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)

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  • Xi Jinping’s bullet train gift sparks China-Thailand railway reality

    Xi Jinping’s bullet train gift sparks China-Thailand railway reality

    A replica of China’s Fuxing bullet train, bedecked in Thailand’s national colours and gifted during the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok in November 2022, now finds itself at the epicentre of a transformative railway saga between China and Thailand. As the wheels of progress turn, the construction of the China-Thailand Railway, a flagship venture under the Belt and…

  • Police officer receives brain surgery after Songkran accident

    Police officer receives brain surgery after Songkran accident

    A police officer was transferred to the Police Hospital in Bangkok following a severe traffic collision that left him critically injured. The incident occurred during the mid-Songkran festival traffic duties in Lopburi province when a female driver struck the officer, 39 year old Police Lance Corporal Piyaphan Seesuay, also known as Dab Tao. The medical team, after an immediate CT…

  • Shinawatra saga: Yingluck’s comeback fuels legal limelight

    Shinawatra saga: Yingluck’s comeback fuels legal limelight

    Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s potential return from exile sparks intrigue over her legal fate, mirroring her brother Thaksin’s tumultuous history, claims the Shinawatras’ lawyer. Pichit Chuenban, a figure linked to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s Cabinet due to his close allegiance to the Shinawatras, responded to speculation about Yingluck’s comeback. “I really don’t know. I’m only taking care of her…

  • Century-old heritage house on sale for 45 million baht in Bangkok

    Century-old heritage house on sale for 45 million baht in Bangkok

    An almost century-old two-storey heritage house on the banks of the Chao Phraya River has sparked interest online after being listed for sale at 45 million baht. The property, boasting a land area of 200 square wahs (800 square metres), has been praised for its robust structure, despite showing signs of age. It was revealed today by a Facebook user,…

  • Bangkok Airways soars to new heights with Sabre

    Bangkok Airways soars to new heights with Sabre

    Bangkok Airways has solidified its long-standing collaboration with Sabre, the global leader in innovative travel technology. The Suvarnabhumi International Airport-based carrier, renowned for its extensive network spanning over 20 regional destinations, including Cambodia, China, Laos, Maldives, and Singapore, has reaffirmed its commitment to Sabre’s cutting-edge solutions. Chulin Kocharoen, Vice President of Network and Product Development at Bangkok Airways, expressed the…

  • Thailand’s aviation sector set for soaring recovery

    Thailand’s aviation sector set for soaring recovery

    Thailand’s skies are set for a dramatic rebound as aviation bodies predict a swift recovery in passenger numbers by next year. In a statement to the press, Yongyut Lujintanon, the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) area manager for Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, highlighted the intricate web of factors influencing the country’s aviation resurgence. Despite the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s…

  • Hong Kong man arrested with drugs at Songkran event in Bangkok

    Hong Kong man arrested with drugs at Songkran event in Bangkok

    Police arrested a man from Hong Kong at the S2O Songkran Music Festival 2024 water fight in the Ratchada area of Bangkok on April 16 for possession of ketamine and happy water. More than 200 officers from Wang Thong Lang Police Station, along with K-9 dogs, screened participants for weapons and drugs at the festival entrance during the three-day event.…

  • Sanam Luang Songkran bash smashes records

    Sanam Luang Songkran bash smashes records

    Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) declared the recent Songkran celebrations at Sanam Luang in Bangkok a resounding success, drawing in a staggering 784,000 participants. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool shared the triumphant news at a press conference, unveiling the splashing success of the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024. The vibrant celebrations, spanning from April 11 to 15 on Rajdamnoen Klang…

  • Bangkok chef discovers newborn remains in suitcase

    Bangkok chef discovers newborn remains in suitcase

    A shocking discovery was made early yesterday morning when a chef found the remains of a newborn in his luggage, leading police to launch an investigation into the tragic incident. The 41 year old chef, Chusak, was unaware that his 30 year old wife, Panadda, was pregnant. The couple had recently separated, and the police are now seeking Panadda to…

  • Thailand forges ‘Strategic Partnership’ with New Zealand

    Thailand forges ‘Strategic Partnership’ with New Zealand

    Thailand and New Zealand have vowed to embark on a historic “Strategic Partnership” journey by 2026, commemorating seven decades of diplomatic camaraderie, revealed government spokesman Chai Wacharonke yesterday. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin rolled out the red carpet for New Zealand’s Premier Christopher Luxon at Government House, overseeing the signing of two game-changing Memorandums of Understanding. The first pact is a…

