Nattapong Westwood

Nattapong Westwood is a Bangkok-born writer who is half Thai and half Aussie. He studied in an international school in Bangkok and then pursued journalism studies in Melbourne. Nattapong began his career as a freelance writer before joining Thaiger. His passion for news writing fuels his dedication to the craft, as he consistently strives to deliver engaging content to his audience.
  • Thailand NewsKidnap ringleader caught after seven-year hunt in Khon Kaen

    Kidnap ringleader caught after seven-year hunt in Khon Kaen

    The Thai authorities have arrested the alleged ringleader of a drug gang in Khon Kaen, who is accused of kidnapping a 13 year old girl to extort 30,000 baht from her father to settle a methamphetamine debt. The 30 year old suspect, identified as Kamonchai, was apprehended after he reportedly went into hiding following media coverage of the incident on…

  • Thailand NewsBrake failure leads to serious motorcycle crash in Chachoengsao

    Brake failure leads to serious motorcycle crash in Chachoengsao

    A motorcycle crash at a busy intersection in Chachoengsao province resulted in two people being seriously injured. The incident occurred when 24 year old Nataya and 28 year old Jittima were on their way to work. Due to brake failure, Nataya decided to run a red light, causing a violent crash with another motorbike, driven by 49 year old Yothin…

  • Thailand NewsStark Corporation scandal: Court declares class action

    Stark Corporation scandal: Court declares class action

    The Bangkok South Civil Court ruled in favour of turning the lawsuit against former executives of Stark Corporation into a class action. Accused of duping the public under the Securities Act, the defendants, Vonnarat Tangkaravakoon, Chanin Yensudjai, Chinnawat Assavapokee, Sathar Chantrasettalead, and Kittisak Jitprasertngam, now face the wrath of 4,500 shareholders seeking justice. Upon thorough evaluation of the plaintiffs and…

  • Thailand NewsSakon Nakhon headman caught in 9 million baht heroin bust

    Sakon Nakhon headman caught in 9 million baht heroin bust

    In a major drug bust, authorities in Bueng Kan Province apprehended three individuals, including a prominent subdistrict headman from Sakon Nakhon, for smuggling nearly 10 kilogrammes of heroin. The arrest took place yesterday afternoon at a border patrol police company in Bueng Kan, following a covert operation led by the local law enforcement and border patrol units. The suspects were…

  • Thailand NewsHuai Khwang’s food scene hit by strict regulations, eateries close

    Huai Khwang’s food scene hit by strict regulations, eateries close

    Recent developments in Huai Khwang district have seen a wave of closures across restaurant businesses including hotpot and shabu eateries. According to the Huai Khwang District Office, scrutiny has led to the discovery that many Chinese restaurants were operating without the necessary permits. The district office mandated that all eateries obtain proper licensing but this proved challenging for some. Compliance…

  • Thailand NewsKoh Chang hotel ordered to demolish illegal concrete platform

    Koh Chang hotel ordered to demolish illegal concrete platform

    The Thai authorities swiftly ordered the demolition of an unauthorised concrete platform that appeared on the pristine White Sand Beach on Koh Chang after residents filed complaints. The discovery of the construction, which encroached into the sea in front of Koh Chang Grand View Hotel, led to a multi-agency investigation, revealing the absence of a permit for such a structure.…

  • Thailand NewsMonks’ brawl during ceremony sparks debate in Surat Thani (video)

    Monks’ brawl during ceremony sparks debate in Surat Thani (video)

    A fight broke out between two monks in Surat Thani during a religious ceremony at a family’s home, shocking the household and sparking widespread online debate. The incident, captured on video and shared on Facebook by a user named ซัน บุญเลี้ยง, shows the monks exchanging blows in an unexpected turn of events during what was supposed to be a peaceful…

  • Thailand NewsCorrections Department: Double standards in Thaksin’s treatment

    Corrections Department: Double standards in Thaksin’s treatment

    The Corrections Department is under fire for its alleged double standards in handling the case of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Despite being imprisoned at the Police General Hospital for six months, the 74 year old Thaksin enjoyed an early release, sparking accusations of preferential treatment. Critics are pointing fingers at Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, the Corrections Department’s…

  • Thailand NewsWorker fatally electrocuted outside Bangkok mall, others injured

    Worker fatally electrocuted outside Bangkok mall, others injured

    Tragedy struck yesterday when a worker was fatally electrocuted in front of a well-known shopping mall in the Bang Kapi area of Bangkok. In a horrific turn of events, one person lost their life while two others were revived with CPR, and several more suffered injuries. The incident occurred as a tree relocation vehicle entangled with high-voltage power lines. Police…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok blaze claims gold investor’s life in Wang Thonglang district

