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.

  • Sponsored

    How much does it cost to see a doctor in Thailand?

    Thailand is known for its high-quality yet affordable healthcare system, but how much does it really cost to see a doctor? As an expat, this question might be crucial for budgeting your health needs. The answer depends on whether you...

  • Foreign man stabs Thai app-based motorcycle rider in car park | Thaiger

    Foreign man stabs Thai app-based motorcycle rider in car park

    A foreign man refused to pay a transport fare and stabbed a Thai app-based motorcycle rider in the car park of a shopping mall in Bangkok’s Pathum Wan district on January 24. A video of a foreigner arguing with a Thai app-based motorcycle rider was shared on a Thai social media platform last month but it only gained attention from…

  • Anutin: Thaksin still has political power despite election results | Thaiger

    Anutin: Thaksin still has political power despite election results

    Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul countered assertions that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has lost his political influence. Anutin maintains that Thaksin continues to wield significant political power. “Warriors are warriors. To underestimate Thaksin or say he is losing his magic can bring [the big mouth] an unprecedented disaster.” The statement follows analyses from political commentators questioning Thaksin’s influence after…

  • Unregistered hotels could boost tourism revenue to 3.5 trillion baht | Thaiger

    Unregistered hotels could boost tourism revenue to 3.5 trillion baht

    Unregistered hotel operators entering the registration system could significantly increase hidden tourism revenues, potentially reaching 3.5 trillion baht if successful, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong stated that the annual revenue reported by the ministry is lower than the actual tourism figures due to the extensive informal economy, which includes illegal accommodations and…

  • Thai FDA assures public on Coca-Cola recall safety | Thaiger

    Thai FDA assures public on Coca-Cola recall safety

    The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clarified concerns regarding Coca-Cola’s recall of soft drinks in Europe due to excessive chlorate levels. The FDA assured that the affected batches from Belgium have not been imported into Thailand, with most imported soft drinks originating from ASEAN countries like Laos and Singapore, which are not involved in the recall. Deputy Secretary-General of…

  • Thailand’s new digital entry rule sparks panic: TM6 form | Thaiger

    Thailand’s new digital entry rule sparks panic: TM6 form

    Thailand’s latest travel rule is set to shake up the entry process for all foreign visitors but with just a few months to go, crucial details remain missing. From May 1, all non-Thai passport holders must complete the Thai Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before travelling, replacing the outdated TM6 paper form. The online submission will require personal details, travel plans,…

  • AirAsia expands Thai network with new routes from Suvarnabhumi | Thaiger

    AirAsia expands Thai network with new routes from Suvarnabhumi

    AirAsia is ramping up its domestic game with the launch of two brand-new routes from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, offering twice-daily flights to Udon Thani and a daily service to Khon Kaen. The budget airline is doubling down on Suvarnabhumi as a major hub, adding to its existing domestic connections, which include six daily flights to Chiang Mai, four to Phuket,…

  • Thai man refuses to pay 80-baht fare, attacks Bangkok Bolt rider | Thaiger

    Thai man refuses to pay 80-baht fare, attacks Bangkok Bolt rider

    Police arrested a Thai man for refusing to pay an 80-baht fare to a Bolt rider and attacking him in Soi Pracha Uthit 17 in Bangkok at the weekend. The Bolt rider, Kitikawin, took to a Facebook group for Bolt drivers to warn others and filed a complaint against the attacker, 19 year old Phuwadon, at Rat Burana Police Station.…

  • Bangkok warns of rising PM2.5 dust levels from February 6 | Thaiger

    Bangkok warns of rising PM2.5 dust levels from February 6

    Bangkok has issued a warning regarding PM2.5 dust levels, which are expected to reach the orange level from tomorrow, February 6 to Sunday, February 9. Residents are advised to wear masks, refrain from open burning, and report smoke-emitting vehicles via Traffy Fondue and hotline 199. Yesterday, February 4, Ekwaranyu Amrapal, Bangkok’s government spokesperson, highlighted the forecast for PM2.5 dust levels…

  • Chinese gambling trio busted in Bangkok luxury condo raid | Thaiger

    Chinese gambling trio busted in Bangkok luxury condo raid

    Three Chinese men have been arrested in Bangkok for allegedly running an illegal online gambling network with over 200,000 members and a daily turnover exceeding 2 million baht. Tourist Police raided a luxury condominium in Huai Khwang today, February 4, apprehending 41 year old Wen Chong, 24 year old Peng Cheng, and 31 year old Po Hong. The suspects were…

