Bangkok News

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    Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?

    Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...

  • Walk of shame: Brand-new Bangkok footpath crumbles (video)

    Walk of shame: Brand-new Bangkok footpath crumbles (video)

    A newly constructed footpath along Vibhavadi Road, built just one month ago, has collapsed under the weight of a pedestrian. This incident has sparked widespread criticism on social media, questioning the quality standards of state agencies. The Facebook page Drama-addict shared a video of the footpath caving in as a person walked over it, highlighting that the path had been…

  • Busted buds: Indian men nabbed in Bangkok airport cannabis scam

    Busted buds: Indian men nabbed in Bangkok airport cannabis scam

    Two Indian men were arrested at Don Mueang International Airport for attempting to smuggle a staggering 22 kilogrammes of cannabis disguised as snack bags. The duo’s audacious plan to slip the marijuana past customs was thwarted in a dramatic operation today, March 10. The masterminds behind the daring plot, Kamarudheen and Shibin, both 34 years of age, were apprehended at…

  • No-confidence motion barred over Thaksin reference

    No-confidence motion barred over Thaksin reference

    Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha stated that a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will not be included on the Parliamentary agenda if it continues to reference former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. After the motion was submitted to him, Wan informed opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut that any mention of Thaksin must be removed. He argued that referencing Thaksin, who…

  • New Don Mueang Airport shuttle links to Thailand hotspots

    New Don Mueang Airport shuttle links to Thailand hotspots

    A brand-new feeder shuttle bus service, linking Don Mueang International Airport to the dazzling shores of Pattaya, is going to make it a whole lot easier for tourists to experience some of Thailand’ most iconic destinations. Launched on Saturday, March 8, under the watchful eye of Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote, the service is set to transform transport connectivity, seamlessly…

  • Casino bill to require 50m baht bank balance for Thai entry

    Casino bill to require 50m baht bank balance for Thai entry

    The Entertainment Complex Bill, set for revision, is anticipated to be submitted for Cabinet approval next week, according to PM’s Office Minister Chousak Sirinil. The bill has been prioritised as an urgent policy, following discussions with the Interior Ministry and the Finance Ministry, with aims to expedite its legislative process. The bill includes a condition requiring Thai citizens to maintain…

  • Big Joke faces dismissal without pension, says committee

    Big Joke faces dismissal without pension, says committee

    A committee has unanimously recommended the dismissal of Big Joke from the police force without pension benefits. This decision will be presented to the Police Commissioner General for signature. The meeting took place at 2pm yesterday, March 7, at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters. Police General Kraisorn Suwanrat, the most senior deputy commissioner general, chaired the meeting of the disciplinary…

  • ‘Black Bag Cop’ found dead in Thai prison, suspected suicide (video)

    ‘Black Bag Cop’ found dead in Thai prison, suspected suicide (video)

    Disgraced former Police Colonel Thitisak Uthanaphon, infamously known as “Director Joe,” or Joe Ferrari, has been found dead in his prison cell at Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok. The 43 year old, who was serving a life sentence for the torture and killing of a drug suspect, reportedly took his own life – but suspicions linger over the circumstances…

  • Bangkok motorist and rider resolve dispute, share ride home (video)

    Bangkok motorist and rider resolve dispute, share ride home (video)

    A dispute involving a motorist and a rider in Sathorn, Bangkok ended amicably after both parties resolved a misunderstanding. The incident, captured on social media, initially portrayed a heated exchange between the rider and a silver Honda Jazz driver, leading to a minor collision. Both have since clarified the situation and hold no grudges. Yesterday, March 6, the 43 year…

  • NHSO reveals Bangkok clinics earn up to 7 million baht annually

    NHSO reveals Bangkok clinics earn up to 7 million baht annually

    The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has disclosed budget allocations for each community clinic, revealing some clinics receive up to 7 million baht annually. The income of these clinics largely depends on the number of patients treated and services provided. The Association of Warm Community Clinics yesterday, March 6, released data on per capita budget allocations from the NHSO. They…

  • Thai Attorney General charges 8 in contract killing case (video)

    Thai Attorney General charges 8 in contract killing case (video)

    The Thai Attorney General’s office has filed charges against eight defendants in a high-profile case involving the alleged contract killing of Chaimate “Tong” Sittisanitpong. The case includes charges of conspiracy to commit murder and illegal possession of firearms. Yesterday, the Attorney General’s inspector, Sak Kesem Nithaiyok, and spokesperson for the office, revealed details about the case dating back to February…

