Petch Petpailin

Petpailin, or Petch, is a Thai translator and writer for The Thaiger who focuses on translating breakingThai news stories into English. With a background in field journalism, Petch brings several years of experience to the English News desk at The Thaiger. Before joining The Thaiger, Petch worked as a content writer for several known blogging sites in Bangkok, including Happio and The Smart Local. Her articles have been syndicated by many big publishers in Thailand and internationally, including the Daily Mail, The Sun and the Bangkok Post. She is a news writer who stops reading news on the weekends to spend more time cafe hopping and petting dwarf shrimp! But during office hours, you can find Petch on LinkedIn and you can reach her by email at petch@thethaiger.com.
  • Pattaya NewsMissing British man found dead in Bangkok hotel after donation appeal | Thaiger

    Missing British man found dead in Bangkok hotel after donation appeal

    Thai netizens raised suspicions about a British family’s donation campaign after they sought financial support to search for a missing relative in Pattaya, only to later announce that he was found dead at a hotel in Bangkok. A missing person poster for 21 year old British national Joshua Kershaw was widely shared across Facebook groups of expats and tourists in…

  • Bangkok News3 Thai children set homeless on fire and film incident as trophy | Thaiger

    3 Thai children set homeless on fire and film incident as trophy

    Three Thai attackers, aged between nine and 15, set a homeless man on fire by the roadside in the Prawet area of Bangkok and filmed the incident as a trophy. The victim was identified as 51 year old Karn, a homeless man who lives under the Ban Ma Bridge in Prawet. He makes a living by collecting and reselling recyclable…

  • Thailand NewsForeign man slammed for flying drone, scaring Khao Yai elephants | Thaiger

    Foreign man slammed for flying drone, scaring Khao Yai elephants

    Thai netizens condemned a foreign man for ignoring national park regulations and flying a drone near a herd of elephants in Khao Yai National Park, causing the animals to panic and putting both tourists and wildlife at risk. The incident occurred yesterday, January 21, at Tung Kwang Mineral Lick, a popular wildlife viewing area within the national park in Nakhon…

  • Pattaya NewsIranian man arrested for illegally running pharmacy in Pattaya | Thaiger

    Iranian man arrested for illegally running pharmacy in Pattaya

    Police arrested an Iranian man on Tuesday, January 20, for illegally operating a pharmacy in Pattaya and selling controlled drugs without permission or a pharmacist licence. Officers from Pattaya Tourist Police, Chon Buri Immigration Office, and Chon Buri Provincial Public Health Office launched the operation after receiving complaints from locals, alleging that a foreign man was operating Kattika Pharmacy, located…

  • Thailand News13 foreigners arrested in romance scam crackdown in Nonthaburi | Thaiger

    13 foreigners arrested in romance scam crackdown in Nonthaburi

    Police arrested 13 foreigners at an accommodation building in Nonthaburi on Monday, January 19, for operating a romance scam network. The suspects included 11 Nigerian men and two Ivorian nationals. The crackdown was launched after a Thai woman filed a complaint with police late last year. She reported to Mueang Nong Khai Police Station that she had transferred more than…

  • Phuket NewsGerman thief arrested after trying to return stolen cash to Phuket spa | Thaiger

    German thief arrested after trying to return stolen cash to Phuket spa

    A German tourist attempted to return stolen cash to a spa in Phuket in an apparent bid to avoid legal consequences, but the spa owner refused to drop the case and called police to have him arrested yesterday, January 20. The incident took place at THAN Spa & Massage, located on Ranong Road in Phuket’s Talat Nuea sub-district. An employee…

  • Bangkok NewsUnverified ‘ladyboy declaration form’ of Bangkok hotel goes viral | Thaiger

