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.
  • Crime NewsUPDATE: Actress’ rape complaint could expose political corruption in Thailand

    UPDATE: Actress’ rape complaint could expose political corruption in Thailand

    UPDATE: Aphidit faces 13 charges, and the court denies bail Aphidit “Em” Intilasksana faces 13 charges in relation to drugging and raping a Thai actress while the court also denied him bail after it was discovered he tried to destroy evidence. Yesterday, an officer from Chok Chai Police Station spent over nine hours questioning Aphidit. After the questioning ended Aphidit…

  • Thailand NewsTeacher faces jail after student’s punishment leads to crippling injury

    Teacher faces jail after student’s punishment leads to crippling injury

    A teacher faces prison and a hefty fine after punishing a student with squat jumps, leading to Myofascial Pain Syndrome. The 15 year old boy required leg surgery after a high school teacher in the central province of Kanchanaburi punished him for missing a class by making him do 200 squat jumps on July 23. The boy’s mother, Lek Au-Thong,…

  • Thailand NewsThai couple’s 1,000km, 20 hours Songkran motorcycle odyssey

    Thai couple’s 1,000km, 20 hours Songkran motorcycle odyssey

    A Thai couple travelled 20 hours on a motorbike and over 1,000 kilometres from Bangkok to their hometown in Pattani province in the south of Thailand before Songkran because all train tickets were fully booked and flights were too pricey for them. The woman, Nurfatihah, posted a video of the epic motorcycle journey she took to Pattani with her boyfriend…

  • Economy NewsThailand sees more businesses go bankrupt over past 7 months

    Thailand sees more businesses go bankrupt over past 7 months

    The Business Development Department (BDD) under the Commerce Ministry revealed yesterday that more than 7,500 businesses in Thailand went bankrupt in the past seven months. The number of bankruptcies increased by 24% compared to the same time last year while the number of new businesses is also expected to decrease said the BDD. BDD Director Tossapon Tangsuboot made public business…

  • Crime NewsUPDATE: Actress’ rape complaint could expose political corruption in Thailand

    UPDATE: Actress’ rape complaint could expose political corruption in Thailand

    UPDATE: The suspect denies rape allegations saying he is being blackmailed The suspect accused of drugging and raping a Thai actress today denied all allegations, insisting he is being blackmailed by the actress, singer-songwriter. The alleged rapist, Aphidit “Em” Intilasksana, today visited Chok Chai Police Station to acknowledge the allegations by the 21 year old woman. The accused spoke to…

  • Thailand NewsThai actor’s plan to swim from Thailand to Laos for charity

    Thai actor’s plan to swim from Thailand to Laos for charity

    Famous Thai actor and singer Phakin “Tono” Khamwilaisak hopes to make a splash with his charity swim across the Mekong River from Thailand to Laos and at the same time raise awareness about environmental issues and raise funds for hospitals in the two countries. Tono announced his plan via his Instagram account last Thursday, August 25. He revealed that he…

  • Thailand NewsLocals angry after public road shut for private party in S Thailand

    Locals angry after public road shut for private party in S Thailand

    The son in law of a police officer caused outrage in the local community of Trang in the south of Thailand after he blocked off a public road to have a housewarming party. Netizens in Trang demanded answers from the provincial government after a video emerged on social media of an ambulance being denied access to the road because it…

  • Thailand NewsHealthy Siamese twins share teacher dream in Thailand

    Healthy Siamese twins share teacher dream in Thailand

    Thirteen-year-old Siamese twins in central Thailand are defying convention, living a healthy, happy life, and dreaming of becoming teachers. Conjoined twins are a rare phenomenon. Approximately half are stillborn while a third die within 24 hours of a mother giving birth. But the Siamese sisters from Nakhon Sawan province in central Thailand have bucked the poor health trend generally associated…

  • Bangkok NewsOfficer issues arrest threat to security after his bike is clamped

    Officer issues arrest threat to security after his bike is clamped

    A Thai policeman threatened to arrest security guards after they clamped his motorcycle at a condominium in Bangkok. He also refused to pay the parking fine. Yesterday, the Facebook page, โหลกแดง in the Multiverse of Madness, or Red Skull in the Multiverse of Madness, shared a video of a policeman arguing with security guards at a condo in the Bang…