  • Cat’s out the bag! Cops claw back wildlife in Bangkok airport bust

    Cat’s out the bag! Cops claw back wildlife in Bangkok airport bust

    In a purrfectly executed operation at Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok, Thai police proudly announced a successful swoop on a hair-raising attempt to smuggle exotic wildlife out of Thailand. The operation on Sunday, March 2, led to the apprehension of a 44 year old Indian woman, who was trying to wing it by sneaking protected animals aboard AirAsia flight FD 137 bound…

  • Warehouse fire keeps Bangkok firefighters on toes for over 8 hours

    Warehouse fire keeps Bangkok firefighters on toes for over 8 hours

    A blazing inferno inside a frozen goods warehouse in Bang Phili proved to be a stubborn adversary for Bangkok firefighters, with the flames still not fully extinguished today after more than eight hours. Amid the chaos, the warehouse owner firmly denied any ammonia gas presence in the facility, easing some public safety concerns. Firefighters from a multitude of agencies converged…

  • Fury on the streets: Protesters clash with govt over casino bill

    Fury on the streets: Protesters clash with govt over casino bill

    Angry protesters stormed the Finance Ministry yesterday, demanding the government scrap its controversial plan to legalise casinos. The demonstration, led by three hardline groups, accused Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat of backing a bill that, they claim, will open the floodgates for Thai gamblers rather than targeting foreign tourists. The Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Reform, the Dharma…

  • Thai motorcyclist praised for his kindness to disabled man in Bangkok

    Thai motorcyclist praised for his kindness to disabled man in Bangkok

    Thai TikTok users praised a Thai motorcyclist for helping a disabled man in a wheelchair cross a steep bridge in Bangkok. The female TikToker, @aileen_eenn, shared a video of the incident on Tuesday, March 4 to highlight the generosity of the motorcyclist. She added a caption to the video stating, “Others may not notice your good deeds, but I do.”…

  • Heavy rain and hail hit Thailand amid summer storm

    Heavy rain and hail hit Thailand amid summer storm

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) has issued its sixth warning for a summer storm expected to hit 46 provinces, including Bangkok, with heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and lightning in certain areas. Residents are advised to exercise caution. Issued at 5pm yesterday, March 6, the announcement details that northern, northeastern, central Thailand, Bangkok and its surrounding areas, and the…

  • Luxury Mini Cooper goes up in flames on Bangkok street

    Luxury Mini Cooper goes up in flames on Bangkok street

    A luxury Mini Cooper was destroyed after bursting into flames near Soi Thonglor 20 in Bangkok’s Watthana district this morning. The shocking fire erupted in front of Kasikorn Bank’s Sukhumvit 55 branch, leaving bystanders scrambling to contain the blaze. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sitthichai Jumprom of Thonglor Police Station received a report of the fire at 10.40am, today, March 6, and rushed…

  • Optimus Prime creator clashes with bar over new figure donation

    Optimus Prime creator clashes with bar over new figure donation

    A Thai Optimus Prime creator clashed with a coffee shop and cocktail bar after a refusal to support his donation campaign to build two new figures following the viral and allegedly sacred figure near Bangkok’s Chinatown. The coffee shop and cocktail bar, Hypnotized, made the Optimus Prime figure go viral after sharing videos of offerings, including cocktails, engine oil, and traditional…

  • Two firms sued after crane collapse kills 6 on Rama II Road

    Two firms sued after crane collapse kills 6 on Rama II Road

    Two companies face legal action after a construction crane collapsed on Rama II Road, Bangkok, resulting in six fatalities and nine injuries. Investigations are underway to determine the cause and responsibility, with experts being consulted for insights. A meeting was held at the conference room of the Provincial Police Region 7 headquarters yesterday, March 5 at 2.30pm to discuss the…

  • New 100 baht note marks Finance Ministry’s 150th anniversary

    New 100 baht note marks Finance Ministry’s 150th anniversary

    The Ministry of Finance announced the release of a commemorative 100 baht banknote to mark its 150th anniversary. The note, which can legally be used for transactions, will be issued on April 14. The announcement was published on the Royal Gazette’s website, detailing the characteristics, colour, and size of the commemorative note. Signed by Pichai Chunhavajira, the finance minister, the…

  • Road rage: Motorcyclist damages car mirrors in Bangkok

    Road rage: Motorcyclist damages car mirrors in Bangkok

    A motorcyclist was reported to have kicked and damaged a car’s side mirror outside a well-known Huai Khwang shopping centre in Bangkok following a traffic dispute. The incident, which escalated from an argument over a lane change, led to the motorcyclist fleeing the scene. The victim, who shared the event on Facebook under the name Mouy Worarat, explained that the…

