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 NewsLuxury casino in Pattaya raided before grand opening

    Luxury casino in Pattaya raided before grand opening

    Police raided an under-construction building in Pattaya after being tipped off it is to become a luxury casino. The Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, ordered police officers to raid the gambling house at the Chalerm Phra Kiat 6 on the Pattaya Sai Sam Road in the Bang Lamung district of Pattaya. Police met a…

  • Hua Hin NewsTourists complain about pricey beach chairs at Hua Hin

    Tourists complain about pricey beach chairs at Hua Hin

    Local authorities tightened rules against local businesses yesterday after tourists complained about beach chairs being too expensive on Hua Hin Beach. The Deputy Mayor of the Hua Hin Municipality, Butsaba Choksuchart, brought the issue to light after tourists made known that beach chairs they rented near Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin were more expensive for them than…

  • Thailand News10 year old girl saves 4,000 baht to buy mother gold ring

    10 year old girl saves 4,000 baht to buy mother gold ring

    Staff at a gold shop in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham praised a 10 year old girl after she bought a 4,000-baht gold ring as a birthday gift for her mother. The girl said… “Mom always throws birthday parties for others, but not for herself. I wanted to give her a gift because she always gives me gifts.” Staff…

  • Thailand NewsSome electric wires in Bangkok urgently buried for APEC meeting

    Some electric wires in Bangkok urgently buried for APEC meeting

    Ugly electric cables in front of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) in Bangkok have been pulled down and buried to provide a more aesthetic scene for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting from November 16 to 19. The action evoked much mirth and merriment from the nation’s netizens. The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) of Thailand’s Facebook page yesterday…

  • Northern Thailand News101 Isaan locals suffer hearing loss fever after eating raw pork

    101 Isaan locals suffer hearing loss fever after eating raw pork

    The Department of Disease Control warned people to avoid eating raw pork meat after 101 locals in the Isaan provinces got infected with streptococcus suis, known among Thai people as hearing loss fever. The Deputy Director of the 9th Disease Control Office, Benjamas Aunarat, revealed streptococcus suis infection has risen this year in the northeastern or Isaan provinces of Thailand.…

  • Thailand NewsMOPH to investigate Krabi’s holy water after a disabled woman claimed she could walk after drinking it

    MOPH to investigate Krabi’s holy water after a disabled woman claimed she could walk after drinking it

    The Ministry of Public Health yesterday revealed it intends to investigate Krabi’s holy water after a disabled woman claimed she could walk again after drinking it. The holy water is prepared by putting a miracle rock in water that was found in the area. Locals believe the rock has magical qualities. A shaman then conducts a ceremony to conjure a spirit…

  • Thailand NewsSuperstitious man arrested after stabbing friend to test his immortality

    Superstitious man arrested after stabbing friend to test his immortality

    The superstitious man who stabbed to death a friend to test his immortality has been arrested in Chon Buri. Officers from Tha Ruer Police Station reported to Thai media today that 51 year old Withun Ochapon was arrested last night for the murder of 44 year old Auttapon on Sunday, November 6 at his wife’s house in the Phan Thong district of…

  • Thailand NewsTeen boasts he escaped murder charge because his family is rich

    Teen boasts he escaped murder charge because his family is rich

    An 18 year old allegedly boasted on social media that he escaped being charged with the murder of a 14 year old boy because his family is rich and powerful. Thai social media is outraged that 18 year old Dome killed 14 year old Fluck and bragged about it on Twitter. Netizens are furious after seeing the trending hashtag on…

  • Thailand News12 people injured by illegal fireworks in Loy Krathong event

    12 people injured by illegal fireworks in Loy Krathong event

    A Loy Krathong festival celebration almost turned into a tragedy last night when 12 people were injured by illegal fireworks set off at the event in the northern province of Nakhon Phanom. The Meung Nakhon Phanom mayor announced the victims only suffered mild injuries. Nakhon Phanom provincial governor, other officers, and hundreds of residents joined the grand opening ceremony of…

  • Thailand NewsThai actress defies laws to build house on Koh Samui mountain

    Thai actress defies laws to build house on Koh Samui mountain

    Locals in Koh Samui in the southern province of Surat Thani filed a complaint with authorities after a luxury house belonging to a Thai actress was built on a mountain area that belongs to the government. Officers from the Department of Land and Royal Forest Department yesterday investigated the house, and land around where the building is under construction, in…

