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.

  • Sponsored

    Limited-time deal: Save 20% on Cigna's expat health plans forever

    Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can...

  • Festive crackdown: Car decked with lights halted in Bangkok

    Festive crackdown: Car decked with lights halted in Bangkok

    A festive spectacle on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road through Bangkok captured the attention of many, including that of law enforcement, as a car adorned with reindeer antlers, a red nose, and twinkling Christmas lights drove along the busy street. The driver, 29 year old Supattha, admitted to officers that he decorated his vehicle in collaboration with friends to attract more passengers…

  • Tattoo artist threatens client after dispute in Lat Phrao, Bangkok

    Tattoo artist threatens client after dispute in Lat Phrao, Bangkok

    A tattoo session in the Lat Phrao area of Bangkok took an unexpected turn when a woman found herself dissatisfied with the artwork she received. Although she was refunded 1,000 baht, the situation escalated as the tattoo artist allegedly began harassing her through chat messages, threatening harm, and urging her to relocate. This incident quickly gained traction online after being…

  • Bangkok: Car and pickup plunge into canal, five injured

    Bangkok: Car and pickup plunge into canal, five injured

    A dramatic accident occurred when a car and a pickup truck plunged into a drainage canal beside a road in Bangkok, submerging both vehicles and leaving five people injured from water inhalation. Rescuers promptly assisted and transported the injured to hospital for urgent care. Ekphop Painuea, a police inspector from Chokchai Station, received a report at 12.10am today of a…

  • Fire in Bangkok’s Phetkasem community damages four homes

    Fire in Bangkok’s Phetkasem community damages four homes

    A fire broke out in the Phetkasem 114 community, spreading to four houses late yesterday evening, December 23. Emergency services were alerted at 10.03pm by the Rama Radio Centre via hotline 199, reporting a blaze engulfing residential homes on Phetkasem Road, Nong Khang Phlu, in the Nong Khaem district of Bangkok. Firefighters from the Nong Khaem Fire and Rescue Station…

  • MPs urged to prioritise urgent bills in packed Parliamentary session

    MPs urged to prioritise urgent bills in packed Parliamentary session

    Chief government whip Wisut Chainarun is optimistic that the House will successfully scrutinise approximately 20 urgent bills during the current Parliamentary session. This session, which commenced yesterday, December 22, has a packed agenda with bills of significant economic and social impact awaiting approval. The urgent bills include legislation on fisheries, aimed at tackling industry challenges, and a bill to introduce…

  • Alcohol sale breaks record on Air India Express’s inaugural flight to Bangkok

    Alcohol sale breaks record on Air India Express’s inaugural flight to Bangkok

    Air India Express marked the launch of its new direct route from Surat in India to Bangkok with an unforgettable incident as passengers reportedly consumed the entire alcohol supply, valued at around 70,000 baht, before landing. The Indian low-cost airline announced in November that it would begin direct flights in December from Surat and Pune to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport,…

  • Thai police arrest six Chinese nationals in call centre fraud bust

    Thai police arrest six Chinese nationals in call centre fraud bust

    Thai police have taken decisive action against an international call centre fraud operation by arresting six Chinese nationals in Bangkok. The operation, which was uncovered in a luxury condominium on Ratchadapisek Road, Huai Khwang, involved a sophisticated network of equipment, including 286 Sim Boxes, 208,652 SIM cards, and 636 mobile phones. The arrested individuals, identified as Fengran Wen, Zhang Jun,…

  • Bangkok bust: 6 Chinese arrested with 200k SIM cards

    Bangkok bust: 6 Chinese arrested with 200k SIM cards

    Police in Bangkok have dismantled a major call centre gang, arresting six Chinese nationals who had set up their operations in a luxury condominium in the heart of the city. The suspects were found with an astonishing 208,652 SIM cards and 286 SIM boxes, alongside other electronic equipment. Entering Thailand on student and tourist visas, the group had been operating…

  • Thai court orders DLT to issue vehicle tax sticker to driver

    Thai court orders DLT to issue vehicle tax sticker to driver

    A driver has triumphed in a legal battle against the Department of Land Transport (DLT) over their refusal to issue a vehicle tax sticker due to unpaid traffic fines. The Central Administrative Court instructed the department to provide the sticker to the driver, who had filed a lawsuit against the DLT, its director-general, the Bangkok Land Transport office, and the…

  • Thailand braces for cold spell with mountain lows of 5 degrees

    Thailand braces for cold spell with mountain lows of 5 degrees

    Thailand is experiencing a cold spell today, with mountain peak temperatures dropping to a minimum of 5 degrees Celsius (°C). Fog blankets Bangkok this morning, while the south faces thunderstorms due to moderate monsoon winds. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts a chilling climate for the next 24 hours as a moderate cold air mass settles over northern and upper…

