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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    9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand

    Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...

  • Thailand’s Children’s Day logo sparks joy and vitality

    Thailand’s Children’s Day logo sparks joy and vitality

    Thailand’s Ministry of Education has unveiled the heartwarming story behind the Children’s Day logo set to represent the nation from 2023 to 2027. The spotlight falls on Wikawee Rattamanee, a talented Silpakorn University student whose design won a nationwide competition last year. Her creation, centred on the theme of a child’s smile, earned her the top prize of 35,000 baht.…

  • Thai woman arrested in onsen credit card theft, Chinese suspects involved

    Thai woman arrested in onsen credit card theft, Chinese suspects involved

    Police arrested a Thai woman at her condominium yesterday, January 7, for conspiring with Chinese suspects to commit credit card theft at several onsen establishments in Bangkok. Numerous onsen patrons came forward to issue warnings and seek justice after their credit cards were stolen following visits to various onsens in Bangkok. The stolen cards were used by the thieves, resulting…

  • Suspects caught in theft of iPhone 14 Pro Max in Bangkok

    Suspects caught in theft of iPhone 14 Pro Max in Bangkok

    Two suspects have been apprehended in connection with the theft of an iPhone from a 17 year old boy, the son of a department director, during a planned transaction near a prominent shopping mall on Rama IV Road. The incident occurred when the victim, known as A, arranged to sell the iPhone 14 Pro Max, blue in colour, and was…

  • Cambodian-French ex-MP assassinated in Bangkok, Thai gunman at large

    Cambodian-French ex-MP assassinated in Bangkok, Thai gunman at large

    A former Cambodian-French opposition Member of Parliament was assassinated in Bangkok yesterday, January 7. The gunman, identified as a former soldier in the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC), remains at large. Officers from Chana Songkhram Police Station were alerted to a shooting on a traffic island opposite the popular tourist attraction Bowonniwet Vihara Temple in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district at around…

  • Cyber police dismantle major Bangkok gambling network

    Cyber police dismantle major Bangkok gambling network

    Cyber police swooped on the Bangkok 198 online gambling network, arresting its financial executive and seizing luxury cars, along with over 9 million baht in cash, and uncovering a monthly turnover exceeding 10 million baht. Yesterday, January 7, Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phivphan, head of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, instructed Police Colonel Surapong Thaiprasert and Police Colonel Apirak Champasri,…

  • No luck for Yingluck: Former PM ineligible for prison programme

    No luck for Yingluck: Former PM ineligible for prison programme

    Yingluck Shinawatra, former Prime Minister of Thailand, will not qualify for release under the forthcoming alternative prison detention programme if she returns to Thailand, as she does not meet the new eligibility criteria, stated Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong. Yingluck was sentenced to five years imprisonment in August 2017. New regulations by the Department of Corrections (DoC) allow only those with…

  • PM Paetongtarn defends Thaksin amid racist remark controversy

    PM Paetongtarn defends Thaksin amid racist remark controversy

    Stepping out from a Cabinet lunch today, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra launched into a defence of her father, Thaksin, after he was caught in making controversial racist comments during a rally speech. Thaksin’s remarks yesterday, January 6, criticised as discriminatory, sparked a backlash and calls from Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit for Paetongtarn to reprimand him. Initially caught off-guard by the journalists’ pressing…

  • 300 same-sex couples to wed in Bangkok as new law takes effect

    300 same-sex couples to wed in Bangkok as new law takes effect

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) anticipates that approximately 300 same-sex couples will get married in Bangkok on January 23 when the Marriage Equality Law comes into effect. Preparations for the event are underway, with Bangkok Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon visiting district offices to oversee arrangements for marriage registrations. District officials have received training to guide couples through the necessary steps…

  • Thai health minister reassures public over hMPV concerns

    Thai health minister reassures public over hMPV concerns

    Thai Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin addressed concerns about the spread of the human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in China yesterday, January 6 at the Department of Health Service Support. The minister explained that hMPV is a seasonal virus that occurs annually and is self-limiting, often resolving without medical intervention. In previous years, such common illnesses were not highlighted, as they typically…

  • Japanese man pickpocketed on Bangkok MRT, credit cards used in Isaan

    Japanese man pickpocketed on Bangkok MRT, credit cards used in Isaan

    A Japanese man became another victim of credit card fraud in Bangkok while travelling on the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) train. This incident comes hot on the heels of another credit card fraud victim yesterday. The Facebook page Drama-addict shared details of a Thai woman who lost her credit cards after visiting an onsen in Bangkok yesterday, January 6. Her…