    Unverified ‘ladyboy declaration form’ of Bangkok hotel goes viral

    Netizens are questioning the authenticity of a “ladyboy declaration form” allegedly used by a hotel in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area after an image of the document went viral on social media. The image was shared yesterday, January 20, by the Facebook account Just Mike, quickly drawing attention from both Thai and foreign netizens, particularly those who have experience staying in Bangkok…

  • Thailand NewsFamily of 16 stranded in China after paying 700,000 baht to scam travel agency | Thaiger

    Family of 16 stranded in China after paying 700,000 baht to scam travel agency

    A family of 16 fell victim to a travel agency scam, paying 700,000 baht for a fully organised trip to Harbin, China, only to be left to arrange nearly every aspect of the journey themselves after arriving overseas. One of the victims, Chonchanok, shared details of the ordeal on her Facebook account on Saturday, January 17, explaining that she booked…

  • Thailand NewsRomance scam leaves Thai woman in debt while fake lover lives luxurious | Thaiger

    Romance scam leaves Thai woman in debt while fake lover lives luxurious

    A Thai woman lost around 800,000 baht to a man she met on a dating application, only to later discover that he married another woman and was living a luxurious lifestyle. The victim, identified only as Ploy, travelled from Khon Kaen to Nonthaburi to seek legal assistance from lawyer Ronnarong Kaewphet in Bangkok after realising she was deceived. Ploy explained that…

  • Phuket NewsGerman man wanted for stealing 2,000 baht from Phuket spa | Thaiger

    German man wanted for stealing 2,000 baht from Phuket spa

    A foreign man, reportedly a German national, remains at large after stealing 2,000 baht in cash from a spa in Phuket yesterday, January 20. The theft occurred at around 5pm at a spa located on Ranong Road in the Talat Nuea sub-district. The suspect arrived with two companions, but was seen in the CCTV footage committing the crime alone. In…

  • Phuket NewsRussian fraud fugitive on Interpol list arrested in Phuket | Thaiger

    Russian fraud fugitive on Interpol list arrested in Phuket

    Police arrested a Russian national wanted under an Interpol warrant yesterday, January 29, after locating him hiding in the city centre of Phuket. Officers from the Phuket Provincial Immigration Office said they received an alert from the Foreign Affairs Division regarding the suspect, whose name was not disclosed. The Russian man was listed on an Interpol warrant after fleeing his…

  • Bangkok NewsJapanese tourist quits Bangkok trip after airport taxi rip-off | Thaiger

    Japanese tourist quits Bangkok trip after airport taxi rip-off

    A Japanese tourist said he booked a return flight home immediately after being overcharged nearly 2,000 baht by a Thai taxi driver at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. The Japanese man shared his disappointment on his X account, @musasino231, at 3.52am on Sunday, January 18, writing that he was “ripped off by a taxi at Suvarnabhumi Airport.” According to the…

  • Crime NewsHua Hin hotel receptionist’s boyfriend witnesses murder via video call | Thaiger

    Hua Hin hotel receptionist’s boyfriend witnesses murder via video call

    The boyfriend of a hotel receptionist murdered during a night shift in Hua Hin revealed that he witnessed the brutal attack live through a video call. The victim, 35 year old Wirin, was beaten to death during a robbery at her workplace, a hotel in Soi Hua Hin 88/1, at around 3.15am on Monday, January 19. The suspect, 36 year old…

  • Bangkok NewsScottish man missing after arriving in Bangkok for holiday and volunteer work | Thaiger

    Scottish man missing after arriving in Bangkok for holiday and volunteer work

    A 58 year old Scottish man lost contact with his family after arriving in Bangkok earlier this month, prompting friends and expat communities to help search for him across Thailand. A missing person poster for 58 year old Scottish national Kenny Robertson is circulating widely on social media. According to information shared by his family and friends, Robertson arrived at…

  • Hua Hin NewsThai man arrested in murder and robbery of Hua Hin hotel receptionist | Thaiger

