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 NewsForeigner claims Bangkok taxi driver overcharged on a Thai holy day | Thaiger

    Foreigner claims Bangkok taxi driver overcharged on a Thai holy day

    A Reddit user has posted about an experience of using a Taxi service in Bangkok… “Bangkok Scam on Vesak Day” (the Visakha Bucha Day Buddhist holiday). The user claimed the driver overcharged him and asked for a toll fee for the highway even though the toll was waived on the day. On Monday the aggrieved passenger posted pictures of the…

  • Krabi NewsNew Krabi Airport terminal scheduled to open in November | Thaiger

    New Krabi Airport terminal scheduled to open in November

    Krabi International Airport is hoping to double its passenger capacity when a new passenger terminal opens, car parking areas increased and renovations are completed on the old terminal. The terminals were expected to officially open in October, but the schedule is now postponed until November due to delays caused by the Covid pandemic in Thailand (although The Thaiger notes the…

  • Thailand NewsStudents ride elephants to school in northern Thailand | Thaiger

    Students ride elephants to school in northern Thailand

    Some might take a bus, others ride their bike, some will walk. But some Thai kids arrived at school via elephant this morning in Tak province, northern Thailand. Today was the first day of nationwide on-site classes in Thai schools after almost two years of online, remote studying. To mark the occasion, parents from Baan Ya Por School in Phob…

  • Thailand NewsNewest and widest Chao Phraya cable-stayed bridge to open in 2022 | Thaiger

    Newest and widest Chao Phraya cable-stayed bridge to open in 2022

    The Expressway Authority of Thailand has provided an update on the development of the newest and widest Chao Phraya cable-stayed bridge, saying the new bridge is expected to open for use sometime later this year. The department would ask HM King Vachiralongkorn to officiate at the opening and provide his auspicious name to the bridge, Rama 10. EXAT says that…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman complains after Pattaya laundry service overcharges for foreign BF – VIDEO | Thaiger

    Thai woman complains after Pattaya laundry service overcharges for foreign BF – VIDEO

    A Thai woman is complaining about a local laundry overcharging for services on social media. Her foreign boyfriend was charged 500 baht for only 11 pieces of clothes at a laundry shop in the city. On May 15, the woman posted in a Facebook group named พัทยา or ‘Pattaya’, saying… “My boyfriend bought 7 shirts, 2 short pants, and 3…

  • Thailand NewsTuesday Covid Update: 3,893 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Tuesday Covid Update: 3,893 new cases; provincial totals

    38 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 29,550 with 7,852 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 3,893 new Covid-19 cases and 7,323 recoveries. There are now 63,337 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded today,…

  • Bangkok NewsThai woman survives fall from 26th floor | Thaiger

    Thai woman survives fall from 26th floor

    A Thai woman is seriously injured after falling from the 26th floor of a condominium in Bangkok at around 2am on Sunday. Rescue teams arrived at the scene within 5 minutes, but the woman had to wait until 4am to receive treatment at the hospital, according to the rescue team. The woman suffered multiple broken bones. Erawan Emergency Centre took…

  • Thailand News14 year old and older brother arrested in eastern Thailand over human trafficking | Thaiger

    14 year old and older brother arrested in eastern Thailand over human trafficking

    A 14 year old boy and his 29 year old brother have been arrested in the Isaan province of Sa Kaew for human trafficking. They offered transportation services for illegal Thai workers in Cambodian casinos who wanted to visit families in Thailand. The Thai army rangers and authorities from the Special Unit Infantryman Department investigated areas along the Thai-Cambodia border…

  • Northern Thailand NewsChiang Rai businessman gives away cash with a mini treasure hunt | Thaiger

    Chiang Rai businessman gives away cash with a mini treasure hunt

    A man in the northern province of Chiang Rai has been giving away money to locals in a make-shift mini treasure hunt. He’s posted videos on TikTok to show people where he has hidden the money, allowing locals to figure out the clues and find the money. He told Thai media that he wanted to help people and encourage tourists…

  • Bangkok NewsMore than 600 endangered or prohibited animals seized at Suvarnabhumi Airport | Thaiger

    More than 600 endangered or prohibited animals seized at Suvarnabhumi Airport

    Wildlife officials and the Thai Customs Department have seized more than 600 endangered or prohibited animals at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The animals were delivered from a middle east country via Egypt Air. The information about the sender hasn’t been reported at this stage of the investigation. Yesterday, the Manager of the Wildlife Checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Yossathon Kongngen, told…

