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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  • Ex-MP Vatana to return to Samut Prakan after 15 years on the run

    Ex-MP Vatana to return to Samut Prakan after 15 years on the run

    Former Samut Prakan MP and Deputy Interior Minister Vatana Asavahame has announced his intention to return to Samut Prakan in two months to visit locals after evading corruption charges for 15 years. A housewarming ceremony took place yesterday at the new residence of Soontorn Pansangtong, the former deputy minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the former deputy chief of Samut…

  • Thailand cracks down on illegal e-cigarettes to protect children

    Thailand cracks down on illegal e-cigarettes to protect children

    Authorities in Thailand are set to take decisive action against the illegal use of e-cigarettes, emphasising the need to protect children from the health risks associated with vaping. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared that the country has ignored the issue for too long, during an event commemorating World No Tobacco Day yesterday. “The authorities must begin solving the problem right…

  • Heavy rainfall warning issued for 46 provinces including Bangkok

    Heavy rainfall warning issued for 46 provinces including Bangkok

    The Meteorological Department has issued a severe weather warning, forecasting heavy rainfall in 46 provinces, including Bangkok, with 70% of the area expected to be affected. Residents are advised to take precautions against potential flash floods and forest runoff. Moderate southwesterly monsoon winds are covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, coupled with a low-pressure area over…

  • Temples banned from requiring HIV tests for ordination

    Temples banned from requiring HIV tests for ordination

    The Sangha Supreme Council has endorsed a proposal from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to prevent temples from mandating HIV tests for men seeking ordination, arguing that HIV is not a chronic infectious disease. Wasan Paileeklee, a member of the NHRC, announced yesterday that the commission had looked into a complaint about a temple in Bangkok’s Suan Luang district,…

  • Thai man stabbed by girlfriend’s ex, attacker flees with woman

    Thai man stabbed by girlfriend’s ex, attacker flees with woman

    A Thai man is seeking justice after being stabbed by his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend at a condominium in Bangkok. The attacker escaped arrest and fled to the central province of Chainart with the victim’s girlfriend. The victim, 21 year old Thanawat Phontaecha, urged non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to follow up on the complaint of the physical assault for him. Thanawat claimed…

  • LGBTQ+ community migrating Bangkok for freedom & fun’s sake

    LGBTQ+ community migrating Bangkok for freedom & fun’s sake

    A Chinese real estate agent revealed the LGBTQ+ community is flocking to Bangkok to escape persecution and seek a new life that offers them more freedom. In 2019, 40 year old Owen Zhu’s real estate career was flourishing, with Chinese investors eagerly buying Bangkok properties, but the pandemic struck, halting travel and spending. Although Chinese buyers were slow to return, one…

  • Toll fees waived on three expressways to honour Queen’s birthday

    Toll fees waived on three expressways to honour Queen’s birthday

    Toll fees will be waived on three expressways to commemorate the Queen’s birthday. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), along with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) and Northern Bangkok Expressway Company Limited (NECL), have announced this special exemption. The announcement, made yesterday, specifies that the toll-free access is in honour of the Queen’s birthday on June 3.…

  • Mother mourns British woman found dead in Bangkok hotel

    Mother mourns British woman found dead in Bangkok hotel

    The heartbroken mother of a 36 year old British woman from Bexhill, East Sussex, southeast England has paid an emotional tribute to her daughter, who was recently found dead in a Bangkok hotel room. Rebecca Turner was on an adventure in Southeast Asia with friends when tragedy struck. Her mother, Anita Turner, described her as a vivacious and outgoing woman…

  • Nation TV’s fresh shows set to revolutionise Thai news

    Nation TV’s fresh shows set to revolutionise Thai news

    In a thrilling leap into its 25th year, Thailand’s leading news network, Nation TV, is undergoing a groundbreaking transformation under the concept NEXT to The Future. The network is revamping its programming to amplify its renowned news shows and exclusive talks, adding community news and harnessing AI technology to enhance its editorial prowess. This bold move solidifies Nation TV’s position…

  • Thailand hosts key ASEAN-Canada trade talks in Bangkok

    Thailand hosts key ASEAN-Canada trade talks in Bangkok

    Thailand has taken significant steps forward in trade relations by hosting the eighth round of ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) negotiations in Bangkok between yesterday and today. The meeting aimed to expedite various aspects of the agreement, to conclude discussions by 2025. Chotima Iamsawatigul, Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, appointed Ratchawit Piyapramote, Deputy Director-General of the same department,…

  • Neglected Bangkok man commits suicide on public road

    Neglected Bangkok man commits suicide on public road

    A Thai man feeling neglected decided to commit suicide today by hanging himself from a stand in the middle of a road in the Lat Krabang district of Bangkok. Lat Krabang Police Station officers were alerted to the death of a 53 year old Thai man, Peerawat, at around 7.30am today, May 30. His body was found hanging from a…