    Thai man arrested in murder and robbery of Hua Hin hotel receptionist

    Hua Hin police officers arrested the murderer who killed and robbed a hotel receptionist, after tracking him down near a railway line around five kilometres from the crime scene. The brutal killing was reported at around 3.15am yesterday, January 19, at Best LD Hotel, located in Soi Hua Hin 88/1. The victim, 35 year old Wirin, was working as a…

  • Thailand NewsThai influencer demands probe into sister’s death in Sisaket | Thaiger

    Thai influencer demands probe into sister’s death in Sisaket

    A Thai social media influencer demanded a thorough investigation into the death of his younger sister after her body was found in a canal in Sisaket province, saying the discovery of her bloodstained underwear and a hidden mobile phone raised doubts. Officers from Mueang Sisaket Police Station were alerted to a suspected suicide at White Bridge above the Samran Canal…

  • Thailand NewsBuriram election under scrutiny after unpaid vote-buying complaint | Thaiger

    Buriram election under scrutiny after unpaid vote-buying complaint

    A Thai woman sparked widespread backlash and an official investigation after she publicly complained that a sub-district chief candidate in Buriram province failed to pay her the promised 500 baht for her vote in the recent local election. Sub-district chief elections were held nationwide on January 11, with official results already announced. However, controversy later erupted in Buriram province in…

  • Pattaya NewsChinese man arrested in Pattaya luxury condo for selling Pod K | Thaiger

    Chinese man arrested in Pattaya luxury condo for selling Pod K

    Police arrested a Chinese man at a condominium in Pattaya yesterday, January 19, for distributing ketamine-laced vape liquid, commonly known in Thailand as Pod K. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station and Chon Buri Provincial Police launched a joint operation dubbed “Clip the Wings,” aimed at cracking down on illegal items and narcotics circulating in the resort city. During the…

  • Thailand News5 women accuse Thai DJ-photographer of sexual assault and abuse | Thaiger

    5 women accuse Thai DJ-photographer of sexual assault and abuse

    Five Thai women accused a man who worked as both a photographer and DJ of sexually assaulting and physically abusing them after luring them into sexy photoshoots or DJ training sessions. The allegations came to light after one of the victims, a female DJ known as Aris, publicly exposed the man’s behaviour on social media on January 16. Aris said she…

  • Pattaya NewsSouth Korean man reports pickpocketing by Pattaya transwoman and woman | Thaiger

    South Korean man reports pickpocketing by Pattaya transwoman and woman

    A South Korean tourist filed a police complaint after losing his mobile phone, cash, and credit cards in a pickpocketing incident involving a Thai transwoman and another woman in Pattaya. The complaint was lodged at Mueang Pattaya Police Station at around 11.30pm last night, January 19. The victim, a 64 year old South Korean man identified as Hong, was accompanied…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket hotel worker in DJ room break-in case released on 50,000 baht bail | Thaiger

    Phuket hotel worker in DJ room break-in case released on 50,000 baht bail

    Phuket Provincial Court granted bail to the hotel security employee accused of attempting to break into a female DJ’s room, allowing his release on 50,000 baht yesterday, January 19. The attempted break-in at Holiday Inn Resort Surin Beach came to public attention after a Thai female DJ, Mirinda Malinrattanawadee, shared details of the incident on he Facebook account on Friday,…

  • Thailand NewsQuestions raised after ITD wins safety award despite deadly construction accidents | Thaiger

    Questions raised after ITD wins safety award despite deadly construction accidents

    The Department of Labour Protection and Welfare came under heavy criticism after it emerged that Italian-Thai Development (ITD) received a national safety award despite a series of deadly construction accidents. Public scrutiny intensified following the recent crane collapse in Nakhon Ratchasima, which struck a passenger train, and another collapse on Rama II Road near Bangkok. Both incidents resulted in deaths…

  • Thailand NewsThai mother says hospital delay leads to death of her newborn baby | Thaiger