  • Female police save woman from drunk foreigner during Songkran

    Female police save woman from drunk foreigner during Songkran

    A group of female police officers heroically intervened to save a Thai woman from a drunken foreigner who was attempting to drag her away on Khao San Road during the final days of the Songkran festival. The officers, identified as Suphannan Shinphatthachitchai, Nitiya Chanamin, Narinthon Saengchai, and Apirinya Jaksaran, were on duty supporting the Chanasongkram Police Station when they were alerted…

  • 2 foreign men caught performing oral sex at Bangkok Songkran

    2 foreign men caught performing oral sex at Bangkok Songkran

    Two foreign men face up to 10 years in prison after engaging in oral sex in public during the Songkran festival in the Ratchada neighbourhood in Bangkok. A video showing one man performing oral sex on another under a yellow tent circulated on Twitter and Facebook. The two men were reported to be South Korean participants at the Songkran event…

  • Foreign man drowns while retrieving water gun in canal in Bangkok

    Foreign man drowns while retrieving water gun in canal in Bangkok

    A foreign man drowned while reportedly retrieving his water gun in the Saen Saep Canal in Bangkok during the Songkran Festival on April 14. His nationality wasn’t specified. Phayathai Police Station officers were notified about the drowning near Pratunam Pier in the Saen Saep Canal on the evening of April 14. Then, police officers rushed to the scene with volunteer…

  • Nearly 100k return to Bangkok post-Songkran via public transport

    Nearly 100k return to Bangkok post-Songkran via public transport

    The acting director and president of Transport Company Ltd made a public announcement yesterday, disclosing the substantial numbers of citizens returning to Bangkok after the Songkran festival. Between April 15 and 17, passenger logs recorded more than 99,995 individuals making their round trips using public buses and vans. The total number of trips during this period exceeded 6,689. Atthawit Rakchamroon…

  • Japanese man dies in Bangkok hotel fall, lands on car

    Japanese man dies in Bangkok hotel fall, lands on car

    A 52 year old Japanese man died after falling from a Bangkok hotel, landing on a parked car. He was staying alone and no signs of violence were found when the room was searched. The Thai authorities responded to the incident at 1am today, April 15, and coordinated with the Japanese Embassy to notify the man’s relatives. The tranquillity of…

  • Car fire at Bangkok temple parking spurs emergency response

    Car fire at Bangkok temple parking spurs emergency response

    A sudden car fire erupted in the parking lot of a well-known temple in the Bang Chak area of Bangkok, prompting a swift response from firefighting teams. The incident was reported today, April 15, and officials are currently investigating the cause. Panic spread rapidly as a car caught fire in the parking lot of the famed Wat Thammongkol Thaobunnonthawihan in…

  • Thai party quashes Cabinet reshuffle rumours

    Thai party quashes Cabinet reshuffle rumours

    A wave of rumours surrounding a potential Cabinet reshuffle in Thailand was quashed yesterday by the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party. The party’s Deputy Leader and list MP, Wittaya Kaewparadai, stated that despite talks circulating for over a month, no indications of an imminent reshuffle have been communicated by the prime minister. Wittaya, referring to UTN leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, pointed…

  • Bangkok harnesses AI to tackle illegal sidewalk use

    Bangkok harnesses AI to tackle illegal sidewalk use

    Bangkok authorities are ramping up the enforcement of sidewalk regulations, deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and fine lawbreakers. The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Suphakrit Bunkhan, announced progress in the sidewalk management campaign, emphasizing the use of technology to improve the efficiency of law enforcement. From June 12, 2022, to April 1, 2024, a pilot programme…

  • Fat farang strips naked and poops in Bangkok shrine (video)

    Fat farang strips naked and poops in Bangkok shrine (video)

    Thailand’s tourism drive suffered another setback this week when Bangkok bore witness to yet another repulsive, badly-behaved fat farang who saw it fit to strip naked, bathe and poop in a Buddhist shrine. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has been playing catch up for the past four years, after the Covid-19 epidemic, to attract more tourists to the Land of…

  • Bangkok port’s move stalled pending government clarity

    Bangkok port’s move stalled pending government clarity

    Bangkok Port’s transformation into a mixed-use development has been put on hold by the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), as it awaits further instructions from the Transport Ministry. The decision follows an order to relocate the port to Chon Buri, which was proposed to mitigate pollution and congestion in the city. However, it is presently unclear whether the entire port…

