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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    What do you need before moving from the US to Thailand?

    The Thaiger key takeaways The most common medical emergencies for expats in Thailand include motorcycle accidents, tropical diseases, and food or water-borne illnesses. Air pollution and heat-related conditions like heatstroke also pose serious seasonal health risks, especially in northern and...

  • Heavy rain causes severe flooding in Don Mueang | Thaiger

    Heavy rain causes severe flooding in Don Mueang

    Heavy rainfall has caused significant flooding in Don Mueang, affecting residential areas and main roads. Some homes have already been inundated. Don Mueang International Airport has advised travellers to allow an additional three to four hours for their journey. Recent reports indicate that heavy rain has hit multiple areas across Bangkok, leading to widespread flooding. Don Mueang district has been…

  • Bangkok and Nonthaburi face power outages in 19 areas | Thaiger

    Bangkok and Nonthaburi face power outages in 19 areas

    The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has announced a temporary power outage affecting 19 areas in Bangkok and Nonthaburi starting today from 8am onwards. Residents in Bangkok will experience power cuts in several locations. Along Krungthonburi Road, the power will be out from the Krungthonburi Road intersection to the Sinsathorn Building from 8am to 3pm. Panya-Indra Road within Panya Village P.4…

  • Bangkok travel fair promises to unlock your ‘travel DNA’ | Thaiger

    Bangkok travel fair promises to unlock your ‘travel DNA’

    Bangkok is buzzing this weekend with the DNA Travel Fair & Festival, where the hottest new trends in Thai tourism are on full display. Running until tomorrow, September 22, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, this event promises an unforgettable experience for travellers seeking fresh, innovative holiday ideas. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool revealed that the…

  • Marriage Equality Bill set for January enactment in Thailand | Thaiger

    Marriage Equality Bill set for January enactment in Thailand

    Civil society groups are eagerly anticipating the Marriage Equality Bill’s announcement in the Royal Gazette by October 2, with enforcement expected to commence in January next year. Waaddao Anne Chumaporn, founder of Bangkok Pride, shared that the bill passed the Senate on June 18 this year, and former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin submitted it for His Majesty the King’s endorsement…

  • Phanom district honoured at Beautiful District Awards in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Phanom district honoured at Beautiful District Awards in Bangkok

    Phanom district in Bangkok received an honourable mention at the Ministry of Interior’s Beautiful District Awards ceremony held yesterday. The event, organised by the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Interior Housewives Association, and the Department of Local Administration, celebrated districts providing exemplary public services. The ceremony took place at the Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao. Present at the…

  • Bangkok street vendors must be poor enough to operate: BMA | Thaiger

    Bangkok street vendors must be poor enough to operate: BMA

    In a move that’s bound to shake up Bangkok’s bustling street food scene, new City Hall regulations will allow only “poor Thais” to operate as street vendors. The bold rules, signed by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, have sparked controversy with their stringent requirements, including a ban on migrant workers. Once published in the Royal Gazette, the new rules will go…

  • Governor’s plan to transform Bangkok’s crumbling footpaths | Thaiger

    Governor’s plan to transform Bangkok’s crumbling footpaths

    Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has taken matters into his own hands, rolling up his sleeves to personally inspect the chaotic renovation of Lat Phrao Road’s battered footpaths. The governor visited the busy Lat Phrao intersection on Tuesday, September 17, where a 20-kilometre overhaul is underway, aimed at bringing the pavements up to scratch. Years of neglect, due to the Yellow…

  • Brakes off: Bangkok’s car free day lets tourists cruise sans traffic | Thaiger

    Brakes off: Bangkok’s car free day lets tourists cruise sans traffic

    Bangkok is revving up for Car Free Day this weekend on Banthat Thong Road, offering a vehicle-free zone for tourists to cruise around and soak up various activities. The event, dubbed Bangkok Car Free 2024: Connecting for Life, aligns with the annual World Car Free Day on September 22, according to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesperson Aekvarunyoo Amrapala. In a…

  • Bangkok Bank gives a healthy boost to Siriraj with 70 million baht | Thaiger

    Bangkok Bank gives a healthy boost to Siriraj with 70 million baht

    Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (PCL) made a healthy contribution of more than 70 million baht to Siriraj Hospital through its Bangkok Bank-Siriraj Card Project, reinforcing the bank’s dedication to social responsibility and community support. On Mahidol Day, Pochanee Kongkalai, Executive Vice President and Assistant VP of Customer Banking, proudly presented the cheque for 70,315,053.39 baht to Professor Dr Apichat Asavamongkolkul,…

  • Cannabis chaos: Thailand’s weed rules you can’t afford to break | Thaiger

    Cannabis chaos: Thailand’s weed rules you can’t afford to break

    Thailand’s cannabis scene is about to get a whole lot more official but there are big consequences for those who don’t play by the rules. From January 1, 2025, consumers will still have access to the country’s wide variety of dry flowers but breaking key regulations could land you in hot water. The rules are simple: no smoking in public,…

