leah

Leah is a translator and news writer for the Thaiger. Leah studied East Asian Religions and Thai Studies at the University of Leeds and Chiang Mai University. Leah covers crime, politics, environment, human rights, entertainment, travel and culture in Thailand and southeast Asia.
  • Road deathsWar weapons and drugs found in wreckage of fatal crash in Thailand

    War weapons and drugs found in wreckage of fatal crash in Thailand

    A bus and a pickup truck collided in Lop Buri province in central Thailand this morning, killing three people and injuring seven more. Police were shocked to find a stash of drugs, weapons, and ammunition inside the pickup. Officers from Khok Samrong Police Station were informed of a serious crash along the Phahonyothin Road in Moo 12 in Huay Pong…

  • Phuket NewsRussian teacher falls to death from shopping mall car park

    Russian teacher falls to death from shopping mall car park

    A Russian teacher jumped from the roof of a car park at a major shopping mall this morning in Phuket. He was pronounced dead at the scene. At 8.39am, officers at Wichit Police Station were informed that a foreigner had fallen from the car park at a shopping mall in the Mueang district. Police rushed to the scene with doctors from…

  • Thai LifeVet in Thailand removes 21 pebbles from ‘Jelly’ the pet frog’s belly

    Vet in Thailand removes 21 pebbles from ‘Jelly’ the pet frog’s belly

    A Thai woman took her pet Budgett’s frog “Jelly” to see a vet in Bangkok, Thailand, after she found it looking fatter than usual. An x-ray revealed that the frog ate 21 pebbles and was in some serious trouble. Yesterday, Chulalongkorn University’s Veterinary Medical Aquatic Animals Research Centre (VMARC) posted a series of photos of Jelly’s ordeal on Facebook. VMARC…

  • Crime NewsBangkok court fines man 1,000 baht for punching ‘master complainer’ Srisuwan

    Bangkok court fines man 1,000 baht for punching ‘master complainer’ Srisuwan

    UPDATE A court in Bangkok, Thailand, ruled yesterday that the man who physically assaulted “master complainer” Srisuwan Janya last year must pay a fine of 1,000 baht. Srisuwan, however, demands 1 million baht in compensation. The attack came after Srisawan accused Nose Udom – the nation’s favourite comedian – of violating the law with the anti-governmental standup sketches on his…

  • Thai LifeLucky fisherman finds whale puke worth 3 million baht on Thailand beach

    Lucky fisherman finds whale puke worth 3 million baht on Thailand beach

    A lucky fisherman stumbled across 3 kilogrammes of rare whale puke – or ambergris – while taking a stroll on the beach in Rayong, eastern Thailand, on Sunday. If genuine, he can sell the “floating gold” for 3 million baht (US$87,931). Ambergris (“grey amber” in French) is a rare and valuable material produced in the digestive system of some species of…

  • Bangkok NewsAnother Uyghur refugee dies after 9 years in Thailand detention centre

    Another Uyghur refugee dies after 9 years in Thailand detention centre

    Human rights groups are urging Thai authorities once more to end forced prolonged detention for Uyghur refugees following the death of a Uyghur man who spent nine years inside a detention centre in Bangkok, Thailand. Mettohti Matturson, a 40 year old Uyghur refugee from Xinjiang in China, died of suspected liver failure at Bangkok’s Suan Phlu Immigration Centre (IDC) on…

  • Thai LifeElephant moves fallen tree blocking road in Thailand (video)

    Elephant moves fallen tree blocking road in Thailand (video)

    An elephant moved a fallen tree blocking the Lampang – Phrae Road in northern Thailand during a storm on Monday, allowing traffic to resume as normal. The moment was captured on Facebook Live. The owner of the elephant, Weerawat Triyot, said that he was on his way back to Chaiyaphum province after taking his 16 year old elephant Dan Siam…

  • Northern Thailand NewsMan caught smuggling 45 crab-eating macaques out of Thailand

    Man caught smuggling 45 crab-eating macaques out of Thailand

    A Thai man was arrested on a highway in Udon Thani province in northeastern Thailand yesterday with 45 crab-eating macaques stuffed into 13 boxes inside his car. He confessed that he was taking the monkeys to the border to be smuggled into neighbouring countries, most likely to be experimented on or killed for their brains. The monkey trafficker, 44 year…

  • World NewsSingapore ignores UN’s pleas and executes man over 1kg of cannabis

    Singapore ignores UN’s pleas and executes man over 1kg of cannabis

    Singapore ignored pleas from the United Nations and executed a man this morning found guilty of conspiring to traffic 1 kilogramme of cannabis. At dawn, 46 year old Tangaraju Suppiah was hanged at Changi Prison in eastern Singapore, the Singapore Prison Service reported. His family received his body and a death certificate at the prison this morning. Tangaraju was sentenced…

  • Thailand NewsCrafty Chiang Mai tuk tuk drivers paint pavement yellow to avoid traffic fines

