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 NewsLocals queue to get access to their homes during APEC meeting

    Locals queue to get access to their homes during APEC meeting

    Residents and workers close to the APEC meeting location, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), queued up at Lumphini Police Station yesterday to get official passes to get access to the area. Yesterday was the last day Lumphini Police Station issued passes to residents or those who work in the area. Motorcycle taxis, taxi drivers, and food delivery riders were…

  • Thailand NewsWrong spelling of ‘Welcom’ spotted on APEC banners

    Wrong spelling of ‘Welcom’ spotted on APEC banners

    Thailand has made great efforts to ensure this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting goes smoothly, unfortunately, a double gaff by one of the government departments has left the nation red-faced. Dignitaries, VIPs, and visitors to the APEC Summit yesterday were greeted by banners along the Chalong Rat Expressway which read “Welcom to APEC 2022.” But that’s not all. If…

  • World NewsJapanese couple’s Lantern Festival romantic marriage proposal ends in drama

    Japanese couple’s Lantern Festival romantic marriage proposal ends in drama

    A romantic moment during the marriage proposal of a Japanese couple turned into a scary drama. A Japanese man chose the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai as the location to propose to his loving girlfriend but the romantic moment was almost ruined when low-flying lanterns crashed into them and almost set them on fire. The marriage proposal video…

  • World NewsMalaysian tourists host luxury motor show in Thailand’s Betong town

    Malaysian tourists host luxury motor show in Thailand’s Betong town

    The poor state of Thailand’s roads may have scuppered plans for a group of Malaysian tourists to enjoy a driving tour in their luxury cars but all was not lost as they decided to showcase them for driving enthusiasts instead at a homemade motor show. Thirty-three Malaysian tourists were set for a road trip in the Betong district of Thailand…

  • Thailand NewsOver 200 outlaw motorcycle riders arrested in Phetchabun

    Over 200 outlaw motorcycle riders arrested in Phetchabun

    More than 200 touring motorcycle riders on a philanthropic mission to help poor schoolchildren were arrested while travelling in the north-central province of Phetchabun after they broke several traffic laws and caused a public nuisance. The altruistic group, called the No Shower Trip (ทริปน้ำไม่อาบ), revealed they gathered to ride to a school in a rural area and deliver classroom equipment…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s water buffalo raising declared as global agricultural heritage system

    Thailand’s water buffalo raising declared as global agricultural heritage system

    Raising water buffalo at the Thale Noi Waterfowl Park in the southern province of Pattalung has been declared a Global Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives proposed a water buffalo raising system at the Thale Noi Waterfowl to the FAO in October last year.…

  • Thailand NewsFIFA says no to Thailand’s TV World Cup discount request

    FIFA says no to Thailand’s TV World Cup discount request

    Thailand’s embarrassing Dickensian-like cap-in-hand approach to getting the FIFA World Cup 2022 television broadcasting license at a discounted price was met with a resounding no from FIFA. Three private companies stepped up to the plate to chip in another 400 million baht to add to the government’s 600 million baht subsidy to round up the pot to make 1 billion…

  • Thailand NewsWife survives husband’s murder-suicide plan in Isaan

    Wife survives husband’s murder-suicide plan in Isaan

    A murder-suicide attempt by a man who shot his wife before shooting himself failed. The man’s suicide attempt was successful but his wife survived being shot. She had to remain near her dead husband’s body for five days until help arrived. The mother of the woman shot, 62 year old Sompit (surname reserved), called the police after learning that her…

  • Thailand News2 injured hikers face prison for illegal access

    2 injured hikers face prison for illegal access

    The two Thai hikers who fell from a cliff in the central province of Nakhon Nayok yesterday have been rescued. The downside is that they could face up to two years in prison and a fine of 200,000 baht because they entered the area without permission. Officers from Haew Krathin Waterfall Tourist Assistance Command Centre found the two hikers, 50…

  • Thailand NewsMPs accused of corruption after report reveals 100 million baht a year spent on subsidised meals

    MPs accused of corruption after report reveals 100 million baht a year spent on subsidised meals

    Members of the Committee for the Selection of Catering Operators for MPs and Senators have been accused of corruption after a report revealed over 100 million baht a year is spent on subsidised meals. Former Democrat Party MP, Watchara Phetthong, revealed that there is corruption between the catering company and some MPs and Senators. Watchara claims that because the committee chose…

  • Thailand News2 Thai hikers fall from cliff, 1 seriously injured

    2 Thai hikers fall from cliff, 1 seriously injured

    Two stranded Thai hikers are waiting for help from a rescue team after they fell about 60 metres from a cliff at Haew Krathin Waterfall in the central province of Nakhon Nayok. One of the hikers is seriously injured. Fifty-year-old Pirom Chansuwan alerted Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administration at 10am today to ask for help after he and his friend, 37…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Thailand NewsTaxi fares in Bangkok to increase in two weeks

    Taxi fares in Bangkok to increase in two weeks

    The Ministry of Transport yesterday approved a motion to increase taxi fares in Bangkok after recent protests by the capital’s cab drivers. The new fares are expected to come into operation in the next two weeks. The Transport Ministry announced a month ago that taxi fares in Thailand would be increased after eight years of stagnation. The department of transport…

  • 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 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 NewsMan stabbed to death by superstitious friend

    Man stabbed to death by superstitious friend

    A man was stabbed to death yesterday by a superstitious friend who believed an amulet the victim wore made him immortal. The delusional offender, who was only released from prison last year after murdering someone else, wanted to test the victim’s mortality by stabbing him. Police reported that 44 year old Auttapon Na Nakhon was stabbed to death by his…

  • 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 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 NewsUnfolding Bangkok – video mapping in city’s hidden temples

    Unfolding Bangkok – video mapping in city’s hidden temples

    Unfolding Bangkok is a new city project offering people the chance to see temples in a new light, via video and projection mapping, from November 12 to December 31. Unfolding Bangkok is a part of the Colourful Bangkok 2022 project. This sub-project is divided into three phases, which include Hidden Temples, Greeting Benjakitti, and Living Old Building. The programme kicks…

  • 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…

  • 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 NewsMotorcycle rider dies after crashing into stage on road

    Motorcycle rider dies after crashing into stage on road

    A motorcycle rider died in the early hours of this morning after he crashed his bike into a stage set up in the middle of the road for the Loy Kratong Festival in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima. Officers from Phimai Police Station were notified about the accident at 5.30am. Officers found the dead motorcycle rider, 24 year old…

  • 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…

  • 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,…