  • Prawit to sue TV host and ex-spokesman over wiretapping claims | Thaiger

    Prawit to sue TV host and ex-spokesman over wiretapping claims

    Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader Prawit Wongsuwon plans to take legal action against TV host Danai Ekmahasawat and former Pheu Thai Party spokesperson Prompong Nopparit. They are accused of releasing voice recordings that allegedly incriminate him. Party secretary-general Paiboon Nititawan announced yesterday, September 18, that complaints would be filed with Hua Mak police, accusing Danai and Prompong of wiretapping or disseminating…

  • Heavy rain, high waves to hit Thailand due to monsoon and storm | Thaiger

    Heavy rain, high waves to hit Thailand due to monsoon and storm

    Heavy rain and high waves are anticipated across Thailand from today, September 19 to Monday, September 23, driven by the annual monsoon and an emerging tropical storm set to impact Vietnam tomorrow. Kornrawee Sitthichivapak, Director-General of the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), announced yesterday that the north, northeast, and central plain, including Greater Bangkok, the east, and south regions will experience…

  • People’s Party bets on transparency in casino concerns | Thaiger

    People’s Party bets on transparency in casino concerns

    The People’s Party raised concerns about the Thailand government’s casino project, citing fears that recent revisions to the plan could lead to questionable business practices. Nont Pisarnlimjaroenkit, a People’s Party MP for Nonthaburi, addressed Parliament, stating that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s administration aims to generate new revenue by integrating underground businesses into the tax system. This proposal includes an entertainment…

  • Prawit’s leaked audio drama: Secret ambitions exposed? | Thaiger

    Prawit’s leaked audio drama: Secret ambitions exposed?

    An aide to Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader General Prawit Wongsuwan filed a police complaint against two high-profile figures for allegedly leaking a bombshell phone conversation. The explosive recording, which Prawit previously dismissed as a doctored or AI-manipulated fake, has now landed two individuals in hot water. PPRP Secretary-General Paibul Nititawan took the reins, filing the complaint today at Hua…

  • Snakes alive: Thai woman battles 4-metre python in Samut Prakan | Thaiger

    Snakes alive: Thai woman battles 4-metre python in Samut Prakan

    A quiet night turned into a nightmare for a woman in Samut Prakan province when a 4-metre-long python wrapped itself around her for nearly two hours, leaving her fighting for her life. The woman, 64 year old Arrom Arunroj, had just finished her dinner and was washing dishes at the back of her house, located near a dense reed forest…

  • Bangkok joins 30-baht healthcare scheme with 6 billion baht budget | Thaiger

    Bangkok joins 30-baht healthcare scheme with 6 billion baht budget

    A budget allocation of 5.9 billion baht has been approved to support the 30-baht healthcare scheme, which will now extend to Bangkok, making it the 46th province in the programme. The project will be officially launched on September 27. The announcement was made at the National Health Security Office (NHSO) in Bangkok, where Jadej Thamatachaaree, Secretary-General of the NHSO, explained…

  • Capella Bangkok named World’s Best Hotel 2024 | Thaiger

    Capella Bangkok named World’s Best Hotel 2024

    Capella Bangkok has taken the hospitality world by storm, claiming the coveted top spot on The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024 list. Leaping from No.11 in 2023 to No.1 this year, the hotel not only tops the global rankings but also secures the title of Best Hotel in Asia. Since its 2020 opening, the riverside retreat has charmed guests with…

  • Thailand Cabinet keeps VAT at 7% for another year | Thaiger

    Thailand Cabinet keeps VAT at 7% for another year

    The Thailand Cabinet has decided to maintain the current value-added tax (VAT) rate at 7% for another year. This decision was announced by Jirayu Huangsub, an advisor to the Prime Minister of Thailand, at 12.40pm yesterday, September 17. The announcement follows a Cabinet meeting where the economic situation was discussed, especially concerning the VAT rate set to expire at the…

  • Iranians nabbed for stealing cash from Chinese tourist in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Iranians nabbed for stealing cash from Chinese tourist in Bangkok

    Thonglor police arrested two Iranian suspects for allegedly stealing cash from a Chinese tourist in Soi Sukhumvit 20, Khlong Toei, Bangkok. The suspects, 29 year old Dinarvand and 41 year old Mirzaniapargoo, were apprehended in front of a condominium in the Sathorn district. The incident began when the Iranian pair befriended the Chinese tourist outside a hotel in Soi Sukhumvit…

