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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Sweeping success: Bangkok road cleaner gets devilish makeover
A leading Thai make-up artist offered a road sweeper in Bangkok, who previously went viral for her photoshoot by a Russian photographer, a new makeover as a character from a famous Thai film, Art of the Devil 2. The Russian photographer, Semyon Rezchikov, shared a video of himself taking a portrait of a road sweeper on Yaowarat Road in Bangkok…
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More than 3,000 Thai govt buildings damaged in earthquake
The powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake near Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28 has left a trail of destruction across Thailand, with over 3,000 government buildings affected, according to the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning (DPT). As of today, April 2, the DPT reported that 3,375 government buildings had been inspected following the quake, with 34 deemed severely damaged…
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Protesters rally against entertainment complex and gambling bills
Demonstrators gathered outside the prime minister’s residence yesterday to protest against the government’s proposed entertainment complex bill and the online gambling bill, which was under Cabinet review the same day. A few hundred people converged at the Phitsanulok Mansion residence yesterday, April 1, intensifying their opposition to the draft bills, which they argued would destroy the country by undermining societal…
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Chinese embassy pledges cooperation in SAO building probe
The Chinese Embassy in Thailand issued a statement addressing media concerns regarding the involvement of China Railway No.10 Engineering Group in the construction of the Office of the Auditor-General (SAO) building, which tragically collapsed during the March 28 earthquake. In a statement released late yesterday, April 1, the embassy expressed its commitment to fully cooperate with the Thai authorities and…
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15 dead, 72 missing amidst quake rubble in Bangkok
Rescue teams continue their search for 72 missing workers after a catastrophic building collapse in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district. The under-construction 30-story State Audit Office (SAO) building crumbled last Friday afternoon, March 28, following a powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake near Mandalay, Myanmar, which was felt across the region, including Thailand’s Mae Hong Son province. As of this morning, April 2, the death…
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Baiyoke Tower heir drops legal action over false claim on Facebook
The heir of Baiyoke Tower in Bangkok has decided to resolve a false Facebook post claiming that the Baiyoke Tower was tilting and cracking following an earthquake. The post, which was misinformation, caused public concern, prompting the heir, Beer Baiyoke, also know as Piyalert Baiyoke, to reach out to the poster to discuss the false claims. However, the poster responded…
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Laotian man arrested for illegal motorcycle taxi work in Bangkok
Thai police apprehended a 32 year old Laotian man for illegally working as a motorcycle taxi driver in the Huai Khwang district of Bangkok. The suspect, Leklai, was caught after police devised a plan to have him take them to a police station, where he was then arrested. The arrest followed a tip-off from an informant who reported seeing a foreign-looking…
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Man arrested for indecency and deceiving job seekers in Bangkok
A 29 year old man has been arrested for allegedly deceiving job seekers before committing acts of indecency against four victims in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district. Police tracked the suspect using CCTV footage, leading to his arrest while he was using the same motorcycle. At 12.30am today, April 2, Phinyoh Wiangkum, Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Chokchai Police Station, along…
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Hungarian man causes ruckus at quake-hit audit office in Bangkok
Bangkok was already reeling from chaos after the Myanmar earthquake triggered the collapse of the State Audit Office in the capital city but things took a bizarre turn yesterday when a Hungarian man stormed the site, claiming his friends were trapped in the rubble. Flying straight from Hungary to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the man splurged 4,000 baht on a…
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Thai rescuer hospitalised after 4-metre python wraps around neck
A Thai rescuer attempted to remove a 4-metre long python from a house in Bangkok but blundered, allowing the snake to wrap around his neck until he lost consciousness. A local homeowner, Oh, called the Por Teck Tung Foundation rescuers to her home at 10.12pm yesterday, April 1, to help a rescuer who had lost consciousness inside her house in…
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No boots for blisters: Thai military service exemptions updated
In a move that’s shaking up the conscription rules, Thailand’s Defence Ministry added three more medical conditions to the list of diseases that exempt young men from compulsory military service — and they’re anything but ordinary. A directive signed by Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was published in the Royal Gazette on March 25 and took…
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TV blackout fears rise over NBTC frequency plan
A storm is brewing in Thailand’s media industry as leading digital TV broadcasters warn that the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission’s (NBTC) latest move could trigger mass TV blackouts and potentially collapse the nation’s digital television industry. The controversy erupted after the NBTC held a public hearing on its proposal to auction off the 3500 MHz frequency band, a spectrum…
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King Charles sends condolences after deadly quake in Myanmar
King Charles III of England has sent a message of condolence to the people of Thailand following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday, March 28 and was felt across the region, particularly Bangkok. In a royal message released by the British Embassy in Thailand, the monarch expressed his “heartfelt sympathy” to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and…
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Thai cyber cops bust illegal gun man in Bangkok condo raid
Cyber police apprehended a man involved in illegal gun trading on Facebook, found assembling firearms in a condominium. Upon their arrival, the suspect attempted to dispose of evidence but was unsuccessful. Police seized three firearms and various components. Yesterday, March 31, Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiwpan, head of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, instructed Police Major General Suphakorn Phiwon, commander…
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Hero dogs sniff for life after Bangkok skyscraper collapse (videos)
Amid the twisted wreckage of a collapsed 33-storey skyscraper in quake-struck Bangkok, a brave dogged team of four-legged heroes is stealing hearts and saving lives. As rescue workers race against time to find survivors, Thailand’s K9 USAR rescue dogs are tirelessly sniffing through the rubble, bringing hope to a city gripped by tragedy. At least 13 people have been confirmed…
