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.
  • Thailand NewsBangkok police allegedly shoots and kills colleague on accident while drunk

    Bangkok police allegedly shoots and kills colleague on accident while drunk

    A 50 year old police officer was shot to death at a police station in Bangkok, allegedly by his close colleague who was reportedly drunk and showing off his new guns. A senior police officer told Thai media that the officers were not on duty or in uniform were the shooting occurred. The off-duty officers were lounging an office at…

  • World NewsUkrainians and Russians in Thailand gather in Phuket to call for peace

    Ukrainians and Russians in Thailand gather in Phuket to call for peace

    Ukrainians and Russians in Thailand have been gathering in various locations in Phuket to call for peace and urge to stop the violence. Crowds waved flags and balloons in Ukraine’s national colours yellow and blue as they called for an end to the conflict. This morning, over 80 Ukrainian and Russian tourists and expats were on the roadside by the…

  • Covid-19 NewsMonday Covid Update: 22,311 new cases; provincial totals

    Monday Covid Update: 22,311 new cases; provincial totals

    42 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 22,933 with 1,235 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 22,311 new Covid-19 cases and 17,470 recoveries. There are now 213,645 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok bridge collapses, officials say mistake made during construction

    Bangkok bridge collapses, officials say mistake made during construction

    A 50-metre bridge in Bangkok collapsed over the weekend, reportedly due to mistakes made by the construction team that affected the structure. The collapse on Udomsuk road impacted traffic as well as the water tap system in the area. No accidents and losses were reported, and it was expected to be repaired within one month. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Secretary Khajit…

  • Thailand NewsFire breaks out at Major Cineplex in Bangkok’s Ekkamai area

    Fire breaks out at Major Cineplex in Bangkok’s Ekkamai area

    A cinema in Bangkok’s Ekkamai area caught fire early this morning, with flames spread on the fourth and fifth floor of the theatre. Major Cineplex Sukhumvit was closed when the fire broke out at around 4:43am today. Firefighters are investigating to determine what caused the fire. Early this morning, a vendor outside the cinema was preparing to set up shop…

  • Thailand NewsEthnic group in Southern province complains losing residence due to tourism

    Ethnic group in Southern province complains losing residence due to tourism

    Representatives of the Mani ethnic group in the Southern province of Satun in Thailand have handed a letter to the authorities complaining that they would lose their residence and couldn’t access a better quality of life due to the local tourism industry. The representatives told the authorities they didn’t even have a right to replace a thatched roof with a…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok to open 9 community isolation centres with 970 beds for mild patients

    Bangkok to open 9 community isolation centres with 970 beds for mild patients

    Authorities from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration visited the new community isolation centre in the Thawee Wattana district of Bangkok. They were checking the centre before it officially opens. Nine more isolation centres will open, and are expected to offer 970 beds for Covid-19 patients in Thailand’s capital. The authorities also said the Bangkok Emergency Medical Centre improved its contact system to…

  • Thailand NewsPublic health secretary says “drugs are not snacks, no Favipiravir given if not necessary”

    Public health secretary says “drugs are not snacks, no Favipiravir given if not necessary”

    Previously, the Public Health Ministry had decided to provide the anti-viral drug Favipiravir to more groups of Covid-19 patients, including patients who had only mild symptoms or no symptoms. However, the ministry secretary told Thai media yesterday that the direction has changed, and Favipiravir will be given to Covid-19 patients “only if necessary”. The authorities also warned of side effects…

  • Thailand NewsIndian mafia member arrested in Pattaya, confirmed no links to Phuket murder

    Indian mafia member arrested in Pattaya, confirmed no links to Phuket murder

    An Indian mafia member was arrested in Pattaya after a red Interpol notice. He was allegedly involved in robbery, murder, human trafficking, ransom and money laundering in India. But Thai police have already confirmed that there is no links between the arrested man and the ‘hit job’ on Indian citizen Jimi “Slice” Sandhu on February 4. The Pattaya suspect reportedly…

  • Thailand NewsPattaya Music Festival postponed due to a rise in Covid-19 cases

    Pattaya Music Festival postponed due to a rise in Covid-19 cases

    Next month’s Pattaya Music Festival 2022 is being postponed due to the surge in Covid-19 cases which hit 1,250 new infections in Chon Buri today. With the recent decision to hold off the music festival, some are worried authorities may also yet again cancel April’s Songkran festival, the massive water fight celebrating the Thai New Year. Pattaya Music Festival was…