  • Toxic smog disrupts Bangkok flights as PM2.5 levels soar | Thaiger

    Toxic smog disrupts Bangkok flights as PM2.5 levels soar

    Bangkok’s toxic air pollution has reached hazardous levels, forcing flight diversions and sparking health warnings across the city. On Sunday morning, February 2, several flights were diverted from Don Mueang International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport, as thick smog reduced visibility to just 150 metres. Among the affected flights was AirAsia X Flight XJ901 from Harbin, China, which had to be…

  • Thailand tourists surge by 21% despite safety fears | Thaiger

    Thailand tourists surge by 21% despite safety fears

    Despite a recent high-profile trafficking case involving a Chinese actor, Thailand's tourism is booming. Foreign visitors are undeterred by safety concerns and arriving in record numbers.

  • Bangkok man arrested for setting fire to relative’s pickup | Thaiger

    Bangkok man arrested for setting fire to relative’s pickup

    A 52 year old man was arrested for allegedly setting fire to a relative’s pickup in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district. The incident followed a dispute over a motorcycle accident and occurred on Saturday, February 1, when a Ford Ranger was found burned beside a house in Bangkok. Upon investigation, police discovered security camera angles had been altered, obscuring the identity…

  • Bangkok commits to dust-free classrooms amidst pollution concerns | Thaiger

    Bangkok commits to dust-free classrooms amidst pollution concerns

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has committed to increasing the number of dust-free classrooms within its schools by the end of the year. During a community inspection in Watthana district, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt highlighted the need to address public concerns, particularly those related to environmental and public health issues. The 58 year old Bangkok chief confirmed that 744 out…

  • Lufthansa extends A380 service to Bangkok | Thaiger

    Lufthansa extends A380 service to Bangkok

    Lufthansa is giving travellers to Thailand an upgrade, extending its Airbus A380 service on the Munich-Bangkok route due to surging demand during Songkran, Thailand’s biggest festival. Originally set for a limited run, the airline has now confirmed the superjumbo will continue flying until April 25, offering passengers a spacious, top-tier experience. The decision cements Lufthansa’s commitment to premium long-haul service,…

  • US tariffs could flood Thai market with cheap Chinese goods | Thaiger

    US tariffs could flood Thai market with cheap Chinese goods

    Thailand may soon be swamped with an influx of cheap Chinese imports if the United States slaps high tariffs on Chinese goods, warns former Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai. The country must brace itself for economic turbulence, or risk being caught off guard. Speaking at the Chula Thailand Presidents Summit 2025 at Chulalongkorn University, Surakiart cautioned that if the US tightens trade…

  • 2 Thai social media influencers arrested for promoting Yaba online | Thaiger

    2 Thai social media influencers arrested for promoting Yaba online

    Two Thai social media influencers promoted methamphetamine, also known as Yaba, on the TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) platforms, leading to their arrest yesterday, February 2. Officers from the Technology Crime Suppression Division raided a house in Soi Ram Inthra 40 in the Bueng Kum district of Bangkok to arrest two social media influencers, 21 year old Suppanat Panyasin and…

  • Thailand considers cutting free public lighting to lower power bills | Thaiger

    Thailand considers cutting free public lighting to lower power bills

    The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) stated that discussions among national state agencies are necessary regarding the Energy Ministry‘s proposal to reduce power bills by cutting the government’s free electricity supply to public lighting. Currently, local administrative bodies and departments responsible for highways and rural roads are exempt from paying for public lighting, a cost shouldered by the government amounting to…

  • PM Paetongtarn highlights policy successes in monthly address | Thaiger

    PM Paetongtarn highlights policy successes in monthly address

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivered her monthly television address yesterday, February 2, highlighting her administration’s efforts and accomplishments since the beginning of the year. The programme, titled Okat Thai Kap Nayok Paetongtarn (Opportunities for Thailand with Prime Minister Paetongtarn), is scheduled to air on the first Sunday of each month on the NBT HD2 channel, which is controlled by the…

  • Thai police uncover illegal Bitcoin mining, costing 500 million baht | Thaiger

    Thai police uncover illegal Bitcoin mining, costing 500 million baht

    In Samut Sakhon, an extensive illegal Bitcoin mining operation was uncovered by Thai police yesterday, January 31, resulting in significant financial losses due to unauthorised electricity usage over a three-year period. The operation, which led to over 500 million baht in losses, was discovered during a raid conducted by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) following abnormal power consumption reports…

