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 NewsGet a Covid test before sex, Thailand’s DDC recommends ahead of Valentine’s Day | Thaiger

    Get a Covid test before sex, Thailand’s DDC recommends ahead of Valentine’s Day

    Before getting intimate on Valentine’s Day, get tested for Covid-19. That’s the recommendation from Thailand’s Department of Disease Control. Authorities are advising couples to undergo a rapid antigen Covid-19 test before having sex. The DDC director-general Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai expressed his concerns today that there might be an uptick in Covid-19 cases following Valentine’s Day. While couples are out on dates…

  • Thailand NewsTinder Thailand launches Valentine’s campaign at Bangkok shrine of love | Thaiger

    Tinder Thailand launches Valentine’s campaign at Bangkok shrine of love

    If the god of love is too busy to fulfil love wishes, Tinder might be able to help. The dating application Tinder Thailand is collaborating with CentralWorld in Bangkok to launch the Valentine’s Day campaign LOVE destiNATION right in front of a popular shrine where many go to pray for love. In front of the Trimurti Shrine by the shopping…

  • Covid-19 NewsWednesday Covid Update: 13,182 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Wednesday Covid Update: 13,182 new cases; provincial totals

    24 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 22,344 with 646 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 13,182 new Covid-19 cases and 8,571 recoveries. There are now 98,830 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…

  • Thailand NewsPolice officer in northern Thailand arrested for assaulting restaurant staff, damaging property | Thaiger

    Police officer in northern Thailand arrested for assaulting restaurant staff, damaging property

    An off-duty police officer was caught on CCTV cameras assaulting a man in the northern province of Lamphun and then going back after the fight to damage a car. Reports in Thai media say the officer refused to leave the restaurant after a night of drinking and also sexually assaulted a female staff. The officer works under the Crowds Control…

  • Thailand NewsThai police track down, arrest suspect in bank robbery case | Thaiger

    Thai police track down, arrest suspect in bank robbery case

    Police arrested a man suspected of robbing a bank in the central province Saraburi and running off with around 210,000 baht in cash. In an expedited investigation, with local police promising to find the suspect within the week, officers tracked down and arrested 33 year old Weerachai Auttaparp at his house about 10 kilometres from the bank. Videos from the…

  • Cannabis NewsHealth Minister signs document removing cannabis with low-THC from narcotics list | Thaiger

    Health Minister signs document removing cannabis with low-THC from narcotics list

    The Public Health Minister Autin Charnvirakul signed a document to remove cannabis from the ministry’s list of Category 5 narcotics. It will be in effect within 120 days after the announcement from the Royal Gazette. Cannabis with a concentration of the psychoactive component THC exceeding 0.2% is still illegal. The minister says getting high off cannabis is still illegal, with heavy…

  • Thailand NewsCat sits on sports car, owner demands 100,000 baht to pay for scratches | Thaiger

    Cat sits on sports car, owner demands 100,000 baht to pay for scratches

    The owner of a luxury sports car has reportedly filed a lawsuit against their neighbour claiming 100,000 baht in damages after a cat climbed and sat on top of their black and yellow Lotus sports car, causing some scratches. The story was widely shared in Thailand and the latest reports say the owner has since apologised, adding that he doesn’t…

  • Thailand NewsPolice search for bank robber who stole more than 200,000 baht in cash | Thaiger

    Police search for bank robber who stole more than 200,000 baht in cash

    Police are searching for a man who robbed a bank in the central province of Saraburi and ran off with 210,000 baht in cash. Officers say they want to make an arrest within the next seven days and have offered a 10,000 baht reward to anyone who has information that leads to an arrest. Thai media says the man was…

  • Thailand NewsMan allegedly attacks neighbour in Bangkok, claiming revenge for black magic | Thaiger

    Man allegedly attacks neighbour in Bangkok, claiming revenge for black magic

    A 47 year old man from Sri Lanka was arrested after he allegedly attacked a neighbour, smashing a glass bottle on his head and then stabbing him with the broken glass. Reports say he claimed the victim had used black magic against him to cause him pain. The victim, who is also 47 years old, says he was eating dinner…

  • Thailand NewsMaharaj Tunnel opens in Bangkok, pedestrian underpass to the Grand Palace | Thaiger