  • Bangkok’s flood battle plan: Governor teams up with TMD

    Bangkok’s flood battle plan: Governor teams up with TMD

    To combat flash floods during the looming rainy season, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). This dynamic duo aims to revolutionise the city’s response to heavy rains and floods, promising faster and more efficient interventions. After a high-stakes meeting with Kornrawee Sitthichivapak, Director-General of the Meteorological Department of Thailand, and top officials…

  • Thai AirAsia X flight returns to Osaka with landing gear issues

    Thai AirAsia X flight returns to Osaka with landing gear issues

    Passengers on Thai AirAsia X flight XJ613 experienced a heart-pounding drama when their flight from Osaka to Bangkok was forced to turn back due to undercarriage issues. Thai AirAsia X flight XJ613, an Airbus A330-300, took off from Osaka Kansai Airport at 9.52am local time last Friday, May 24, bound for Bangkok. Shortly after takeoff from runway 24L, the flight…

  • Srettha unveils plans for Thailand’s economy at UBS conference

    Srettha unveils plans for Thailand’s economy at UBS conference

    At the UBS Asian Investment Conference 2024 in Hong Kong, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin showcased a visionary blueprint for Thailand’s economic revolution. Addressing over 2,000 participants and 300 companies from the Asia-Pacific region, he laid out a series of strategic initiatives designed to attract global investment and drive innovation and sustainability. The 62 year old PM emphasised the nation’s readiness…

  • DSI shifts gears, catches Thai man for swerving luxury car taxes

    DSI shifts gears, catches Thai man for swerving luxury car taxes

    Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers arrested a Thai man yesterday for evading 42 million baht in taxes on the import of nine luxury cars. The DSI arrested the suspect, Chettha, at his accommodation, Uthong Mansion, in the Wang Thonglang district of Bangkok yesterday, May 29. Chettha is charged under Section 243 of the Customs Act for importing goods to…

  • Fugitive passport kingpin captured in Bangkok hideout

    Fugitive passport kingpin captured in Bangkok hideout

    A fugitive passport forgery mastermind who had been on the run from Chinese authorities has been apprehended in Bangkok’s upscale Sathorn district. Police revealed the arrest of the suspect, known only as Chun, in a late-night raid at a condominium on Suan Phlu Road. Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, Police Major General Phanthana Nutchanart, disclosed the details yesterday, confirming…

  • Outrage as Chinese tourists let child urinate near sacred Thai site

    Outrage as Chinese tourists let child urinate near sacred Thai site

    A photograph of two Chinese tourists allowing their child to urinate on a path near Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall in Bangkok has ignited a heated online debate. The Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall, nestled within the Royal Grand Palace in Bangkok, is a symbol of national pride and a key venue for state ceremonies. Formerly a royal residence, it…

  • Thai halal boom targets 84 trillion baht market

    Thai halal boom targets 84 trillion baht market

    In a move to capture a share of the burgeoning US$2.3 trillion (approximately 84 trillion baht) global halal market, the Ministry of Industry has launched the Thai Halal Industry Centre. This strategic initiative aims to position Thailand as the regional hub for halal products and services, with the market value expected to soar to US$2.8 trillion by 2025, driven by…

  • Thaksin’s shadow over Pheu Thai and election scandal rejected

    Thaksin’s shadow over Pheu Thai and election scandal rejected

    The Constitutional Court unanimously rejected a high-profile petition accusing the Pheu Thai Party of being dominated by paroled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The petition alleged that Thaksin’s influence and the controversial digital wallet scheme used in their election campaign violated section 49 of the Constitution. Decha Chairat, the petitioner, didn’t stop there. He also accused Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin…

  • Man’s body found in car park in Bangkok market

    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…

  • Ex minister refunds Japanese tourist overcharged by tuk tuk driver

    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…

  • Weed demand justice: Cannabis advocates’ reclassification rally in Bangkok

    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…

  • Making cents: Thai PM showers BoT governor with praise

    Making cents: Thai PM showers BoT governor with praise

    During the Council of Economic Ministers’ meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin showered praise on Central Bank Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput for his constructive opinions on economic measures. This commendation comes hot on the heels of criticism from the PM’s adviser, Pichai Naripathaphan, who had lambasted the central bank for its inaction in supporting the government’s efforts to spur economic growth.…

  • Bangkok Pride parade to celebrate love on June 1

    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…

  • Thai banks urged to ‘transact green’ by BoT to aid local businesses

    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…

  • Thailand seeks BRICS membership for global influence

    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…

  • Bangkok ranked 17th dream destination for expats to work

    Bangkok ranked 17th dream destination for expats to work

    Bangkok secured a spot in the top 20 dream destinations for expat talent worldwide, as revealed in the 2024 Decoding Global Talent Report. The capital of Thailand claimed 17th position in the prestigious report. Published by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in conjunction with recruitment website The Network and digital recruitment platform The Stepstone Group, the report delves into workforce mobility,…

  • Heartbroken Thai man discovers girlfriend’s true nature as gold thief

    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.…

  • PM tunes up tourism: Bangkok’s Song Wat set to hit high notes

    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…

  • Bangkok braces for Srettha’s inspection blitz

    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…