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 NewsCambodian rockets fall near Surin hospital, forcing evacuation | Thaiger

    Cambodian rockets fall near Surin hospital, forcing evacuation

    Cambodian troops allegedly targeted Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin this morning, December 10, firing BM-21 rockets into the surrounding area and forcing medical staff and patients to evacuate for safety. According to an update from the 2nd Army Area, a total of six BM-21 rockets were launched into Thai territory at around 8.40am. Several rockets landed near the hospital…

  • Thailand NewsWrong flag, incorrect medal tally, and lip-sync error disrupt SEA Games opener | Thaiger

    Wrong flag, incorrect medal tally, and lip-sync error disrupt SEA Games opener

    The opening ceremony of the 2025 SEA Games at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium last night, December 9, sparked widespread criticism after a series of errors, including a wrong national flag, incorrect medal numbers, and a lip-sync mishap. Public scrutiny over this year’s SEA Games, Thailand’s seventh time hosting, began long before the ceremony. Thai visual and lighting designer Rueangrith “Ton”…

  • Thailand News5 Thai soldiers killed amid escalating clashes with Cambodia | Thaiger

    5 Thai soldiers killed amid escalating clashes with Cambodia

    Five Thai soldiers have been killed in ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, with fresh confrontations reported this morning, December 10, the fourth consecutive day of fighting since hostilities resumed. The clashes reignited on Sunday, December 7, despite both countries signing a peace declaration in October, witnessed by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Anwar Ibrahim.…

  • Pattaya NewsDrunk driver escapes tragedy after driving onto Pattaya railway track | Thaiger

    Drunk driver escapes tragedy after driving onto Pattaya railway track

    A Thai man narrowly escaped tragedy after accidentally driving along a railway track in Pattaya while under the influence of alcohol late last night, December 8. Rescuers from the Sawang Borriboon Dhammasathan Pattaya Foundation were alerted to the incident on the railway track in the Nong Prue sub-district, Bang Lamung district, Pattaya, at around 12.30am. When they arrived, they found…

  • Phuket NewsForeign man slammed for leaning out of moving Phuket taxi | Thaiger

    Foreign man slammed for leaning out of moving Phuket taxi

    Thai motorists and netizens slammed a foreign man for dangerous behaviour after he was seen sticking his upper body out of a taxi while travelling along a Phuket road. A Thai driver, who was travelling behind the white taxi, filmed the risky stunt and shared the footage on his Facebook account, Alif Sroison, on Sunday, December 7. The clip was…

  • Thailand NewsThai man murders LGBTQIA+ couple, saying victims try to sexually assault him | Thaiger

    Thai man murders LGBTQIA+ couple, saying victims try to sexually assault him

    A Thai man who murdered an LGBTQIA+ couple in Loei province claimed he acted in self-defence because the victims allegedly attempted to sexually assault him. Officers from Phu Kradueng Police Station were called to a house in Huai Som sub-district, Phu Kradueng, at about 9.30am on Saturday, December 6, after neighbours discovered the bodies of 69 year old Pranom and…

  • Thailand NewsThai foreign minister says ‘nothing to negotiate’ until Cambodia ready for talks | Thaiger

    Thai foreign minister says ‘nothing to negotiate’ until Cambodia ready for talks

    Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister insisted the country did not initiate the renewed border clash with Cambodia and responded to calls from the United Nations (UN) for negotiations, saying there is “nothing to negotiate if Cambodia is not ready.” Clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces resumed on Sunday, December 7, despite both countries signing a peace declaration in October witnessed by…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket businessman accuses Pakistani national of illegally running businesses on his land | Thaiger

    Phuket businessman accuses Pakistani national of illegally running businesses on his land

    A Thai businessman filed a police complaint accusing a Pakistani national of using Thai nominees to illegally run a hotel and restaurant on a property he legally purchased through a public auction in Phuket. Nitipon Ditthawiset, an executive of ASAF Holding Company, travelled to Patong Police Station on Friday, December 5, with his lawyer to request an investigation into the…

  • Pattaya News17 South Korean and Chinese scammers arrested in Bangkok and Pattaya | Thaiger

    17 South Korean and Chinese scammers arrested in Bangkok and Pattaya

    Police arrested 17 South Korean and Chinese nationals in Bangkok and Pattaya for running a major call centre scam that caused losses of more than 500 million baht to victims in South Korea. Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), working with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand, announced the…

  • Phuket NewsThai man and Norwegian woman arrested in drug raid at Phuket luxury villa | Thaiger

    Thai man and Norwegian woman arrested in drug raid at Phuket luxury villa

    Police arrested a Thai man and a Norwegian woman at a luxury villa in Phuket’s Cape Panwa area for drug dealing. Officers seized heroin, crystal meth, and methamphetamine (known locally as Yaba) during the raid. Wichit Police Station officers told the media that their ongoing crackdown on drug users and small-scale dealers led them to the pair, 54 year old…

  • Thailand NewsRocket fire and armed exchanges continue along Thai–Cambodian border | Thaiger