  • Crime NewsOfficial arrested for soliciting bribes from Chiang Mai residents

    Official arrested for soliciting bribes from Chiang Mai residents

    The Deputy District Chief of Mueng Chaing Mai faces life in prison after he was arrested for soliciting bribes following a sting operation yesterday. The Deputy District Chief, Sorrapong Telawanit, allegedly asked residents for money in exchange for favours but claimed to police, “It’s just a gift that residents are willing to offer.” The media reported yesterday that residents in…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok chief’s 2-year pledge to clean up capital’s cables

    Bangkok chief’s 2-year pledge to clean up capital’s cables

    “Let’s clean it up first because the underground cable project requires more budget and discussion,” said Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt who promises to clean up 800 kilometres of power lines within two years. The Bangkok Deputy Governor, Wisanu Subsompon, revealed Bangkok had to temporarily suspend the underground power line project due to a lack of budget. He did, however, promise…

  • Crime NewsActress’ rape complaint could expose political corruption in Thailand

    Actress’ rape complaint could expose political corruption in Thailand

    A Thai actress sought the help of a celebrity lawyer after police repeatedly ignored her claims she had been drugged and raped by the nephew of a prominent politician. The actress, singer, and songwriter made public the alleged rapist contacted her via Instagram to talk about work. They agreed to meet at a shopping mall on August 9 but at…

  • Politics NewsThai authorities search for graffiti activists insulting ex PM Prayut

    Thai authorities search for graffiti activists insulting ex PM Prayut

    Authorities are searching for a group of political activists who spray-painted offensive words disparaging Thailand’s suspended prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a number of public places throughout the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. The media reported that the activists held a public expression of solidarity at several spots in Nakhon Ratchasima without permission on Wednesday, August 24. The activities were…

  • Economy NewsHousehold debt hits all-time high, nearly 100% of Thais have debt

    Household debt hits all-time high, nearly 100% of Thais have debt

    A Thai household debt survey this year revealed that almost every person in Thailand has household debt. But that’s not all, the average household debt hit an all-time high in the kingdom. Today, the Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce revealed the survey results, saying nearly 100% of Thai people had…

  • Thailand NewsThai Airways restructures plans to get back in black

    Thai Airways restructures plans to get back in black

    Thai Airways announced it is renting three more planes and hiring 600 more staff this year as part of its restructuring plans. After cutting costs, selling stock, chasing debts, and distributing plane seats, Thai Airways’ turnover rate in the third quarter of this year is expected to increase. Not only that, the President of the Reorganisation Committee of the Thai…

  • Thailand NewsPlastic bags and old water pumps cause flood in Bangkok

    Plastic bags and old water pumps cause flood in Bangkok

    Highway officers revealed plastic bags stuck in water pumps caused a flood inside the Pakkret Intersection Tunnel in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. Officers from the Nonthaburi Highway District investigated the Pakkret Intersection Tunnel yesterday to determine the cause of the flood on August 21. After five hours, officers reported that many plastic bags and garbage were stuck in the propellers…

  • Thailand NewsLucky Thai couple finds 1 million baht pearl in their dinner

    Lucky Thai couple finds 1 million baht pearl in their dinner

    It wasn’t so much the world’s your oyster for a young Thai couple but more a slow and steady pace winning the race after they found a rare pearl worth over 1 million baht inside a snail while eating seafood at a local BBQ restaurant. Sittidate Chaiwan was celebrating the birthday of his girlfriend, 27 year old Patjariya Gatip, on…

  • Thailand NewsHomeless Thai man turns pedestrian overpass into bedroom

    Homeless Thai man turns pedestrian overpass into bedroom

    A contrite Thai TikTok user apologised for posting a video of a bedroom created by a homeless man on a pedestrian overpass after it was destroyed by highway officials. The uploaded TikTok video features a man-made bedroom on a pedestrian overpass in the central province of Ayutthaya. The bedroom was created by a homeless man but once the video went…

  • Thailand NewsGovt officials spend too much time online rage Thailand netizens

    Govt officials spend too much time online rage Thailand netizens

    A survey revealing Internet user behaviour among Thailand’s government officials has annoyed the nation’s netizens who believe they have too much free time on their hands. The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) yesterday announced the results of a report on Thailand’s Internet User Behaviour, with government officials coming out on top. The ETDA collected the information from 46,348 participants between…

  • Pattaya NewsUPDATE: 16 Middle Eastern joyriders in Pattaya arrested

    UPDATE: 16 Middle Eastern joyriders in Pattaya arrested

    UPDATE Pattaya police arrested 16 Middle Eastern joyriders and seized 43 motorcycles on Monday night after complaints from locals. Police made known they are still on the lookout for the rest of the racers and that the relevant motorcycle rental shops would be charged too. Officers from the Provincial Police Region 2, and Mueng Pattaya Police Station, held a press…