  • Crime NewsForeign man arrested for allegedly smuggling 1.28 kilograms of cocaine into Thailand

    Foreign man arrested for allegedly smuggling 1.28 kilograms of cocaine into Thailand

    Thailand’s Customs Department seized 1.28 kilograms of cocaine from a man at a quarantine who had just entered the country from Guinea Bissau. Authorities suspect the man may have ingested the packages drugs as a way to get passed security at the airport. The 41 year old man from Sierra Leone arrived at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on February 12. He…

  • Thailand NewsTrang residents with Covid complain of lack of food in government’s aid packages

    Trang residents with Covid complain of lack of food in government’s aid packages

    A number of locals in the southern province Trang say provincial authorities have skimped on the aid packages for those in home isolation while they recover from Covid-19. During the 10-day mandatory time in self-quarantine, the residents say authorities have only been giving them instant noodles, canned fish, and rice… not the three meals a day they say they were…

  • Covid-19 NewsThursday Covid Update: 23,557 new cases; provincial totals

    Thursday Covid Update: 23,557 new cases; provincial totals

    38 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 22,768 with 1,070 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 23,557 new Covid-19 cases and 16,131 recoveries. There are now 180,993 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…

  • Pattaya NewsOil tanker investigated after Thai Navy spots waste off the coast of Chon Buri

    Oil tanker investigated after Thai Navy spots waste off the coast of Chon Buri

    Thai authorities are investigating an oil tanker after waste was found floating near an island off the coast of Chon Buri’s Sattahip district, according to a Royal Thai Navy spokesperson. Yesterday, the Royal Thai Navy’s corvette reported a waste spill about 9 kilometres away from the island and said it spread across a large area of the Gulf of Thailand.…

  • Thailand NewsCabinet approves the use of chemical castration on repeat sex offenders

    Cabinet approves the use of chemical castration on repeat sex offenders

    The Thai Cabinet approved a bill aimed at preventing repeated sexual offense cases, which includes chemically castrating sexual predators, if at least two medical professionals agree with the procedure and the offender gives consent. MP and spokesperson from the Palang Pracharath Party, Pacharin Sumsiripon, and Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin had proposed the so-called “Sex Act” to prevent repeated sexual offense…

  • Thailand NewsTeenager reports sexual assault at co-ed isolation centre for Covid-19 patients

    Teenager reports sexual assault at co-ed isolation centre for Covid-19 patients

    A teenager staying in a community isolation centre while recovering from Covid-19 says she was sexually assaulted by a young man staying in the same room, adding that there were no authorities monitoring the patients. Many of Thailand’s field hospitals and isolation centres have numerous beds made from cardboard boxes all in one large room, like a gymnasium. The 15…

  • Thailand NewsWednesday Covid Update: 21,232 new infections, provincial totals

    Wednesday Covid Update: 21,232 new infections, provincial totals

    39 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 22,730 with 1,032 of those fatalities since the start of this year, mostly related to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 21,232 new Covid infections and 16,662 recoveries. There are now…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 patients found on Bangkok streets waiting for treatment after cases spike

    Covid-19 patients found on Bangkok streets waiting for treatment after cases spike

    Today, Thailand’s CCSA reported new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours have reached 21,232 with 39 Covid-related deaths. Thai media and volunteer groups are also reporting that the availability of beds is “at a crisis point”. Photos of patients being left to wait for treatment on the street or on temple grounds are also being shared around social media.…

  • Thailand NewsTourists complain of more scams at a free public carpark at Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier

    Tourists complain of more scams at a free public carpark at Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier

    Residents and Thai tourists are again complaining to Pattaya authorities saying that they were charged a parking fee at a ‘free’ public carpark at the Bali Hai Pier. The residents report there was a group of people around the carpark and demanding a fee of 300 baht per day from the drivers. Many tourists, both Thais and foreigners, weren’t aware…

  • Pattaya NewsForeign cyclist pronounced dead after being hit by pick up truck in Chon Buri

    Foreign cyclist pronounced dead after being hit by pick up truck in Chon Buri

    Officers from Huay Yai Provincial Police Station were notified of a road incident on the Sattahip – Korat road in Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri. At the scene, one foreigner, who was believed to be a local expat, was found dead in a watercourse adjacent to the road. Thai media reported that the foreign victim was about 60 –…