  • Bangkok campaign targets rice field burning to combat air pollution | Thaiger

    Bangkok campaign targets rice field burning to combat air pollution

    Bangkok’s governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, has announced a campaign to eliminate burning in rice fields to tackle air pollution caused by fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The initiative, launched yesterday in Nong Chok district, aims to address the issue across 80,000 rai of rice paddies and 4,000 farming households in 10 districts, including Nong Chok, Khlong Sam Wa, and Lat Krabang. Over…

  • British dad mysteriously vanishes in Bangkok | Thaiger

    British dad mysteriously vanishes in Bangkok

    A British dad has vanished in Thailand after failing to board his flight home—sparking fears from his distraught family. The 33 year old Brit, James Sangwine, from Epping, Essex, jetted off to Bangkok on January 18 to visit a friend but hasn’t been heard from since he left for a night out on January 20. His partner, 38 year old…

  • Cold weather warning in Thailand with frost on mountain tops | Thaiger

    Cold weather warning in Thailand with frost on mountain tops

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, February 1, highlighting cold to chilly conditions in the north and northeast, with frost expected on mountain tops. Residents are advised to be cautious of fire hazards due to dry weather, while South Thailand faces monsoon effects with high waves at sea. In the next 24 hours, a…

  • Phumtham dismisses refugee employment proposal as impractical | Thaiger

    Phumtham dismisses refugee employment proposal as impractical

    Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed disapproval of Fair Party list MP Kannavee Suebsang‘s proposal to offer employment to refugees. Phumtham considers it impractical. Phumtham addressed concerns over the United States’ decision to reduce funding for hospitals in nine refugee camps along the Thailand-Myanmar border. He noted that the Thai government is also impacted by this decision,…

  • Gem of a deal: Bangkok fair set to sparkle with 3.5 billion baht in trade | Thaiger

    Gem of a deal: Bangkok fair set to sparkle with 3.5 billion baht in trade

    Organisers of the 71st Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair expect the event to generate over 3.5 billion baht in trade. Scheduled for February 22 to 26 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), the fair is hosted by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand, with support from various public and…

  • Thailand gears up for Chinese tourist surge amid charter flight push | Thaiger

    Thailand gears up for Chinese tourist surge amid charter flight push

    Thailand is ramping up efforts to boost Chinese tourist arrivals by increasing charter flights from secondary cities in China while launching a major domestic travel subsidy in June. Chuwit Sirivejkul, regional marketing director for East Asia at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), revealed that Thailand welcomed an average of 22,000 to 24,000 Chinese tourists daily in January. The numbers peaked…

  • Thai lawyer Sittra charged in 111m baht fraud case | Thaiger

    Thai lawyer Sittra charged in 111m baht fraud case

    The Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) has charged prominent lawyer Sittra Biabungkerd, known as Lawyer Tam, and six others in a fraud case involving Jatuporn Ubonlert, also known as Madame Oy. The court ordered them to repay 111 million baht. This sum includes 72 million baht from a fraudulent online lottery investment scheme and 39 million baht from scams related…

  • Burning rubber: Blazing inferno engulfs Bangkok car plant | Thaiger

    Burning rubber: Blazing inferno engulfs Bangkok car plant

    In the early hours of this morning, chaos descended upon a renowned car assembly company in Lat Krabang, Bangkok, as a ferocious fire lit up the capital’s sky. Police Lieutenant Jirayu Wongsingh, an investigator from Chok Chai Noi Police Station, was jolted into action with reports of a blaze ripping through the company premises on Luang Phaeng Road, Thap Yao…

  • Businessman assaults delivery rider at gunpoint in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Businessman assaults delivery rider at gunpoint in Bangkok

    A prominent property businessman has been arrested and charged after allegedly forcing a delivery rider into his home at gunpoint and assaulting him. The rider was subsequently rescued. The suspect, 46 year old Sirianont Srikureja, president and CEO of a real estate firm, is being held at Hua Mak Police Station following his arrest on Wednesday for assaulting 46 year…

  • Publicity stunt: PM Paetongtarn launches monthly TV show | Thaiger

    Publicity stunt: PM Paetongtarn launches monthly TV show

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to make her TV debut this Sunday, February 2, in the first episode of her brand-new talk show, Empowering Thais. The programme aims to promote her government’s achievements and future vision, giving the public a direct insight into national policies. Airing on Channel 11 of the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT), the half-hour…

  • University student killed in bus accident in Bangkok | Thaiger

    University student killed in bus accident in Bangkok

    A tragic accident occurred today when a second-year university student riding a motorcycle was fatally struck by an air-conditioned bus on Phahonyothin Road in the Bang Khen district. Officers from Bang Khen Police Station received a report of the incident today, January 30, involving a bus and a motorcycle, resulting in a fatality. The accident took place on the inbound…