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.
  • Crime NewsHumpbacked beggar illegally earning over 100,000 baht a month sent back to Cambodia | Thaiger

    Humpbacked beggar illegally earning over 100,000 baht a month sent back to Cambodia

    A compassionate Thai man says he feels deceived after he tried to help a disabled Cambodian beggar get treatment only to discover he earned over 100,000 baht per month illegally. Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet, aka Gun Jom Palang, last week announced on Facebook that he would contact the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (M-Society) to help the Cambodian man…

  • Crime NewsSuspect in alleged rape case provides court with video | Thaiger

    Suspect in alleged rape case provides court with video

    UPDATE: Aphidit reveals secret video of him and actress in court to request bail The Thai actress allegedly drugged and raped was shocked that the man accused, Aplidit “Em” Intulasksana, showed the court a video he secretly recorded of the incident. The singer-songwriter actress, and her lawyer, Sittha Beerbangkird, visited the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok and witnessed…

  • Koh Samui NewsLuxury Koh Samui hotel robbed of 70 million baht worth of assets | Thaiger

    Luxury Koh Samui hotel robbed of 70 million baht worth of assets

    Six thieves were arrested today in connection with a 70 million baht robbery of a luxury Koh Samui hotel. Police believe more suspects are involved and made it known they are searching for them. The Chaweng Blue Lagoon Hotel is reported to be worth 400 million baht but it will be worth considerably less now after 348 rooms were stripped…

  • Crime NewsKnife-wielding Taiwanese druggie arrested for trying to steal a car | Thaiger

    Knife-wielding Taiwanese druggie arrested for trying to steal a car

    A drug-crazed Taiwanese man was arrested yesterday at a petrol station in the central province of Ayutthaya after he threatened victims with a knife and tried to steal a car. The 28 year old Ou Jui Hao was out of his mind from the effects of methamphetamine as he tried to rob a car at a petrol station on the…

  • Road deathsAllegedly drunk Brit kills Thai man in car crash in central Thailand | Thaiger

    Allegedly drunk Brit kills Thai man in car crash in central Thailand

    An alleged drunken Englishman killed one Thai man and injured another in a car crash in Rayong province in the central part of Thailand. Locals who know the foreign driver told police he is regularly drunk and often drives in the wrong direction. The Englishman, 70 year old Stephen Peter Hobbs, was arrested yesterday after he reversed his pickup into…

  • Thailand NewsCorrections Dept. to sue Thai talk show for creating fake news | Thaiger

    Corrections Dept. to sue Thai talk show for creating fake news

    A female talk show host faces up to a year in prison after insulting the Department of Corrections and spreading fake news about Thai prisons. On August 31, the Thai talk show, Unfold a Secret or Chae (แฉ), invited a female influencer, Leena Jangjanja, to host a discussion about the Forex-3D scam involving a leading Thai actress, Savika “Pinky” Chaiyadej.…

  • Crime News10 year old girl allegedly forced into child labour & abused by parents | Thaiger

    10 year old girl allegedly forced into child labour & abused by parents

    Non-profit organization Zendai yesterday rescued an abused 10 year old girl they found selling snacks at a petrol station in the Ayutthaya province of central Thailand. The child had wounds and bruises on her body and face. Zendai (เส้นด้าย) posted a video of the girl on their Facebook page highlighting her plight… “One of our team found this girl selling…

  • Politics NewsUPDATE: German activist gets a warning from Thailand police | Thaiger

    UPDATE: German activist gets a warning from Thailand police

    The German activist, who earlier this week held a one-man protest against acting Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, acknowledged that his visa might not be extended if he continues his protest against the Thai government. Moritz Pfoh and his Thai wife arrived in Bangkok today in preparation for a protest in the capital tomorrow and revealed that police officers visited him…

  • Thailand NewsThai influencer tells fans to use green light DLT taxis for safer ride | Thaiger

    Thai influencer tells fans to use green light DLT taxis for safer ride

    A famous Thai influencer recommends that people should only take taxis that display a green vacant light because they are registered with the Department of Land Transport (DLT) and provide a safer service for passengers. The Thai influencer, Beam, who runs a Facebook page Beam’s Story (เรื่องของบีม), told her fans to use only taxis with a green vacant sign because…

  • Politics NewsGerman’s one-man protest against the government of Thailand | Thaiger

    German’s one-man protest against the government of Thailand

    A foreigner held a one-man protest against the government of Thailand today in the central province of Rayong. The German man, Moritz Pfoh, was spotted walking on an island in the middle of Sukhumvit Road in Tapong sub-district, Mueng district, holding a portrait of acting Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan with a red cross on his face. The 35 year old,…