  • Covid-19 NewsFriday Covid Update: 7,779 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Friday Covid Update: 7,779 new cases; provincial totals

    56 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 29,367 with 7,669 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 7,779 new Covid-19 cases and 9,286 recoveries. There are now 75,864 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s public health officials proposing ‘Endemic Sandboxes’ to legally reopen nightlife | Thaiger

    Thailand’s public health officials proposing ‘Endemic Sandboxes’ to legally reopen nightlife

    Thailand is getting closer and closer to the endemic phase of its Covid response. Achingly slow but now with at least a proposal to be tabled at the next CCSA meeting. The Ministry of Public Health will propose ‘Endemic Sandboxes’ as a plan to allow entertainment venues to legally reopen in 3 tourist islands including Phuket, Koh Chang, and Koh…

  • Thailand NewsThursday Covid Update: 8,019 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Thursday Covid Update: 8,019 new cases; provincial totals

    59 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 29,311 with 7,613 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 8,019 new Covid-19 cases and 8,807 recoveries. There are now 77,427 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded today,…

  • Thailand NewsUPDATE: Authorities find Isaan cult also selling food and snacks online | Thaiger

    UPDATE: Authorities find Isaan cult also selling food and snacks online

    Following the report on the raid of the hidden cult compound in the Isaan province Chaiyaphum last week, authorities visited the make-shift for a second time and found they were also operating a semi-commercial food business to make a living. The ‘cult’ distributes food products like chilli paste, fermented fish and snacks but without registration with the Food and Drug Administration,…

  • Thailand NewsMan who released cobras at Bangkok intersection slaps political activist in the face | Thaiger

    Man who released cobras at Bangkok intersection slaps political activist in the face

    A man who made headlines two months ago for releasing cobras and cutting his wrists at a busy intersection in Bangkok has gained more attention for slapping a political activist in the face at a protest in Bangkok. ‘K Hundred Million’, a real estate businessman, said he slapped the woman because she insulted Thailand’s royal family. The incident happened on…

  • Thailand NewsWednesday Covid Update: 7,650 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Wednesday Covid Update: 7,650 new cases; provincial totals

    56 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 29,252 with 7,554 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 7,650 new Covid-19 cases and 9,322 recoveries. There are now 78,274 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded…

  • Northern Thailand NewsMan steals ฿300,000 from his stepmother and gives it away “to make merit” | Thaiger

    Man steals ฿300,000 from his stepmother and gives it away “to make merit”

    A man from the Isaan province of Buriram allegedly stole ฿300,000 from his stepmother because he wanted to “make merit” by giving it away. He gave away ฿109,000 cash at a local market and bought products valued at ฿200,000 which he gave away to locals for free. CCTV footage shows 39 year old Wuttisak sitting on a motorbike and spreading…

  • Phuket NewsTwo Thai boys attempt to walk from Isaan to Phuket to visit their relatives | Thaiger

    Two Thai boys attempt to walk from Isaan to Phuket to visit their relatives

    Or “Top and Tai’s Excellent Adventure”. Two teenage boys attempted to walk from the Isaan province of Udon Thani to Phuket in southern Thailand, a distance of some 1,450 kilometres, because they wanted to visit their relatives. The pair didn’t get very far. When they were spotted walking along the road in Udon Thani, they were sent back home for…

  • Phuket NewsA piece of ceiling at Phuket airport falls, one passenger sent to hospital | Thaiger

    A piece of ceiling at Phuket airport falls, one passenger sent to hospital

    An aluminium ‘bar’ from Phuket Airport’s domestic terminal ceiling has fallen to the floor, just avoiding hitting a female passenger standing nearby. No injuries were reported, but the woman was in shock and fainted. Ceiling structures at Thailand’s airports have suffered from ‘gravity’ over the past few weeks. Yesterday, at 11.20 am, officials at Phuket airport’s domestic terminal were notified…

  • Thailand NewsUPDATE: Royal Thai Navy and Air Force join Lazada ban | Thaiger

    UPDATE: Royal Thai Navy and Air Force join Lazada ban

    Yes, the Lazada-gate fiasco rolls on. Following yesterday’s report that Lazada was banned from entering Royal Thai Army bases, the unit later launched an “emergency announcement” warning of penalties to anyone who violates the ban. Now the Royal Thai Navy and Air Force have also joined the boycott, stating that a zero-tolerance policy “will be considered” as Lazada ads “could…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s Covid-19 alert decreases to Level 3 | Thaiger

