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 NewsLandmark verdict in Kanchanaburi: 18 sentenced to death, 1 gets life in prison brawl case

    Landmark verdict in Kanchanaburi: 18 sentenced to death, 1 gets life in prison brawl case

    Eighteen individuals today received the death penalty with one sentenced to life imprisonment in a landmark ruling at the Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court in Kanchanaburi province. The court acquitted four others in a case stemming from a deadly brawl between inmate groups from Ban Mueang Kan and Ban Bo Phloi against those from Ban Tha Maka. The incident, which…

  • Thailand NewsThailand police fine parents in illegal racing crackdown

    Thailand police fine parents in illegal racing crackdown

    Police officials launched a strict crackdown on illegal street racing, specifically targeting the parents of minors involved in such activities. Following a recent incident in the Prasamutchedi district of Samut Prakan Province, police investigations led to legal actions against numerous individuals. The National Police Office’s Assistant Commissioner-General, Saram Nualma, announced that 22 people had been prosecuted following illegal road racing…

  • Thailand NewsAir Japan cancels Bangkok-Tokyo flights, stranding passengers

    Air Japan cancels Bangkok-Tokyo flights, stranding passengers

    Passengers were left disappointed and frustrated when their Air Japan flight to Tokyo was abruptly cancelled due to technical issues. The fledgling airline, a low-cost carrier within the ANA group, found itself at the centre of controversy after it revealed that it operates with a single aircraft, which brought about a series of cancellations affecting travellers from both Thailand and…

  • Thailand NewsUyghur terror suspects win judge’s approval for Halal food

    Uyghur terror suspects win judge’s approval for Halal food

    A judge ruled yesterday that Thailand’s corrections system must provide two Uyghur terrorism suspects with the Halal food they have been requesting for years. Adem Karadag and Yusufu Mieraili, accused in the 2015 Erawan Shrine bombing, appeared visibly emaciated and in wheelchairs, pleading for their religious rights. The duo shared their harrowing ordeal, revealing they had significantly deteriorated in health,…

  • Road deathsTeen motorcyclist dies in Nonthaburi accident en route to school

    Teen motorcyclist dies in Nonthaburi accident en route to school

    Tragedy struck early this morning when a high school student was killed in a road accident on his way to school. The 18 year old boy lost control of his motorcycle and was subsequently run over by a passing van, leading to his immediate death. The incident occurred on the busy four-lane Ban Kluai-Sai Noi Road in the Bang Bua…

  • Road deathsElderly driver’s lane switch on Bangna-Trad Road triggers multi-car crash

    Elderly driver’s lane switch on Bangna-Trad Road triggers multi-car crash

    A three-vehicle collision on Bangna-Trad Road in Samut Prakan province injured three people, including two students, when a car driven by a 73 year old woman veered across lanes, causing a chain reaction crash. The serious traffic incident occurred today, February 22, on Bangna-Trad Road, Samut Prakan province, when a sedan driven by a 73 year old woman cut in…

  • Thailand NewsKhon Kaen police bust major motorcycle theft ring

    Khon Kaen police bust major motorcycle theft ring

    Law enforcement in Khon Kaen province, Thailand, successfully dismantled a motorcycle theft ring operated by a husband and wife team. The pair, along with their accomplices, have been stealing motorcycles and smuggling them across the Mekong River for sale in neighbouring countries, causing severe distress to locals who have lost more than 30 vehicles. Police Major General Montree Teskan, the…

  • Thailand NewsLandlord turns himself in after shooting gas store clerk in Songkhla

    Landlord turns himself in after shooting gas store clerk in Songkhla

    A 22 year old landlord surrendered to the police after a shocking incident where he allegedly shot an employee of a gas store with a shotgun, critically injuring the victim. The gunman’s attack occurred at the gas store on Thung Ree Road, in the municipal area of Khor Hong district, Songkhla province. In a strategic move to evade officers of…

  • Thailand NewsChiang Mai songthaew goes cool with air-con and PM2.5 filters

    Chiang Mai songthaew goes cool with air-con and PM2.5 filters

    In a novel move to revolutionise local transport, a Chiang Mai songthaew driver has transformed the iconic red car into an air-conditioned oasis complete with a PM2.5 filter system. This innovative service has become a hit among both Thai and international tourists, leading to a significant booking queue. The traditional songthaew, a ubiquitous sight in Chiang Mai, has long been…

  • Thailand NewsNorthern Thailand battles severe air pollution as Bangkok breathes clear

