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 NewsTragedy in Mekong River as older brother drowns saving sibling

    Tragedy in Mekong River as older brother drowns saving sibling

    Two siblings had a tragic encounter while playing in the Mekong River, leading to a heartbreaking outcome as the older brother tragically lost his life while trying to save his drowning younger brother. His body was later discovered floating on Thailand’s Nong Khai side of the river, prompting authorities to coordinate with family in Laos to identify the victim. At…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok residents seek help for man disrupting nights with rituals

    Bangkok residents seek help for man disrupting nights with rituals

    A Bangkok community raised concerns about a man performing nightly rituals involving chanting and lighting 99 candles to worship a mystical substance, due to fears of fire hazards and safety risks, residents have sought intervention from the authorities and media to address the issue. Locals are alarmed by the actions of a 41 year old man who claims to be a…

  • Thailand NewsMunicipal official caught with methamphetamine in Samut Prakan

    Municipal official caught with methamphetamine in Samut Prakan

    Police apprehended a municipal official after discovering methamphetamine in his vehicle in Samut Prakan, the official admitted ownership of the drugs following a police search. This incident occurred yesterday around 12.30am in Khlong Dan following a public disturbance complaint of street racers in the area. Officers patrolled the area and encountered a traffic accident. The motorcycle in the accident, driven…

  • Thailand NewsMinor earthquake hits Koh Samui amid severe weather warnings

    Minor earthquake hits Koh Samui amid severe weather warnings

    A 2.4 magnitude earthquake struck near Koh Samui in Surat Thani, with a depth of 4 kilometres, according to the Earthquake Surveillance Division of the Meteorological Department of Thailand. The event occurred at 8.24am, today, May 30, causing noticeable tremors in the area. The earthquake’s epicentre was located in Ang Thong subdistrict, Koh Samui district. Although the quake was relatively…

  • Thailand NewsDrunk driver crashes into streetlight and overturns in Pattaya

    Drunk driver crashes into streetlight and overturns in Pattaya

    A drunk driver lost control of his pickup truck, causing it to veer off the road and crash into a streetlight before overturning into a median ditch. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene to assist. At approximately 2.20am today, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Radio Centre in Pattaya received a report of an overturned pickup truck near a wood…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesWeather alert: 44 Thai provinces warned of heavy rain and storms

    Weather alert: 44 Thai provinces warned of heavy rain and storms

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning for today, alerting 44 provinces to expect heavy rainfall. Bangkok is advised to brace for storms from afternoon to evening, with rain expected to cover 40% of the area. The southern region’s seas are also predicted to experience high waves. The TMD’s 24-hour weather forecast indicates that the southwest monsoon is…

  • Thailand NewsThai authorities seize one million meth pills near Chiang Rai Airport

    Thai authorities seize one million meth pills near Chiang Rai Airport

    Authorities intercepted a major drug bust involving one million methamphetamine pills in the parking lot of a well-known shopping mall near Chiang Rai Airport. The suspects, a man and a woman, were caught preparing to transport the drugs into the interior of the country. Colonel Kidakorn Chantra, Deputy Commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, examined the seized drugs and…

  • Thailand NewsOnline durian purchase sparks consumer outrage over quality

    Online durian purchase sparks consumer outrage over quality

    A customer raised concerns over the quality of durian purchased online, claiming the fruit was mushy and bitter despite being advertised as ready to eat. The total cost, including delivery, was 720 baht. The incident, which occurred yesterday, sparked heated discussions on social media. The customer shared their experience in an online consumer group, explaining they ordered durian from a…

  • Road deathsNakhon Ratchasima woman survives car crash with minor injuries

    Nakhon Ratchasima woman survives car crash with minor injuries

    A remarkable incident in Nakhon Ratchasima left many in awe when 38 year old woman survived a severe car accident with minimal injuries. The accident occurred yesterday around 5.30pm on Road 224 near Ban Nong Pruek in Chok Chai district. Tachinee Namkasem was driving her black Honda City with the registration number กย 8379 Nakhon Ratchasima when the vehicle lost…

  • Thailand NewsKidnapper and child rapist arrested after 13 years on the run

    Kidnapper and child rapist arrested after 13 years on the run

    The Thai authorities apprehended a member of a 7-man rapist gang who abducted and sexually assaulted a 16 year old girl in 2011. The arrest took place yesterday following a prolonged manhunt. Today, the Head of the Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD), Sarut Kwangsopa, orchestrated the arrest of 40 year old Uthai. The arrest was based on an arrest warrant issued…

