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.
  • Covid-19 NewsThai health authorities insist latest Covid-19 wave is controllable | Thaiger

    Thai health authorities insist latest Covid-19 wave is controllable

    The Thai Department of Disease Control under the Ministry of Public Health insists that the latest Covid-19 wave in Thailand will be “small and controllable”, and should be called a “mini wave” not a new wave. The Rural Doctor Society Facebook page shared an urgent and secret document about a new wave of Covid to the public on Monday. The…

  • Thailand NewsThai netizens go into meltdown over farmer using bathroom cleaner as fertilizer | Thaiger

    Thai netizens go into meltdown over farmer using bathroom cleaner as fertilizer

    Pictures of a Thai farmer using bathroom cleaner as a fertilizer in his rice fields have sent netizens into meltdown. Scientist, Parkpoom Dethhussadin, known as Mor Lap Panda, posted a screenshot of a Facebook post from an unidentified farmer spraying his crops with bathroom cleaner. The unidentified farmer captioned the post with, “It’s effective and cost-saving. I tried it with…

  • Thailand NewsThai teacher forced to withdraw from beauty pageant | Thaiger

    Thai teacher forced to withdraw from beauty pageant

    Kanokwan “Jubjang” Chusuk has had to abandon her dream of becoming a beauty queen after discovering female teachers are banned from taking part in beauty contests in Thailand. The 25 year old is a teacher at an elementary school, Choom Chon Wat Haad Pankrai School, in Chumporn, in the southern province of Thailand. She applied to take part in one…

  • Bangkok NewsChadchart points finger at Bangkok’s corrupt high-profile officers | Thaiger

    Chadchart points finger at Bangkok’s corrupt high-profile officers

    Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt informed Thai media yesterday that there are a number of high-profile district officers in the city involved in corruption. The identities of those officers have not been revealed, but leaked media reports allege most of them worked under a former Bangkok governor. According to reports, leading district officers from Latkrabang, Bang Khum Tien, Prawet, Taling Chan,…

  • Thailand NewsThai energy chief suggests senators shed suits to save energy | Thaiger

    Thai energy chief suggests senators shed suits to save energy

    The Deputy PM and Energy Minister, Supattanapong Punmeechaow, has urged the nation’s senators to be energy-saving role models for Thailand. The 62 year old MP has suggested every senator should avoid wearing suits to reduce the use of air-conditioning in Parliament. During today’s senate meeting at the Parliament House senators, Sakon Satjayanit and Suradet Jirathiticharoen raised questions about solutions to…

  • Road deathsTeen killed and 2 year old in critical condition after motorcycle tragedy | Thaiger

    Teen killed and 2 year old in critical condition after motorcycle tragedy

    A teenage boy has died and a 2 year old child is in critical condition after an accident yesterday at a motorcycle racing charity event near Krapang Surin Public Park in the southern province of Trang. A motorcycle racer lost control and crashed into the watching crowd alongside the racing track causing 1 death and injuries to 7 people. Sixteen-year-old…

  • World NewsNo Thais were killed by Burmese bombs says army | Thaiger

    No Thais were killed by Burmese bombs says army

    There were conflicting reports yesterday of Thai residents being killed as a result of the bombs dropped on Karen village in Myanmar near the Prop Phra district in Tak province in northern Thailand. The media reported there were Thai casualties as a result of the bombing at the border on Friday but the Thai army denied this was the case.…

  • Bangkok NewsSearch launched for suspects after name changed on symbolic Bangkok bridge | Thaiger

    Search launched for suspects after name changed on symbolic Bangkok bridge

    An investigation has been launched into the mysterious overnight name change of a symbolic bridge in Bangkok. The name of Phibun Songkhram Bridge, at Kiak Kai intersection, near Parliament House, was bafflingly renamed Tharap Bridge on Saturday night. Sunsern Rueangrit, Dusit Thani district of Bangkok assistant director, posted the news via his Twitter account after a Bangkokian asked why there…

  • Tourism NewsUnlicensed pool villa in Pattaya raided by police | Thaiger

    Unlicensed pool villa in Pattaya raided by police

    Residents living in View Point Village in Bang Lamueng district in Pattaya filed a complaint to the authorities after foreigners caused carnage at an unlicensed pool villa. The Assistant District Officer, Pornchai Sung-iad, investigated the View Point Village, where several houses operate as pool villas and found that a number of locals were concerned that more properties in the area…

  • Thailand NewsThai healthcare staff demand reduction to 100 hour working week | Thaiger

    Thai healthcare staff demand reduction to 100 hour working week

    Thailand’s overworked healthcare professionals have petitioned the leader of the opposition party to help them get better working conditions after it was revealed most of them work about 100 hours a week. The Thai Frontline Physician Confederation yesterday handed a letter to the leader of the Move Forward Party, Pita Limjaroenrat, outlining their demands. Chutinart Chinudomporn, a female Thai doctor…