    Northern Thailand battles severe air pollution as Bangkok breathes clear

    Seventeen provinces in Thailand’s northern and northeastern regions are grappling with hazardous levels of air pollution, as reported by the country’s Air Pollution Crisis Management Centre (ACMC). In stark contrast, Bangkok enjoys clear skies, free from the dangerous PM2.5 particles, offering residents the chance to breathe easily. Over the next seven days, from February 23 to February 29, the situation…

  • Thailand NewsFatal argument at Nakhon Ratchasima shop ends with gunshot

    Fatal argument at Nakhon Ratchasima shop ends with gunshot

    A 23 year old man’s visit to a motorcycle repair shop in Nakhon Ratchasima turned deadly when an argument over motorcycle noise escalated into a fatal shooting. The confrontation began with a slap and ended with the young man returning with three friends and firearms, resulting in the death of a 27 years old man at the scene. At the…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesThailand braces for 38-degree heatwave with thunderstorms

    Thailand braces for 38-degree heatwave with thunderstorms

    Thailand faces a scorching day with temperatures peaking at 38 degrees Celsius and scattered thunderstorms in some areas, warns the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD). The latest weather forecast anticipates strong southerly and southeasterly winds affecting the northeastern, lower central, and eastern regions of the country, creating the potential for thunderstorms in these areas. In the period from February 24…

  • Road deathsHigh-speed car chase in Ayutthaya ends with crash and drug arrest

    High-speed car chase in Ayutthaya ends with crash and drug arrest

    A high-speed car chase on Asia Road in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province ended in a dramatic crash and arrest yesterday at 6.30pm. Police apprehended a 34 year old factory worker after his blue Mitsubishi Mirage, with the license plate กน 5928, flipped several times and came to a wrecked halt at kilometre 10 in Bang Pa-in district. The incident…

  • Road deathsRoadside tragedy in Songkhla: Pickup truck kills two students

    Roadside tragedy in Songkhla: Pickup truck kills two students

    A tragic road accident occurred today at a scout activity in the district of Sadao, Songkhla province, claiming the lives of two individuals and injuring 15 others. A pickup truck, driven at high speed, veered off course and crashed into a group of primary school students and their teacher, who were assembled at a roadside pavilion. The driver fled the…

  • Crime NewsKhon Kaen police intensify hunt for murder suspect

    Khon Kaen police intensify hunt for murder suspect

    Police are accelerating their search for a suspect vehicle in connection with the brutal murder of a woman, whose charred remains were discovered in a tyre at a dumpsite in Khon Kaen’s Waeng Noi district. The forensic examination confirmed the victim was a 35 year old woman, approximately 160 centimetres tall. The case has spanned three provinces, and investigators are…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok man held for abduction and child sexual assault

    Bangkok man held for abduction and child sexual assault

    A 24 year old man was arrested in the Klong Toey district of Bangkok on charges of abducting and molesting a young girl under the age of 15 and committing rape of a child under the age of 13. The suspect, identified only as Thanachot, was apprehended following a mother’s shocking discovery of her daughter’s ordeal, which led to a…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok police block Thaksin’s house amid tension with activist’s sister

    Bangkok police block Thaksin’s house amid tension with activist’s sister

    Bangkok witnessed a tense standoff yesterday as police cordoned off the area around the residence of Thaksin Shinawatra, preventing Sitanan Satsaksit from approaching the house. Sitanan, the sister of missing democracy activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit, sought to question Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen over her brother’s alleged abduction in Cambodia in 2020. Sitanan was barred from reaching Soi Charan Sanitwong 69,…

  • Thailand NewsThai widow swindled in romance scam by fake college director

    Thai widow swindled in romance scam by fake college director

    A 52 year old woman from Udon Thani has been swindled out of nearly 50,000 baht (US$1,386) in a romance scam by a man who claimed to be the director of a well-known vocational college. The man, who made first contact over Facebook, charmed and deceived her into a romantic entanglement before borrowing money and vanishing without a trace. The…

  • Thailand NewsThai man murders wife, hides her body in rubber plantation

    Thai man murders wife, hides her body in rubber plantation

    A Thai man in Chachoengsao admitted to the brutal murder of his wife after her remains were found in a rubber plantation. Initially reporting her missing, the 33 year old man named Sirichai later disclosed the violent altercation that led to him taking 27 year old Chollada’s life yesterday, February 20, and attempting to conceal the crime by burning her…

  • Thailand NewsBurned human remains found linked to missing Prachinburi woman

    Burned human remains found linked to missing Prachinburi woman

    Authorities in Prachinburi province are conducting a meticulous investigation after the discovery of human skeletal remains that had been burned in a rubber plantation. Nearby, a wrist with a bracelet resembling gold was found, which has led to speculation about the identity of the deceased. The coordinates of the last known location of Chollada Muthuras, commonly known as Nunn, aged…