  • Poh Teck Tung Foundation distributes 3,000 fans during Songkran

    Poh Teck Tung Foundation distributes 3,000 fans during Songkran

    The Poh Teck Tung Foundation initiated a heartwarming gesture by distributing 3,000 hand-held fans to the public during the scorching Songkran festival. The foundation, under the leadership of Vichai Techapaibul, has taken this step to alleviate the discomfort of citizens travelling back to their hometowns or embarking on holiday trips during one of the hottest times of the year. The…

  • Bangkok bus passengers rally to save man’s life during seizure

    Bangkok bus passengers rally to save man’s life during seizure

    A swift response from bus passengers and a motorcycle rider’s assistance resulted in an emergency detour to the hospital for a middle-aged man who suffered a seizure and lost consciousness on a Bangkok bus. The incident, which unfolded at noon today, April 11, was captured on video and subsequently shared online, drawing widespread praise for the collaborative rescue effort. The…

  • PM Srettha pays surprise visit to Bangkok bus terminal

    PM Srettha pays surprise visit to Bangkok bus terminal

    Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin, along with a team of top officials, descended upon Mo Chit 2, Bangkok’s bus terminal, to ensure a smooth ride for Songkran travellers. As Thailand gears up for its traditional new year celebrations from April 12 to 15, the pressure is on to ensure the safety and comfort of millions hitting the roads…

  • Thailand soft-power: ASEAN + India shoppers to boost tourism

    Thailand soft-power: ASEAN + India shoppers to boost tourism

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has unveiled the ASEAN + India Shoppers in Thailand campaign, enticing tourists to choose their top Thai soft-power element while scoring shopping vouchers. Running from April 29 to June 15, this initiative spearheaded by TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool aims to transform Thailand into a regional tourism hotspot while showcasing its cultural prowess. “This initiative…

  • Thailand revolutionises agriculture with nine policies

    Thailand revolutionises agriculture with nine policies

    Thailand is gearing up for an agricultural revolution with nine bold policies aimed at transforming its farming sector into a global powerhouse. Thailand’s Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thamanat Prompow, unveiled these game-changing strategies during a seminar geared towards positioning Thailand as a premier destination for agriculture and food. Backed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s visionary Ignite Thailand agenda, these…

  • Thailand sets target to recycle all plastic waste by 2027

    Thailand sets target to recycle all plastic waste by 2027

    Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is optimistic about recycling all plastic waste by 2027, as part of an initiative to curb the use of plastic. This plan forms part of the ministry’s plastic waste management roadmap from 2018 to 2030. The strategy was devised in response to concerns over the growing use of single-use plastics, according to Thalerngsak…

  • Thailand’s cybercrime problem persists despite efforts

    Thailand’s cybercrime problem persists despite efforts

    Thailand’s digital economy and society (DES) minister, Prasert Jantararuangthong, revealed that despite efforts to curb cybercrime, the problem remains rampant with damages averaging 100 million baht daily. The Anti-Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC), set up to address this issue, is yet to see a decline in the number of cases. The ongoing scams are attributed to the scammers’ increasingly sophisticated…

  • Thaksin Shinawatra’s ‘secret’ health scandal

    Thaksin Shinawatra’s ‘secret’ health scandal

    Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra‘s health condition has sparked controversy, with conflicting reports emerging about his fitness. Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong claims Thaksin’s health is dire, but questions arise after photos surfaced of him lifting weights. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s health has become the centre of a heated debate after Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong asserted his deteriorating condition. Tawee’s…

  • Bangkok raids seize 12,000 e-cigarettes near schools

    Bangkok raids seize 12,000 e-cigarettes near schools

    Bangkok shops located near schools were targeted in a series of raids that resulted in the seizure of an estimated 12,000 e-cigarettes. With a retail value of approximately 3.6 million baht, these cigarettes were found across five different establishments. The investigation took place last night and involved three stores on Soi Ratchadaphisek in Chatuchak district, one on Soi Lat Phrao…

  • Vietnam’s tourism website triumphs over Thailand

    Vietnam’s tourism website triumphs over Thailand

    Vietnam’s national tourism promotion website, vietnam.travel, has emerged victorious, outshining Thailand’s counterpart and climbing above numerous regional competitors. According to March rankings by the prestigious website rating platform SimilarWeb, vietnam.travel seized the impressive spot of #132,676 globally, overtaking Thailand’s travel hub ranked at #136,108. The Philippines trails at #808,295 and Malaysia lags at #881,886 in its wake. The triumph doesn’t…