  • World NewsRoyal Thai Air Force sends F-16 fighter jets to check air incursion by Burmese military planes | Thaiger

    Royal Thai Air Force sends F-16 fighter jets to check air incursion by Burmese military planes

    The Royal Thai Air Force sent 2 F-16 fighter jets to inspect Thai airspace after a MiG 29 fighter jet from Myanmar was detected flying over the Prop Phra district in Tak, the northern province of Thailand. Yesterday, the Royal Thai Airforce reported that an unidentified aircraft was spotted in Thai territorial air space at 11.16am. The plane was later…

  • Thailand NewsCAAT insists air travellers still need to mask up on Thai flights | Thaiger

    CAAT insists air travellers still need to mask up on Thai flights

    The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand today recommended that all travellers still need to wear face masks on flights because an airplane cabin is a confined area. The Royal Gazette last week announced that face mask wearing is a voluntary practice in an outdoor and airy place, but recommended that people wear masks in crowded areas and venues where social…

  • Thailand NewsPayPal Thailand back this year for those with Thai ID Cards | Thaiger

    PayPal Thailand back this year for those with Thai ID Cards

    PayPal announced its service will be up and operational in Thailand this year under its registered company name PayPal Thailand. To use the service, current users would be required to verify their identities via the Thai National Digital ID platform, and this process requires a Thai national ID card. Obviously this is a problem for foreigners. PayPal made some changes…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok open-air film festival is free to moviegoers next month | Thaiger

    Bangkok open-air film festival is free to moviegoers next month

    Bangkok’s open-air film festival, Krung Thep Klang Plang, which means Bangkok open-air theatres, rolls out the red carpet for the whole month of July. The open-air theaters will be held at a number of different locations throughout the city, and the first event kicks off on July 7 at Laan Kon Mueng space in front of the Bangkok City Hall,…

  • Central Thailand NewsLocals urge officials to fix roads and halt pricey street lamp project | Thaiger

    Locals urge officials to fix roads and halt pricey street lamp project

    Locals from Nakhon Thong Village in the Racha Thewa district of Samut Prakarn, the central province of Thailand, have made an impassioned appeal to the media to highlight the provincial government’s neglect of their roads in favour of pretty street lamps. Samut Prakarn provincial officers continue to ignore residents’ calls to improve the district’s dangerous roads and thoroughfares. The road…

  • Thailand NewsThai health chief received special drug due to obesity, not privilege | Thaiger

    Thai health chief received special drug due to obesity, not privilege

    A Thai doctor and netizens have questioned the Covid-19 treatment plan in Thailand after the Deputy PM and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul received a Molnupiravir shot even though he only had mild symptoms. The Department of Medical Services insisted that no special privileges were involved and the politician received the vaccine because he is considered to be in a…

  • Visa InformationMore than 100 foreigners in Phuket swindled by visa agency | Thaiger

    More than 100 foreigners in Phuket swindled by visa agency

    More than 100 foreigners in Phuket enlisted the help of a non-profit organization and a class action lawyer after they were swindled out of thousands of baht by visa agents. Asia Titan Group ATG, and Phuket Siam Corporation Service, are 2 of the visa agencies named by foreigners who were lured into handing over cash for a visa extension. The…

  • Bangkok NewsUPDATE: Former Special Branch Officer names police involved in illegal casino operation | Thaiger

    UPDATE: Former Special Branch Officer names police involved in illegal casino operation

    UPDATE An ex-Special Branch Bureau officer has revealed the names of police involved in the operation of an illegal casino in Bangkok that was raided last Friday and denies he had any part of it. Former Pol Lt Col Santana Prayoonrat was discharged from the police service 20 years ago after obstructing officers from making arrests in regards to an…

  • Crime NewsTaxi driver faces prison after allegedly attacking policeman while drunk | Thaiger

    Taxi driver faces prison after allegedly attacking policeman while drunk

    A taxi driver faces prison after allegedly attacking a policeman while under the influence of alcohol and fleeing the scene. The taxi driver, Charoensak Boonchuay, was spotted driving erratically by a police officer, Pongpan Ponchai, on his way home from work yesterday. Pongpan followed Charoensak until he parked his green and yellow cab in front of Huachiew Chalermprakiet University near…

  • Thailand NewsUPDATE: Thai OnlyFans couple who turned resort into porn setting surrender to police | Thaiger

    UPDATE: Thai OnlyFans couple who turned resort into porn setting surrender to police

    A Thai OnlyFans couple who turned a popular holiday resort of Wang Nam Khiao into a porn shoot setting have surrendered to the police. Two weeks ago, four erotic videos were circulating online featuring the Thai couple having sex in a resort room with a forest view through the window. The caption on the video states the location is at…

