Nattapong Westwood

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 NewsLight’s out: Motorcyclist targeted in bold daylight heist

    Light’s out: Motorcyclist targeted in bold daylight heist

    A brazen daylight heist unfolded at a traffic light when a black sedan pulled up, and its occupant, armed with a gun, struck a motorcyclist in the face and held him at gunpoint before fleeing with his motorcycle. The incident, part of a string of similar crimes, left 33 year old Tirakun without his new Yamaha XMAX, valued at 130,000 baht,…

  • Thailand NewsBus and truck collide on Highway 7, 13 injured, severe traffic

    Bus and truck collide on Highway 7, 13 injured, severe traffic

    A collision between a passenger bus and a truck on a busy motorway resulted in 13 injuries and severe traffic congestion. The incident occurred at 1.25pm today when a bus, carrying approximately 30-40 passengers from Ekkamai to Pattaya, struck a trailer truck. The accident on the motorway (Highway 7) at the 37.6-kilometer mark towards Map Ta Phut prompted Highway Police…

  • Thailand NewsThai gold prices dip slightly, investors on alert

    Thai gold prices dip slightly, investors on alert

    Gold prices in Thailand saw a slight dip today, prompting investors and enthusiasts to make quick decisions. According to the latest data released by the Gold Traders Association (GTA), the price of gold ornaments dropped by 50 baht compared to the previous day, now selling at 34,800 baht per baht-weight (a traditional Thai unit of measurement for gold). The association’s…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok court fines activists 11,200 baht issues suspended

    Bangkok court fines activists 11,200 baht issues suspended

    The Pathumwan District Court in Bangkok handed down a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, to prominent political figures Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, Pannika Wanich, Pita Limjaroenrat and Pairatthachot Chanthakachorn along with four others, in connection with their involvement in a flash mob protest in December 2019. Each defendant was also fined 11,200 baht for violating public assembly laws and using…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok technician arrested for jealousy-fuelled murder of romantic rival

    Bangkok technician arrested for jealousy-fuelled murder of romantic rival

    A 43 year old printing technician has been apprehended in Bangkok for fatally stabbing his ex-wife’s partner in a fit of jealousy. The incident occurred early in the morning today (February 5) The suspect, identified only by his first name, Pongphan, was arrested at a nameless rental room on Suwicharn Damri Road, Bang Yi Khan, Bang Phlat District. The arrest…

  • Thailand NewsColdplay concert buzz dampened by cannabis fumes in Bangkok

    Coldplay concert buzz dampened by cannabis fumes in Bangkok

    The recent Coldplay concert in Bangkok, part of their Music Of The Spheres World Tour, left an indelible mark on many Thai fans. However, the event was marred by some attendees by the pervasive smell of cannabis. Artist Copter Panuwat encountered this issue firsthand, expressing his dissatisfaction and calling for more stringent control over public cannabis consumption. His concerns resonated…

  • Thailand NewsTak beauty Pai Mai Soruda crowned at 25th Miss Tiffany Universe

    Tak beauty Pai Mai Soruda crowned at 25th Miss Tiffany Universe

    A momentous victory unfolded at the Tiffany Show Theatre in Pattaya, Chonburi, where the 25th Miss Tiffany Universe pageant crowned its winner. On the evening of February 4, Saruda Panyakham, a stunning transgender beauty from Tak, emerged as the competition queen, marking a legendary achievement in the pageant’s history. The 25th edition of the Miss Tiffany Universe pageant, a milestone…

  • Thailand NewsSuspect with mental health issues found dead in Khon Kaen cell

    Suspect with mental health issues found dead in Khon Kaen cell

    A 42 year old suspect was found dead in his cell at a police station in Manchakhiri, in the southern part of Khon Kaen province, northeastern Thailand. The deceased had been detained following a disturbance caused by intoxication, and his relatives had requested police intervention. The incident has highlighted concerns about handling individuals with a history of mental health issues and substance…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesNorthern Thailand braces for cool weather and thunderstorms

    Northern Thailand braces for cool weather and thunderstorms

    The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather alert for the northern part of the country, warning of cool to cold conditions with isolated thunderstorms. The capital, Bangkok, is expected to experience light rain while the country’s upper region faces moderate to high levels of dust particles and smoke haze today (February 5). In the early hours of the…

  • Thailand NewsRayong gym owner found dead under tree in Thanyaburi

    Rayong gym owner found dead under tree in Thanyaburi

    Tragedy struck a family from Rayong when they received a call from the police informing them of a grim discovery in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani. The body of a young gym trainer and gym owner was found under a tree, marking a sombre end to his known journey. The 28 year old man, recently separated from his wife, had left his…

