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 NewsNewest and widest Chao Phraya cable-stayed bridge to open in 2022

    Newest and widest Chao Phraya cable-stayed bridge to open in 2022

    The Expressway Authority of Thailand has provided an update on the development of the newest and widest Chao Phraya cable-stayed bridge, saying the new bridge is expected to open for use sometime later this year. The department would ask HM King Vachiralongkorn to officiate at the opening and provide his auspicious name to the bridge, Rama 10. EXAT says that…

  • Thailand News14 year old student takes her own life after teacher expels her from school

    14 year old student takes her own life after teacher expels her from school

    A 14 year old female student in the southern province of Songkhla has committed suicide after a teacher expelled her from school because of her financial and family problems. Thai media reported that a 14 year old female student decided to hang herself at a house in Songkhla province on May 13. Her friends told police that she had problems…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman complains after Pattaya laundry service overcharges for foreign BF – VIDEO

    Thai woman complains after Pattaya laundry service overcharges for foreign BF – VIDEO

    A Thai woman is complaining about a local laundry overcharging for services on social media. Her foreign boyfriend was charged 500 baht for only 11 pieces of clothes at a laundry shop in the city. On May 15, the woman posted in a Facebook group named พัทยา or ‘Pattaya’, saying… “My boyfriend bought 7 shirts, 2 short pants, and 3…

  • Thailand NewsTuesday Covid Update: 3,893 new cases; provincial totals

    Tuesday Covid Update: 3,893 new cases; provincial totals

    38 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 29,550 with 7,852 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 3,893 new Covid-19 cases and 7,323 recoveries. There are now 63,337 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded today,…

  • Thailand News14 year old and older brother arrested in eastern Thailand over human trafficking

    14 year old and older brother arrested in eastern Thailand over human trafficking

    A 14 year old boy and his 29 year old brother have been arrested in the Isaan province of Sa Kaew for human trafficking. They offered transportation services for illegal Thai workers in Cambodian casinos who wanted to visit families in Thailand. The Thai army rangers and authorities from the Special Unit Infantryman Department investigated areas along the Thai-Cambodia border…

  • World NewsFirst group of ‘official’ Burmese migrant workers enter Thailand to bolster labour market

    First group of ‘official’ Burmese migrant workers enter Thailand to bolster labour market

    Thailand’s PM and the Minister of Defence Prayut Chan-o-cha is asking all relevant departments to recruit migrant workers using the Memorandum of Understanding or MOU system. The PM has also directed the Ministry of Labour to “take care of each worker”, and ensure that Covid-19 prevention measures are adhered to. Today, the PM’s Spokesperson, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, told Thai media that…

  • Northern Thailand NewsChiang Rai businessman gives away cash with a mini treasure hunt

    Chiang Rai businessman gives away cash with a mini treasure hunt

    A man in the northern province of Chiang Rai has been giving away money to locals in a make-shift mini treasure hunt. He’s posted videos on TikTok to show people where he has hidden the money, allowing locals to figure out the clues and find the money. He told Thai media that he wanted to help people and encourage tourists…

  • Bangkok NewsMore than 600 endangered or prohibited animals seized at Suvarnabhumi Airport

    More than 600 endangered or prohibited animals seized at Suvarnabhumi Airport

    Wildlife officials and the Thai Customs Department have seized more than 600 endangered or prohibited animals at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The animals were delivered from a middle east country via Egypt Air. The information about the sender hasn’t been reported at this stage of the investigation. Yesterday, the Manager of the Wildlife Checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Yossathon Kongngen, told…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s public health officials proposing ‘Endemic Sandboxes’ to legally reopen nightlife

    Thailand’s public health officials proposing ‘Endemic Sandboxes’ to legally reopen nightlife

    Thailand is getting closer and closer to the endemic phase of its Covid response. Achingly slow but now with at least a proposal to be tabled at the next CCSA meeting. The Ministry of Public Health will propose ‘Endemic Sandboxes’ as a plan to allow entertainment venues to legally reopen in 3 tourist islands including Phuket, Koh Chang, and Koh…

  • Thailand NewsThe Bikini Beach Race to take place in Pattaya this October

    The Bikini Beach Race to take place in Pattaya this October

    Central Festival Pattaya Beach has confirmed its annual running event, the Bikini Beach Race 2022. The event is run on the beach in front of the Central Festival shopping centre on October 29 this year. The Bikini Beach Race was actually held last year, even though the Covid-19 prevention rules weren’t relaxed, as they are this year (let’s hope it…