  • Pattaya NewsForeign sex pest caught assaulting Thai beauty contestant | Thaiger

    Foreign sex pest caught assaulting Thai beauty contestant

    A drunken foreign man was caught sexually assaulting a female contestant at the recent Miss Universe Thailand beauty contest. The sex pest was captured harassing the woman at the parade, part of the Pattaya International Pride Festival 2022, last Sunday on a Facebook Live stream. Kasama “Tangkwa” Sue-tong, who was the third runner-up in the contest, told the Miss Universe…

  • Bangkok News3 Thai political activists tried to commit suicide in prison | Thaiger

    3 Thai political activists tried to commit suicide in prison

    Bangkok Remand Prison yesterday reported that 3 Thai political activists, jailed according to the lèse majesté laws, tried to commit suicide in prison due to stress. Two male prisoners slashed their wrists with a piece of metal while a third prisoner tried to overdose on 60 paracetamol tablets. Thai human rights lawyer, Arnon Nampa, yesterday announced the news on his…

  • Tourism NewsFake voucher victims demand action against Pattaya travel agent | Thaiger

    Fake voucher victims demand action against Pattaya travel agent

    Angry victims lured into buying fake vouchers worth millions of baht are demanding immediate police action against a Chon Buri-based travel company after six months of procrastination. Sixty victims yesterday submitted a letter to the Central Investigation Bureau commissioner asking him to follow up on their complaints about being conned into buying fake vouchers from the Colour Ocean Group. A…

  • Thailand NewsThai Health Minister Anutin tests positive for Covid-19 | Thaiger

    Thai Health Minister Anutin tests positive for Covid-19

    The Thai Deputy PM and Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul, has tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving back from a UNAIDS meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. The minister was reported to have only mild symptoms at this time as he had already completed 6 doses of the Covid vaccine. Autin and other authorities from the Ministry of Public Health, Foreign…

  • Bangkok News4.3 million baht seized in police raid on illegal casino | Thaiger

    4.3 million baht seized in police raid on illegal casino

    A police raid that seized 4.3 million baht from an illegal underground gambling den has sparked a bizarre war of words between the authorities and a nongovernmental organisation. More than 4.3 million baht was seized after police raided an illegal casino hidden on the underground floor of the Ayothaya Tower on Ratchadapisak Soi 18 in Huay Kwang district of Bangkok.…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket’s Central Patong shopping mall plans reopening and recruitment drive | Thaiger

    Phuket’s Central Patong shopping mall plans reopening and recruitment drive

    Central Patong shopping mall in Phuket is launching a large-scale recruitment drive on the back of plans to reopen after a year of closure due to the pandemic. Central Department Store, the managers of the shopping centre, informed stores in the Central Patong shopping mall of the temporary closure on February 1 last year. But on Saturday, the Thai department…

  • Thailand NewsPop star demands to know why her pet dog died on Thai flight | Thaiger

    Pop star demands to know why her pet dog died on Thai flight

    Thai pop star Prompwilai “Mimi” Leesiriroj has demanded an explanation from Thai Airways, and China Eastern, as to why her pet dog, Melody, died while travelling on a flight from Thailand to China on Friday. The 22 year old singer, also known as Mimi Lee, found stardom in China after she won a reality TV show called Produce 101 China,…

  • Bangkok NewsUPDATE: Owner of fire building in Bangkok Chinatown to sue electric authority | Thaiger

    UPDATE: Owner of fire building in Bangkok Chinatown to sue electric authority

    UPDATE Stall sellers and the owners of the Ratchawong Rungrueng packaging shop building, which caught fire in Bangkok’s Chinatown on Saturday, say they are going to sue the Metropolitan Electricity Authority for negligence after a broken transformer caused the blaze that killed 2 people. The faulty transformer caught fire and quickly ripped through the 3-story building on Ratchawong Road in…

  • Northern Thailand News60% of new HIV cases in a northern Thai province are from high school students | Thaiger

    60% of new HIV cases in a northern Thai province are from high school students

    Healthcare workers from the northern province of Phitsanulok claim they discover 2 HIV cases every hour, and that 60% of HIV cases in that area are found in high school students. The statement was made yesterday at a healthcare meeting to discuss the silent danger of HIV at the Crystal Conference Room of The Park Hotel, Phitsanulok. The conference was…

  • Bangkok NewsPassengers still required to wear face masks on BTS Skytrain | Thaiger

    Passengers still required to wear face masks on BTS Skytrain

    Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain operator today insisted that all passengers still have to wear a face mask on their trains and around the platform area despite an announcement on the Royal Gazette platform that face mask wearing is now voluntary in Thailand. The Royal Gazette last night surprised people in Thailand with the official announcement that wearing masks is voluntary in…