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 NewsPride Month kicks off with Rainbow Runway in Bangkok (video)

    Pride Month kicks off with Rainbow Runway in Bangkok (video)

    Pride Month celebrations kicked off with grandeur on the 80-metre Rainbow Runway at the centralwOrld Rhythm of Pride 2024 event held at CentralWorld in Bangkok. The event underscored diversity and equality for the LGBTQ+ community, marking a significant celebration in the heart of Bangkok. The highlight of the event was Metinee Kingpayome, a prominent figure in the LGBTQIAN+ community, who…

  • Thailand NewsTwo shot dead while gathering intelligence in Songkhla

    Two shot dead while gathering intelligence in Songkhla

    Two people were shot dead while gathering information in Thepa, Songkhla yesterday. Ponnchai Kwanpanya, the head of Huai Pling Police Station in Songkhla, received a report of a shooting incident yesterday at 5.30pm. The attack occurred on a road in Ban Huai Pling, Moo 2, Tham Wang Subdistrict, Thepa District, Songkhla Province. Authorities, including military forces from Songkhla Special Task…

  • Thailand NewsHeavy rainfall warning issued for 46 provinces including Bangkok

    Heavy rainfall warning issued for 46 provinces including Bangkok

    The Meteorological Department has issued a severe weather warning, forecasting heavy rainfall in 46 provinces, including Bangkok, with 70% of the area expected to be affected. Residents are advised to take precautions against potential flash floods and forest runoff. Moderate southwesterly monsoon winds are covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, coupled with a low-pressure area over…

  • Thailand NewsDrunk driver causes fatal motorcycle crash in Samut Songkhram

    Drunk driver causes fatal motorcycle crash in Samut Songkhram

    A tragic accident occurred today as a 20 year old man lost his life when his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck driven by a drunk driver in Amphawa, Samut Songkhram. The collision took place on Somdet Phra Suriyenthr Bridge Road, involving a Honda Wave motorcycle and an Isuzu D-Max pickup truck. Authorities responded promptly to the accident site, where…

  • NewsAncient treasure chest unearthed in Laos along Mekong River

    Ancient treasure chest unearthed in Laos along Mekong River

    A treasure chest was unearthed along the banks of the Mekong River in Bokeo Province, Laos, revealing a trove of Buddha statues, gemstones, coloured stones, metal artefacts, and other valuable items. The discovery follows earlier findings of Buddha statues and ancient artefacts in the same area, believed to be the site of an old temple and city from the fabled…

  • Thailand NewsSRT demolishes buildings in Nakhon Ratchasima for high-speed rail

    SRT demolishes buildings in Nakhon Ratchasima for high-speed rail

    The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has begun demolishing buildings in a disputed area in Nakhon Ratchasima to expedite the construction of a high-speed rail project. Only one commercial unit awaits demolition due to a pending compensation claim. Demolition work started today, with machinery moving in to clear the area in the Mueang district. The SRT aims to clear this…

  • Thailand NewsToll fees waived on three expressways to honour Queen’s birthday

    Toll fees waived on three expressways to honour Queen’s birthday

    Toll fees will be waived on three expressways to commemorate the Queen’s birthday. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), along with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) and Northern Bangkok Expressway Company Limited (NECL), have announced this special exemption. The announcement, made yesterday, specifies that the toll-free access is in honour of the Queen’s birthday on June 3.…

  • Thailand NewsTwo million meth pills seized in Chiang Rai raid, driver escapes

    Two million meth pills seized in Chiang Rai raid, driver escapes

    The authorities in Chiang Rai intensified border security in the northern region, collaborating with multiple agencies to intercept drug trafficking operations, culminating in a seizure of two million meth pills today in Ban Mae Salong Nai. Commander of the Northern Border Drug Suppression Command Unit (NBDU 35), General Narit Thawornwong announced that the government has approved expanding urgent operational areas in…

  • 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 NewsFormer lawyer found dead at home in Nakhon Si Thammarat

    Former lawyer found dead at home in Nakhon Si Thammarat

    A former lawyer tragically died in his luxurious home in the heart of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The police are intensively investigating the cause and conducting a thorough autopsy to determine the circumstances surrounding his death. Police Major Thanatorn Phanchoo, investigator at the Nakhon Si Thammarat City Police Station, received a report of a death at a residence in Khlang Subdistrict,…

  • 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…

  • Thailand NewsPolice arrest woman in Nawamin for online mobile phone scam

    Police arrest woman in Nawamin for online mobile phone scam

    Police officers apprehended a Thai woman at her condominium in the Nawamin district for allegedly defrauding people through an online scam operation of mobile phone sales. She faces three separate fraud charges. Authorities arrested 24 year old Ruangfa, also known as Mabel, following a lengthy investigation into online criminal networks causing significant public distress. Ruangfa had reportedly set up a…

  • 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 NewsWoman’s skeleton found under temple crematorium in Bangkok

    Woman’s skeleton found under temple crematorium in Bangkok

    The discovery of a woman’s skeletal remains under a crematorium at a well-known temple in Bang Rak has shocked the community. The police have launched an investigation into the case, which dates back to an incident approximately 40 years ago. Police Lieutenant Krirkwut Ariyametha, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) at Bang Rak Police Station, received a report today, May 29, about the…

  • 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 NewsFireworks factory explosion victims wait compensation a year on

    Fireworks factory explosion victims wait compensation a year on

    A devastating fireworks factory explosion in San Thung Mai village of Chiang Mai, left residents grappling with extensive damage and financial burdens nearly one year later. Compensation from the factory has yet to be received, forcing many to bear repair costs themselves, with some incurring expenses close to 200,000 baht. The explosion occurred around noon on July 24 last year,…

  • 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 NewsImmigration’s fruitful swoop on illegal vendors selling durians

    Immigration’s fruitful swoop on illegal vendors selling durians

    Immigration Division 1 officers swooped on illegal seasonal fruit vendors, arresting several foreign nationals attempting to sell durians and other fruits on Nawamin Road in Bangkok. They were promptly apprehended despite efforts to flee on motorised tricycles. Commander of Immigration Division 1, Police Major General Prasart Khemaprasit, along with Deputy Commander, Police Colonel Keeratisak Kongkiatsiri, and Investigation Superintendent, Police Colonel Kachapon…

  • 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…