    Thai mother says hospital delay leads to death of her newborn baby

    A 23 year old Thai woman demanded accountability from a state hospital in Udon Thani province, claiming medical staff left her waiting in critical condition for more than three hours, a delay she believed led to the death of her newborn son. The grieving mother, Nattawadee “Nan” Komonwanich, reached out to Thai social media influencer Phanumart “Piak” Jitwasinkul, in an…

  • Thailand NewsThai musician killed on Korat road after conflict with rival band | Thaiger

    Thai musician killed on Korat road after conflict with rival band

    Police today, January 19, arrested five suspects in connection with the murder of a drummer in Nakhon Ratchasima province, following a long-running conflict between their music bands. The victim, 47 year old Phichate, the drummer and leader of the Rai Kart music band, was found dead at 4.47am on Saturday, January 18, on Dan Khuntod–Thepharak Road in the Dan Khuntod…

  • Chiang Mai NewsThai woman and 2 Chinese men arrested over nominee hotel in Chiang Mai | Thaiger

    Thai woman and 2 Chinese men arrested over nominee hotel in Chiang Mai

    A Chinese woman fled arrest while two Chinese partners and a Thai nominee were taken into custody during a raid on an illegally operated hotel in Chiang Mai province on Thursday, January 15. Officers from the Chiang Mai Provincial Immigration Office raided a hotel on Chang Klan Road in the city centre following an investigation into suspected nominee business practices.…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok homeless man steals luxury bag from Chinese tourist | Thaiger

    Bangkok homeless man steals luxury bag from Chinese tourist

    Police arrested a Thai homeless man for snatching a luxury bag from a Chinese tourist outside a restaurant in Bangkok’s Yan Nawa area on Friday, January 16. The Chinese victim filed a theft complaint with Yannawa Police Station at around 9.45pm. She told officers that she had been dining at a restaurant on Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Road and briefly left her belongings…

  • Phuket NewsDanish woman breaks arm and leg while hiking in Phuket | Thaiger

    Danish woman breaks arm and leg while hiking in Phuket

    A Danish couple sought assistance from rescuers after the woman suffered broken bones to her arm and leg during a hiking trip along the Ton Sai–Bang Pae route in Phuket. Rescuers from Guardians of Life Medical & Rescue received a distress call from the foreign couple on Friday, January 16, reporting an accident on the popular hiking trail. The incident…

  • Phuket NewsThai man loses diamond ring in Phuket EDM festival, ruining proposal plan | Thaiger

    Thai man loses diamond ring in Phuket EDM festival, ruining proposal plan

    A Thai man lost a diamond ring worth about 300,000 baht and multiple credit cards to a pickpocket at an EDM music festival in Phuket on Saturday, January 17, shattering his plan to propose to his girlfriend. The victim’s girlfriend shared details of the incident on her Facebook account, Acare Alice, yesterday, January 18. The theft reportedly occurred during the…

  • Thailand NewsNigerian drug dealer arrested on Koh Pha Ngan after skipping court | Thaiger

    Nigerian drug dealer arrested on Koh Pha Ngan after skipping court

    Police arrested a Nigerian drug dealer on Koh Pha Ngan in Surat Thani on Wednesday, January 14, after he skipped court proceedings following an earlier arrest. Officers from the Koh Pha Ngan Tourist Police received a tip-off that the suspect, 38 year old Nigerian national Ukoma Jefta Nuzbech, who was wanted in a drug case, was travelling along a road…

  • Chiang Mai NewsJapanese man arrested after viral reviews on his illegal matcha stall | Thaiger

    Japanese man arrested after viral reviews on his illegal matcha stall

    Online food reviews led to the arrest of a Japanese man for operating a matcha ice cream shop without permission in Chiang Mai. The apprehension later sparked a heated online debate, with some netizens accusing authorities of discrimination. The Japanese man, 39 year old Junichi, was operating a small matcha ice cream stall outside Yang Kwang Temple, located in the city…