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 NewsFatal gas leak and death in Chao Phraya River truck crash | Thaiger

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

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 NewsBrew-haha: Thai man fined for boozing outside convenience store | Thaiger

    Brew-haha: Thai man fined for boozing outside convenience store

    A Thai man found himself in a legal quandary after consuming alcohol in front of a convenience store, which resulted in a fine of 1,000 baht by the police. The incident sparked a public inquiry into the legality of drinking in public spaces that are not government premises. The man in question took to social media to query the public…

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

    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 | Thaiger

    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…

  • Thailand NewsMars aligns with Venus: Financial fates realign for zodiac signs | Thaiger

    Mars aligns with Venus: Financial fates realign for zodiac signs

    Astrological shifts have been stirring excitement among the followers of the zodiac, as the movement of Mars into alignment with Venus promises a period of financial fortune and opportunities for some, while others may face challenges requiring caution and perseverance. This cosmic event, which spans from March 15 to April 23, is said to affect different signs in various ways.…

  • Thailand NewsSevere summer storm to hit Thailand with hail and strong winds | Thaiger

    Severe summer storm to hit Thailand with hail and strong winds

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a severe weather alert for the upcoming summer storm, set to impact various provinces with heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, and potential hail on March 19-20, following a drop in temperature today, March 18. The summer storm, initially striking in the upper part of Thailand, is a result of a moderate high-pressure system…

  • Thailand NewsWoman gives birth on ferry from Koh Chang to Trat | Thaiger

    Woman gives birth on ferry from Koh Chang to Trat

    A sudden birth took place at sea when a Cambodian woman delivered her fifth child aboard a ferry with her husband by her side. The dramatic event unfolded early this morning during the ferry’s journey from Koh Chang island to Laem Ngop district in Trat province. The association Sawang Boonchueylue Thammasathan Trat was alerted to the incident at approximately 7.30am…

  • Thailand NewsUndercover amulet group busted for illegal firearm sales in Samut Prakan | Thaiger

    Undercover amulet group busted for illegal firearm sales in Samut Prakan

    Police have successfully dismantled a covert operation where a group of young individuals used a Buddhist amulet trading group as a front to sell illegal firearms. The proceeds were used to purchase kratom juice and cannabis for consumption. A substantial cache of weapons and ammunition was seized during a raid on an apartment in Samut Prakan province yesterday. Leading the…

  • Road deathsFatal crash in Udon Thani as driver fatigue leads to tragedy | Thaiger

    Fatal crash in Udon Thani as driver fatigue leads to tragedy

    A tragic road accident occurred yesterday at 7.50am when a pickup truck veered off course and collided with a streetlight before plunging into the central ditch of Mittraphap Road in Udon Thani, Thailand. The driver, a 56 year old man from Udon Thani, was pronounced dead at the scene, while his wife, in her 50s, sustained injuries. Witthaya Panlao, Chief…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesThailand gears up for severe summer storms with hail risk | Thaiger

    Thailand gears up for severe summer storms with hail risk

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning about the impending summer storms, marked by thunderstorms, strong winds, and possible hail in some areas, followed by a drop in temperatures. Residents are advised to brace for the turbulent weather slated to strike from March 19 to March 20. As Thailand braces for a spell of severe weather, the TMD alerted…

  • Thailand NewsFive dead in pickup crash near Sing Buri | Thaiger

    Five dead in pickup crash near Sing Buri

    A collision in Sing Buri Province resulted in five fatalities, including a child, when a pickup truck crashed into a sedan, sending the vehicle plunging into a nearby waterway. The incident occurred near the 86-kilometre marker on the road heading towards Nakhon Sawan Province today. Emergency services, upon receiving the distress call, coordinated with local rescue teams to investigate the…

  • Thailand NewsThai Business Department warns against online scammers | Thaiger

    Thai Business Department warns against online scammers

    The Department of Business Development (DBD) in Thailand issued a warning to businesses, uncovering a new ploy by online scammers that could leave unsuspecting victims in legal jeopardy. DBD Director-General Oramon Sapthaveetham sounded the alarm today, urging businesses to stay vigilant or face the consequences. According to Oramon, the DBD has been inundated with complaints from businesses targeted by fraudulent phone…

  • Thailand NewsCar crash fire claims driver’s life near Pattaya | Thaiger

    Car crash fire claims driver’s life near Pattaya

    A car careened into a street barrier on the Bangkok-Map Ta Phut Motorway near Pattaya before erupting into fire, leaving the driver trapped and ultimately perishing in the blaze. The incident took place around 5.40am yesterday close to kilometre marker 120+700 in the Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Swift responses from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya…

  • Thailand NewsThird Russian woman nabbed in Patong for illegal sex services | Thaiger

    Third Russian woman nabbed in Patong for illegal sex services

    Phuket Immigration arrested a third Russian woman at a Patong hotel for providing sex services illegally. The operation unfolded following a tip-off about illegal activities involving Russian prostitutes in the area. The undercover sting operation orchestrated by the police targeted the woman, who had been discreetly advertised on an undisclosed website. Going by the moniker Linda Agency on WhatsApp, the Russian…

  • Thailand NewsNeighbour’s pit bull goes on rampage, seriously injures woman | Thaiger

    Neighbour’s pit bull goes on rampage, seriously injures woman

    In a chilling incident captured on CCTV in Chiang Mai’s Sansai district, a ferocious male pit bull, approximately 10 years old, launched a horrifying assault on a 30 year old woman, leaving her arm perilously close to being severed. The footage reveals the pit bull viciously attacking the woman, only halted by the intervention of her boyfriend and the dog’s…

  • Thailand NewsChiang Mai crowned world’s most polluted as smog crisis worsens | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai crowned world’s most polluted as smog crisis worsens