    Crafty Chiang Mai tuk tuk drivers paint pavement yellow to avoid traffic fines

    Crafty Tuk Tuk drivers were caught on camera painting yellow paint over the red lines on the pavement in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand so they could park their three-wheeled vehicles next to Tha Phae Gate without getting traffic fines. Red and white means absolutely no parking, whereas yellow and white means parking there temporarily is permitted. In a short…

  • Thailand NewsGirlfriend of Australian tourist found dead in Thai police custody suspects foul play

    Girlfriend of Australian tourist found dead in Thai police custody suspects foul play

    UPDATE The girlfriend of the Australian man who was found dead inside the detention room at a police station in Phuket, southern Thailand, on Monday says her boyfriend was “not suicidal” and had every intention of returning to his family. Police arrested 31 year old Matthew Michael Winder for being drunk and disorderly at around 5.45am and detained him at…

  • Crime NewsThailand’s Supreme Court upholds death penalty for school director who killed 3 in gold shop robbery

    Thailand’s Supreme Court upholds death penalty for school director who killed 3 in gold shop robbery

    The Supreme Court of Thailand ruled today that the death penalty will be upheld for the former primary school director who shot dead three people – including a two year old child – and wounded another during a gold shop robbery in Lop Buri province three years ago. On January 9, 2020, then-39 year old Prasitthichai “Golf” Khaokaew entered the…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok’s luxury condo market is booming

    Bangkok’s luxury condo market is booming

    Bangkok’s luxury condo scene is booming with rent at some high-end condominiums now hitting 100,000 baht per month, reports BangkokBizNews. Sanchai Khu-Ekachai, Director and Head of Research and Consulting at Knight Frank Thailand Co., Ltd. said… “The condo market began to recover because of demand from foreigners affected by the Russia – Ukraine war, especially condos in Bangkok. Russian tourists stimulated…

  • Thailand NewsUS Navy aircraft carrier arrives in Pattaya, Thailand

    US Navy aircraft carrier arrives in Pattaya, Thailand

    The USS Nimitz, an aircraft carrier belonging to the US Navy, anchored at Laem Chabang Port just north of Pattaya in Thailand yesterday accompanied by the Nimitz Strike Group for a five-day visit that aims to strengthen Thai – US security relations. The Nimitz Strike Group includes the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, the guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, and guided-missile…

  • Thailand NewsInjured young Brit transferred to UK for treatment after 3 months in Thailand hospital

    Injured young Brit transferred to UK for treatment after 3 months in Thailand hospital

    UPDATE 2 The young British man who sustained life-threatening injuries in a motorbike crash in Thailand in February has finally returned home to the UK after undergoing four surgeries in three months at Bangkok Hospital. The 24 year old ice hockey player from Blackburn, Josh Richardson, returned on a flight on £20,000 flight on Thursday accompanied by a doctor, two…

  • Crime NewsThai man fined and sentenced to prison over craft beer review

    Thai man fined and sentenced to prison over craft beer review

    A court in central Thailand fined a man 150,000 baht and handed him a six-month suspended prison sentence for posting a picture and review of a craft beer on Facebook. He paid an additional 150,000 baht to be released on bail. In 2020, Artid Sivahansaphan posted a review on the Facebook page “Daek Beer Hai Plia Kaem,” a beer review…

  • Phuket NewsAustralian man dies in police detention in Phuket, Thailand

    Australian man dies in police detention in Phuket, Thailand

    An Australian man died inside the detention room at Patong Police Station in Phuket, southern Thailand, yesterday. Police say that he hanged himself with the rope from his shorts, reports KhaoPhuket. Police said that 31 year old Matthew Michael Winder of Australian nationality was found dead inside the detention room at 12.45pm, having been arrested for being loud and disorderly on Sunday…

  • Pattaya NewsMan and child die in jet ski accident in Pattaya, Thailand

    Man and child die in jet ski accident in Pattaya, Thailand

    A 35 year old man and seven year old boy were killed in a jet ski accident yesterday at Pattaya Beach, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, eastern Thailand. At 7pm, officers at Pattaya City Police Station were informed that a jet ski overturned in the sea near the entrance of Soi 14 and two people were missing. Police rushed…

  • Business NewsThailand is the biggest exporter of condoms in the world

    Thailand is the biggest exporter of condoms in the world

    Condoms are among five products that Thailand exports more than any other country in the world, according to data from the global trade insights website kidka.com, reports Prachachat. Today, the Ministry of Commerce’s Director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, Poonping Naiyanapakorn, revealed that Thailand was the champion exporter of five outstanding Thai products in 2022… Fresh Durian Thailand…

  • World NewsMalaysians urged to take out insurance before driving in Thailand

    Malaysians urged to take out insurance before driving in Thailand

    An activist is urging Malaysians who wish to drive while travelling in Thailand to take out full insurance coverage policies to reduce problems in the case of an accident. Abdul Halim Othman, also known as Cikgu Joe Satun, is a Malaysian activist living in Satun province in southern Thailand. He said the issue of insurance should be taken seriously because…