  • Bangkok bust: Nigerian duo caught in a powder keg of trouble

    Bangkok bust: Nigerian duo caught in a powder keg of trouble

    Two Nigerian nationals were apprehended in Bangkok following the implication of their involvement in drug trafficking by a woman caught attempting to smuggle cocaine into Japan. Both men were identified as overstayers and are now facing immediate immigration charges, alongside being investigated for alleged drug-related offences. Immigration and narcotics control police conducted a raid on a condominium on Navamin-Ram Intra…

  • Karaoke crackdown: Illegal workers caught off-key in Bangkok raid

    Karaoke crackdown: Illegal workers caught off-key in Bangkok raid

    The Department of Employment, under the Ministry of Labour, conducted a raid on seven karaoke venues in Khlong San district, uncovering 28 illegal workers. The operation, yesterday, March 5, followed a tip-off about foreign workers lacking proper permits. The investigation identified 52 migrant workers, with 24 possessing valid documents, while 28 were found working illegally. Legal proceedings have been initiated…

  • Home for Thais registration ends soon, housing lottery set for April

    Home for Thais registration ends soon, housing lottery set for April

    Registration for the Home for Thais initiative will end this month, with a property owner lottery scheduled for next month, according to Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote. Since the project started on January 17, around 350,000 people have registered. However, fewer than half, approximately 140,000 applicants, have passed the initial qualification screening, making them eligible for housing loans from the…

  • Bangkok residents raise alarm over illegal condo rentals, prostitution

    Bangkok residents raise alarm over illegal condo rentals, prostitution

    Furious residents in Bangkok’s Nana district say their once-tranquil homes have been turned into a noisy nightmare, thanks to illegal condo rentals and prostitution. They claim foreigners are not only flouting the rules but also running a seedy prostitution racket, sparking serious safety concerns. People’s Party MP Bhuntin Noumjerm brought the issue to public attention, highlighting the ongoing distress faced by…

  • Phuket Airport immigration chief transferred amid nepotism claims

    Phuket Airport immigration chief transferred amid nepotism claims

    Police Colonel Padthongtew Damapong, chief of Phuket Airport Immigration, has been promoted to head Nonthaburi Immigration, part of the Greater Bangkok area after only ten months. The move, which follows another fast-tracked promotion just 10 months earlier, raised eyebrows due to his high-profile family connections. Pol. Col. Padthongtew is the nephew of Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, the ex-wife of former…

  • Thai woman crashes car into boyfriend’s vehicle over jealousy

    Thai woman crashes car into boyfriend’s vehicle over jealousy

    A Thai woman crashed her car into her boyfriend’s vehicle on a road in the Romklao district of Bangkok last night, following a dispute driven by jealousy. The argument arose after her boyfriend had repeatedly sneaked out to party with his friends. The Facebook page ZOOM Rayong shared a video of the incident, with a caption reading, “The couple argued,…

  • Bangkok Airways suspends northern flights due to smog

    Bangkok Airways suspends northern flights due to smog

    Bangkok Airways announced the temporary suspension of all flights between Suvarnabhumi International Airport and the northern destinations of Lampang and Mae Hong Son, as thick smog and hazardous air pollution continue to engulf the region. The airline confirmed that services would be grounded from March 15 to April 20 due to dangerously low visibility caused by persistent haze, which has…

  • South Bangkok court allows class action against CPF by farmers

    South Bangkok court allows class action against CPF by farmers

    A group of farmers has taken a major step in their legal battle against agribusiness giant Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) after the South Bangkok Civil Court approved their class action lawsuit. The case, filed over claims of environmental damage and harm to livelihoods, was given the green light at 9am yesterday, March 4. The lawsuit alleges that CPF’s industrial operations…

  • Man found dead in Bangkok tuk tuk with stab wound and drugs

    Man found dead in Bangkok tuk tuk with stab wound and drugs

    A 49 year old man from Roi Et was found dead with a stab wound in a tuk tuk in Ratchathewi district, Bangkok. Police discovered 10 methamphetamine pills at the scene. The police are currently investigating the incident to determine the cause of death. The incident occurred at noon yesterday, March 4, when Police Lieutenant Jeeranan Kaoeian, Deputy Inspector at…

  • Prawit to lead no-confidence debate against PM Paetongtarn

    Prawit to lead no-confidence debate against PM Paetongtarn

    Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader General Prawit Wongsuwan is set to lead party members of Parliament in a no-confidence debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on March 24, according to PPRP Secretary-General Paiboon Nititawan. Paiboon stated that the PPRP will have a two-hour slot to scrutinise the prime minister, with General Prawit actively participating in the proceedings. The debate will address several…