    Bangkok blaze claims gold investor’s life in Wang Thonglang district

    A tragic fire engulfed a luxurious residence in the Wang Thonglang district of Bangkok, claiming the life of a gold stock investor, the house owner, in his bedroom. The incident occurred early in the morning, and by the time the emergency services arrived, the fire had rapidly spread throughout the property, leaving little to salvage. In the early hours of…

  • Thailand NewsVillage head detained in Phatthalung for police home intrusion

    Village head detained in Phatthalung for police home intrusion

    Police in Phatthalung apprehended a village head and several individuals following a bold and unauthorised incursion into a police officer’s residence. The group, armed and without just cause, now faces serious legal repercussions. Yesterday, March 20, at around 6.30pm, a suspicious congregation of vehicles and individuals near the home of Surat Ramnoo triggered a chain of events leading to an…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok enveloped in smog as PM2.5 levels hit new highs

    Bangkok enveloped in smog as PM2.5 levels hit new highs

    Bangkok citizens awoke yesterday to a pervasive burning smell as PM2.5 pollution levels soared across the city. Officials have identified three primary causes for the incident, which left many areas shrouded in a smoky haze and sparked widespread concern among residents. The unexpected spike in air pollution was primarily attributed to a shift in wind direction yesterday, March 20, as…

  • Thailand NewsMonk arrested for sexual assault of teen in Ayutthaya temple

    Monk arrested for sexual assault of teen in Ayutthaya temple

    A young monk has been arrested for the alleged sexual assault and abuse of a teenage girl inside a temple in Ayutthaya province on Monday. The teen’s 37 year old mother Ratri has been left distraught after her 14 year old daughter, referred to as A for privacy, became a victim of a heinous crime within the supposed sanctuary of…

  • Thailand NewsThailand government warns against lottery ticket scams

    Thailand government warns against lottery ticket scams

    The Government Lottery Office (GLO) issued a warning about the risks associated with purchasing lottery tickets from unauthorised platforms and automated vending machines. The concern arises from incidents where buyers have not received the physical lottery tickets, potentially compromising their ability to claim prizes. With the rise of various online platforms and vending machines claiming to sell lottery tickets without…

  • Thailand NewsThai surgeon scammed out of 12 million baht in stock trading ruse

    Thai surgeon scammed out of 12 million baht in stock trading ruse

    A prominent Thai cosmetic surgeon fell victim to an elaborate stock trading scam, losing over 12 million baht (US$333,000) in just a fortnight, with the false promise of a 44 million baht (US$ 1.2 million) profit. The scam, known as a Hybrid scam, involved a woman who purportedly managed an investment system within the CLC GROUP app. The 70 year…

  • Thailand NewsThailand grapples with hazardous air quality in 30 provinces

    Thailand grapples with hazardous air quality in 30 provinces

    Air pollution has escalated to crisis levels in 30 provinces across Thailand, with PM2.5 readings exceeding the safety threshold, particularly affecting the health of residents in 11 areas. The highest recorded level of these harmful particulates in the country, at 146.0 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m³), was in Mae Hong Son today, March 20. The Air Pollution Solution and Communication…

  • Road deathsMinivan crash on Sukhumvit Road injures 10, dog to blame

    Minivan crash on Sukhumvit Road injures 10, dog to blame

    A minivan swerved to avoid a dog, lost control, and crashed into a tree on Sukhumvit Road, leaving 10 passengers injured, five critically. The incident occurred today, March 20, as confirmed by Deputy Inspector Santi Pakkaratho of Pak Nam Prasae Police Station, who rushed to the scene with medical personnel and rescue workers from the Buddhasadsongkroh Rescue Foundation. At the…

  • Road deathsPickup truck crashes into house in Nonthaburi, injuring four

    Pickup truck crashes into house in Nonthaburi, injuring four

    A late-night crash in Nonthaburi province saw a pickup truck slamming into a house wall, injuring four women. The incident occurred yesterday at 11.45pm near Wat Sri Khet, Pak Kret district. The police swiftly responded to the emergency, transporting the injured to various hospitals. At the scene, an Isuzu pickup with a damaged front was discovered obstructing the road. Among…

  • Thailand NewsMassive illegal gambling hub in Nonthaburi busted with 300 held

    Massive illegal gambling hub in Nonthaburi busted with 300 held

    A major illegal gambling den, with daily transactions estimated at 100 million baht (US$2.8 million), was raided by the Department of Provincial Administration in Bang Yai district, Nonthaburi Province. The operation, which took place at 9pm yesterday, March 19, resulted in approximately 300 gamblers being detained. The clandestine establishment, disguised as a single-story warehouse in the Bang Mae Nang sub-district,…

  • Thailand NewsElderly woman fatally crashes into rice field in Udon Thani, two injured