  • Transport NewsGrab Thailand relaunches premium services with ‘The Ultimate 5 Senses Experience’

    Grab Thailand relaunches premium services with ‘The Ultimate 5 Senses Experience’

    Grab Thailand is ramping up its premium on-demand ride-hailing service by reintroducing “GrabCar Premium” with the concept of “The Ultimate 5 Senses Experience,” in collaboration with Spotify and Chol Aromatique. This strategic move is aimed at creating an impressive user experience through an astonishing ambience appealing to all five senses, targeting urban people – especially white-collar workers and foreign tourists – who…

  • Northern Thailand NewsPregnant elephant tramples mahout to death in northeast Thailand

    Pregnant elephant tramples mahout to death in northeast Thailand

    A pregnant elephant trampled its 60 year old mahout to death in Buriram province in northeast Thailand yesterday. The deceased’s wife said the elephant was moody because of the extremely hot weather. Officers at Satuek Police Station were called to Ban Nong Kaen village in Sanam Chai district after receiving a report that an elephant killed its owner. Police found the…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s Tourist Police under fire for carrying famous lawyer’s luggage (video)

    Thailand’s Tourist Police under fire for carrying famous lawyer’s luggage (video)

    Thailand‘s police chief Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittipraphat ordered an urgent investigation into a video of Tourist Police officers assisting with the luggage of a famous lawyer at Suvarnabhumi Airport after the clip sparked concerns that the act was inappropriate and outside of the officers’ specified duties. Chief Damrongsak held a conference yesterday at the Royal Thai Police (RTP) Headquarters to…

  • Transport NewsThailand’s Raja Ferry temporarily suspends Pha Ngan – Sumui route

    Thailand’s Raja Ferry temporarily suspends Pha Ngan – Sumui route

    Raja Ferry Port Company suspended all ferry services between Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui in Surat Thani province in southern Thailand from Sunday – Wednesday (April 23-25). The company made an official announcement on Saturday… “Raja Ferry Port will suspend ferry service from Pha Ngan to Samui and Samui to Pha Ngan route from 23-25 April 2023. Customers who…

  • Crime NewsThai man implants magnets into his fingers for 40 years to win at Hi-Lo

    Thai man implants magnets into his fingers for 40 years to win at Hi-Lo

    A Thai man implanted magnets into his own fingers for 40 years in order to cheat in the popular but illegal Hi-Lo dice game. He finally asked a doctor to remove them because he wanted to board a flight and was scared his magnetic fingers would sound the alarm at airport security. The doctor, Wat Lun, posted photos of the…

  • Northern Thailand NewsYouTuber finds human skull on banks of Mekong River in Thailand

    YouTuber finds human skull on banks of Mekong River in Thailand

    A YouTuber found a human skull while filming content on the banks of the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province in northeast Thailand yesterday. At 6pm, Chanathip Chapuban – aka Mukdahan Moss – was riding a motorbike and filming content for his YouTube channel when he noticed something by the water on Sai Thong Kot Boon Beach (Si Khotrabun Golden…

  • Northern Thailand NewsMor Lam stage collapses during strong winds in northeast Thailand

    Mor Lam stage collapses during strong winds in northeast Thailand

    A newly installed Mor Lam stage collapsed during strong winds in Bueng Kan province in northeast Thailand yesterday shortly before a concert was set to begin, sending performers and attendees fleeing in all directions. Strong winds brewed as Mor Lam fans piled in to watch the Rabiab Watasin Mor Lam Group perform a free concert on a huge stage at…

  • Bangkok NewsConstruction accident at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok injures 4

    Construction accident at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok injures 4

    A construction accident occurred at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, today at 4pm. Four people were injured and one emergency police vehicle was damaged. Workers were hoisting materials to the upper floors of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital opposite Lumpini Park with a rope this afternoon when 40-50 metal sheets suddenly fell onto the footpath below on Ratchadamri Road. Four people…

  • Crime NewsGun used to shoot dead net idol in Bangkok belongs to ex-boyfriend’s military officer father

    Gun used to shoot dead net idol in Bangkok belongs to ex-boyfriend’s military officer father

    UPDATE #2 The gun used to shoot dead “Gigi” the net idol and her air force cadet ex-boyfriend “Ikkyu” in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday is licensed and belongs to Ikkyu’s father, who is a high-ranking military officer, according to a spokesperson for the National Police Agency Pol. Lt. Gen. Archayon Kraithong. Police have completed their assessment of the CCTV footage and confirm…

  • Thailand NewsDecapitated dugong washes up on beach in southern Thailand

    Decapitated dugong washes up on beach in southern Thailand

    A decapitated dugong with wounds all over its body washed up on a beach on Koh Sriboya island in Krabi province in southern Thailand yesterday. It’s a tragic event considering that dugongs are protected by Thai law and there are only an estimated 200 of them left in Thailand’s waters. The carcass of a 2-metre-long male dugong weighing no less…