    Rocket fire and armed exchanges continue along Thai–Cambodian border

    Clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border have continued for a third consecutive day since December 7, with further exchanges taking place this morning, December 9. No new casualties have been confirmed. ThaiRath reported yesterday, December 8, that Cambodian military activity was detected across several provinces bordering Cambodia, including Ubon Ratchathani, Buriram, Si Saket, and Sa Kaeo. In Buriram’s Ban Kruad district,…

  • Pattaya NewsForeign tourist allegedly gropes woman on Pattaya speedboat | Thaiger

    Foreign tourist allegedly gropes woman on Pattaya speedboat

    A half-Thai, half-Laotian man condemned a foreign tourist for sexually assaulting his girlfriend by groping her on a speedboat in Pattaya. The boyfriend, identified as Leo, shared a video of the incident on Facebook on Tuesday, December 2, with the caption, “I never expected this foreigner to do this. #Travel #Warning.” The accused foreign man, wearing a red T-shirt and…

  • Thailand NewsSouth Korean man allegedly pours hot water over Thai girlfriend out of jealousy | Thaiger

    South Korean man allegedly pours hot water over Thai girlfriend out of jealousy

    A jealous South Korean man allegedly poured hot water over his Thai girlfriend in an attempt to disfigure her so she would be unable to date other men. The Thai woman took to a Facebook group of Thai people in South Korea yesterday, December 3, seeking a free interpreting service after she was assaulted by her South Korean boyfriend. She…

  • Thailand NewsChon Buri spa denies responsibility on client loses gold worth 300,000 baht | Thaiger

    Chon Buri spa denies responsibility on client loses gold worth 300,000 baht

    A Thai woman lost more than 300,000 baht worth of gold jewellery yesterday, December 3, after keeping her valuables in a locker at a spa in the Sriracha area of Chon Buri province. The 38 year old woman, Suwadee Fadchin, filed a complaint with Sriracha Police Station after discovering that several gold accessories had vanished from her locker. She told police…

  • Eastern Thailand NewsDanish tourist erupts at Trat bus terminal after missing final airport bus | Thaiger

    Danish tourist erupts at Trat bus terminal after missing final airport bus

    Police intervened after a Danish man caused a disturbance at the Trat Bus Terminal on Tuesday, December 2, after he missed the last bus to Suvarnabhumi International Airport for his midnight flight. Staff at the terminal called officers from Mueang Trat Police Station at around 6pm after the foreign tourist began shouting and causing chaos. The man, a Danish national,…

  • Bangkok NewsAsiatique introduces scenic mode and cuts hours after SkyFlyers noise complaints | Thaiger

    Asiatique introduces scenic mode and cuts hours after SkyFlyers noise complaints

    Asiatique The Riverfront responded to noise complaints over loud screaming from riders on its SkyFlyers attraction by introducing a scenic ride mode and limiting its operating hours. In recent days, residents living near the popular open-air mall took to social media to complain about the disturbance caused by the newly launched SkyFlyers ride. They said the noise did not come…

  • Road deathsDashcam exposes false account after Thai driver kills British woman in Nonthaburi | Thaiger

    Dashcam exposes false account after Thai driver kills British woman in Nonthaburi

    A Thai driver fatally struck a British national who was crossing a road in Nonthaburi province yesterday, December 3, before claiming the victim suddenly stopped walking in the middle of the road. Dashcam footage later circulated online contradicted her account. Sai Noi Police Station officers were alerted to the fatal accident at around 1pm and rushed to the Bang Kruai-Sai…

  • Bangkok NewsThai actress denies fraud as police seize 10 million baht in assets | Thaiger

    Thai actress denies fraud as police seize 10 million baht in assets

    Thai actress Rybena “Nana” Intachai remains in police custody today, December 4, over a fraud scandal, but continues to deny all allegations. Police said they have substantial evidence against her and seized assets worth around 10 million baht from her home in Bangkok’s Phra Khanong area. Yesterday, December 3, officers arrested Nana at her home and searched the property before…

  • Thailand NewsDumbhead dispute: Miss Universe 2025 winner faces defamation complaint from Thai organiser | Thaiger

    Dumbhead dispute: Miss Universe 2025 winner faces defamation complaint from Thai organiser

    A Thai beauty pageant organiser filed a defamation complaint against the newly crowned Miss Universe 2025, Fatima Bosch, after she publicly claimed he called her a “dumbhead”. The dispute between the president of the Miss Universe 2025 organising committee, Nawat Itsaragrisil, and the Mexican beauty queen, Bosch, began on November 4 during a pre-pageant event in Bangkok. The conflict first…

  • Thailand NewsThai illegal worker in South Korea seeks help after losing fingers while working | Thaiger

    Thai illegal worker in South Korea seeks help after losing fingers while working

    A Thai illegal worker in South Korea sought help from a migrant support centre after losing two fingers in a workplace accident, but is still receiving no compensation. Farida “Aum” Ma, a volunteer who provides assistance to Thai workers in South Korea, shared the man’s case on Facebook yesterday, December 2, posting photos showing that his middle and ring fingers were…