  • Thailand NewsThai girl tries to trick boyfriend into marriage using urine of pregnant woman | Thaiger

    Thai girl tries to trick boyfriend into marriage using urine of pregnant woman

    A celebrity doctor shared a shocking story of a woman seeking the urine of a pregnant woman to trick a boyfriend into marrying her. The doctor then issued a warning to both buyers and sellers of urine samples to stop their business as they could face a fine and imprisonment. The Facebook page, Children’s Story by Doctor Am (เรื่องเด็กๆ by…

  • Thailand News3 dishes from Thailand feature in Asia’s top 50 best street foods | Thaiger

    3 dishes from Thailand feature in Asia’s top 50 best street foods

    Three Thai food dishes feature in CNN Travel’s top 50 best street foods in Asia. Isaan sausages, Khao Soi, and crab omelettes were the three dishes highlighted in the top 50 must-try street foods from all over Asia. The list is available here. CNN said the crab omelettes or Kai Jeow Pu (ไข่เจียวปู) were… “A match made in heaven. The…

  • Transport NewsTaxi fares in Thailand to increase for the first time in 8 years | Thaiger

    Taxi fares in Thailand to increase for the first time in 8 years

    The Ministry of Transport plans to increase taxi fares in Thailand for the first time in eight years but insists drivers must improve their service and can’t refuse to serve passengers no matter where they want to go. Today, the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Sorapong Paithunpong, revealed that the taxi drivers lobbied the government to adjust taxi…

  • Crime NewsUPDATE: Actress’ rape complaint could expose political corruption in Thailand | Thaiger

    UPDATE: Actress’ rape complaint could expose political corruption in Thailand

    UPDATE: Aphidit faces 13 charges, and the court denies bail Aphidit “Em” Intilasksana faces 13 charges in relation to drugging and raping a Thai actress while the court also denied him bail after it was discovered he tried to destroy evidence. Yesterday, an officer from Chok Chai Police Station spent over nine hours questioning Aphidit. After the questioning ended Aphidit…

  • Thailand NewsTeacher faces jail after student’s punishment leads to crippling injury | Thaiger

    Teacher faces jail after student’s punishment leads to crippling injury

    A teacher faces prison and a hefty fine after punishing a student with squat jumps, leading to Myofascial Pain Syndrome. The 15 year old boy required leg surgery after a high school teacher in the central province of Kanchanaburi punished him for missing a class by making him do 200 squat jumps on July 23. The boy’s mother, Lek Au-Thong,…

  • Thailand NewsThai couple’s 1,000km, 20 hours Songkran motorcycle odyssey | Thaiger

    Thai couple’s 1,000km, 20 hours Songkran motorcycle odyssey

    A Thai couple travelled 20 hours on a motorbike and over 1,000 kilometres from Bangkok to their hometown in Pattani province in the south of Thailand before Songkran because all train tickets were fully booked and flights were too pricey for them. The woman, Nurfatihah, posted a video of the epic motorcycle journey she took to Pattani with her boyfriend…

  • Thailand NewsFive injured in gas plant explosion near Bangkok | Thaiger

    Five injured in gas plant explosion near Bangkok

    Five people were injured, three seriously, following an explosion at a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plant in the Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok in the early hours of this morning. One of the big cylinders is believed to have exploded, spreading to others, and started a blaze at the V.I.P Petroleum plant, in the Bang Sao Thong district of Samut…

  • Crime NewsUPDATE: Actress’ rape complaint could expose political corruption in Thailand | Thaiger

    UPDATE: Actress’ rape complaint could expose political corruption in Thailand

    UPDATE: The suspect denies rape allegations saying he is being blackmailed The suspect accused of drugging and raping a Thai actress today denied all allegations, insisting he is being blackmailed by the actress, singer-songwriter. The alleged rapist, Aphidit “Em” Intilasksana, today visited Chok Chai Police Station to acknowledge the allegations by the 21 year old woman. The accused spoke to…

  • Thailand NewsThai actor’s plan to swim from Thailand to Laos for charity | Thaiger

    Thai actor’s plan to swim from Thailand to Laos for charity

    Famous Thai actor and singer Phakin “Tono” Khamwilaisak hopes to make a splash with his charity swim across the Mekong River from Thailand to Laos and at the same time raise awareness about environmental issues and raise funds for hospitals in the two countries. Tono announced his plan via his Instagram account last Thursday, August 25. He revealed that he…

  • Thailand NewsLocals angry after public road shut for private party in S Thailand | Thaiger

    Locals angry after public road shut for private party in S Thailand

    The son in law of a police officer caused outrage in the local community of Trang in the south of Thailand after he blocked off a public road to have a housewarming party. Netizens in Trang demanded answers from the provincial government after a video emerged on social media of an ambulance being denied access to the road because it…