    Thailand’s Covid-19 alert decreases to Level 3

    Today, the Ministry of Public Health announced that Thailand’s Covid-19 alert level has decreased from Level 4 to Level 3 nationwide. Whether Thailand is ready to declare Covid-19 as endemic will depend on vaccination rates, according to the ministry. Director-General of the Disease Control Department Opas Kankawinpong said Level 3 means Thai residents still can’t go to bars and entertainment…

  • Thailand NewsLazada-gate update: Lazada banned from entering Royal Thai Army premises | Thaiger

    Lazada-gate update: Lazada banned from entering Royal Thai Army premises

    The Royal Thai Army is boycotting Lazada in the latest reaction following an advertisement deemed offensive to Thailand’s monarchy, which disappeared from TikTok shortly after it was uploaded last week. Thailand’s Army Chief has banned e-commerce giant Lazada from delivering packages into army premises, but says that soldiers still have the freedom to buy products from Lazada if they so…

  • Thailand NewsPattaya to ‘officially’ reopen floating restaurants and water activities | Thaiger

    Pattaya to ‘officially’ reopen floating restaurants and water activities

    The Pattaya Marine Committee has held a meeting with representatives from local marine business to discuss legally reopening floating restaurants and other water activity services, like jet ski and parasailing. The committee unofficially agreed on the reopening plans but insists restaurants offer only traditional Thai shows at this stage – no parties, no dancers. The Pattaya News reported that some…

  • Northern Thailand NewsThai cult raided, 11 corpses found, followers urged to consume leader’s waste | Thaiger

    Thai cult raided, 11 corpses found, followers urged to consume leader’s waste

    Police and residents in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum, together with Thai media, have raid the ‘secret’ make-shift compound of a cult hidden in the middle of a rice paddy field after one victim complained that the cult leader “imprisoned followers” and urged them to “consume human waste”. Thai media reported that 11 unidentified corpses were found inside the compound,…

  • Thailand NewsLazada apologises for controversial advert | Thaiger

    Lazada apologises for controversial advert

    E-commerce platform Lazada has removed a controversial advert from their website which was criticised by Thai netizens as both making fun of disabled people and being offensive to Thailand’s monarchy. Lazada have since issued a statement apologising for the advert. Lazada is a huge online store where people and companies can sell from their own inventories on the platform, based…

  • Thailand NewsDepartment of Health warns public that “Bullfrog Shots” might contain parasites | Thaiger

    Department of Health warns public that “Bullfrog Shots” might contain parasites

    “Bullfrog shots” have become a new popular item on the menu around Thailand after going viral on Thai social media. The “shot” is comprised of a cooked bullfrog, spicy sauce, and dried chillis for garnish (but doesn’t contain alcohol). After the dish gained popularity, the Department of Health issued a warning that bullfrog shots could contain parasites and that anyone…

  • Thailand NewsFriday Covid Update: 7,705 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Friday Covid Update: 7,705 new cases; provincial totals

    62 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 28,976 with 7,278 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 7,705 new Covid-19 cases and 11,252 recoveries. There are now 97,672 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded…

  • Thailand NewsCelebrity dentist accused of ‘online’ sexual assault by masturbating in front of two sisters | Thaiger

    Celebrity dentist accused of ‘online’ sexual assault by masturbating in front of two sisters

    A “celebrity dentist” who is famous on Thai TikTok, now stands accused of sexual assault after 2 female teenagers file a complaint saying he made a video call and masturbated in front of their faces. 13 year old and 17 year old teenagers contacted a local news page to ask for help. ‘อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้ รีเทริน์ part 3’ revealed on their private…

  • Thailand NewsThailand borrows 50 billion yen from Japan to cope with Covid aftermath | Thaiger

    Thailand borrows 50 billion yen from Japan to cope with Covid aftermath

    The Thai government has signed a loan contract to borrow 50 billion yen or about 13 billion baht (US$385 million) from Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA to cope with costs of handling the Covid pandemic in Thailand. Thai PM and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha urged Thais not to criticise the government borrowing money again because the amount was included…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s first Covid-19 vaccine waits for approval from local FDA | Thaiger

    Thailand’s first Covid-19 vaccine waits for approval from local FDA

    Better late than never. Thailand’s first Covid-19 vaccine, ChulaCov19, has shown impressive results in the first and second rounds of human trials. The director of the vaccine project claims the Thai vaccine is safe and more effective than Pfizer vaccines used in Thailand. The developing team expects the vaccine to be approved by Food and Drug Administration before the end…