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 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 NewsBangkok air pollution levels exceed safety standards

    Bangkok air pollution levels exceed safety standards

    Air pollution in Bangkok and 30 provinces have been reported to exceed safe levels of PM2.5, according to the latest air quality monitoring. Despite some improvements forecasted for the coming week, public health warnings remain in place, advising residents in affected areas to minimise outdoor activities. As of 7am yesterday, the Air Pollution Control Department of the Ministry of Natural…

  • 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 NewsYoung man crushed by car in Buriram roadside mishap

    Young man crushed by car in Buriram roadside mishap

    Tragedy struck yesterday when a young man suffered severe injuries after being crushed by a car while trying to change a flat tyre. His wife, standing by with their four month old son, recounted the harrowing moments she heard his cries for help. On the rural road between Nang Rong and Non-Din Daeng in the Buriram province, an otherwise ordinary…

  • 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 Weather UpdatesThailand weather forecast: Cool morning, fog, warming, light rain

    Thailand weather forecast: Cool morning, fog, warming, light rain

    A sharp temperature drop and sporadic rain are expected in parts of Thailand today, according to the Thai weather forecast by the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD). In Bangkok, light showers are anticipated, while the south faces stormy conditions due to the prevailing monsoon, with waves exceeding 1 metre in some areas. The country’s northern region is bracing for a…

  • 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 NewsBritish man arrested in Chiang Mai for abusing teen student

    British man arrested in Chiang Mai for abusing teen student

    A British man, posing as an English teacher in Phuket for two years, has been arrested for sexually abusing a 16 year old foreign student twice at a private residence. The incidents, which took place on December 9, 2014, and April 2, 2015, came to light following an investigation by the school after the student’s guardians reported the matter. The…

  • 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…

  • Thailand NewsArrest warrant issued in Phetchaburi for suspect in vendor’s murder

    Arrest warrant issued in Phetchaburi for suspect in vendor’s murder

    The Thai authorities issued an arrest warrant for Phimwaj, known as Arm Hua Saphan, for the intentional murder of a 30 year old street vendor who was shot dead while driving in Phetchaburi province. The victim’s father has revealed a possible motive of jealousy and vengeance, suggesting that the assailant harboured resentment due to his acquaintanceship with the victim’s girlfriend,…

  • Thailand NewsRoyal Thai Air Force faces job loss concern over golf course handover

    Royal Thai Air Force faces job loss concern over golf course handover

    The head of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) expressed concerns over potential job losses that could result from the return of two military golf courses to the government. The Kantrarat and Thupatemi golf courses, which provide welfare services to military personnel, are currently under the scrutiny of the military commission, which suggests that such facilities should be managed by…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesThailand faces thunderstorms and high waves, north cools down

    Thailand faces thunderstorms and high waves, north cools down

    Today’s weather update signals turbulent conditions across the country, with the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issuing an alert for thunderstorms in 20 provinces. The forecast warns of high waves exceeding 2 metres in the southern seas, while the northern region experiences a significant drop in temperature. The weather pattern over the upper northern region is influenced by a westerly…

  • Thailand NewsDriver perishes as 22-wheel truck overturns in Si Racha

    Driver perishes as 22-wheel truck overturns in Si Racha

    A tragic incident unfolded yesterday as a 22-wheel trailer truck lost control on a curve and overturned in the Si Racha district of Chon Buri, resulting in the driver’s death. The driver was trapped in the wreckage, and it took rescue workers over three hours to extricate the body. The accident occurred near the Burapha Golf Course in Si Racha.…

  • Thailand NewsSongkhla community faces steep rent hike from temple land

    Songkhla community faces steep rent hike from temple land

    Residents of the community surrounding Wat Khuan Mit in Songkhla raised concerns as the temple, which owns the land they reside on, dramatically increased the rent by twelvefold. The escalation in rental fees has led to severe hardship for the locals, many of whom have lived there since their ancestors’ time. Negotiations with the temple’s caretakers have not yielded any…

  • World NewsMalaysian influencer discovers pre-meet photo with spouse

    Malaysian influencer discovers pre-meet photo with spouse

    Destiny or coincidence is a question on many minds after a Malaysian content creator and social media influencer, known as SoImJenn, shared a spine-tingling moment from her past. Jenn’s discovery of a photograph showing both her and her future husband in the same place before their acquaintanceship has captured the fascination of the Internet. The story begins with Jenn, a…

  • Thailand NewsAgriculture chief defends against bribe claims in corruption case

    Agriculture chief defends against bribe claims in corruption case

    The Director-General of the Department of Rice staunchly defended actions taken in a controversy involving a well-known activist, Srisuwan Janraya, who was offered money to halt corruption complaints. At 1pm today, January 30, at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Natthakit Khanthip addressed the allegations that a consultant to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives suggested that the director-general’s wife…

  • Thailand NewsNakhon Pathom temple draws lottery hopefuls seeking divine luck

    Nakhon Pathom temple draws lottery hopefuls seeking divine luck

    A temple in Nakhon Pathom province has become a hub for lottery enthusiasts as the draw date approaches. At Wat Sawang Arom, worshippers and gamblers alike are flocking to seek blessings and lucky numbers, particularly from the revered statues and the mystical water basin which has been associated with previous lottery wins. Wat Sawang Arom, nestled in the district of…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok singer arrested for 2 million baht luxury theft spree

    Bangkok singer arrested for 2 million baht luxury theft spree

    An up-and-coming singer was apprehended by Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police on allegations of stealing over 2 million baht worth of luxury branded goods. The arrest of 29 year old Thanandon Ramasutha, was the culmination of a meticulous police investigation following a burglary at a celebrity manager’s home in January 2024. On January 29, in front of a house in the Lat…

  • Thailand NewsOff-duty officer thwarts armed assault at Tak gas station

    Off-duty officer thwarts armed assault at Tak gas station

    A quick-thinking police officer has been praised for his decisive actions in averting a potential assault at a gas station in Tak. The incident, which occurred today, January 30, saw the officer, identified as Police Lance Corporal Patiphan Kachewapha, thwart an armed man’s attempt to assault a woman in the ladies’ restroom. The event unfolded when Patiphan Kachewapha, an officer…

  • Thailand NewsPhetchaburi police hunt for killer after man shot 14 times

    Phetchaburi police hunt for killer after man shot 14 times

    A brutal murder on the streets of Phetchaburi has local police searching for a cold-blooded killer who shot a 30 year old mobile trader known for his good looks, multiple times in broad daylight. The assailant, captured on CCTV footage, pursued the victim, Suthat, on a motorcycle before firing at close range and then fleeing the scene. The incident occurred…

  • Thailand NewsChiang Mai lottery fever spikes with lucky numbers for Chinese New Year

    Chiang Mai lottery fever spikes with lucky numbers for Chinese New Year

    The bustling city of Chiang Mai is witnessing a surge in the popularity of lottery tickets as locals eagerly seek out auspicious numbers for the upcoming draw on February 1. The demand is particularly high for numbers associated with Chinese New Year, which aligns with the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese calendar. In the early hours of…

  • Thailand NewsThai gold prices drop at market open, gold bars at 34,050 baht

    Thai gold prices drop at market open, gold bars at 34,050 baht

    Gold prices in Thailand saw a decline at the opening of the market, comparing the last price from January 29. The Gold Traders Association (GTA) reported the selling rate for gold ornaments at 34,550 baht per baht-weight (a traditional Thai unit of measurement for gold, equating to 15.16 grammes) for today, marking a decrease of 100 baht from the previous…