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 NewsStagnant trade and closed doors shake Bangkok’s New Chinatown

    Stagnant trade and closed doors shake Bangkok’s New Chinatown

    Dubbed the “New Chinatown of Bangkok,” Pracharat Bamphen Road, once teeming with Chinese hot pot restaurants and bustling shops, is now shrouded in a veil of uncertainty. Several Chinese eateries have succumbed to the fierce battleground of competition, exacerbated by a decline in Chinese tourist footfall since the Covid-19 pandemic. While there’s been a slight uptick in numbers, it’s a…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman escapes human trafficking ordeal in Cambodia

    Thai woman escapes human trafficking ordeal in Cambodia

    A harrowing account of survival has emerged from a 37 year old Thai woman who fell victim to a human trafficking scheme that led her into the clutches of a call centre scam gang in Poipet, Cambodia. Pai (pseudonym)’s ordeal began when an acquaintance lured her with the promise of a job that purportedly involved contacting Thais to assist with…

  • Thailand NewsThai FDA warns against illegal beauty products

    Thai FDA warns against illegal beauty products

    Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned against six illegal beauty and dental care products, including popular toothpaste and facial masks, urging the public not to purchase or use these items. This alert comes after a raid conducted in partnership with the Consumer Protection Board and the Royal Thai Police on a company in the Bang Na district. The operation…

  • Thailand NewsScorching heat and thunderstorms ahead for Thailand, warns TMD

    Scorching heat and thunderstorms ahead for Thailand, warns TMD

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasts a mix of scorching heat and thunderstorms over the next seven days, warning of potential heavy downpours affecting 30% of the area. The forecast, spanning from today until March 27, indicates that a westerly wind from Myanmar will pass through the northern and northeastern regions as well as upper Laos from today, March…

  • 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 NewsNortheast Thailand: Son murders father in family dispute

    Northeast Thailand: Son murders father in family dispute

    A family tragedy unfolded in Non Sang, Nong Bua Lamphu province when a son murdered his father in a moment of apparent self-defence. The harrowing incident, which took place yesterday evening, resulted in an urgent manhunt for the perpetrator, who is now urged to surrender to the authorities. The deceased, Songsakran, was known by locals for his drastic change of…

  • 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 NewsSocial media gun flaunting leads to Thai man’s arrest

    Social media gun flaunting leads to Thai man’s arrest

    A man‘s penchant for flaunting firearms on social media led to his arrest at his home in Samut Sakhon, Thailand, where police seized a cache of weapons. The 43 year old, known only as Theerayut, has been building his collection since 2019 by purchasing them through online platforms, including Facebook. Today, March 21, a coordinated operation led by high-ranking officers…

  • 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 NewsLopburi man kills 3 in family feud, including wife’s uncle

    Lopburi man kills 3 in family feud, including wife’s uncle

    In a harrowing family tragedy in Lopburi, a man brutally shot and killed his wife’s uncle and two friends in a fit of rage. The incident, fueled by a deep-seated grudge, occurred today, March 21. Police Colonel Jessada Promsuwan, Chief Inspector of the Ma Now Wan Police Station, led an investigation team to the scene after being notified of the…

  • 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…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman targeted by ex’s crew at Pattaya pub

    Thai woman targeted by ex’s crew at Pattaya pub

    A 34 year old Thai woman recounted a horrifying assault outside a Pattaya pub, leaving her battered and bruised. Apasara Sritampawa, speaking to reporters, detailed the horrifying ordeal she endured at the hands of a group of tomboys and boys in the early hours of March 16. She shared how a seemingly innocent night turned into a nightmare, with her…

  • 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 NewsEmployees engaged in violent brawl in Patong

    Employees engaged in violent brawl in Patong

    A violent clash erupted among employees of the same company in Patong, Phuket, after work hours, drawing attention and concern toward the tourist city’s image. The brawl, which took place in the middle of a busy roundabout, was captured in a 1-minute 28-second video and shared on social media, sparking a mix of comments ranging from calls for calm to…

  • 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 NewsFatal gas leak and death in Chao Phraya River truck crash

    Fatal gas leak and death in Chao Phraya River truck crash

    A 22-wheel trailer truck overturned on a bridge over the Chao Phraya River, resulting in a continuous gas leak and a fatality. The accident, which occurred today, March 19, required the use of a crane to recover the driver’s body, which was found severed in two parts. The devastating accident unfolded on Kanchanaphisek Road in the Sam Khok district of…

  • 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…