  • Government House open this Saturday for National Children’s Day

    Government House open this Saturday for National Children’s Day

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will open the Government House on Saturday, January 11, for children and their families in celebration of National Children’s Day. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub announced that the 38 year old Thai premier will participate in the festivities, which include various activities hosted by the Prime Minister’s Office. One highlight will allow children to sit in the…

  • DDC issues raw pork warning as infection cases surge

    DDC issues raw pork warning as infection cases surge

    People are strongly urged to avoid consuming raw or undercooked pork to safeguard against infection from streptococcus suis, also known as hearing loss fever, which can be life-threatening. This advisory comes in response to reports of a rise in cases during the recent extended holiday period in certain provinces. Doctor Taweechai Visanuyothin, Department of Disease Control (DDC) director of Regional…

  • Monkey business: 100 macaques to be neutered in south Bangkok

    Monkey business: 100 macaques to be neutered in south Bangkok

    Bang Khun Thian district chief Passara Natheethong announced that up to 100 macaques in the south Bangkok district will be neutered this month as part of an ongoing initiative to control their population in the district. Last year, 122 macaques underwent the procedure. Around 330 macaques are estimated to roam freely in three locations: the Khun Kala Monument, the Thian…

  • SRT Red lines to get 319 billion baht upgrades: Transport Ministry

    SRT Red lines to get 319 billion baht upgrades: Transport Ministry

    The Transport Ministry is planning to initiate several significant public transportation projects early this year, pending approval from the Cabinet, to enhance national connectivity. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated that the projects involve extending the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) Dark Red and Light Red lines and advancing the second phase of double-track upgrades in the north, northeast, and south.…

  • Bangkok cleans up act: Street vendors get the boot in Pathumwan

    Bangkok cleans up act: Street vendors get the boot in Pathumwan

    In a bid to spruce up the bustling streets of Bangkok and make them safer for pedestrians, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has given street vendors the boot from two major hotspots in the Pathumwan district. Ploenchit Road in Ton Son and the bustling area outside the Siam Scape building are the targets. Gone are the days when 17 vendors…

  • Thai woman warns of credit card fraud after Bangkok onsen visit

    Thai woman warns of credit card fraud after Bangkok onsen visit

    A Thai woman issued a warning after nearly losing 85,900 baht in credit card fraud following a visit to an onsen in Bangkok. The incident has since gone viral on social media, prompting more victims to come forward. The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, yesterday, January 5, shared her story with the Facebook page Drama-addict. She revealed that…

  • Kind foreign man praised for assisting Thai rescue team in traffic jam

    Kind foreign man praised for assisting Thai rescue team in traffic jam

    A Thai rescue team expressed their gratitude towards a kind foreign man who assisted their operation by clearing a path for their emergency van on Phahurat Road in Bangkok on Saturday, January 4. A member of the rescue team, Chaiyapon Chanchua, shared a video of the foreigner on social media to commend his support. In the footage, the foreigner, dressed…

  • Liberian duo arrested in Bangkok for US,000 gold scam

    Liberian duo arrested in Bangkok for US$90,000 gold scam

    Two Liberian nationals have been detained in connection with a gold-selling scam in Bangkok that resulted in the theft of US$90,000, equivalent to around 3 million baht, from a Thai businessman. The scam involved swapping counterfeit banknotes for genuine ones. Police Colonel Pansa Amarapitak, the chief of Thong Lor Police Station, announced the arrest of 32 year old Solomon Varney…

  • Thai university student crashes car, damages 12 electricity poles

    Thai university student crashes car, damages 12 electricity poles

    A 20 year old university student crashed his car into electricity poles along Kanchanaphisek Road, damaging 12 poles and three cars, due to drowsiness caused by antihistamines, a medicine used to treat allergy symptoms. Officers from Phetchakasem Police Station were alerted to the accident at a curve on Kanchanaphisek Road yesterday, January 5. Upon arrival, officers found a damaged blue…

  • Bangkok fire leaves elderly man injured, son suspected of arson

    Bangkok fire leaves elderly man injured, son suspected of arson

    A devastating fire engulfed a community in the heart of Bangkok, leaving a 73 year old man trapped and injured. Eyewitnesses suspect the homeowner’s son, who was seen watching the blaze, of starting the fire. Police later detained him. The blaze broke out yesterday, January 5, at 8.20pm in a residential area within Soi Bang Khae 14, on Bang Khae-Bang…