  • Thailand NewsBalcony collapses at Chiang Mai resort injuring 13

    Balcony collapses at Chiang Mai resort injuring 13

    A tragic incident unfolded at a popular resort in Chiang Mai, Thailand, at 7.30am today, where a newly constructed balcony collapsed, leaving several attendees of a seminar injured amidst chaos and cries of pain. Rescue teams from Ban Waen and Hang Dong swiftly responded to the scene at the Rom Mai Ruean Ngam Resort, situated behind the Ban Waen Subdistrict…

  • Thailand NewsFatal collision on dark road kills two, locals demand better lighting

    Fatal collision on dark road kills two, locals demand better lighting

    A fatal collision yesterday claimed the lives of two individuals after a car ploughed into the rear of a motorbike on a poorly lit stretch of road in Chon Buri province. The fatal collision occurred yesterday, prompting residents to call for immediate action to improve lighting and safety on the road. In the darkness of an unlit road in Chon…

  • Thailand NewsSamut Prakan bus accident claims lives on poorly lit road

    Samut Prakan bus accident claims lives on poorly lit road

    A tragic bus accident in Samut Prakan province resulted in three fatalities and 22 injuries when a bus carrying employees plunged into a canal. Witnesses reported that the bus was travelling at high speed without braking before it crashed into a barrier and fell into the water. The incident occurred on Rattanakosin 200 Years Road during the early hours yesterday.…

  • Thailand NewsSamut Songkhram officer severely injured by speeding car on duty

    Samut Songkhram officer severely injured by speeding car on duty

    A traffic police officer in Samut Songkhram province suffered severe injuries when hit by a speeding car while facilitating traffic. The serious accident, which occurred yesterday, involved a white Toyota Vios driven by 44 year old Prawchai Chusutthisakul, near a U-turn in front of a gas bottling factory in the Bang Chang subdistrict of Amphawa district. The injured officer, Sergeant…

  • Thailand NewsTragic Nong Chak motorcycle accident claims life in rear-end collision

    Tragic Nong Chak motorcycle accident claims life in rear-end collision

    A tragic motorcycle accident unfolded today (February 2) on the Nong Chak-Phanat Nikhom road when a motorcyclist collided with the rear of a water truck and was killed instantly. The motorcyclist, identified as Phanuphong, was found dead at the scene, with his Yamaha MT-15 bike lying in a wreck nearby. Upon receiving the distress call, Police Lieutenant Channakan Duan Kham,…

  • Thailand NewsRussian ransom: Gang grabs Belarusian couple in Phuket crypto con

    Russian ransom: Gang grabs Belarusian couple in Phuket crypto con

    Five members of a Russian gang have been apprehended for the kidnapping and extortion of a Belarusian couple in Phuket, forcing them to transfer 30 million baht (US$848,296) in cryptocurrency before abandoning them. The incident occurred on January 31, at a prominent hotel in the Talad Yai area of Mueang Phuket district. A tourist witnessed the couple being forcefully pushed…

  • Thailand NewsFrom brooms to boom: Street sweeper sweeps up 12-million-baht lottery jackpot

    From brooms to boom: Street sweeper sweeps up 12-million-baht lottery jackpot

    A street sweeper’s life transformed overnight when luck smiled upon her with a 12-million-baht government lottery win. Somsong Singsa, a 56 year old municipal worker from Si Sa Ket province, revealed that a vendor’s persuasion made her purchase two winning tickets. After four decades of toil, she now plans to resign and provide for her family, who are overjoyed at…

  • Thailand NewsEerie shadow on Phetchabun road sparks ghostly buzz online

    Eerie shadow on Phetchabun road sparks ghostly buzz online

    A chilling story has emerged from a seemingly innocuous post about a broken branch blocking a road in Phetchabun province. The shadow of the branch, upon closer inspection, appeared to bear an eerie resemblance to a person who had died three months earlier, sparking a flurry of comments and supernatural speculation online. The original post, made by 41 year old…

  • Aviation NewsThai Airways sues over passenger’s flight diversion criticism

    Thai Airways sues over passenger’s flight diversion criticism

    Thai Airways has taken legal action against a passenger who criticised the airline’s decision to divert a Bangkok-Melbourne flight to Sydney due to adverse weather conditions. The airline asserts that the crew followed international safety and security standards and seeks to protect its reputation and that of its personnel. Thai Airways addressed the uproar caused by a passenger’s complaints about…

  • Thailand NewsSwine surprise: Task force uncovers pork smuggling scheme in Thailand

    Swine surprise: Task force uncovers pork smuggling scheme in Thailand

    A recent expose by the Phaya Naga Special Task Force revealed a significant new piece of evidence linking a smuggling operation importing illicit pork into Thailand. The discovery was announced by Thanadol Suwannarat, advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and deputy commander and spokesperson of the Phaya Naga task force. At 1.30pm today, the task force prepared to…