  • Thailand NewsMonks host funeral for scarecrow named ‘Covid’ to ward off disease

    Monks host funeral for scarecrow named ‘Covid’ to ward off disease

    Well, anything is worth a try at this stage! Monks at a temple in the central Thai province of Suphan Buri have hosted the funeral for a scarecrow, which was named “Mr. Covid Omicron”. Thai locals believed this ceremony could help ward off evil, which is Covid-19 in this case. Residents were scared and worried about the spread of Covid-19…

  • Covid-19 NewsTuesday Covid Update: 18,363 new infections, provincial totals

    Tuesday Covid Update: 18,363 new infections, provincial totals

    35 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 22,691 with 993 of those fatalities since the start of this year. The CCSA has recorded 18,363 new Covid infections and 15,651 recoveries. There are now 169,074 people in Thailand currently being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded today, 31…

  • Pattaya NewsRoyal Thai Navy sailor reports “being abused” by senior officer

    Royal Thai Navy sailor reports “being abused” by senior officer

    A sailor in the Royal Thai Navy has made a formal complaint to police that his senior “abused him”. The seaman surmised that his senior might have been dissatisfied with his cooking skills and how he cut the vegetables. He told police he was hit on the head and ordered to go through a range of punishments. After discussing with…

  • Thailand NewsStar Petroleum vows to seal underwater pipeline and “clean up” oil slicks in Rayong

    Star Petroleum vows to seal underwater pipeline and “clean up” oil slicks in Rayong

    Star Petroleum Refining, the petrochemical company behind 3 separate oil leaks about 20 kilometres off the Rayong coastline, has now been approved by Map Ta Phut Provincial police and Marine Department to seal leaks in their underwater pipeline. The company says that works have begun today, starting with clearing the most recent oil leak of around 12,000 spare metres that…

  • Thailand NewsOil company gets approval to seal oil leak on underwater pipeline in Rayong

    Oil company gets approval to seal oil leak on underwater pipeline in Rayong

    Following the oil leaks found polluting Rayong’s beaches, Star Petroleum Refining officers shared with Thai media that the company will repair and seal another spot on the underwater pipeline tomorrow. The company filed a request with the Mab Ta Phut Provincial Police Station and the Marine Department for permission to fix the leak and it has now been approved. This…

  • Thailand NewsMonk allegedly fires shots at residents in Northern Thailand

    Monk allegedly fires shots at residents in Northern Thailand

    A monk allegedly fired shots at residents nearby a temple in the northern province Mae Hong Son yesterday. Reports say the monk fled the scene, but was later found and forced to leave monkhood. Officers searched the monk’s living quarters and found airsoft guns with equipment to modify the pellet guns as well as ammunition. The monk had gotten into…

  • Thailand NewsPublic bus hits motorbike stopped for pedestrians at zebra crossing in Bangkok

    Public bus hits motorbike stopped for pedestrians at zebra crossing in Bangkok

    A motorbike driver who stopped at a zebra crossing to yield pedestrians the right of way was hit from behind by an oncoming public bus. Thais on social media have been sharing a CCTV video clip of the accident. Pedestrian safety has been in the spotlight in Thailand after the fatal accident last month where a police officer sped and…

  • Covid-19 NewsMonday Covid Update: 18,883 new cases; provincial totals

    Monday Covid Update: 18,883 new cases; provincial totals

    32 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 22,656 with 958 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 18,883 new Covid-19 cases and 14,914 recoveries. There are now 166,397 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…

  • Thailand NewsMP sheds light on high-profile human trafficking case, head officer in exile in Australia

    MP sheds light on high-profile human trafficking case, head officer in exile in Australia

    The story of a major human trafficking case involving Rohingya people being trafficked through Thailand and to the Malaysian border was brought back to light after an MP told another side of the story. During a general debate in parliament, he discussed how a former police officer, who is now living in exile in Australia, led the investigation which then…

  • Crime News7 arrested for alleged sex with underage girls, police looking for more suspects

    7 arrested for alleged sex with underage girls, police looking for more suspects

    Seven people were arrested for allegedly having sex with underage girls in the southern province of Surat Thani. A 14 year old girl also faces human trafficking charges for allegedly enticing other teen girls into prostitution. With one of the suspects being the son of a politician, Police Lieutenant General Surachate Hakparn, known as “Big Joke,” says all suspects will…