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

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 NewsSome electric wires in Bangkok urgently buried for APEC meeting | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 NewsTeen boasts he escaped murder charge because his family is rich | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 NewsThai police accused of using power to get free food & drinks | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 NewsThai PM Prayut happy with increased employment rate | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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…

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

    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,…

  • Crime NewsCrazed drug addict buries unconscious victim alive | Thaiger

    Crazed drug addict buries unconscious victim alive

    A crazed drug addict in the Isaan province of Udon Thani faces up to 20 years in prison after he attempted to murder an unconscious man by burying him alive. A police report revealed that Teerawat Suwanno attacked 55 year old Sopa (surname reserved) with a gardening hoe, knocking him unconscious, before attacking his unnamed friend who managed to escape.…

  • Thailand NewsTruck passenger throws firecrackers at other cars | Thaiger

    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 | Thaiger

    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 NewsThailand barters for cheapest World Cup broadcasting license | Thaiger

    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 NewsSuperstitious Thai woman has not cut her hair for 10 years | Thaiger

    Superstitious Thai woman has not cut her hair for 10 years

    A 50 year old Thai woman revealed she has not cut her hair for more than 10 years because she is scared of evil spirits. Residents in the woman’s community, meanwhile, believe her hair is special, can prevent bad luck, and keep people safe from danger. Several Thai media platforms reported the unusual story of the 50 year old woman,…

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

    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 | Thaiger

    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 NewsMythical creature Naga announced as a symbol of Thai culture | Thaiger

    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…

  • Thailand NewsChiang Mai to have rubber-tyred tram in 2028 | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai to have rubber-tyred tram in 2028

    The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) revealed its plans to finish a rubber-tyred tram project in Chiang Mai by 2028. Construction is expected to start in 2025 with a budget of 9.3 billion baht. The Chiang Mai Mass Rapid Transit project was started in 1994 but the MRTA suspended the project to focus on transport in Bangkok. The…