  • PM Paetongtarn crowned Politician of the Year in Bangkok poll

    PM Paetongtarn crowned Politician of the Year in Bangkok poll

    Move over, rivals! Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has stormed ahead in the political popularity race, clinching the top spot in a nationwide survey that crowned her Politician of the Year 2024. The North Bangkok Poll, conducted by North Bangkok University between December 10 and 15, asked 1,500 respondents from across Thailand a simple but telling question: “Who do you think…

  • Thai girl forced to send explicit photos of herself and mother for game items

    Thai girl forced to send explicit photos of herself and mother for game items

    Bangkok police allegedly refused to take a complaint from a 10 year old girl after she was tricked into sending explicit pictures of herself and her mother in exchange for game items. The Thai mother took to her Facebook account to share the story of how her 10 year old daughter fell victim to a scammer, as a warning to…

  • Heroin addiction: Temple donation box thief arrested in Bangkok

    Heroin addiction: Temple donation box thief arrested in Bangkok

    Bangkok police apprehended a 22 year old Thai man for allegedly breaking into donation boxes at temples to fund his heroin addiction, under the guise of treating an illness. Vorakan was arrested after a comprehensive investigation led by the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Bang Rak police officers. The arrest took place at a car park of a temple in the…

  • Flight fright: Passenger tries to open exit on THAI flight from Taiwan (video)

    Flight fright: Passenger tries to open exit on THAI flight from Taiwan (video)

    A tense incident unfolded on a Thai Airways flight when a Thai worker returning from Taiwan experienced hallucinations and attempted to open the emergency exit mid-flight. Quick-thinking passengers managed to subdue and restrain him, averting potential disaster. A TikTok user, @yao1926.new who was on the flight, shared a video capturing the dramatic event. The user recounted that on the flight…

  • Bangkok crowned Christmas travel top spot, beating Tokyo

    Bangkok crowned Christmas travel top spot, beating Tokyo

    Move over Tokyo, Bangkok is stealing the spotlight this festive season! Agoda’s latest insights reveal that Thailand’s bustling capital has clinched the title of the world’s top destination for international travellers this Christmas. With a 14% surge in accommodation searches compared to last year, Bangkok has overtaken Tokyo and is proving irresistible to holidaymakers. Bangkok also ranks as the second…

  • Thai farmers receive 20 billion baht in government aid

    Thai farmers receive 20 billion baht in government aid

    The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has disbursed 20 billion baht over the past three days to 2.6 million farmers as part of a government initiative aimed at supporting rice producers. The goal is to benefit 4.6 million households with a total budget of 37.4 billion baht. Chatchai Sirilai, Manager of BAAC, announced the progress of the financial…

  • Police officer cites Buddhism in rejecting promotion

    Police officer cites Buddhism in rejecting promotion

    A police officer from Lamae Police Station in Chumphon province caused a stir by formally requesting not to be considered for a higher-ranking position. The officer, Pisan, provided a philosophical reasoning drawn from Buddhist teachings to support this unusual decision. Pisan, who serves as an inspector at Lamae Police Station, officially sent his request to the Chumphon Provincial Police Commander.…

  • Thailand’s power plan may see revisions for climate goals

    Thailand’s power plan may see revisions for climate goals

    Thailand’s 2024 power development plan (PDP) may undergo significant revisions to enhance the management of the nation’s long-term energy supply and bolster efforts against global warming. This was suggested by Energy Ministry Permanent Secretary Prasert Sinsukprasertas after he highlighted the need for adaptation in response to evolving energy concerns. The Energy Policy and Planning Office is currently evaluating the PDP. Once…

  • Khlong Toei residents unite to control fire in Bangkok village

    Khlong Toei residents unite to control fire in Bangkok village

    A fire erupted in the Khlong Toei community in Bangkok, specifically in the 70 Rai Village, where residents joined forces to extinguish the flames. The fire was brought under control by 10.41pm yesterday, December 18 after a quick response from local firefighters. The Rama Radio Centre received a report via hotline 199 about a blaze affecting residential homes in the…

  • 2 Vietnamese men arrested for thefts at love hotel, over 500 evidence seized

    2 Vietnamese men arrested for thefts at love hotel, over 500 evidence seized

    Police arrested two Vietnamese men at a love hotel in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok yesterday, December 18, following a spate of thefts in the area. Over 500 pieces of evidence were seized. Officers from Chaiyaphruek Police Station received multiple complaints regarding thefts in the Bang Bua Thong, Bang Kruai, Bang Si Mueang, and Chaiyaphruek areas of the province. A covert…