    Elderly woman fatally crashes into rice field in Udon Thani, two injured

    An elderly woman fatally crashed into a rice field yesterday afternoon in the Kum Pha Wa Pi district of Udon Thani province, leaving two seriously injured. The 70 year old woman driving to a medical appointment yesterday, March 19, suddenly lost control of her vehicle, which veered off the road and overturned several times before coming to a stop in…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesSummer storm alert for 45 Thai provinces including Bangkok

    Summer storm alert for 45 Thai provinces including Bangkok

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a severe summer storm warning for 45 provinces, including Bangkok, as strong winds, thunderstorms, hail, and occasional lightning struck at 5am today, March 20. It is the seventh summer storm warning issued by the TMD this year. A moderate high-pressure system from China extended its reach over northern Thailand and the South China Sea,…

  • Thailand NewsThree workers injured in central Thailand construction collapse

    Three workers injured in central Thailand construction collapse

    Three workers were seriously injured in a devastating incident that unfolded yesterday at a water gate construction site in the Phutthamonthon district of Nakhon Pathom province. A concrete beam collapsed, trapping three workers under the debris. It took a half-hour rescue operation before the victims could be freed. Two of the workers sustained severe injuries, while another suffered minor injuries.…

  • Thailand NewsThai police seize 6 million meth pills hidden in watermelon cargo

    Thai police seize 6 million meth pills hidden in watermelon cargo

    Thai police seized 6 million meth pills in Phitsanulok province, thanks to the sharp observation skills of officers at a checkpoint in Wat Bot district. During a press conference, high-ranking officials praised the local police for intercepting the drug shipment, cleverly concealed within a load of watermelons, before it could reach its destination in the old capital of Ayutthaya. On…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok man arrested for running homemade firearms operation

    Bangkok man arrested for running homemade firearms operation

    Bangkok police successfully arrested a 39 year old man for illicitly manufacturing and distributing homemade firearms, a criminal operation that had been ongoing for over three years. The arrest took place yesterday, March 18, at a rental room in the Bang Khae district of Bangkok. The suspect, identified as Jakrapong or Rot, was caught with a significant cache of weapons…

  • Thailand NewsFisherman finds 20kg of drugs at sea in Rayong, Thailand

    Fisherman finds 20kg of drugs at sea in Rayong, Thailand

    A fisherman stumbled upon 20 kilogrammes of suspected drugs floating in the sea, which bore the same brand marks as a previous find. Upon discovery, he promptly reported the matter to the authorities. The authorities in the Rayong district of Thailand today, March 19, were alerted to a potential narcotics discovery at sea by a 54 year old fisherman, Somchai, originally…

  • Thailand NewsGold prices in Thailand surge with ornaments at 37,350 baht

    Gold prices in Thailand surge with ornaments at 37,350 baht

    Gold prices in Thailand saw a significant hike today, with the Gold Traders Association (GTA) reporting an increase that builds on the closing figures from the previous day. Today, March 19, gold ornaments were sold at 37,350 baht per baht-weight, a 150 baht rise from yesterday’s closing price. The latest data released by the association at 9.04am underlines a buoyant…

  • Thailand NewsThailand braces for summer storms in 62 provinces

    Thailand braces for summer storms in 62 provinces

    Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its fifth summer storm warning, alerting residents across 62 provinces to brace for strong gales and hailstorms. Advisories have been communicated for people to avoid open spaces, and seek shelter away from large trees during the storm’s expected passage from today, March 19, until tomorrow. Kornrawee Sitthichivapak, TMD Director-General, announced that a moderate high-pressure area…

  • Thailand NewsTerminal bride’s wedding in Thai hospital captures hearts

    Terminal bride’s wedding in Thai hospital captures hearts

    Love triumphed over adversity in a touching hospital wedding, where a terminally ill bride vowed to cherish her remaining days with her steadfast partner. The emotional ceremony, held yesterday March 17 at Maharaj Nakorn Ratchasima Hospital, captured the hearts of family, friends, and the medical staff, bearing witness to the couple’s unwavering commitment to each other. In a small hospital…

  • Thailand NewsThai police seize 10 million meth pills worth 300 million baht

    Thai police seize 10 million meth pills worth 300 million baht

    A major drug trafficking operation was thwarted when Thai police in Thailand’s Region 1 arrested two suspects for smuggling an estimated 10 million methamphetamine pills, with a market value of around 300 million baht. The illicit haul was ingeniously concealed within a cement truck’s drum, highlighting the lengths to which drug syndicates will go to transport their contraband. The arrests…

  • Thailand NewsHidden camera in woman’s bathroom sparks police investigation

    Hidden camera in woman’s bathroom sparks police investigation

    A 60 year old Thai woman was left in shock when she discovered a hidden camera in the bathroom of her home in Nakhon Ratchasima province. Initially mistaking it for her grandchildren’s toy, she reported the incident to police today, March 18, seeking their assistance to track down the perpetrator. Rabiap Lokrathok, a community leader from the new Chai Mongkol…