  • Bangkok intensifies efforts to combat severe dust pollution

    Bangkok intensifies efforts to combat severe dust pollution

    Bangkok‘s ongoing struggle with dust pollution has prompted the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to intensify its efforts to tackle the issue. The capital is set to endure high dust levels, with relief not expected until next month. Chadchart Sittipunt, Bangkok’s governor, revealed that discussions took place at the Hua Hin Royal Rainmaking Centre earlier this week, focusing on strategies to…

  • Officer down: Cop shot dead outside Bangkok barbershop

    Officer down: Cop shot dead outside Bangkok barbershop

    A tragic event unfolded when a police officer was fatally shot outside a barbershop in Saimai, Bangkok, following a heated altercation with another individual. The incident occurred yesterday, January 3 at around 8pm on Chalerm Phong Road in the Saimai district. The victim, Burang Kasapon, a Deputy Inspector at Saimai Police Station, was shot multiple times and was in critical…

  • Same-sex marriage to gain legal status in Thailand

    Same-sex marriage to gain legal status in Thailand

    Thailand’s Interior Ministry is set to enforce the Marriage Equality Bill, expected to become law later this month, according to a statement from ministry spokesperson Traisulee Taisaranakul. The Department of Provincial Administration (DoPA) has aligned its regulations with the new law and established guidelines to streamline the registration process. The department has also upgraded its computer systems and marriage registration…

  • Good fortune: PM Paetongtarn’s assets exceed 13 billion baht

    Good fortune: PM Paetongtarn’s assets exceed 13 billion baht

    The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has disclosed a detailed account of the assets and liabilities of Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, marking her ascension into office. The report reveals that the 38 year old PM holds assets worth over 13 billion baht, alongside liabilities amounting to more than 4 billion baht. The asset declaration includes a wide array of personal…

  • MP demands answers on income and legality of Chinese police training

    MP demands answers on income and legality of Chinese police training

    A Member of Parliament (MP) from the People’s Party raised questions to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) regarding the income generated from a special training programme for Chinese volunteer police, as well as the legality and effectiveness of the training, which took only three days to complete. The MP, Sasinan Thamnithinan, shared her concerns on her Twitter account yesterday, January…

  • Travel deals galore: 30th International Travel Fair boosts tourism

    Travel deals galore: 30th International Travel Fair boosts tourism

    The Thai International Travel Fair (TITF) is back with a bang, promising to be bigger and better than ever. From January 16 to 19, the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok will transform into a bustling hub of global tourism as the 30th edition of this iconic event unfolds. Organised by the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), TITF#30 is…

  • Thai woman shares Bolt driver watches porn throughout her ride

    Thai woman shares Bolt driver watches porn throughout her ride

    A Thai woman took to a Facebook group to issue a warning and seek legal advice after her Bolt motorcycle rider watched porn videos throughout her journey. The 18 year old victim shared her story on the Facebook group คนขับ Bolt drivers Thailand มอเตอร์ไซค์ (เท่านั้น), which translates to Thailand Bolt Motorcycle Riders (Only), yesterday, January 1. She recounted the incident…

  • Bangkok taxi driver allegedly overcharges for vomit cleaning fee

    Bangkok taxi driver allegedly overcharges for vomit cleaning fee

    A taxi driver found himself at the centre of an online controversy when a passenger claimed to have been overcharged after vomiting in his cab. The discussion erupted on social media when a Facebook user alleged that the driver demanded 5,000 baht for cleaning fees after the incident, while the passenger was only willing to pay 500 baht. The story…

  • 6 year old girl’s eye donation brings hope to transplant patients

    6 year old girl’s eye donation brings hope to transplant patients

    The selfless act of organ donation continues to save lives, with increasing numbers of people choosing to donate their organs. Recently, a poignant story emerged involving a six year old girl whose family decided to donate her eyes to help patients awaiting transplants. This story was shared by the Thai Red Cross Society, underscoring the message that while one’s physical…

  • Bangkok gridlock: Holidaymakers return with dried goods

    Bangkok gridlock: Holidaymakers return with dried goods

    The roads leading back to Bangkok have become increasingly crowded as northeastern Thai residents return after celebrating new year festivities with their families in the provinces. Traffic reporters noted heavy congestion throughout the day on the Friendship Highway, which saw a steady stream of cars heading towards the capital. Although some sections of the road experienced smoother traffic flow, minor…