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 NewsSwiss scandal sparks crackdown on unruly farangs in Thailand | Thaiger

    Swiss scandal sparks crackdown on unruly farangs in Thailand

    The scandal involving a Swiss man assaulting a Thai doctor in Phuket prompted authorities to initiate a massive crackdown on illegal foreigners and farangs behaving badly in Thailand. In total, nearly 30 foreigners were arrested during the past weeks. Following the physical assault on a Thai doctor outside the luxury villa of a Swiss man, locals in Phuket demanded that…

  • Thailand NewsThai man flees after assaulting girlfriend and killing her lover | Thaiger

    Thai man flees after assaulting girlfriend and killing her lover

    A Thai man remains at large after brutally assaulting his girlfriend and killing her lover outside a rented room in the Doi Saket district of the northern province of Chiang Mai. Officers from the Doi Saket Police Station and rescuers from the Sawang Samret Chiang Mai Foundation investigated the physical assaults that took place around midnight on March 5. Officers…

  • Thailand NewsBeware the bill dodger: Thai rescue warns Bangkok eateries of Thai man’s seizure scam | Thaiger

    Beware the bill dodger: Thai rescue warns Bangkok eateries of Thai man’s seizure scam

    A Thai rescue foundation issued a scam warning to restaurants and bars in Bangkok, urging them to remain vigilant for a Thai man who has been repeatedly feigning seizures after meals to avoid paying his bills. The rescue team, stationed in the Phattanakarn, On Nut, Srinagarindra, and Suan Luang neighborhoods of Bangkok urged the media to highlight the Thai man’s…

  • Thailand NewsChinese woman hails Thai police for speedy thief arrest | Thaiger

    Chinese woman hails Thai police for speedy thief arrest

    A Chinese woman hailed the swift action of Thai police officers who successfully arrested a thief just three hours after he stole her bag containing 25,000 baht in cash in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. Bang Phli Police Station officers arrested the thief, a 41 year old Thai man named Nikorn Maiwong, at a resort in the Bang Bor district…

  • Crime News15 year old schoolboy opens fire, injuring 2 rival students in Buriram | Thaiger

    15 year old schoolboy opens fire, injuring 2 rival students in Buriram

    A 15 year old schoolboy opened fire at a temple near his school in the Isaan province of Buriram, injuring two rival students. The victims are in a stable condition. Officers from Nongki Police Station were alerted to the temple shooting at Wat Mai Chai Mongkhon at about 12.30pm yesterday, March 6. Police arrived at the scene with the Nongki…

  • Thailand NewsAmerican woman charged for unlicensed nursery in Koh Pha Ngan | Thaiger

    American woman charged for unlicensed nursery in Koh Pha Ngan

    Police charged an American woman for running an unlicensed nursery on Koh Phra Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Seven foreigners were found working at the site without permits. Officers from the Immigration Bureau, Tourist Police, Koh Phra Ngan Police Station, and district office raided a rented house on a coconut plantation on the island which…

  • Phuket News2 foreigners in Phuket caught running businesses without licences | Thaiger

    2 foreigners in Phuket caught running businesses without licences

    Phuket Provincial Tourist Police arrested two foreigners for running their businesses, a money exchange shop and a travel agency, without licences. The arrests stem from a crackdown on illegal foreigners and their businesses following the Swiss man scandal. Prompted by the conflict between the Swiss man and the Thai doctor, as well as complaints from locals, all Phuket police departments…

  • Thailand NewsSwiss man’s visa revoked after physical assault on Thai doctor | Thaiger

    Swiss man’s visa revoked after physical assault on Thai doctor

    The Immigration Bureau revoked the visa of the Swiss man involved in the physical assault on a female Thai doctor near Yamu Cape in Phuket last week. The Thai doctor, 26 year old Tarndao Chandam, filed a complaint against Urs Fehr after the Swiss man attacked her on Saturday, February 24 when she and her friend sat on the steps…

  • Thailand NewsNational Office of Buddhism Facebook page hacked to post porn | Thaiger

    National Office of Buddhism Facebook page hacked to post porn

    The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) of Thailand filed a complaint with the police after its official Facebook page was hacked and flooded with porn pictures and videos. More than 80,000 Buddhist followers were shocked by the series of pornographic pictures and videos shared by the NOB. The first porn content was shared early this morning, March 6, and the…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman arrested for procuring sexual assault of niece | Thaiger

    Thai woman arrested for procuring sexual assault of niece

    Officers from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division of the Police arrested a Thai woman in Bangkok yesterday for orchestrating the sexual assault of her 11 year old niece on behalf of her boyfriend, whom she met on a dating app. The report of the sexual assault in the southern province of Chumphon attracted public attention last month after her father…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok airports hit turbulence: Ranked among world’s worst | Thaiger