  • Thailand NewsHua Hin: Elephant found dead in stream, intense conflict suspected

    Hua Hin: Elephant found dead in stream, intense conflict suspected

    The lifeless body of an elephant was discovered in the waters in Huai Sat Yai, Hua Hin. The dead elephant is believed to have succumbed to brutal injuries inflicted during a fierce clash. Deputy Inspector Police Lieutenant Colonel Somphot Prayangam, stationed at Nong Plub Police Station in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, received a distress call from 51 year old…

  • Thailand NewsMinister orders CAAT to cut Bangkok-Phuket flight prices for Songkran

    Minister orders CAAT to cut Bangkok-Phuket flight prices for Songkran

    Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to negotiate with airlines to explore ways to lower airfares following complaints from passengers about the high cost of flights from Bangkok to Phuket. He expressed confidence that reduced prices could be in effect in time for the Songkran travel period. Today, at 9.30am, Suriya Juangroongruangkit addressed the…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s thriving Muslim tourism boom with mosque tour

    Thailand’s thriving Muslim tourism boom with mosque tour

    In a bid to elevate Thailand to the zenith of the Global Muslim Tourism Index (GMTI), the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) teamed up with key figures like Imam Mathanarat Vacharapisut from the Haroon Mosque and the Islamic Committee of Bangkok to revolutionise cultural tourism for Muslim travellers. Imam Mathanarat Vacharapisut recently joined forces with Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of TAT, in…

  • Thailand NewsPollution turns Nonthaburi canal water pink

    Pollution turns Nonthaburi canal water pink

    Reports revealed strange pink canal water in Nonthaburi on Valentine’s Day last week as scientists scrambled to uncover the truth behind the sudden rosy hue. Experts from the Department of Science Service (DSS) embarked on an investigation uncovering startling findings that could change the way we see pollution. The case, discovered in Khlong Bang Phraek near the Big C department store…

  • Thailand NewsSudden Udon Thani storm wreaks havoc, children injured

    Sudden Udon Thani storm wreaks havoc, children injured

    A sudden storm ravaged the Udon Thani region, inflicting damage on nearly 20 homes within less than 15 minutes. The calamity left two children injured after tiles from a collapsing roof struck them as they played inside a house. Village leaders are scrambling to assess the damage and facilitate aid. Yesterday, February 18, as evening approached, a fierce storm swept…

  • Thailand NewsCustomer pressured into 5-star review to unlock warranty

    Customer pressured into 5-star review to unlock warranty

    A recent outcry has emerged on social media after a customer was pressured to leave a five-star review for a product to receive a warranty, sparking a heated debate about consumer rights and business ethics. The incident was brought to light when a customer shared their frustration in a Facebook group dedicated to consumer affairs, provoking a flood of responses…

  • Thailand NewsMiss Universe president denies fraud, vows legal action in Thailand

    Miss Universe president denies fraud, vows legal action in Thailand

    Shockwaves reverberated through the beauty pageant world as Paula Shugart, the long-standing President of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), announced her departure from the role she held for over 23 years. This surprising turn of events unfolded during the Miss Universe 2023 pageant held in El Salvador. Following her resignation, Shugart took to her personal Instagram account to state Thai,…

  • Thailand NewsHomeless veteran found dead under Bangkok expressway

    Homeless veteran found dead under Bangkok expressway

    A homeless veteran was found dead under the Sri Rat Expressway in Nonthaburi, with a fractured skull, sparking a police investigation to capture the assailant. In a sombre discovery beneath the Sri Rat Expressway in Nonthaburi province, authorities found the lifeless body of a homeless veteran with severe injuries to his head. The incident, which occurred under the shadow of…

  • Northern Thailand NewsThailand’s fiery plight: 400+ hotspots spark concern

    Thailand’s fiery plight: 400+ hotspots spark concern

    Thailand is currently grappling with more than 400 hotspots, with the highest concentration in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Lampang, and Mae Hong Son, each reporting over 40 incidents. In comparison, neighbouring countries are also facing significant challenges, with Myanmar recording 3,065 hotspots, Cambodia 1,341, Laos 704, and Vietnam 414 as of February 18. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development…

  • Thailand NewsCommunity mourns as drunk driver kills two 12 year olds in Thailand

    Community mourns as drunk driver kills two 12 year olds in Thailand

    A recent tragedy gripped the local community of Satuek following a fatal traffic incident involving two 12 year old students, needlessly killed by a drunk driver. The accident occurred at 3pm yesterday, when a 67 year old man, identified only by his first name, Banchong, struck the children with his black Mitsubishi pickup truck, leading to their immediate death at…