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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Sponsored 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?...
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Thailand’s Democrat Party in crisis following mass leadership change
The Democrat Party in Thailand teeters on the brink of a crisis, following an overwhelming loss of members due to a recent change in leadership, according to the party’s former leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. Chalermchai Sri-on, the ninth elected leader of the Democrats, took over the reins amidst internal turmoil. Abhisit, in his first public comment since the leadership election on December 9,…
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Air Canada flight revival: Bangkok to Vancouver route takes off for a holiday high
Great news for holidaymakers in North America and Thailand, as Air Canada today announced the reinstatement of direct flights between Bangkok and Vancouver. H E Ping Kitnikone, the Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom of Thailand, extended invitations to esteemed guests and partners for Air Canada’s Agency Reception at the Ambassador’s Official Residence. Air Canada has officially reinstated direct flights…
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Popular Thai meatball franchise accused of unfair practices
A well-known meatball franchise is in the midst of a drama, as a customer accuses the franchise owner of unfair practices and taking advantage of buyers. The complainant shared her experience on Facebook, sparking a wave of controversy. Numerous other individuals have allegedly suffered similar mishaps and are considering legal action. The Facebook user detailed her experience with the popular…
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Thailand and Vietnam set for a strategic partnership
In a diplomatic move, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared the intention to elevate ties with Vietnam to a comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP). During bilateral talks with Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, the 61 year old Thai PM expressed optimism about the lightning-fast progress in their relations. He highlighted the effectiveness of collaboration across various sectors. Thailand and…
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Thai PM blames past governments for Thai students’ poor PISA test results
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin places blame on previous governments for the lacklustre performance of Thai students in recent international assessments. PM Srettha, whose government assumed power a mere three months ago, pledged to tackle the issue head-on and place a renewed focus on enhancing the country’s educational standards. The Thai PM’s comments were motivated by the latest results from the…
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Thai PM unleashes secret weapon: Muay Thai to conquer the world
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin unveiled a bold plan to transform Muay Thai into Thailand‘s ultimate soft power. The Thai PM declared Muay Thai as Thailand’s top soft power, highlighting its vast economic potential. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke conveyed the PM’s vision, stating that the administration is keen on integrating Muay Thai into school curricula to foster a new generation of…
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Chao Phraya cruise operators slash prices as tourism battles slowdown
Chao Phraya cruise operators are keeping prices level due to sluggish tourism and high competition. While tourism is taking its time to recover, business-oriented charters are sailing towards a stronger comeback. Poowadee Kunpalin, Vice-President of the Chao Phraya River Tourism Association, talks about the resurgence. “Business travellers, especially from South Korea and European countries, are leading the charge. These high…
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Thai-Myanmar task force takes on border crisis
Thailand and Myanmar have joined forces to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding along the Thai-Myanmar border. The initiative aims to provide much-needed assistance to the thousands affected by the ongoing conflict, with both nations committed to fostering peace in Myanmar. During a bilateral meeting at the 8th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) in Beijing, Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara underscored Thailand’s dedication…
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Thai farmers warned against smuggling uncertified Vietnamese rice strains
Thailand‘s Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Captain Thamanat Prompow, cautioned local farmers against cultivating or smuggling uncertified Vietnamese rice strains. The warning, issued yesterday, December 8, comes in light of potential complaints from Vietnam, which could negatively impact Thailand’s reputation and bilateral relations. Despite the higher yield per area of Vietnamese rice strains providing increased income for farmers, the minister emphasised the…