  • Thailand NewsPubs, gas stations, 24-hour stores to close early to save energy

    Pubs, gas stations, 24-hour stores to close early to save energy

    The Energy Ministry of Thailand plans to close pubs, gas stations, and 24-hour convenience stores early to save energy if the situation gets worse. The Permanent Secretary of the Energy Ministry, Kurit Sombatsiri, revealed the conclusions from the energy crisis meeting between Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) yesterday. Kurit explained that the increasing…

  • Thailand NewsThai police accused of using power to get free food & drinks

    Thai police accused of using power to get free food & drinks

    Officers from Krathum Ban Police Station in Samut Sakhon province near Bangkok have been accused of using their power to get free food and drinks from a bar in the province. Celebrity Thai lawyer Sittha Biabangkird claimed yesterday that a number of police officers frequent a bar named Good Zone several times a month, order food and drinks and allegedly…

  • Thailand NewsThai National Parks’ revenue rises 324 million baht from last year

    Thai National Parks’ revenue rises 324 million baht from last year

    The Ministry of Natural Resources, and Environment of Thailand revealed that the revenue of 133 Thai national parks increased by 324 million baht this year. The Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ratchada Na Ayutthaya, revealed that the revenue increased because of the border reopening on July 1 and the relaxation of travel restrictions after the…

  • Crime NewsGerman man in Pattaya freaks out as officers move in to arrest him for overstaying

    German man in Pattaya freaks out as officers move in to arrest him for overstaying

    A German couple in Pattaya was arrested yesterday for overstaying their visa. Arresting officers at the scene discovered that the man wasn’t going to go without a fight. Officers from Bang Lamung Police Station were answering a routine nuisance neighbour call at Soi Panya Nimit in Nongprue, but when they arrived on the scene they discovered the couple had overstayed their…

  • Thailand NewsChadchart worries about the increase of drowning on Loy Kratong Festival day

    Chadchart worries about the increase of drowning on Loy Kratong Festival day

    Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt urged people to avoid putting money in banana trunks, or Kratong in Thai, because it encourages coin collectors, especially children, to try and retrieve the money every year on Loy Kratong Day which inevitably leads to a drowning tragedy. The Loy Kratong Festival will be held across Thailand tomorrow. Almost every temple located near a river,…

  • Thailand NewsThai PM Prayut happy with increased employment rate

    Thai PM Prayut happy with increased employment rate

    Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hailed the government’s successful employment policy after learning there are more people at work than ever before this year. The Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson, Trisuree Trisaranakun, revealed on Saturday, November 5, that PM Prayut was happy with the employment statistics from July to September this year. The spokesperson made known that the unemployment rate decreased, more…

  • Thailand NewsDoi Inthanon in Chaing Mai spots first frozen dew of the year

    Doi Inthanon in Chaing Mai spots first frozen dew of the year

    The first frozen dew of this year was spotted this morning at Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, in Chiang Mai. The lowest temperature there is four degrees Celsius. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation reported that the very first frozen dew was witnessed at Doi Inthanon National Park appeared for visitors to check out. Snow is rarely…

  • Thailand NewsMiddle Eastern tourists steal phones from Pattaya hotel

    Middle Eastern tourists steal phones from Pattaya hotel

    Pattaya Police are on the lookout for two Middle Eastern men who robbed two mobile phones yesterday from a hotel at Soi Pattaya Sai Song. A 43 year old member of the hotel staff, Siriwan Saeng-Arun, told police that the two Middle Eastern tourists requested to see a room before booking on Saturday, November 5. Siriwan showed the alleged tourists a…

  • Northern Thailand NewsPickup driver faces 100,000 baht fine for angering elephant

    Pickup driver faces 100,000 baht fine for angering elephant

    An impatient pickup driver faces a fine of up to 100,000 baht after annoying a wild elephant while driving in the Khao Yai National Park in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima or Korat. Last Friday, November 5, the Facebook page and YouTube channel, “Wild Animals at Khao Yai (สัตว์ป่าเขาใหญ่)” posted a video of a pickup car provoking a wild…

  • Thailand NewsMotorcycle rider takes a nap in the middle of a main road

    Motorcycle rider takes a nap in the middle of a main road

    A weary motorcycle rider was awakened by a group of men after he slept on his parked motorcycle in the middle of a main road. The men recorded a video of the sleepy motorcycle rider and sent it to a local news Facebook page named Hear On Board (เฮียขับรถ). The video reveals the men trying to wake the man sleeping,…