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Casino bill faces backlash over rushed approval without study
Opponents of the casino-entertainment complex have raised concerns about the government’s approach to advancing the project, suggesting it is being expedited without adequate public examination or a comprehensive feasibility study. Their comments yesterday followed remarks by chief government whip Wisut Chainarun, who indicated that the entertainment complex bill, which received Cabinet approval on March 27, is expected to be reviewed…
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Street vendor loses bag with 100,000 baht near Mo Chit, Bangkok
A street vendor reported a theft after forgetting a bag containing over 100,000 baht at her shop. Upon realising and returning, the bag was gone. The incident occurred yesterday, March 31, at 3pm, according to 29 year old Jeeranan (surname withheld), who sells fried pork rice. She reported the theft to Police Lieutenant Suphat Hemachinda, an investigator at Bang Sue…
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Rented and dented: Thai cops put brakes on cross-border car scam
A devious car-rental scam has been brought to a screeching halt after police arrested two suspects accused of stealing a vehicle and smuggling it across the border for sale. In a dramatic takedown, officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Crime Suppression Division (CSD) nabbed Sakthanan in front of a house in Soi Khlong Thanon, Nonthaburi, and Khemanan at…
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Bangkok governor lifts disaster status after quake chaos eases
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has officially called off the city’s disaster zone status following last Friday’s quake scare, declaring the situation “back to normal” just days after panic swept through the capital. Yesterday, March 31, the 58 year old city chief signed an order cancelling the March 28 declaration by the Bangkok Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Centre, which had…
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Steel samples fail tests after building collapse in Thailand
The investigation into the collapsed State Audit Office building revealed that two steel samples did not meet the required standards, leading to discrepancies in other measurements. Thitiphats Chotidechachainan, head of the working group, yesterday, March 31, announced that the examination of steel samples from the collapsed building identified two non-compliant samples. The first was a 32-millimetre deformed bar from one…
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Man arrested for false claim of wife trapped in building collapse
Police apprehended a 50 year old man at Mo Chit Bus Terminal after he fabricated a story about his supposed pregnant wife being trapped under the collapsed State Audit Office building. Somnitch Duangnet had previously claimed that his 23 year old wife, Korwipha Sonbubpha, who was four months pregnant and working as a clerk on the fourth floor, was unreachable…
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Families receive bodies of three from Bangkok building collapse
The shattered remains of three victims, tragically caught in the devastating collapse of the State Audit Office in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, were returned to grieving relatives in Nong Khai. The horrific incident occurred last Friday, reducing the site to rubble. The victims have been identified as 47 year old Khamsaen Matra, her 26 year old son Natdanai Namburi, and 23…
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Minor Myanmar aftershock causes evacuations in Bangkok
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today confirmed that a minor aftershock from an earthquake in Myanmar will not affect Thailand. Today, March 31, at 11.08am, tremors were felt in several tall buildings across Bangkok, causing temporary evacuations. The TMD reported that the aftershock was minor and would not impact Thailand. Earlier that day, residents in various parts of Bangkok experienced…
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Thai me down: Bangkok opens new visa expat and investor hub
Thailand is making moves to woo foreign investors and expats, rolling out a brand-new one-stop shop for investment and visa services in the heart of Bangkok. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra cut the ribbon on Monday at the grand opening of the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Centre (TIESC), housed in the sleek One Bangkok building in Pathum Wan. Located on…
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Crack scare sparks Bangkok evacuations but no quake recorded
Panic swept through parts of Bangkok this morning as multiple buildings were evacuated over reports of mysterious vibrations and cracks, despite the Government of Thailand insisting there was no earthquake. The drama unfolded around 10am, today, March 31, with affected locations including Building A of the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road, the Ministry of Labour in Din Daeng, and…
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Chinese men face charges for illegal entry at Bangkok disaster site
Four Chinese men are facing legal action after being caught illegally entering a restricted area where a building collapse occurred and removing 32 documents. Police are now investigating the incident, which took place at the new State Audit Office construction site yesterday, March 30. Police Major General Napasil Poonsawat, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, confirmed the unauthorised removal…
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Bangkok updates earthquake impact, Din Daeng expressway reopens
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has issued an update on the earthquake situation, focusing on addressing traffic issues and coordinating with the Expressway Authority. The Din Daeng expressway is operational by 5am today, March 31. At 5pm yesterday, March 30, Deputy Governors, Associate Professor Tawida Kamolvech and Wisanu Supsompol provided a daily briefing on the earthquake at the Bangkok Command Centre…
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Bangkok building collapse rescue mission continues amid structural challenges
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Industry Minister Ekanat Prompan visited the site of the Office of the Auditor General building collapse, which was caused by an earthquake on January 28. Approximately 50 people are still trapped under the debris. A committee has been established to investigate the cause of the collapse, with a deadline of seven days for their…
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Myanmar earthquake affects Bangkok, 17 dead, 83 missing
An earthquake centred in Myanmar on Friday, which wreaked havoc in Thailand too, has resulted in significant damage and casualties. The tremors were strong enough to rock Thailand, causing the collapse of a 30-storey building under construction on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road in Chatuchak district, Bangkok. Many condominiums in the city also sustained damage. According to the Erawan Centre’s report…
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Family demands answers after woman’s fatal fall during earthquake
A 24 year old woman has raised concerns following her sister’s mysterious death after falling from a condominium during Friday’s earthquake, which rocked Thailand and Myanmar. The incident involved 28 year old spa manager, Mon, who fell from the 13th floor to the 5th floor. Her sister, Rin, has questioned the absence of using the fire escape, suspecting foul play…
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