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 NewsTaiwanese and Thai tourists brawl at Chiang Rai’s White Temple | Thaiger

    Taiwanese and Thai tourists brawl at Chiang Rai’s White Temple

    Taiwanese and Thai tourists were involved in a physical altercation at Wat Rong Khun, commonly known as the White Temple, in Chiang Rai province last week following a dispute over photography regulations at the site. A video showing four tourists fighting on the temple’s well-known “Bridge of Rebirth” quickly went viral on Thai social media. The footage showed two couples…

  • Thailand NewsThai police accused of groping 14 year old girl while drunk | Thaiger

    Thai police accused of groping 14 year old girl while drunk

    A police officer nearing retirement in Phetchabun province paid compensation after he alleged groped a 14 year old Thai girl’s breasts while under the influence of alcohol on Tuesday, January 20. The girl‘s mother shared a video of her heated argument with a police officer on social media platforms and also gave it to several news agencies to seek justice…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Bangkok NewsLaotian housemaid suspected in murder of employer in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Laotian housemaid suspected in murder of employer in Bangkok

    Police suspect a Laotian housemaid of murdering her 79 year old employer at a house in Bangkok’s Bueng Kum district before fleeing the country and illegally crossing the border back to Laos yesterday, January 21. The case came to light after a 54 year old Thai woman, Sumalee Chaikong, alerted police to investigate the home of her neighbour, 79 year…

  • 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…

  • 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 NewsChon Buri vendor refuses refund after customer overpays 1,260 baht | Thaiger

    Chon Buri vendor refuses refund after customer overpays 1,260 baht

    A food vendor in Chon Buri refused to refund a customer who mistakenly overpaid for a meal, daring the victim to take legal action after keeping the excess money. The 34 year old victim, Chonnanee, filed a complaint with Nong Prue Police Station yesterday, January 20, after she failed to recover the overpaid amount from a female vendor selling white…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Bangkok NewsThai driver escapes serious injury as SUV hangs off parking building | Thaiger

    Thai driver escapes serious injury as SUV hangs off parking building

    A Thai woman and her passenger narrowly escaped serious injury after an SUV crashed through a wall and nearly plunged from the third floor of a car park building in the Khlong Toei area of Bangkok last night, January 20. Officers from Por Teck Tung Rescue Foundation were called to the seven-storey car park in Khlong Toei at around 9pm…

  • 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…

  • 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 NewsDJ-photographer held over sexual assault claims from models and DJs | Thaiger

    DJ-photographer held over sexual assault claims from models and DJs

    Officers from the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMB) arrested a DJ and photographer in Ayutthaya this afternoon, January 20, following complaints from five models, female DJs, and an ex-girlfriend who accused him of sexual assault and physical abuse. The case came to public attention after the victims appeared on the Channel 3 news programme Hone Krasae yesterday,…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Hua Hin NewsManhunt launched after hotel receptionist beaten to death in Hua Hin robbery | Thaiger

    Manhunt launched after hotel receptionist beaten to death in Hua Hin robbery

    A manhunt is under way after a hotel receptionist was brutally beaten to death with an iron bar during a robbery at a hotel in Hua Hin, Prachuap Kiri Khan province. The killing was reported to officers at Hua Hin Police Station at around 3.15am yesterday, January 19. The murder took place at Best LD Hotel, located in Soi Hua…

  • 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 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…

  • Thailand NewsThai police caught taking bribes and freeing Chinese suspects | Thaiger

    Thai police caught taking bribes and freeing Chinese suspects

    One Thai police officer was dismissed from service, while four others remain under investigation, over allegations of taking bribes and unlawfully releasing Chinese suspects wanted by Chinese authorities. The corruption scandal came to light after Ma Guangxu, also known as Ah-hang, disappeared from a detention facility earlier this month. The Chinese national was held in custody pending deportation to China, where…

  • 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 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…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket hotel security guard arrested for attempted break-in of DJ’s room | Thaiger

    Phuket hotel security guard arrested for attempted break-in of DJ’s room

    Police arrested the head of a hotel’s security guards in Phuket on Saturday, January 18, after he attempted to break into the room of a female DJ late at night earlier this week. The victim, Thai DJ Mirinda Malinrattanawadee, took to her Facebook account to demand accountability from a hotel in Phuket after an unidentified man tried to enter her…