  • Thailand NewsThai authorities arrest three for forging visa documents

    Thai authorities arrest three for forging visa documents

    The Thai authorities arrested three agency operators for forging documents to submit visa applications to various embassies, seizing numerous counterfeit items. The suspects confessed to their crimes and are now facing legal proceedings. At 11am yesterday, at the Immigration Office in Mueang Thong Thani, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Panthana Nuchnarot, along with Deputy Commander-in-Chief Ratchachot Chotikoon and other relevant officers, announced the…

  • Crime NewsGambler’s feud ends in deadly shooting in Nakhon Si Thammarat

    Gambler’s feud ends in deadly shooting in Nakhon Si Thammarat

    A gambler’s bitter feud ended in murder yesterday when a 44 year old man was shot dead by his wife’s estranged husband in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. The police quickly apprehended the suspect, who confessed to the crime. The tragic incident occurred at a residence in Moo 16, Bang Khan Subdistrict, Bang Khan District. The local police, led by Police…

  • Thailand NewsBuriram contractor gives away 7 buffaloes to prevent slaughter

    Buriram contractor gives away 7 buffaloes to prevent slaughter

    A contractor announced the giveaway of seven buffaloes, including breeding pairs and their offspring, to animal lovers for free, with the stipulation that they not be sold to slaughterhouses. The decision stems from a lack of time and space to care for the animals. A 48 year old resident of Yai Yaem Watthana in Chalermprakiat, Buriram, made the heartfelt decision…

  • Crime NewsGhostly sale tale: Mall workers stunned as murder victim’s phone is sold

    Ghostly sale tale: Mall workers stunned as murder victim’s phone is sold

    A chilling incident at a well-known shopping mall left many stunned after a hooded man sold a murdered victim’s mobile phone. The mysterious hooded man was allegedly the dead man’s ghost. Shop employees were shocked to see a man in a blue shirt, later identified as the deceased, following the suspect the entire time. The gruesome murder case took place…

  • Thailand NewsFatal turn: Head-on collision claims life of wrong-way rider

    Fatal turn: Head-on collision claims life of wrong-way rider

    A collision between a pickup truck and a motorcycle in Chanthaburi Province resulted in a tragic death last night, where the motorcycle driver, going against traffic, was hit head-on. The incident occurred at the old checkpoint intersection on Thetsaban Road in Khlung District. Police from Khlung Police Station and rescue volunteers arrived at the scene to find a severely damaged…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesThailand braces for heavy rain in 49 provinces today

    Thailand braces for heavy rain in 49 provinces today

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned that 49 provinces in Thailand should brace for rain, with heavy downpours expected in the northern and eastern regions. Meanwhile, Bangkok and its vicinity will experience rain from afternoon to evening. The TMD’s 24-hour weather forecast indicates that a southwesterly monsoon is covering the Andaman Sea and Thailand, while a low-pressure area is present…

  • Thailand NewsInterest-ing development: Ministry slashes housing loan rates

    Interest-ing development: Ministry slashes housing loan rates

    The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security announced a significant reduction in housing loan interest rates by 0.5% for one year, aiming to support citizens during challenging economic times. Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Varawut Silpa-archa revealed this decision at a press conference at Government House at 10am today, May 28. The Community Organisations Development Institute (CODI)…

  • Thailand NewsTourism boom: Thailand clocks in 14.3 million visitors

    Tourism boom: Thailand clocks in 14.3 million visitors

    Thailand welcomed 14.3 million international tourists in the first five months of this year, generating close to 683 billion baht (US$18.7 billion) in revenue. The Tourism and Sports Minister, Sermsak Pongpanich, shared these figures, highlighting the significant contribution of foreign visitors to the country’s economy from January 1 to May 26. The top five countries with the highest number of…

  • Thailand NewsShocking house fire in Pathum Thani claims life of a bedridden man

    Shocking house fire in Pathum Thani claims life of a bedridden man

    A fire broke out in a single-storey house in Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, resulting in the tragic death of the bedridden homeowner. The incident left his wife in shock after being informed by a neighbour’s call. An investigator from Khlong Luang Police Station, Teerasak Saento received the report about the fire in Moo 9, Khlong Sam Subdistrict, around 6am yesterday,…

  • Thailand NewsPolice bust heroin smuggling gang after high-speed chase

    Police bust heroin smuggling gang after high-speed chase

    The Thai authorities apprehended a transnational heroin smuggling gang after a high-speed chase ended with the suspect’s vehicle crashing into a roadside forest. Police discovered 380 bars of heroin weighing 139 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of 280 million baht. At 9.30am yesterday, senior police officials held a press conference at the Region 4 Provincial Police headquarters, announcing the…