  • Phuket NewsIndian tourist apologises for placing feet on seat of Trang-Phuket bus | Thaiger

    Indian tourist apologises for placing feet on seat of Trang-Phuket bus

    An Indian man issued an apology after a video of him placing his feet on the backrest of a Trang-Phuket coach bus seat went viral on Thai social media. The video was first shared yesterday, December 2, by Facebook user Y’Not Seven, and later reposted by several news pages. In the clip, the Indian man is seen travelling with a…

  • Thailand NewsThai man attempts suicide after setting girlfriend on fire at supermarket | Thaiger

    Thai man attempts suicide after setting girlfriend on fire at supermarket

    Police stopped a man from taking his own life after he set his girlfriend on fire outside a supermarket in Nakhon Sawan province on Monday, December 1. Witnesses rushed to extinguish the flames engulfing the 33 year old woman, Nicha, outside the store on Krai Lat Road in the Pak Nam Pho sub-district at around 5pm. She was taken to…

  • Thailand NewsThai government accused of scrapping SEA Games ceremony design with no warning | Thaiger

    Thai government accused of scrapping SEA Games ceremony design with no warning

    A Thai designer accused the government for cancelling his designs for the SEA Games 2025 opening and closing ceremonies just one month before the event, despite him and his team working on the project for more than seven months. Rueangrith “Ton” Suntisuk, a visual and lighting designer and owner of the art and design studio DuckUnit, shared his frustration on…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket villa scam leaves Thais and foreigners with over 100 million baht loss | Thaiger

    Phuket villa scam leaves Thais and foreigners with over 100 million baht loss

    Thai and foreign buyers lost more than 100 million baht to a Phuket property agent who duped them into purchasing luxury pool villas that were never completed. The victims claim their cases stalled because a well-known local politician is linked to the land involved. A group of victims travelled from Phuket to Nonthaburi on Monday, December 1, to seek help…

  • Thai Law NewsThailand begins 180-day trial lifting afternoon alcohol sales ban | Thaiger

    Thailand begins 180-day trial lifting afternoon alcohol sales ban

    Thailand officially launched its trial to lift the long-standing afternoon alcohol sales ban today, December 3, allowing alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm for the first time in decades. The trial will run for 180 days while officials assess the impact before making a permanent decision. Two weeks ago, Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Sarum revealed that the National Alcohol Policy…

  • Thailand NewsThai transwoman files complaint over unfair wages at Trat karaoke bar | Thaiger

    Thai transwoman files complaint over unfair wages at Trat karaoke bar

    A Thai transwoman filed a complaint against the owner of a karaoke bar in Trat province, accusing her of unfair wage payment after receiving 100 baht per day instead of the agreed rate of 120 baht. Officers from Mueang Trat Police Station went to the karaoke bar near Sra See Siat Reservoir in Wang Krachae sub-district at around 12.10am today,…

  • Bangkok NewsAsiatique faces backlash over loud screams from new SkyFlyers ride | Thaiger

    Asiatique faces backlash over loud screams from new SkyFlyers ride

    Residents in the Charoen Krung area of Bangkok are calling on Asiatique The Riverfront to address noise caused by its newly launched SkyFlyers ride. Asiatique, the popular open-air riverside mall on Charoen Krung Road, recently unveiled its new immersive attraction, Jurassic World: The Experience, along with SkyFlyers: Wings of Garudapterus, a 135-metre-high rotating tower ride offering 360-degree city views. The mall…

  • Pattaya NewsAmerican man found dead in Pattaya with head covered and hands cuffed | Thaiger

    American man found dead in Pattaya with head covered and hands cuffed

    Police are investigating the mysterious death of an American man found with his head covered by a black rubbish bag and his hands cuffed behind his back in a Pattaya hotel room today, December 2. Najomtien Police Station officers, together with rescuers from the Sawang Rojana Sattahip Foundation and a medical team from Wat Yannasangwararam Hospital, were called to the…

  • Phuket NewsForeigner accused of taking over Phuket viewpoint for paragliding business | Thaiger

    Foreigner accused of taking over Phuket viewpoint for paragliding business

    A foreigner and his Thai wife allegedly took over a public viewpoint in Phuket for their paragliding business and chased away Thai tourists who were visiting the popular attraction. A Thai tourist posted a video on social media exposing the pair, claiming the foreign man ordered him to leave the Windmill Viewpoint, located near Phromthep Cape. In the video, the…

  • Thailand NewsToilet truck crashes into motorcycle, leaving 2 students with broken legs | Thaiger

    Toilet truck crashes into motorcycle, leaving 2 students with broken legs

    A toilet truck crashed into a motorcycle at an intersection in Udon Thani yesterday, December 1, leaving two teenage students seriously injured. Mueang Udon Thani Police Station received a report of the accident at 10.50am and coordinated with rescuers from the Sawang Sema Dham Rescue Foundation. The crash occurred at the Udon Thani Teachers Savings Cooperative Intersection, where Mukka Montri…