  • Thailand NewsPolice crackdown on kidnapping for crypto ransom in Phuket, Thailand

    Police crackdown on kidnapping for crypto ransom in Phuket, Thailand

    Authorities in Phuket detained four foreign suspects in a brazen kidnapping that targeted a Russian couple in the island’s bustling streets. The assailants forced their victims to transfer cryptocurrency worth an estimated 30 million baht but upon interrogation the suspects maintained their innocence, claiming no acquaintance with the victims and identifying themselves as tourists. The incident, which unfolded yesterday, January…

  • Thailand NewsPhetchaburi police intensify manhunt for suspect in salesman’s murder

    Phetchaburi police intensify manhunt for suspect in salesman’s murder

    A coordinated police operation is underway to apprehend Arm Hua Saphan, a suspect in the fatal shooting of a young mobile merchant in Phetchaburi Province. Police Chief Wan Chai Khawram of Muang Phetchaburi Police Station opened an investigative team to track the suspect, who is the nephew of a high-ranking police officer. The operation involves searches at four locations to…

  • Thailand NewsSuspected arson leads to wildfire in Trat, Thailand’s Samet Forest

    Suspected arson leads to wildfire in Trat, Thailand’s Samet Forest

    A wildfire ravaged nearly 100 acres of the Samet Forest in Trat province, Thailand, with suspicions that locals secretly set the fire to forage for forest products. Despite the efforts of firefighting teams, the blaze remains uncontained and there are concerns it could spread to an adjacent 2,000-acre forest. The Thai authorities are closely monitoring the situation, including the safety…

  • Thailand NewsFoam and scale: Dishwashing liquid divides netizens in fishy transport debate

    Foam and scale: Dishwashing liquid divides netizens in fishy transport debate

    A fish vendor’s unconventional method of using dishwashing liquid to keep fish alive during transportation has sparked intense online debate. A video went viral showing the vendor pouring the liquid into a fish transport container, claiming it helps provide oxygen to the fish, preventing them from water shock. However, Dr Jesada Denduangboripant, a biology lecturer at Chulalongkorn University and a…

  • Thailand NewsLottery frenzy hits Thailand ahead of Chinese New Year

    Lottery frenzy hits Thailand ahead of Chinese New Year

    As the festive season of Chinese New Year beckons, lottery fever grips Thailand, with enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the draw today, February 1. The blend of Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day sparked a surge in lottery ticket sales, with a particular focus on numbers associated with these celebrations. The government lottery office, however, has yet to commence its travelling draw…

  • Road deathsMan dies in high-speed motorcycle crash on Phuket road

    Man dies in high-speed motorcycle crash on Phuket road

    A tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of a 33 year old man in Phuket early this morning after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed. Police and emergency services rushed to the scene, where they discovered the victim had suffered fatal head injuries. Before dawn today, a sharp curve on a road in Phuket turned into the scene…

  • Road deathsGood Samaritan injured aiding crash victims in Pathum Thani

    Good Samaritan injured aiding crash victims in Pathum Thani

    In the early hours of today, February 1, a good Samaritan tragically became a victim himself while assisting at the scene of a crash involving two motorcycles in Pathum Thani Province. A 38 year old man was struck by a speeding car, sustaining severe injuries. The accident, which initially left three people injured from the motorcycle collision, occurred on the…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket police hunt bus staffer after tourist’s restroom harassment claim

    Phuket police hunt bus staffer after tourist’s restroom harassment claim

    Phuket police are actively searching for a bus employee who allegedly sexually harassed a female foreign tourist in a restroom at the Phuket Bus Terminal. The incident, which took place today, January 31, was interrupted by a monk, who attempted to intervene before the suspect fled the scene. Police Deputy Inspector Surachart Thongyai of Phuket Mueang Police Station was notified…

  • Thailand NewsGolden cobra startles homeowner in Thailand kitchen

    Golden cobra startles homeowner in Thailand kitchen

    A homeowner was shocked to discover a large golden cobra in her kitchen in the Ang Thong province of Thailand. The snake, which was menacingly displaying its hood, caused two kittens to run in fright before the homeowner swiftly called for rescue services today, January 31. The Ang Thong Provincial Rescue Association was alerted to the presence of the large…

  • Thailand NewsThai activist gets suspended sentence for lèse-majesté

    Thai activist gets suspended sentence for lèse-majesté

    Activist Pasarawalee ‘Mind’ Thanakitvibulphol has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Bangkok South Criminal Court under Thailand’s lèse-majesté law, also known as Section 112. The sentence has been suspended for three years. This ruling stems from her involvement in a protest and speech at a rally held on March 24, 2021, by the Ratsadon group at the…