police received a tip-off yesterday evening from…
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