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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Man’s body found in car park in Bangkok market
A Bangkok market was thrown into chaos yesterday after the discovery of a man’s body in a parking lot. The police are investigating suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, including wounds that do not match the position of the body when found. At 8am yesterday, police officer Thananchai Kanthahatthi from Rat Burana Police Station received a report of a dead man…
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Heroic doctor leads rescue after Singapore Airlines emergency
Thailand has been lauded for its rapid and efficient response to an emergency when a Singapore Airlines flight encountered severe turbulence over Myanmar on May 21. Heading the emergency operation after Flight SQ321 diverted to Suvarnabhumi Airport was Dr Wichanya Burirak, a dedicated physician and aviation enthusiast. Chiang Mai University, where Wichanya graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, expressed pride…
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Ex minister refunds Japanese tourist overcharged by tuk tuk driver
A former transport minister personally compensated a Japanese victim overcharged by a greedy tuk tuk driver in Bangkok with 2,000 baht in cash, declaring it was his duty as a Thai citizen. The Japanese man took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on May 13, to report that he was overcharged by a tuk tuk driver, later identified as 29…
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Weed demand justice: Cannabis advocates’ reclassification rally in Bangkok
Cannabis entrepreneurs, farmers, and activists gathered in Bangkok to protest the government’s plan to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic, only two years after its decriminalisation. The rally, held yesterday in front of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific headquarters, saw nearly 2,000 signatures collected to support a legal petition aimed at halting the government’s…
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Bangkok Pride parade to celebrate love on June 1
Bangkok Pride announced an open invitation for the public to join the Bangkok Pride Parade festival, set to take place along Rama I Road in Pathumwan. Scheduled for June 1, the event will feature the LGBTQ+ community marching on what has been dubbed the rainbow road of equality. The pride parade will follow the Celebration of Love theme and will…
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Wissanu to advise Cabinet on legal matters, no political role
Seasoned legal expert and former Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam is poised to become an adviser to the Secretariat of the Cabinet, assisting with the government’s legal affairs. Wissanu confirmed yesterday that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin would appoint him to the position. He mentioned that the secretariat had previously approached him for the role following his departure as deputy prime minister…
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Thai banks urged to ‘transact green’ by BoT to aid local businesses
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) urges large commercial banks in Thailand to provide transition finance to aid local businesses in shifting from carbon-intensive operations to more sustainable practices. During the seminar EARTH JUMP 2024: The Edge of Action organised by Kasikornbank, Ronadol Numnonda, deputy governor of the central bank, revealed that last year, large local banks reported a total of…
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Thailand seeks BRICS membership for global influence
Thailand set its sights on joining the intergovernmental organisation BRICS, which is expanding beyond its original membership of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The Thai Cabinet approved a draft of the official letter indicating Thailand’s intention to join the group, according to government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates became official members of…
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Heartbroken Thai man discovers girlfriend’s true nature as gold thief
A Thai man was heartbroken to discover that his girlfriend of six years was a thief, stealing gold accessories and bars from him worth over 2 million baht. The Thai man, 33 year old Anupong, filed a complaint against his girlfriend at Prachachuen Police Station after the woman revealed her true nature three months after moving into his Bangkok home.…
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Gold stealing Taxi driver arrested for 2 million baht haul
In a swift operation, police detained a taxi driver who was reportedly found in possession of gold worth 1.9 million baht. This follows a gold shop employee’s reports of losing over 40 baht of gold while en route to deliver the valuables to her place of employment in Yaowarat. Chaiyaporn, the gold shop owner, initially offered a 100,000 baht reward…
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PM tunes up tourism: Bangkok’s Song Wat set to hit high notes
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to enhance the promotion of Song Wat, one of Bangkok’s most historic trading areas, as a prime tourism destination. Following a walk along Song Wat Road and discussions with young entrepreneurs yesterday, the Thai premier expressed on his X account, formerly Twitter, that…
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Bangkok braces for Srettha’s inspection blitz
In a highly anticipated tour, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin inspected two pivotal development projects in Bangkok yesterday, May 25. The premier’s whirlwind visit kicked off at 2pm at the PTT Park construction site in the Lak Si district. He scrutinised the Kamphaeng Phet 6 Land Development Project, received a comprehensive briefing and conducted a meticulous on-site examination. The focus was…
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High-speed rail link between three airports to start this year
The high-speed rail project connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports is set to kick off later this year following a revised agreement between the state and project developers. Anan Phonimdang, Deputy Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), confirmed that the SRT’s board has acknowledged the agreement. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee and the Cabinet will…
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Urgent reforms needed to tackle Thailand’s education inequality
Urgent action is needed to tackle education inequality and restore hope among Thailand’s younger generation, according to former prime minister Anand Panyarachun. Speaking at The Scenario of Thai Society Future seminar, organised by the Population and Community Development Association (PDA) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Anand addressed the pressing need for reforms. The seminar marked the 50th anniversary…
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Chinese fugitive running luxury scams in Thailand arrested
Thai immigration authorities nabbed a Chinese fugitive running an illicit tour operation in Bangkok. Following a tip-off about an Asian man suspected of working and residing illegally in Thailand, officers launched an in-depth investigation. Duan, a 42 year old Chinese fugitive residing in a posh condominium in the Ramkhamhaeng district was apprehended. Duan was already on the radar in China…