    Maharaj Tunnel opens in Bangkok, pedestrian underpass to the Grand Palace

    A new pedestrian underpass in Bangkok officially opened yesterday, with a small exhibition along the underground route to the Grand Palace. In addition to easing traffic problems in the heart of the city, the Maharaj Tunnel offers an exhibition showcasing the history of Bangkok as well as Thai architecture. It also provides clean toilets for those walking throughout the city.…

  • Covid-19 NewsTuesday Covid Update: 10,398 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Tuesday Covid Update: 10,398 new cases; provincial totals

    17 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 22,320 with 622 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 10,398 new Covid-19 cases and 8,922 recoveries. There are now 94,243 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok officials to shut down more than 20 illegal landfills in the capital | Thaiger

    Bangkok officials to shut down more than 20 illegal landfills in the capital

    The Thai government is launching a project to get rid of illegal landfills in Bangkok. The “SHUT DOWN!” project is led by Bangkok’s Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, also known as Greencrop. So far, two of the more than 20 illegal landfills were raided in the operation. A report in Thai media says the dumps were in Bangkok’s Latkrabang district…

  • Phuket NewsPolice arrest man for allegedly stealing 4,900 euros from tourists in Phuket | Thaiger

    Police arrest man for allegedly stealing 4,900 euros from tourists in Phuket

    Police arrested a man who allegedly stole 4,900 euros from a Greek family travelling in Phuket. The family had left nearly their cash in their car, thinking it would be more secure than their hotel room where there was no safe to lock anything away while the maid cleaned. The suspect allegedly told police he spent most of the money…

  • Covid-19 NewsMonday Covid Update: 10,470 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Monday Covid Update: 10,470 new cases; provincial totals

    12 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 22,303 with 605 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 10,470 new Covid-19 cases and 8,711 recoveries. There are now 92,784 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…

  • Phuket NewsFire breaks out by Phuket viewpoint, 16 Thai and foreign visitors rescued | Thaiger

    Fire breaks out by Phuket viewpoint, 16 Thai and foreign visitors rescued

    Around 16 locals and Thais were evacuated from a forest in Phuket after a fire broke out and spread quickly by the Laem Krating viewpoint by the Krating Cape. The flames blocked the exit and authorities had to send a boat to pick the tourists and others up at the bottom of the hill in Phuket’s Rawai district. Phuket authorities…

  • Thailand News5 senior police officers demoted for allowing gambling operations | Thaiger

    5 senior police officers demoted for allowing gambling operations

    Five police officers were demoted for turning a blind eye to allow gambling venues to operate in their areas of jurisdiction. Those officers were from Khu Kot Police Station in Pathum Thani and Bang Sao Thong Police Station in Samut Prakan, where officers busted two large gambling operations and made dozens of arrests. The officers were demoted due to their…

  • Thailand NewsCalls for investigation into Bangkok governor candidate’s “unusual wealth” | Thaiger

    Calls for investigation into Bangkok governor candidate’s “unusual wealth”

    The candidate running for Bangkok governor, who drew attention when he claimed to have studied engineering under Albert Einstein’s grandson, is now in the spotlight for his “unusual wealth,” according to Thai media reports. An anonymous person leaked information showing that the candidate’s assets increased to 245 million baht within one year. The House Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Committee, led by…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok airport warns passengers not to travel abroad with more than 30 face masks | Thaiger

    Bangkok airport warns passengers not to travel abroad with more than 30 face masks

    Suvarnabhumi Airport is warning passengers not to travel abroad with more than 30 face masks, according to Thai media. Only passengers with medical certifications will be allowed to carry up to 50 masks onboard. No one is allowed to send face masks out of the kingdom except those who have received approval. For those travelling out of the country, face…

  • Pattaya NewsThai navy lieutenant arrested for allegedly installing cameras in women’s bathroom | Thaiger

    Thai navy lieutenant arrested for allegedly installing cameras in women’s bathroom

    The 54 year old Lieutenant Commander from the Royal Thai Navy was arrested for allegedly installing hidden cameras inside bathrooms at an IT department in a Chon Buri hospital. Maintenance staff found the cameras hidden in the bathroom ceiling. Reports say more than 1,000 videos were recorded on the cameras, which were apparently up for more than six years. The…

  • Covid-19 NewsFriday Covid Update: 9,909 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Friday Covid Update: 9,909 new cases; provincial totals

    22 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 22,250 with 552 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 9,909 new Covid-19 cases and 7,827 recoveries. There are now 86,473 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…