    Bangkok airports hit turbulence: Ranked among world’s worst

    Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok ranked among the worst air travel hubs in Asia according to Business Financing’s recent report. The financial information and research website from the UK, Business Financing, launched the Best & Worst Airports in the World, According to Business Travellers in February this year. This rank is based on the business…

  • Thailand NewsRussian roulette: Cops put brakes on illegal workers at Phuket car shop | Thaiger

    Russian roulette: Cops put brakes on illegal workers at Phuket car shop

    Officers from the Provincial Police Region 8 yesterday continued the recent crackdown on illegal foreigners by charging two Russian men for working at a car rental shop in the Cherng Talay sub-district in the Talang district of Phuket province. The Russian business owner also faced a charge for hiring foreigners without work permits. The investigation is on the back of locals…

  • Thailand NewsFilipina ladyboys accused of illegally offering sex services in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Filipina ladyboys accused of illegally offering sex services in Bangkok

    Following the clash between Thai and Filipina transwomen on Soi Sukhumvit 11 in Bangkok yesterday, some locals came forward to accuse the Filipina ladyboys of illegally offering sex services to European tourists in the area. The altercation between Thai and Filipina transwomen reportedly sparked after more than 20 Filipina ladyboys attacked two Thai transwomen and stole their belongings. A friend…

  • Thailand NewsForeign man kicks up a storm over discriminatory bike rental policy in Phuket | Thaiger

    Foreign man kicks up a storm over discriminatory bike rental policy in Phuket

    A foreign man brought to light a discriminatory practice at a foreign-owned motorcycle rental shop in Phuket. The shop refused to serve his Thai wife and other Thai customers, justifying their decision by alleging that Thais frequently engage in motorcycle theft, complain excessively, and are unable to meet the necessary deposit requirements. The foreign man, using the account BlacksmithSolid2194, took…

  • Thailand NewsThai cop accused of cheating on wife, impregnating teenage mistress | Thaiger

    Thai cop accused of cheating on wife, impregnating teenage mistress

    A Thai woman is seeking justice after her police sub-lieutenant husband cheated on her and impregnated his 17 year old teenage mistress. The police officer allegedly assaulted and threatened his wife to accept the polyamorous relationship as the teenager is seven months pregnant. The 55 year old Thai woman from the Isaan province of Roi Et told her story to…

  • Thailand NewsRussian roulette: Man’s Pattaya Flying Club attempt grounded by rooftop rescue | Thaiger

    Russian roulette: Man’s Pattaya Flying Club attempt grounded by rooftop rescue

    A Russian man appeared hellbent on joining the Pattaya Flying Club but was rescued just in time as he attempted to jump from a condo rooftop in the popular seaside resort. The reason for his suicide decision was not clear, whether it was an accusation of theft or the murder of his girlfriend. Mueang Pattaya Police Station and the Sawang…

  • Thailand NewsThai fisherman hooked in pipe rescued by garbage collector | Thaiger

    Thai fisherman hooked in pipe rescued by garbage collector

    In an unfortunate twist of fate, a Thai man managed to get trapped in a drainage pipe for two days after a fishing trip in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham. Fortunately, a garbage collector heard his cries for help and promptly reeled in a rescue team on March 4. A Thai garbage collector heard the victim, 45 year old…

  • Thailand NewsRetired official accused of sexually assaulting Laotian woman | Thaiger

    Retired official accused of sexually assaulting Laotian woman

    An 18 year old Laotian woman accused her employer, a retired official from the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand, of imprisoning and sexually assaulting her. The accused official denies the allegations, asserting that he cares for her like a father loves his daughter. The older brother of the Laotian victim pleaded with officers from Mueang Udon Thani Police Station…

  • Thailand News5 Thai people injured in missile attacks on Israel-Lebanon border | Thaiger

    5 Thai people injured in missile attacks on Israel-Lebanon border

    Five Thai people suffered injuries after missile attacks at an agricultural community called Margaliot on the Israel-Lebanon border on March 4. Authorities advised Thai nationals in the area to evacuate. The conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah group has raged over the past four months at the Israel-Lebanon border in parallel to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The Ministry of…

  • Thailand NewsSwift deception leaves Thai influencer stranded outside Taylor gig | Thaiger

    Swift deception leaves Thai influencer stranded outside Taylor gig

    A deceptive concert ticket seller left a well-known Thai social media influencer, her friend, and eight other Thais stranded outside the venue of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Singapore on March 3. Thai netizens and social media influencers flooded a social media account of a 27 year old Natrada “Pluem” Thammapanya, known among her fans as Chopluem, with words of…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman exposes half-naked motorbike rider (video) | Thaiger