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Shocking stop: Thai Smile Buses Co., face backlash as passengers left stranded
The Thai Smile Bus Company faced a barrage of criticism as their electric buses ground to a halt, leaving passengers stranded and services disrupted. The uproar prompted an investigation into the sudden cessation of operations, revealing a deep-seated issue affecting the company’s ability to provide a reliable service. The Corporate Communications Department of Thai Smile Bus Company Limited officially addressed…
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Thailand’s 2 billion baht electricity subsidy for 17.7 million households
The Thai Cabinet has allocated 2 billion baht to subsidise electricity costs for 17.7 million vulnerable households. The scheme, set to be a new year’s gift, will apply to those using no more than 300 units of electricity per month, maintaining a cost of 3.99 baht per unit. Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Peeraphan Salirathaviphak, stated today, December 8,…
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Thai mechanic found dead in sewer highlights lethal risks of heavy drinking
Tragedy struck when a 44 year old mechanic, known for his drinking habits, was found dead in a sewer in front of Wat Khae School, located in Pak Klong Bang Pla Kod, Phra Samut Chedi district, Samut Prakan province. The incident was reported today, December 8, at around 7.30am by residents and the local authorities. The tragic discovery was made…
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EconThai: Thailand’s job market faces limited growth in key sectors predicted for 2024
The Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (EconThai) painted a gloomy picture of Thailand‘s job market in 2024. The Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (EconThai) is sounding the alarm, predicting a continued slump in Thailand’s job market in the coming year. According to Tanit Sorat, Vice-Chairman of EconThai, the country’s employment landscape remains bleak in the aftermath…
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Dangerous honeycomb wax sweets trend sweeps social media in Thailand
Social media is on fire with the sale of a potentially dangerous dessert, known as honeycomb wax sweets or simply, wax sweets. These cute, colourful treats conceal a hidden risk. A consumer posted on Facebook today, December 8, about a certain type of sweet that resembles a candle wax stick but contains a sweet filling. The shell, which is made of…
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Bangkok’s retail revolution: Emsphere unveils glamorous shopping oasis worth 20 billion baht
Bangkok‘s shopping arena just hit the jackpot with the grand opening of Emsphere, the glittering jewel in the Em District crown. Packed with star-studded events and jaw-dropping features, this 20 billion baht retail haven is set to catapult Bangkok into the global retail spotlight. Emsphere, the latest addition to the Em District in Phrom Phong, Sukhumvit Road, opened its doors…
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Discrediting Thailand: Chinese TikToker’s distorted info about Soi Nana in Bangkok
A Chinese woman has been slammed by netizens for discrediting and destroying the image of tourism in Thailand by portraying Soi Nana in Bangkok as dangerous and full of bad people. A Facebook page, Lui Jeen (ลุยจีน), shared a video of the spiteful woman who is famous on the Chinese social media platform called Douyin. “Chinese TikToker makes a video…
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Surge in Covid-19 cases prompts advice for public to wear masks
A respiratory expert issues a warning as Covid-19 cases soar, surpassing even the flu. Renowned respiratory specialist, Dr Manoon Leechawengwongs, dropped a bombshell on social media, sounding the alarm on the escalating Covid crisis. Hailing from Vichaiyut Hospital in Bangkok, he disclosed a staggering 545 cases in November alone, divulging the unsettling statistics in a Facebook post yesterday, December 7.…
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Iconic Thai heritage closing for renovation: Kamthieng House Museum shutting down
The historic Kamthieng House Museum, a cultural gem in the heart of Bangkok, is set to close its doors for a major renovation. The Siam Society, custodians of the beloved Kamthieng House Museum, has dropped a bombshell by announcing its closure for extensive renovations starting from December 30. The delay in the restoration, the society reveals, was a meticulous process…
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Homeowners confidence hits rock bottom- is your dream home still a dream?