  • Crime NewsUPDATE: Actress’ rape complaint could expose political corruption in Thailand | Thaiger

    UPDATE: Actress’ rape complaint could expose political corruption in Thailand

    UPDATE Two police officers from Chok Chai Police Station in Bangkok have been transferred to the Metropolitan Police Bureau 4 after verbally abusing a rape victim who complained about being drugged and sexually assaulted. The suspect in the case is expected to be questioned today. Last Friday, the rape victim, a Thai actress, and singer-songwriter, joined a Channel 3 talk…

  • Bangkok NewsOfficer issues arrest threat to security after his bike is clamped | Thaiger

    Officer issues arrest threat to security after his bike is clamped

    A Thai policeman threatened to arrest security guards after they clamped his motorcycle at a condominium in Bangkok. He also refused to pay the parking fine. Yesterday, the Facebook page, โหลกแดง in the Multiverse of Madness, or Red Skull in the Multiverse of Madness, shared a video of a policeman arguing with security guards at a condo in the Bang…

  • Crime NewsOfficial arrested for soliciting bribes from Chiang Mai residents | Thaiger

    Official arrested for soliciting bribes from Chiang Mai residents

    The Deputy District Chief of Mueng Chaing Mai faces life in prison after he was arrested for soliciting bribes following a sting operation yesterday. The Deputy District Chief, Sorrapong Telawanit, allegedly asked residents for money in exchange for favours but claimed to police, “It’s just a gift that residents are willing to offer.” The media reported yesterday that residents in…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok chief’s 2-year pledge to clean up capital’s cables | Thaiger

    Bangkok chief’s 2-year pledge to clean up capital’s cables

    “Let’s clean it up first because the underground cable project requires more budget and discussion,” said Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt who promises to clean up 800 kilometres of power lines within two years. The Bangkok Deputy Governor, Wisanu Subsompon, revealed Bangkok had to temporarily suspend the underground power line project due to a lack of budget. He did, however, promise…

  • Bangkok NewsFloor collapses at Hua Mark Police Station in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Floor collapses at Hua Mark Police Station in Bangkok

    The job of a policeman is hard enough without having something to stand on, as officers discovered in Bangkok this week. The first floor collapsed of the 55 year old Hua Mark Police Station on Ramkamhaeng Road in the Bang Kapi district on Wednesday morning. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. At 11am, the first floor gave way which is used…

  • Politics NewsThai authorities search for graffiti activists insulting ex PM Prayut | Thaiger

    Thai authorities search for graffiti activists insulting ex PM Prayut

    Authorities are searching for a group of political activists who spray-painted offensive words disparaging Thailand’s suspended prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a number of public places throughout the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. The media reported that the activists held a public expression of solidarity at several spots in Nakhon Ratchasima without permission on Wednesday, August 24. The activities were…

  • Economy NewsHousehold debt hits all-time high, nearly 100% of Thais have debt | Thaiger

    Household debt hits all-time high, nearly 100% of Thais have debt

    A Thai household debt survey this year revealed that almost every person in Thailand has household debt. But that’s not all, the average household debt hit an all-time high in the kingdom. Today, the Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce revealed the survey results, saying nearly 100% of Thai people had…

  • Thailand NewsThai Airways restructures plans to get back in black | Thaiger

    Thai Airways restructures plans to get back in black

    Thai Airways announced it is renting three more planes and hiring 600 more staff this year as part of its restructuring plans. After cutting costs, selling stock, chasing debts, and distributing plane seats, Thai Airways’ turnover rate in the third quarter of this year is expected to increase. Not only that, the President of the Reorganisation Committee of the Thai…

  • Thailand NewsElectricity cut, cars damaged as storm causes chaos near Bangkok | Thaiger

    Electricity cut, cars damaged as storm causes chaos near Bangkok

    Wind and rain brought carnage near Bangkok last night causing a domino effect of damage after 37 utility poles fell on vehicles and left families without electricity. It is a miracle no one was injured. The chaos was caused when the 37 utility poles fell over one kilometre along 304 Road in the Tha Thong Lang sub-district, Bang Khla district,…

  • Thailand NewsLucky Thai couple finds 1 million baht pearl in their dinner | Thaiger

    Lucky Thai couple finds 1 million baht pearl in their dinner

    It wasn’t so much the world’s your oyster for a young Thai couple but more a slow and steady pace winning the race after they found a rare pearl worth over 1 million baht inside a snail while eating seafood at a local BBQ restaurant. Sittidate Chaiwan was celebrating the birthday of his girlfriend, 27 year old Patjariya Gatip, on…