  • Thailand NewsTruck passenger throws firecrackers at other cars

    Truck passenger throws firecrackers at other cars

    Netizens demanded police arrest a male passenger of a truck who threw firecrackers at other cars on the road in the central province of Rayong. Sanook reported that the video of a passenger on a white truck throwing a firecracker on the road was circulating on Thai social media last night at 10pm. The video does not provide a clear…

  • Thailand News11 provinces in Thailand warned to be aware of falling rocket parts

    11 provinces in Thailand warned to be aware of falling rocket parts

    Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) today issued a warning to 11 provinces in Thailand to be aware of falling rocket parts from the sky on Saturday, November 5. A Thai researcher, and specialist on orbital mechanics from GISTDA, Sittporn Chamnarnsin, reported that a Chinese rocket, Longmarch 5B-4Y, is expected to fall from the sky on Saturday. The rocket…

  • Thailand NewsMan arrested for selling homemade guns

    Man arrested for selling homemade guns

    A Thai man was arrested yesterday for making homemade guns and selling them via e-commerce platforms. The man revealed that he learned how to produce the barrels from social media. Police raided the home of Phuwadon Rakthinderm in the Kung district of the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat and arrested the 34 year old for producing and selling firearms…

  • Thailand NewsThailand barters for cheapest World Cup broadcasting license

    Thailand barters for cheapest World Cup broadcasting license

    Slow but sure, government officials are getting there and confirm that footie lovers in Thailand can watch the FIFA World Cup 2022 for free. Government officials told Thai football fans not to panic and assured them they will secure the broadcasting license in time for the first match on November 20. Thailand football fans fear they will be the only…

  • Thailand NewsThailand to serve noodles with sandworm sauce at APEC meeting

    Thailand to serve noodles with sandworm sauce at APEC meeting

    Thailand plans to welcome the globe’s most eminent leaders and dignitaries at the upcoming APEC meeting with some noodles and sandworm sauce. Thailand is the host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2022 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) in Bangkok between November 18 and 19, and it plans to serve up a rare treat. The kingdom held…

  • Thailand News69 flights rescheduled due to Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai

    69 flights rescheduled due to Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai

    Chiang Mai International Airport has rescheduled 69 flights to avoid danger from flying objects during the Lantern Festival between November 8 and 9. The airport has cancelled 55 flights, rescheduled 14, and is offering six special flights to support passengers. The Lantern Festival or Yi Peng Festival in Chaing Mai is a Thai northern cultural activity involving locals flying lanterns…

  • Thailand NewsColourful Bangkok 2022 – 3 months of arts and concerts

    Colourful Bangkok 2022 – 3 months of arts and concerts

    One of the policies of Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt is finally coming to fruition as the city readies itself for several cultural events over the next three months under the Colourful Bangkok 2022 banner. The Colourful Bangkok 2022 project is just one of the 214 campaign policies promised by Chadchart as he ran for mayor earlier this year and one…

  • Thailand NewsMythical creature Naga announced as a symbol of Thai culture

    Mythical creature Naga announced as a symbol of Thai culture

    The Cabinet announced yesterday that the mythical creature Naga will be used as a symbol of Thai culture to promote the kingdom’s creative economy. The Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson, Ratchada Thanadirek reported the news to the gathering Thai press pack yesterday that the Cabinet agreed to use the mythical giant serpent, Naga or Phraya Nak in Thai, as a symbol…

  • World NewsMan in bunny ears blamed for Halloween stampede in Seoul

    Man in bunny ears blamed for Halloween stampede in Seoul

    Survivors from the tragic Halloween stampede in South Korea‘s capital Seoul said a man wearing bunny ears and his friends are to blame for the tragedy for encouraging people to push each other. The death toll from the Halloween event in the Itaewon district of Seoul on Saturday, October 29 climbed to 156 today according to a report by South…

  • Thailand NewsThai doctor condemned for livestreaming surgery

    Thai doctor condemned for livestreaming surgery

    A Thai doctor was condemned after he livestreamed a TikTok video while doing surgery in theatre. The Medical Council of Thailand is searching for the identity of the doctor as it appears he has broken the law. A Thai netizen posted a screenshot of the doctor’s live stream on Twitter with a caption that said, “A minute ago, a doctor…