  • Thailand NewsThursday Covid Update: 8,019 new cases; provincial totals

    Thursday Covid Update: 8,019 new cases; provincial totals

    59 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 29,311 with 7,613 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 8,019 new Covid-19 cases and 8,807 recoveries. There are now 77,427 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded today,…

  • Thailand NewsUPDATE: Authorities find Isaan cult also selling food and snacks online

    UPDATE: Authorities find Isaan cult also selling food and snacks online

    Following the report on the raid of the hidden cult compound in the Isaan province Chaiyaphum last week, authorities visited the make-shift for a second time and found they were also operating a semi-commercial food business to make a living. The ‘cult’ distributes food products like chilli paste, fermented fish and snacks but without registration with the Food and Drug Administration,…

  • Thailand NewsWednesday Covid Update: 7,650 new cases; provincial totals

    Wednesday Covid Update: 7,650 new cases; provincial totals

    56 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 29,252 with 7,554 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 7,650 new Covid-19 cases and 9,322 recoveries. There are now 78,274 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded…

  • Visa InformationCabinet cuts 10 year Long Term Resident visa fee to 50k baht

    Cabinet cuts 10 year Long Term Resident visa fee to 50k baht

    Thailand’s Cabinet has agreed to reduce the Long Term Resident visa fee by 50% to attract highly skilled foreigners into the kingdom. The fee for the LTR visa, which allows you to stay in Thailand for 10 years, has been reduced from 100,000 to 50,000 baht. Changes to the visa requirements could make the lucrative “digital nomad” lifestyle a more…

  • Northern Thailand NewsMan steals ฿300,000 from his stepmother and gives it away “to make merit”

    Man steals ฿300,000 from his stepmother and gives it away “to make merit”

    A man from the Isaan province of Buriram allegedly stole ฿300,000 from his stepmother because he wanted to “make merit” by giving it away. He gave away ฿109,000 cash at a local market and bought products valued at ฿200,000 which he gave away to locals for free. CCTV footage shows 39 year old Wuttisak sitting on a motorbike and spreading…

  • Phuket NewsTwo Thai boys attempt to walk from Isaan to Phuket to visit their relatives

    Two Thai boys attempt to walk from Isaan to Phuket to visit their relatives

    Or “Top and Tai’s Excellent Adventure”. Two teenage boys attempted to walk from the Isaan province of Udon Thani to Phuket in southern Thailand, a distance of some 1,450 kilometres, because they wanted to visit their relatives. The pair didn’t get very far. When they were spotted walking along the road in Udon Thani, they were sent back home for…

  • Thailand NewsUPDATE: Royal Thai Navy and Air Force join Lazada ban

    UPDATE: Royal Thai Navy and Air Force join Lazada ban

    Yes, the Lazada-gate fiasco rolls on. Following yesterday’s report that Lazada was banned from entering Royal Thai Army bases, the unit later launched an “emergency announcement” warning of penalties to anyone who violates the ban. Now the Royal Thai Navy and Air Force have also joined the boycott, stating that a zero-tolerance policy “will be considered” as Lazada ads “could…

  • Thailand NewsTuesday Covid Update: 6,230 new cases; provincial totals

    Tuesday Covid Update: 6,230 new cases; provincial totals

    53 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 29,196 with 7,498 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 6,230 new Covid-19 cases and 11,132 recoveries. There are now 80,002 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s Covid-19 alert decreases to Level 3

    Thailand’s Covid-19 alert decreases to Level 3

    Today, the Ministry of Public Health announced that Thailand’s Covid-19 alert level has decreased from Level 4 to Level 3 nationwide. Whether Thailand is ready to declare Covid-19 as endemic will depend on vaccination rates, according to the ministry. Director-General of the Disease Control Department Opas Kankawinpong said Level 3 means Thai residents still can’t go to bars and entertainment…

  • Thailand NewsLazada-gate update: Lazada banned from entering Royal Thai Army premises

    Lazada-gate update: Lazada banned from entering Royal Thai Army premises

    The Royal Thai Army is boycotting Lazada in the latest reaction following an advertisement deemed offensive to Thailand’s monarchy, which disappeared from TikTok shortly after it was uploaded last week. Thailand’s Army Chief has banned e-commerce giant Lazada from delivering packages into army premises, but says that soldiers still have the freedom to buy products from Lazada if they so…