  • Thailand NewsInfected inmate escapee from Koh Samui Hospital surrenders, says he got hungry | Thaiger

    Infected inmate escapee from Koh Samui Hospital surrenders, says he got hungry

    The inmate infected with Covid-19 who escaped from Koh Samui Hospital has reportedly surrendered to police. Apparently, he turned himself in to police because he got hungry. With prisons and correctional facilities requiring a quarantine period for all new inmates, and with a number of them testing positive for Covid-19, there has been an increase in prisoner escapes, according to…

  • Thailand NewsSecurity guards allegedly stab resident to death at Bangkok housing project | Thaiger

    Security guards allegedly stab resident to death at Bangkok housing project

    Yesterday, the police officers from Tian Tale Metropolitan Police Station arrested three security guards suspected of killing a resident at a state dormitory of the National Housing Authorities project in Bang Khun Tian, Bangkok. Officer seized weapons and say the suspects confessed to killing the resident, claiming they didn’t mean to murder him, they just wanted to get revenge because…

  • Phuket NewsGreek tourists robbed in Phuket get 51,000 baht gift from anonymous donor | Thaiger

    Greek tourists robbed in Phuket get 51,000 baht gift from anonymous donor

    The Greek family who claims 200,000 baht was stolen from their car in Phuket have received a gift of 51,000 baht from an anonymous donor to help them continue their travels. The Facebook page named KNIGHTS BORDER made a post saying an “anonymous kind and beloved brother” donated the money to the family after hearing that hundreds of thousands of baht…

  • Covid-19 NewsThursday Covid Update: 9,172 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Thursday Covid Update: 9,172 new cases; provincial totals

    21 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 22,228 with 530 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 9,172 new Covid-19 cases and 7,832 recoveries. There are now 84,413 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…

  • Thailand NewsMotorbike rider in Buriram injured from rope that wrapped around her neck | Thaiger

    Motorbike rider in Buriram injured from rope that wrapped around her neck

    The 28 year old woman driving her motorbike got tied by a random rope, which wrapped around her neck, cutting her. Reports in Thai media say the rope was “mysterious” and it’s unclear where exactly it came from. The motorbike rider says she was driving on the main road in the Isaan province Buriram at around 5am on Monday when…

  • Thailand NewsOfficers uncover buried car owned by an American who left Thailand 10 years ago | Thaiger

    Officers uncover buried car owned by an American who left Thailand 10 years ago

    A car was found buried at a palm plantation in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat… but what is interesting about the case is that the vehicle belonged to a 52 year old American man who, according to reports, left the country 10 years ago. The bronze BMW had been buried about a metre deep. Police and forensic officers…

  • Covid-19 NewsWednesday Covid Update: 8,587 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Wednesday Covid Update: 8,587 new cases; provincial totals

    22 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 22,207 with 509 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 8,587 new Covid-19 cases and 8,485 recoveries. There are now 83,094 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…

  • Phuket NewsGreek travellers in Phuket claim 200,000 baht in cash was stolen from their car | Thaiger

    Greek travellers in Phuket claim 200,000 baht in cash was stolen from their car

    A Greek family on a trip to Phuket claims around 200,000 baht in cash was stolen. Thai media reports that the family of five is asking for the money to be returned and are even promising to give the thief 500 euros if they return the cash. The family filed a report with the police and asked the hotel to…

  • Thailand NewsPolice officer faces at total of 9 charges for speeding and hitting eye doctor at a crosswalk | Thaiger

    Police officer faces at total of 9 charges for speeding and hitting eye doctor at a crosswalk

    The police officer who sped his Ducati motorcycle through Bangkok and stuck an eye doctor walking on a zebra crossing, killing her, is now facing a total of nine charges. He was initially charged with seven, but authorities slapped on two more charges. But the parents of ophthalmologist Dr. Waraluck Supwatjariyakul say the charges are still too light and they…

  • Crime NewsMan arrested on drug charges claims he ordered methamphetamine from a prisoner | Thaiger

    Man arrested on drug charges claims he ordered methamphetamine from a prisoner

    A 26 year old was arrested outside a convenience store just as he was sitting in his car counting his money. When police approached, they found the man suspicious and searched his car, finding illicit drugs as well as a gun and ammunition. He allegedly told police the bought the drugs from an inmate in prison, making the order through…