  • Thailand goes high-tech: New E-Visa set to transform travel

    Thailand goes high-tech: New E-Visa set to transform travel

    Thailand is taking a leap into the digital age with the launch of its revolutionary Thai E-Visa system, simplifying life for globe-trotters everywhere. From January 1, 2025, international travellers can kiss goodbye to cumbersome paperwork and apply for their visas online with ease. This slick new development promises to make the visa process faster, safer, and more convenient, ensuring the…

  • Hair today, gone tomorrow: Bangkok cops snip illegal Myanmar barbers

    Hair today, gone tomorrow: Bangkok cops snip illegal Myanmar barbers

    Police in Bang Khun Thian district arrested four Myanmar nationals working as barbers, allegedly taking jobs from Thai citizens. This incident unfolded yesterday, December 17, at the ANGEL-20 hair salon located at the end of Nai Riang Market, Bang Bon, Bangkok. The arrest followed a tip-off received by Kittisak Bunsermsak, a police inspector at Bang Khun Thian Police Station. He…

  • Thailand’s first F1 race planned for Bangkok’s Chatuchak by 2027

    Thailand’s first F1 race planned for Bangkok’s Chatuchak by 2027

    The Thai government is continuing the Formula One (F1) project initiated by former Prime Minister (PM) Srettha Thavisin, with plans to hold Thailand’s first F1 race in the Chatuchak neighbourhood of Bangkok. F1 enthusiasts were given hope after former PM Srettha discussed the project with the race organisers during his visit to France in March this year. The former PM…

  • AMLO freezes assets worth billions in major fraud crackdown

    AMLO freezes assets worth billions in major fraud crackdown

    The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has made remarkable strides in addressing fraud cases, including those involving notable figures and corporations, resulting in the seizure and freezing of assets valued at billions of baht. The development was shared by AMLO Secretary General Theppasu Bavornchotidara and Witthaya Neetitham, its spokesperson, following a meeting with the transaction committee. Twelve significant cases have seen…

  • Family of young girl injured by drunk driver seeks compensation

    Family of young girl injured by drunk driver seeks compensation

    A family in Bangkok is still seeking compensation for an accident which left a young girl severely injured. In 2014, a drunk driver, racing a modified pickup truck, lost control and crashed into a steakhouse at the entrance of Soi Ekachai 119, Bang Bon district, causing severe injuries to a young girl. Cartoon’s father fought a legal battle and won…

  • Bangkok swipes right: Tinder crowns it top love hotspot in 2024

    Bangkok swipes right: Tinder crowns it top love hotspot in 2024

    Tinder released a ranking based on its passport feature, revealing that Bangkok is the top location in 2024 where Tinder users in the Asia-Pacific region pin and search for friends and partners the most. The popular Tinder dating app connects single people in the same area. Users can view other Tinder users near their location and swipe right on those they…

  • Thailand rejects call to abolish death penalty

    Thailand rejects call to abolish death penalty

    Thailand’s Cabinet dismissed the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) proposal to abolish the death penalty. This decision, announced by deputy government spokesperson Kharom Polpornklang, underscores the government’s alignment with the courts of justice, which deem capital punishment necessary for certain grave offences. The NHRC had pushed for the abolition, citing the global trend of eliminating what they consider an excessively…

  • Thai motorists enjoy free expressway during new year holidays

    Thai motorists enjoy free expressway during new year holidays

    The Government of Thailand has announced that motorists will enjoy free access to two expressways and two motorways during the new year holidays. The initiative aims to ease travel and encourage economic activity during the festive period. According to deputy government spokesperson Anukul Prueksanusak, the fee waiver applies to the Burapha Withi Expressway, the Kanchanaphisek (Bang Phli-Suk Sawat) Expressway, the…

  • Homeless Thai woman confesses to bludgeoning boyfriend over hallucination

    Homeless Thai woman confesses to bludgeoning boyfriend over hallucination

    Police yesterday, December 17, arrested a homeless Thai woman in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok, for bludgeoning her homeless boyfriend to death in an abandoned house in Bangkok on Friday, December 13. The 56 year old homeless man, Udom “Pok” Art-onsri, was found dead at the abandoned house on Sukhaphiban 5 Road in the Saimai district of Bangkok on Saturday,…

  • 20 expelled PPRP MPs to join Thailand’s Kla Party

    20 expelled PPRP MPs to join Thailand’s Kla Party

    Narumon Pinyosinwat, leader of the Kla Party, announced that the 20 MPs recently expelled from the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) are set to join her party soon. The confirmation came following their ejection last week due to their association with Thamanat Prompow, a former influential figure in the PPRP. Thamanat is anticipated to take on a significant role within the…