  • Northern Thailand NewsThai cult raided, 11 corpses found, followers urged to consume leader’s waste

    Thai cult raided, 11 corpses found, followers urged to consume leader’s waste

    Police and residents in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum, together with Thai media, have raid the ‘secret’ make-shift compound of a cult hidden in the middle of a rice paddy field after one victim complained that the cult leader “imprisoned followers” and urged them to “consume human waste”. Thai media reported that 11 unidentified corpses were found inside the compound,…

  • Thailand NewsMonday Covid Update: 6,488 new cases; provincial totals

    Monday Covid Update: 6,488 new cases; provincial totals

    55 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 29,143 with 7,445 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 6,488 new Covid-19 cases and 12,755 recoveries. There are now 84,957 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded…

  • Thailand NewsLazada apologises for controversial advert

    Lazada apologises for controversial advert

    E-commerce platform Lazada has removed a controversial advert from their website which was criticised by Thai netizens as both making fun of disabled people and being offensive to Thailand’s monarchy. Lazada have since issued a statement apologising for the advert. Lazada is a huge online store where people and companies can sell from their own inventories on the platform, based…

  • Thailand NewsDepartment of Health warns public that “Bullfrog Shots” might contain parasites

    Department of Health warns public that “Bullfrog Shots” might contain parasites

    “Bullfrog shots” have become a new popular item on the menu around Thailand after going viral on Thai social media. The “shot” is comprised of a cooked bullfrog, spicy sauce, and dried chillis for garnish (but doesn’t contain alcohol). After the dish gained popularity, the Department of Health issued a warning that bullfrog shots could contain parasites and that anyone…

  • Thailand NewsCelebrity dentist accused of ‘online’ sexual assault by masturbating in front of two sisters

    Celebrity dentist accused of ‘online’ sexual assault by masturbating in front of two sisters

    A “celebrity dentist” who is famous on Thai TikTok, now stands accused of sexual assault after 2 female teenagers file a complaint saying he made a video call and masturbated in front of their faces. 13 year old and 17 year old teenagers contacted a local news page to ask for help. ‘อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้ รีเทริน์ part 3’ revealed on their private…

  • Thailand NewsShopping mall in Chiang Mai goes dark, couldn’t afford 20 million baht power bill

    Shopping mall in Chiang Mai goes dark, couldn’t afford 20 million baht power bill

    Tenants and staff were in shock after a shopping mall in Chiang Mai suddenly announced temporary closure due to economic fallout from Covid-19. Or is it economic mismanagement? Thai media have reported that the centre had more than 20 million baht in debt from electricity bills and had to close immediately because they were unable to pay the bill. Today,…

  • Thailand NewsThailand borrows 50 billion yen from Japan to cope with Covid aftermath

    Thailand borrows 50 billion yen from Japan to cope with Covid aftermath

    The Thai government has signed a loan contract to borrow 50 billion yen or about 13 billion baht (US$385 million) from Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA to cope with costs of handling the Covid pandemic in Thailand. Thai PM and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha urged Thais not to criticise the government borrowing money again because the amount was included…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s first Covid-19 vaccine waits for approval from local FDA

    Thailand’s first Covid-19 vaccine waits for approval from local FDA

    Better late than never. Thailand’s first Covid-19 vaccine, ChulaCov19, has shown impressive results in the first and second rounds of human trials. The director of the vaccine project claims the Thai vaccine is safe and more effective than Pfizer vaccines used in Thailand. The developing team expects the vaccine to be approved by Food and Drug Administration before the end…

  • Thailand NewsThursday Covid Update: 9,790 new cases; provincial totals

    Thursday Covid Update: 9,790 new cases; provincial totals

    54 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 28,914 with 7,216 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 9,790 new Covid-19 cases and 17,109 recoveries. There are now 101,281 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded…

  • Thailand NewsAyuttaya featured in Forbes’s Top 50 Best Places to Visit Post-Pandemic

    Ayuttaya featured in Forbes’s Top 50 Best Places to Visit Post-Pandemic

    Forbes magazine has featured Thailand’s central province of Ayutthaya in their list of 50 best places to travel to post-pandemic. Forbes selected the province for its historical and cultural significance as well as its expansive scenery. Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says he is thankful for Thailand’s spot on the list and expects the feature will attract tourists into Ayutthaya…