    Chiang Mai recently ascended to an undesirable top spot on the global stage as it experiences severe air pollution, making it the most polluted city in the world. The air quality in this northern Thai city has reached levels that pose significant health risks due to the pervasive spread of PM2.5 particles. At 3am today, March 15, the air quality…

  • Thailand NewsUpdate: Female police corporal gets 13-year sentence for torture | Thaiger

    Update: Female police corporal gets 13-year sentence for torture

    After a harrowing ordeal that lasted over two years, the court has sentenced a female police corporal to 13 years and five months imprisonment for the brutal treatment of a former female soldier who served under her. The close male friend of the corporal was also convicted, receiving a four-year and one-month jail term. The case came to light when…

  • Thailand NewsNearly a million pay respects to Buddha relics in northern Thailand | Thaiger

    Nearly a million pay respects to Buddha relics in northern Thailand

    Nearly one million devotees paid homage to the sacred Buddha relics over four days, as the revered artefacts were temporarily enshrined in Ubon Ratchathani before being transferred to Krabi province on March 14, as part of a ceremonial procession. This event marked a significant moment in Thai religious history, showcasing the deep reverence the population holds for such important symbols…

  • Thailand NewsNotorious Bangkok fugitive Tum Pakdaeng nabbed in Rayong raid | Thaiger

    Notorious Bangkok fugitive Tum Pakdaeng nabbed in Rayong raid

    An elusive drug dealer, who has a history of incarceration and expertise in evading capture, was arrested in the early hours of today, March 14, after a tip-off from an associate led police to his hideout. The arrest of Tum Pakdaeng was the culmination of an intensive investigation led by Police Colonel Monchai Arunsongsaengdee, the Chief of Taling Chan Police…

  • Thailand NewsTwo suspects killed in Pattani dawn shootout with Thai forces | Thaiger

    Two suspects killed in Pattani dawn shootout with Thai forces

    A dawn raid in the Saiburi district of Pattani Province turned into an intense shootout yesterday, resulting in the deaths of two suspects following a security operation by the Thai military and police forces. The incident began at 5am today, March 14, when more than 50 officers surrounded a rented home believed to be harbouring individuals wanted for national security…

  • Thailand NewsMother seeks justice for son’s death in hit-and-run in West Thailand | Thaiger

    Mother seeks justice for son’s death in hit-and-run in West Thailand

    In an appeal for accountability, a 42 year old mother from Ban Krut in Prachuap Khiri Khan sparked an outcry over the death of her 25 year old son in a hit-and-run incident on March 8. Aomruthai Krajanswang, gripped by grief, seeks justice against the alleged perpetrator, believed to be a German national, who allegedly has shown no signs of…

  • Thailand NewsThailand braces for heatwave and storm surge across 12 provinces | Thaiger

    Thailand braces for heatwave and storm surge across 12 provinces

    Heat and storms take centre stage in Thailand as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issues a weather warning for today. High temperatures and scattered thunderstorms are expected to affect at least 12 provinces, with a 20% chance of heavy rainfall in some areas, including Bangkok. Additionally, the south faces high waves today, March 14, as easterly and southeasterly winds prevail…

  • Thailand NewsFamily feud over 700 baht allowance leads to shooting in Pattalung | Thaiger

    Family feud over 700 baht allowance leads to shooting in Pattalung

    A family dispute over a modest elderly allowance of 700 baht escalated to a violent episode in Pattalung, with a 42 year old man, Tanadol, shooting his 39 year old brother-in-law, Phanasut, twice. Following the incident, Tanadol fled the scene but later surrendered to the police, confessing that the shooting was prompted by a fit of rage caused by the…

  • Thailand NewsCloudy with a chance of cuffs: Teen nabbed for smuggling e-cigarettes | Thaiger

    Cloudy with a chance of cuffs: Teen nabbed for smuggling e-cigarettes

    Police in Nong Khai arrested an 18 year old for illegally selling imported e-cigarettes, seizing 30 boxes hidden in a shoulder bag, ready for distribution. In a significant crackdown on the illegal e-cigarette trade, police in Nong Khai detained a young individual for operating an illicit business out of a local resort room. The arrest took place yesterday when the…

  • Road deathsMotorcycle crash in Chon Buri claims life, leaves mother in despair | Thaiger

    Motorcycle crash in Chon Buri claims life, leaves mother in despair

    A heart-wrenching scene unfolded on a road in Chon Buri province when a 29 year old man’s motorcycle collided with a parked truck, leading to his instant death. The subsequent arrival of his mother, who was overcome with grief, added a tragic dimension to the already grim traffic accident. In the early hours, local police and rescue teams were called…

  • Thailand NewsTaxi turmoil: Motorbike mayhem as riders brawl with cabbie in Pattaya | Thaiger

    Taxi turmoil: Motorbike mayhem as riders brawl with cabbie in Pattaya

    A violent clash between motorbike taxi riders and a taxi driver near North Pattaya’s bus station was caught on camera last Sunday, March 10. In a dramatic video obtained by reporters yesterday, the chaos unfolds as motorbike taxi riders, donning their signature orange vests, unleash a barrage of blows on the hapless taxi driver, with his terrified passengers looking on.…

  • Thailand NewsKoh Samui police shut down illegal beauty clinic run by foreigners | Thaiger

    Koh Samui police shut down illegal beauty clinic run by foreigners

    Police recently apprehended a female doctor operating an illicit beauty clinic in Koh Samui, offering dangerous treatments including blood platelet injections. The raid, conducted at 10am today, March 13, found unregistered medications and controlled substances on the premises while services were being rendered. The Immigration Bureau, along with police forces, revealed that the clandestine beauty clinic, offering various unauthorised medical…