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Brace for impact: Torrential downpours set to soak Thailand
Thailand is set to be drenched as a fierce weather system promises torrential downpours, sparking concerns of flash floods and hazardous conditions. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) has issued an urgent warning for residents to brace for torrential downpours, with Bangkok and its surrounding areas facing a 70% chance of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. A relatively strong southwest monsoon…
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Paetongtarn reluctant to become PM amid Srettha’s legal issues
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, expressed her reluctance to step into the role of prime minister if Srettha Thavisin is removed from office due to a case involving the appointment of a minister with a prison record. Despite her hesitation, Paetongtarn remains optimistic about the Constitutional Court ruling in the Bangkok-born Srettha’s favour. “There should be…
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Luxury Porsche worth over 10 million baht catches fire in Bangkok
A luxury Porsche worth over 10 million baht caught fire in front of a showroom in Bangkok’s Srinakarin area, causing severe damage to the vehicle. Fortunately, the fire did not spread to nearby cars or the building. The incident occurred yesterday, with the 1197 Traffic Hotline page sharing the dramatic event that unfolded in front of the luxury car showroom.…
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Singapore Airlines overhauls turbulence protocols after fatal flight
Singapore Airlines has swiftly tightened its cabin service rules after a harrowing incident on a flight from London left one passenger dead and many others injured earlier this week. The airline announced today that it is adopting a more cautious approach to managing turbulence following the sudden altitude drop of Flight SQ321 on Tuesday, which necessitated an emergency landing in…
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Monk donates 300,000 baht to rebuild fire-damaged residence
A monk known for altruism donated 300,000 baht to aid in rebuilding a fire-damaged monk’s residence at Wat Suan Kaew in Nonthaburi. The fire tragically claimed the lives of three boys, with the exact cause still under investigation. Kom Saengbumrung, the former Director of the Engineering Division of Nonthaburi Municipality, was tasked yesterday, May 23, at 6.30pm by Luang Ta Sin…
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Homeless man suffocates under plastic sheet in Nontha Buri rain
A homeless man collecting recyclables was found dead on a roadside near a luxury home after using a plastic sheet to shield himself from the rain, leading to suffocation. The incident occurred early today at around 4.30am when police and forensic doctors were called to the scene on Ngam Wong Wan Road in Bang Khen, Nontha Buri. The deceased, identified…
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Police officer found dead at beauty salon in Samut Prakan
A police officer was found dead under mysterious circumstances yesterday at a beauty salon in Samut Prakan following concerns from his wife who had been unable to contact him. Police Lieutenant Apisit Tonsalee from Bang Phli Police Station reported receiving a call at 11pm yesterday about a deceased person at a beauty salon located within the police officers’ residential flats…
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Singapore turbulent flight: Aussie survivor’s desperate plea
An Australian passenger from the ill-fated Singapore Airlines flight 321 has broken his silence from his Bangkok hospital room. Keith Davis, previously blocked from speaking to the media, revealed the harrowing details of the flight’s emergency landing in Thailand that left his wife critically injured. Davis’ wife has been in intensive care since their flight from London to Singapore was…
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Panel to auction 15,000 tonnes of rice from Yingluck era
A dedicated panel has been established to manage the auction of 15,000 tonnes of rice remaining from the contentious rice-pledging scheme initiated during former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s tenure. This announcement came from Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The panel is set to draft the terms of reference (ToR) for the auction, with completion expected by the end of this month.…
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Oxygen tank explosion kills worker and damages Bangkok home
An explosion from an oxygen tank tragically claimed the life of a young man, causing extensive damage to a two-storey house and instilling fear among residents in the Nong Khang Phlu area of Bangkok. Police were alerted at around noon yesterday, May 22, to an explosion in Soi Phetkasem 77/8, Nong Khang Phlu, Nong Khaem District, Bangkok. Upon reaching the…
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70% of Thais clueless about upcoming senatorial elections
A new poll revealed that nearly a quarter of Thais are unaware of the upcoming senatorial elections, while a whopping 70% do not understand how the new election system works. This startling revelation comes as the nation prepares for elections from June 9 to 26, where thousands of candidates will vote among themselves to elect 200 senators. The poll, conducted…
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Thai minister reveals groundbreaking health initiative with China
Thailand’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation unveiled a pioneering research programme in collaboration with China’s leading genome research powerhouse, BGI. This initiative, aimed at transforming healthcare in Thailand, promises to elevate the quality of life for locals while slashing healthcare costs tied to late-stage diseases. The ambitious project, spearheaded by Thailand’s National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology…
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Royal splendour: King and Queen lead Visakha Bucha ceremony
Their Majesties, King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida graced the Temple of the Emerald Buddha within Bangkok’s Grand Palace complex yesterday, presiding over a solemn religious ceremony to mark Visakha Bucha Day. A group of venerable senior monks orchestrated the spiritual proceedings, infusing the ancient halls with sacred reverence. As twilight descended, the king took the lead in the wian…
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App-alling Thai man: Admits to sexual assault of multiple taxi riders
A Thai man sexually assaulted an app-based motorcycle taxi rider in Bangkok and astonishingly confessed to assaulting other riders during previous rides. The victim took to social media to share a video of him arguing with his passenger over the sexual assault on the footpath in Bangkok. The video was posted on a Facebook page, เพื่อนRiDer ไม่ทิ้งกัน (meaning friends for…
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Pichit exit rocks premiership boat amid legal storm
Pichit Chuenban, the Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, has resigned after a legal complaint from senators that threatens the premiership of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Pichit’s resignation follows a bombshell petition from 40 senators, urging the Constitutional Court to scrutinise the qualifications of both Prime Minister Srettha and Minister Pichit, alleging they fall short under Article 160 of…
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