    Thai woman exposes half-naked motorbike rider (video)

    A Thai woman shared a video of a half naked motorcycle rider from a ride-hailing application on social media to warn other users. The 20 year old victim shared a video of her ride on Facebook and Instagram. The video showed the indecent motorcycle rider wearing a black jacket without any underwear. The woman stated in the video caption… “Do…

  • Thailand NewsChinese tourist’s beach drive ends in Phuket sand trap (video) | Thaiger

    Chinese tourist’s beach drive ends in Phuket sand trap (video)

    A Chinese national on holiday ignored a warning sign advising against driving on the beach and subsequently ended up getting his car stuck in the sand at Kamala Beach in Phuket province. A local posted a video on his Facebook account, อามิตร อามอ อิสลาม, at about 8am yesterday, March 3, showing a green Jeep partially submerged in the water at…

  • Thailand NewsForeign woman critisised for walking around Phuket in bikini (video) | Thaiger

    Foreign woman critisised for walking around Phuket in bikini (video)

    Facebook page Phuket Hotnews shared a video of a foreign woman walking around Phuket Old Town in a bikini, sparking criticism from Thai netizens. The Facebook page posted a video of the foreign woman in a black bikini last night, March 3. The caption said… “Phuket is super hot! A foreign tourist wore a bikini and walked around Phuket Old…

  • Thailand NewsIndian man escapes after hitting Thai boy with motorcycle on footpath | Thaiger

    Indian man escapes after hitting Thai boy with motorcycle on footpath

    An Indian man finally surrendered to police and paid 5,000 baht in compensation after he hit a six year old Thai boy with a motorcycle on a footpath in the Lat Krabang district of Bangkok on February 29. A Thai mother sought help from Channel 7 after her son suffered a bruise on his cheek in a motorcycle accident on…

  • Thailand NewsBritish man throws glass at Thai woman in anger over dog barking | Thaiger

    British man throws glass at Thai woman in anger over dog barking

    A Thai woman demanded a British man to apologise to her in public after he threw a glass at her in a fit of rage over a barking dog on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya on Saturday, March 2. The Thai victim, Amavalee Tongfark, took to Facebook to share the abusive behaviour of the Englishman, identified as Sam, and urged netizens…

  • Thailand NewsRunway blackout: Krabi Airport power failure affects 508 passengers | Thaiger

    Runway blackout: Krabi Airport power failure affects 508 passengers

    Krabi International Airport suffered a power failure on the runway on Saturday night, affecting three flights and 508 passengers. The Acting Director of the Airport Department, Montri Dechasakulsom, reported that a power failure occurred at the third apron of Krabi Airport on Saturday, March 2, preventing aircraft from landing or taking off at the time. Montri said three flights and…

  • Thailand NewsFare play: Thai taxi driver slams cops for toll indulgence | Thaiger

    Fare play: Thai taxi driver slams cops for toll indulgence

    A female Thai taxi driver condemned police officers for indulging two foreign tourists who refused to pay toll fees by covering the costs themselves. The female taxi driver shared a video of when she engaged in an argument with police officers and two foreign women passengers on Facebook. In the video, she refused to accept money from the police and asked…

  • Thailand News2 Chinese men arrested at Bangkok airport for fake Canadian passports | Thaiger

    2 Chinese men arrested at Bangkok airport for fake Canadian passports

    Officers from the Immigration Bureau arrested two Chinese men at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok for attempting to travel to Taiwan on fake Canadian passports. EVA Air check-in staff reported to the immigration police that two Chinese nationals presented their Canadian passports at the counter for the flights to Taipei in Taiwan. According to the flight schedule, the two were…

  • Thailand NewsRolling the cyber dice: Thai police bust online gambling network | Thaiger

    Rolling the cyber dice: Thai police bust online gambling network

    Police from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau yesterday seized 329 million baht in assets and arrested four suspects in a crackdown on online gambling. Following the crusade to shut down illegal online gambling in Thailand, police investigated a website, Fullplays 39, and discovered it offered online gambling games and had over 200,000 users. The amount of money circulating on the…

  • Thailand NewsChinese man faces 2-year jail for stealing identity of Thai citizen | Thaiger

    Chinese man faces 2-year jail for stealing identity of Thai citizen

    Pattaya Provincial Court sentenced a Chinese man to two years of imprisonment for stealing the identity of a Thai citizen and concealing it for more than 30 years. The 45 year old Chinese suspect is recognised by Thai locals as Iao but also adopts the Thai alias Nitiphat Chokchaitanaporn. The case of identity theft came to light following a raid…