  • Thailand NewsFloods in Thailand claim 3 lives, affecting 14,657 households

    Floods in Thailand claim 3 lives, affecting 14,657 households

    The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) revealed the floods in 28 of Thailand’s provinces between August 15 to 23 claimed the lives of three people and affected 14,657 households. The government department also warned that heavy rain and flash floods would continue in many areas. According to the report, the floods between August 15 to 23 killed three…

  • Road deathsMother demands 66 million baht after uni bus kills her daughter

    Mother demands 66 million baht after uni bus kills her daughter

    A mother is demanding 66 million baht from Khon Kaen University after the college bus hit and killed her daughter on the morning of August 10. A security camera captured footage of two students on a motorcycle waiting for the traffic lights to change at a road intersection when the university bus crashed into them. The two victims were sophomore…

  • Crime NewsPolice probe illegal tree felling in NE Thailand worth 1 million baht

    Police probe illegal tree felling in NE Thailand worth 1 million baht

    Police last night revealed they are trying to get to the bottom of a conundrum after the illegal felling of state trees worth 1 million baht in the Isaan province of Nong Kai. Officers from Tha Bor Police Station, and officials from the Tha Bor District Office, seized the expensive wood from a forest along Tha Bor – Baan Pue…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s motorists face jail time for splashing pedestrians

    Thailand’s motorists face jail time for splashing pedestrians

    A Thai government warning that drivers face jail time and fines if they splash pedestrians has drawn an unusual response from the nation’s strollers – fix the roads! The threat is all the more bizarre given Thailand is in the midst of its monsoon season and it is almost impossible to drive on the kingdom’s roads without splashing through pools…

  • Bangkok NewsAngry woman taxi driver fined for racing a bus in Bangkok

    Angry woman taxi driver fined for racing a bus in Bangkok

    An emotionally-charged taxi driver appeared to lose her mind and forget her responsibilities as she turned into a joyriding thrill seeker as she played a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a bus coach. A video of three university students in the back of the crazed taxi driver’s car was posted last Friday, August 19, and went viral on…

  • Bangkok NewsTransgender stabs boyfriend to death after he hit her with a ganja bong

    Transgender stabs boyfriend to death after he hit her with a ganja bong

    A 19 year old man was stabbed to death by his transgender girlfriend yesterday after he hit her on the head with a ganja bong. Yesterday, police officers from the Bangkok Yai Police Station, and a rescue team, investigated a three-story machine shop building in Soi Petchkasem 4-6 in the Wang Tha Phra sub-district, Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok. There…

  • Pattaya NewsLocals angry as Middle Eastern joyriders race through Pattaya

    Locals angry as Middle Eastern joyriders race through Pattaya

    Middle Eastern joyriders have turned Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya into a racing track… again, and locals are sick of it. Locals urged police to use the full force of the law and impose serious measures as the number of racers on Sukhumvit Road has increased over the past two months. Last night, Thai media reported that a group of more…

  • Thailand NewsCops tell Thai TikTokers to quit roadside dancing

    Cops tell Thai TikTokers to quit roadside dancing

    The Royal Thai Police warned the nation’s TikTokers to stop dancing to a truck’s horn by the roadside. Truck drivers have also been threatened with a fine of up to 500 baht if they join in the activity. During the past couple of months, videos of people dancing by the roadside to a truck’s horn have become a viral trend…

  • Bangkok NewsTaiwanese YouTuber loses items worth 154,000 baht in Bangkok

    Taiwanese YouTuber loses items worth 154,000 baht in Bangkok

    Taiwanese YouTuber Alisasa was robbed of items worth about 154,000 baht while travelling in Bangkok last week. The popular YouTuber announced to fans that she was disappointed her camera and bag were snatched, resulting in lost videos recorded for her channel, but insisted she still enjoyed her trip to the Thai capital city. On August 16, the female YouTuber posted…

  • Pattaya NewsDrunk woman gets earful after biting tourist’s ear off in Pattaya

    Drunk woman gets earful after biting tourist’s ear off in Pattaya

    A drunken Thai woman was arrested on Saturday in Pattaya after an unprovoked attack on a Thai-American tourist without reason, biting his right ear off, and swallowing it. The 28 year old offender, Kannika Khamthon, was arrested after the incident and taken to Muang Pattaya Police Station. Police reported she was very drunk, and couldn’t answer questions. Kannika was also…