  • Thailand NewsFisherman swept away in Chiang Mai, search efforts intensify

    Fisherman swept away in Chiang Mai, search efforts intensify

    Search efforts continue for a missing fisherman swept away by heavy waves while fishing in Chiang Mai. Relatives conducted a ceremony to appease local spirits as authorities were using heavy machinery to excavate potential burial sites, and divers searched the river. The 35 year old fisherman had gone fishing with 46 year old Piboon Sujai, and other friends at a weir…

  • Thailand NewsShocking find: Police zap unsafe electronics sold at bargain prices

    Shocking find: Police zap unsafe electronics sold at bargain prices

    The Thai authorities successfully seized a large number of unsafe electronics, including substandard power banks and adapters, which were being sold at suspiciously low prices both in physical stores and online. This crackdown took place yesterday, with authorities aiming to prevent potential explosions and fires often associated with these unsafe products. Head of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), Police…

  • Thailand NewsFungi folly: Couple arrested for selling hallucinogenic mushrooms

    Fungi folly: Couple arrested for selling hallucinogenic mushrooms

    Police apprehended a couple involved in the illegal cultivation and sale of hallucinogenic mushrooms, claiming spiritual enlightenment and healing powers. Despite openly defying law enforcement to intervene, their bravado was shattered when they were ensnared by an undercover agent. The Metropolitan Police Bureau Chief, Thiti Saengsawang, yesterday, May 27, directed a team led by Napasin Poolsawat, along with Thiradet Thammasuteer and…

  • Thailand NewsPolice imposters abduct shop owner’s sister, demand ransom

    Police imposters abduct shop owner’s sister, demand ransom

    A group of men allegedly posing as police officers raided a Narathiwat grocery store, drove out customers, and abducted the shop owner’s sister, demanding a 30,000 baht ransom. The incident occurred yesterday, sparking outrage and calls for an investigation. Four to five men claimed to be officers from a special task force, entering the store without a warrant. They intimidated customers…

  • Thailand NewsEngineer gifts bride 120 baht of gold matching her weight

    Engineer gifts bride 120 baht of gold matching her weight

    A young engineer made headlines by presenting 120 baht of gold, equivalent to the bride’s weight, as a dowry. The event, attended by many notable figures, took place yesterday in Pathum Thani. Kriangkrai Kadsa, known as Joe, led a vibrant procession to ask for the hand of Kewalin Kitiwan, also called Annie. The bride’s family, originally from Kamphaeng Phet, had…

  • Thailand NewsGold stealing Taxi driver arrested for 2 million baht haul

    Gold stealing Taxi driver arrested for 2 million baht haul

    In a swift operation, police detained a taxi driver who was reportedly found in possession of gold worth 1.9 million baht. This follows a gold shop employee’s reports of losing over 40 baht of gold while en route to deliver the valuables to her place of employment in Yaowarat. Chaiyaporn, the gold shop owner, initially offered a 100,000 baht reward…

  • Thailand NewsPython stuck in ceiling rescued in Ang Thong home

    Python stuck in ceiling rescued in Ang Thong home

    A large python was discovered stuck in a concrete crevice under the ceiling, with its head hanging down, in a house in Ang Thong. The homeowner quickly contacted rescue services, who used tools to safely extract the snake. The incident is believed to be a sign of good luck, prompting the homeowner to consider using the house number for a…

  • Thailand NewsThai man ends life after failing to settle child molestation case

    Thai man ends life after failing to settle child molestation case

    A 66 year old man, distressed over failing to settle a molestation case involving a 10 year old girl, ended his life with a firearm yesterday. The incident occurred at an unnamed rowhouse in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, and was reported to the police by 8.10am. Responding to the report, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jirasak and a rescue team…

  • Thailand NewsBuriram village builds shrine for Golden Boy replica

    Buriram village builds shrine for Golden Boy replica

    The local municipality and residents are actively constructing a replica shrine and lifelike statue of the Golden Boy at the excavation site, using funds raised through faith and donations. A grand ceremony is planned for July 18 to honour the artefact. Following the repatriation of the bronze sculptures of Lord Shiva, known as the Golden Boy, and the Kneeling Female…

  • Thailand NewsMother faces 2.6 million baht debt from 10,000 baht loan

    Mother faces 2.6 million baht debt from 10,000 baht loan

    A mother who borrowed 10,000 baht to pay her child’s school fees 12 years ago is now struggling under a crippling debt of 2.6 million baht in interest. The mother, who initially took out the loan when her child was in primary school, is now seeking help from a popular Facebook page, Survive – Sai Mai Must Survive, to resolve…