  • National wage committee to finalise 400-baht minimum wage | Thaiger

    National wage committee to finalise 400-baht minimum wage

    Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced that the national wage committee will reconvene on Friday to discuss the implementation of a 400-baht minimum wage for large employers nationwide starting October 1. The tripartite committee, which includes representatives from employees, employers, and the government, met on Monday. However, all five employer representatives were absent, leaving only the 10 members from the employee…

  • Green Day announces first Thailand concert in 14 years | Thaiger

    Green Day announces first Thailand concert in 14 years

    Green Day fans are in for a treat as the legendary post-punk rock band announced a concert in Thailand after a 14-year hiatus. Scheduled for February 12, 2025, the event will take place at Impact Arena, Mueang Thong Thani, and is organised by Live Nation Tero. The announcement, made yesterday, September 16, has thrilled rock enthusiasts across the country. Green…

  • Two Bangkok districts to become pedestrian paradise | Thaiger

    Two Bangkok districts to become pedestrian paradise

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is shaking things up with a plan to transform the eastern districts of Phra Khanong and Bang Na into a pedestrian’s dream. In a move that will have locals leaving their cars at home, the new zones will encourage walking, running, and biking as part of a healthier, greener lifestyle. Deputy Bangkok Governor Tavida Kamolvej…

  • Wired up: Jobless man arrested for stealing 208 metres of copper in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Wired up: Jobless man arrested for stealing 208 metres of copper in Bangkok

    Police arrested a man suspected of stealing copper wire totalling over 208 metres from the Ong Ang canal in Bangkok, valued at more than 180,000 baht. The suspect claimed he resorted to theft after losing his job. Police Major General Samart Promchat, Deputy Police Major General Narit Pratthanaporn, and Police Colonel Pawat Watsupattra from the Phra Ratchawang Police Station yesterday,…

  • Jet fuel boom: Thailand’s aviation set for sky-high growth | Thaiger

    Jet fuel boom: Thailand’s aviation set for sky-high growth

    Thailand’s aviation sector is ready to soar, fuelled by a surge in air travel and jet fuel demand, according to Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Plc (BAFS). The refuelling giant, which serves Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, is seeing a bright future as the aviation industry bounces back from the pandemic slump. BAFS President ML Nathasit Diskul revealed the company’s expected…

  • Police quickly nab suspects in Bang Phli market burglary | Thaiger

    Police quickly nab suspects in Bang Phli market burglary

    Police in Bang Phli swiftly arrested two suspects less than 24 hours after a late-night burglary at a local market office. The suspects, 18 year old Anuwat, and 42 year old Natthapimon, were apprehended with stolen gold and cash worth nearly 1 million baht. Today, September 17, Police Colonel Pairoj Phetploy and Investigation Chief Santirat Ngernmun, along with a team…

  • Ruling party loyalist set to chair Bank of Thailand amid rate dispute | Thaiger

    Ruling party loyalist set to chair Bank of Thailand amid rate dispute

    A ruling party loyalist and critic of the central bank governor is set to be nominated as the chair of the Bank of Thailand (BoT), as the government seeks to assert influence over the institution amid ongoing disputes over interest rates. The Pheu Thai Party-led government plans to back 66 year old former deputy premier and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na…

  • Less than 40 million Thais expected to join digital wallet scheme | Thaiger

    Less than 40 million Thais expected to join digital wallet scheme

    The Government of Thailand anticipates fewer than 40 million participants in its flagship digital wallet handout scheme, with the initial phase set to benefit 14.5 million vulnerable individuals starting yesterday, according to a Finance Ministry official. Under this stimulus programme, the government plans to distribute 450 billion baht to 45 million people, with each registered participant receiving 10,000 baht to…

  • Thailand raises alarm on online child sexual harassment surge | Thaiger

    Thailand raises alarm on online child sexual harassment surge

    Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) raised alarms about the severe impact of sexual harassment on social media on children and young people. A recent social outlook report from the NESDC, released yesterday, indicates that victims of such harassment risk developing a range of social, emotional, and mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. In some cases, these…

  • Samyan Smart City buries cables to enhance energy solutions | Thaiger

    Samyan Smart City buries cables to enhance energy solutions

    The Samyan Smart City project in central Bangkok is advancing, with significant efforts focused on relocating overhead power and communication cables underground, according to the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA). Last month, overhead cables along Chulalongkorn Soi 12 leading to Banthat Thong Road, and near the King Rama VI Monument close to Lumpini Park, were removed. This initiative aims to eliminate…

  • Thailand’s plan to ‘track’ down train costs with 20 baht fare cap | Thaiger

    Thailand’s plan to ‘track’ down train costs with 20 baht fare cap

    The Government of Thailand is considering taking over seven electric train lines, worth around 500 billion baht, to fulfil a campaign promise from the Pheu Thai Party to cap fares at a mere 20 baht per route. Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit revealed that the Finance Ministry has been approached by the Transport Ministry, through the State Enterprise Policy Office,…