The 2023 Homebuyer Confidence Index has taken a nosedive, leaving prospective homeowners questioning their property dreams. Recent research unveils the shocking truth behind this unexpected slump in optimism. Despite a generally content outlook on the Thai economy, the Consumer Confidence Index for 2023 has fallen to 76, a noticeable dip from the previous year’s score of 80. Sumitra Wongpakdee, managing…
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Thai man dies on police station waiting room sofa in Bangkok
A Thai man tragically died on a Bang Khen Police Station sofa in Bangkok yesterday, December 7, while waiting to report a physical assault by his employer’s son. Police officer Somporn Sata approached the 45 year old victim, a Thai man named Tui, to inform him that it was his turn to file a complaint. However, upon reaching Tui, Somporn…
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Thai cybercrime nightmare: 50 billion baht online fraud shocks nation
Thailand has been plunged into a cybercrime crisis, with online fraud cases skyrocketing to a staggering 50.87 billion baht in damages over the last 21 months. Deputy government spokesman Karom Polpornklang disclosed today, December 7, that the Royal Thai Police website, www.thaipoliceonline.com, has been inundated with a whopping 405,194 fraud complaints from March 1 last year to November 30 this…
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Thailand’s tourism tango: TAT’s mixed bag predicts foreign tourist influx but warns of a 400 billion baht revenue remix
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) released a mixed bag of updates, hinting at a potential foreign tourist surge but cautioning about a colossal revenue shortfall of 400 billion baht. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool revealed that Thailand hosted 25.8 million foreign tourists from January to November this year, inching close to the 27 million target. However, with the high season…
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Thai provincial governors gain CEO-like powers under new decentralisation policy
Thai provincial governors have been granted the authority akin to a company’s CEO, following a Cabinet agreement. This move forms part of the government’s decentralisation policy. However, the main opposition party, the Move Forward Party (MFP), and various critics question if this action truly aligns with accepted international standards of decentralisation. The Cabinet-approved proposal, submitted by the National Economic and…
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Taiwanese man arrested for animal smuggling at Bangkok airport
Officers from Suvarnabhumi Animal Quarantine at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok arrested a Taiwanese man for animal smuggling yesterday, December 5. Suvarnabhumi Animal Quarantine chief Phakkapong Phathong said officers received a report of a suspicious Taiwanese man at 9.05am that day. Officers suspected that the 22 year old Taiwanese man was concealing live animals in his clothing when he passed…
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Unlock the secrets of Thailand’s museums after dark: Night at Museum 2023 unveiled
In a bid to ignite cultural fervour, the Thai government launched the eagerly awaited Night at Museum 2023 initiative. Running from December 15 to 24, the festival encourages the public to explore the nation’s 48 museums under the enchanting cloak of night. Karom Polpornklang, a deputy government spokesman, stated that the festival aims to boost cultural soft power, inviting everyone…
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Bark and brawl: 2 families engage in physical altercation after conflict over dog pee (video)
Two families living in the Yannawa district of Bangkok engaged in a physical bout of fisticuffs after a pet dog peed on a car. Two Thai women named Ya and Phat shared footage of the brawl with the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive of Ya being physically assaulted by a neighbour called Pop at 9pm on November 29. Ya and Phat…
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Prime minister’s grand almsgiving spectacle in honour of late king
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and a star-studded entourage gathered for a regal religious ceremony in Bangkok. The grand affair, coinciding with National Father’s Day, paid homage to the revered late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. As dawn broke, the 61 year old Thai PM, accompanied by his wife and an illustrious assembly of Cabinet ministers, Privy Council members, and military commanders, graced Sanam…
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Iranian boxer allegedly steals over 20 million baht assets from Burmese woman in Bangkok
A Burmese woman filed a complaint against an Iranian boxer accusing him of stealing more than 20 million baht from her condominium in Bangkok before fleeing Thailand. The victim’s brother accompanied his 25 year old younger sister, Nang Mwe Hlaing, to file the complaint at Phra Khanong Police Station yesterday, December 4. The brother revealed that the Iranian man, 21…
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Chinese man in Thai police uniform sparks drama about VIP service
A video of a Chinese man wearing a Thai police uniform sparked debate about VIP service on social media. The police officer in the video insisted that no special service was provided, adding that he is just a service-minded person. The Facebook page Lui Jeen (ลุยจีน) shared the video from Weibo along with its translation yesterday, December 5. The footage…
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Thai backstage artist fakes kidnapping over 90,000 baht debt in Bangkok
A woman known as Premika, who works as a backstage artist, was allegedly kidnapped from her workplace by a group of creditors due to her inability to repay a debt of 90,000 baht. Her husband, using the pseudonym “Ek,” reported the incident to Huai Khwang Police Station. It was revealed that the couple had been together for over a decade…
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