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 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…

  • Visa InformationCabinet cuts 10 year Long Term Resident visa fee to 50k baht | Thaiger

    Cabinet cuts 10 year Long Term Resident visa fee to 50k baht

    Thailand’s Cabinet has agreed to reduce the Long Term Resident visa fee by 50% to attract highly skilled foreigners into the kingdom. The fee for the LTR visa, which allows you to stay in Thailand for 10 years, has been reduced from 100,000 to 50,000 baht. Changes to the visa requirements could make the lucrative “digital nomad” lifestyle a more…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Thailand NewsTuesday Covid Update: 6,230 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Tuesday Covid Update: 6,230 new cases; provincial totals

    53 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 29,196 with 7,498 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 6,230 new Covid-19 cases and 11,132 recoveries. There are now 80,002 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded…

  • 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…

  • 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 NewsMonday Covid Update: 6,488 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Monday Covid Update: 6,488 new cases; provincial totals

    55 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 29,143 with 7,445 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 6,488 new Covid-19 cases and 12,755 recoveries. There are now 84,957 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded…

  • 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 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 NewsShopping mall in Chiang Mai goes dark, couldn’t afford 20 million baht power bill | Thaiger

    Shopping mall in Chiang Mai goes dark, couldn’t afford 20 million baht power bill

    Tenants and staff were in shock after a shopping mall in Chiang Mai suddenly announced temporary closure due to economic fallout from Covid-19. Or is it economic mismanagement? Thai media have reported that the centre had more than 20 million baht in debt from electricity bills and had to close immediately because they were unable to pay the bill. Today,…

  • 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…

  • Thailand NewsThursday Covid Update: 9,790 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Thursday Covid Update: 9,790 new cases; provincial totals

    54 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 28,914 with 7,216 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 9,790 new Covid-19 cases and 17,109 recoveries. There are now 101,281 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded…

  • Thailand NewsAyuttaya featured in Forbes’s Top 50 Best Places to Visit Post-Pandemic | Thaiger

    Ayuttaya featured in Forbes’s Top 50 Best Places to Visit Post-Pandemic

    Forbes magazine has featured Thailand’s central province of Ayutthaya in their list of 50 best places to travel to post-pandemic. Forbes selected the province for its historical and cultural significance as well as its expansive scenery. Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says he is thankful for Thailand’s spot on the list and expects the feature will attract tourists into Ayutthaya…

  • Bangkok NewsMan breaks into restricted areas at Suvarnabhumi Airport, one injured – VIDEO | Thaiger

    Man breaks into restricted areas at Suvarnabhumi Airport, one injured – VIDEO

    An armed man, apparently high on drugs, was arrested yesterday after driving a motorbike onto the runway area of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. One officer was slightly injured in pursuit of the man. Yesterday, the Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Kittipong Kittikachon, explained in a statement saying the man accessed the restricted areas, including the tarmacs, taxiing areas and runways, about 11.50am.…

  • Thailand NewsThai PM Prayut warns about fake 1000 baht banknotes | Thaiger

    Thai PM Prayut warns about fake 1000 baht banknotes

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is warning about fake 1000 baht banknotes and is urging anyone who finds them to hand them back to any commercial banks nearby. The PM’s spokesperson also gave details about how to detect the counterfeit bills. Locals in the central province of Nonthaburi have found lots of the fake 1000 baht notes. One female victim told…

  • Thailand NewsTuesday Covid Update: 9,721 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Tuesday Covid Update: 9,721 new cases; provincial totals

    77 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 28,778 with 7,080 of those fatalities since the start of this year. The trend for deaths continues to drop. It was sitting above 100 deaths per day during April. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 9,721 new Covid-19 cases and…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket Taxi driver assaults 15 year old Australian passenger | Thaiger

    Phuket Taxi driver assaults 15 year old Australian passenger

    An Australian father has filed an official complaint to Phuket police saying a local taxi driver assaulted his 15 year old daughter at a parking area in a shopping centre in the middle of the island. The driver was released after an investigation and confessing to police that he just wanted to admire the passenger’s short pants. Phuket taxis are…

  • Thailand News8 year old Thai-Ukrainian child bitten by ‘shark’ in Phuket | Thaiger

    8 year old Thai-Ukrainian child bitten by ‘shark’ in Phuket

    An 8 year old half Thai, half Ukrainian child was reported as being bitten by an unknown sea animal at Kamala Beach on Phuket’s west coast. The officer from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources believes the animal could have been a shark. On April 1, Thai media reported that the child travelled with 6 other family members. He…

  • Covid-19 NewsA solution for infected people to vote during Bangkok’s governor election | Thaiger

    A solution for infected people to vote during Bangkok’s governor election

    Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health insists that the voice of even Covid-19 infected people won’t go unnoticed. The ministry says they’ve got a solution for infected residents to vote for their new Bangkok governor. The 11th election for the governorship of Bangkok will be held on May 22. It will take place 9 years after the last Governor election in…

  • Pattaya NewsChon Buri authorities reorganise vendors at Na Jomtien Beach | Thaiger

    Chon Buri authorities reorganise vendors at Na Jomtien Beach

    Municipal and traffic police are reorganising vendors on Na Jomtien Beach to give tourists more space to enjoy beach vibes after they received complaints that food carts are blocking the traffic and parking areas along the beach. Na Jomtien Beach had been improved to prevent coastal erosion and draw more tourists with a budget of 600 million baht. The beaches…

  • Crime NewsUPDATE: Police arrest taxi driver who robbed drunken foreigner asleep on sidewalk | Thaiger

    UPDATE: Police arrest taxi driver who robbed drunken foreigner asleep on sidewalk

    Following the report of a drunken foreigner who got robbed by a taxi driver while sleeping on the sidewalk in Bangkok, police have already arrested the suspect. The taxi driver said he meant to just wake the foreigner up, but the man’s assets ‘enticed’ him. Last Sunday, a local Thai news Facebook page reported that a taxi driver had robbed a…

  • Thailand NewsFriday Covid Update: 14,053 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Friday Covid Update: 14,053 new cases; provincial totals

    129 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 28,400 with 6,702 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 14,053 new Covid-19 cases and 16,782 recoveries. There are now 155,910 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s Department of Health reveals 5-10% of population refuse to wear face masks | Thaiger

    Thailand’s Department of Health reveals 5-10% of population refuse to wear face masks

    Thailand’s Department of Health says a survey on face masks conducted during Songkran reveals that more than 90% of the population in Thailand wears face masks in public spaces. However, another 5-10% “refused” to wear face masks, saying they are “uncomfortable”. Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health Ekkachai Piensiwatchara reported that 5-10% of the Thai population didn’t wear face…

  • Thailand News31 land border checkpoints in 17 provinces to reopen on May 1 | Thaiger

    31 land border checkpoints in 17 provinces to reopen on May 1

    Land border checkpoints in 17 border provinces will reopen on May 1, according to the Department of Disease Control. Vaccinated Thai citizens and travellers from neighbouring countries can enter Thailand via the checkpoints. Foreigners will still need to register for Thailand Pass prior to entering via land border. Today, Assistant Spokesperson of the Covid-19 Situation Administration Centre Sumanee Watcharasin revealed…

  • Thailand NewsBTS urges passengers not to cross their legs while sitting | Thaiger

    BTS urges passengers not to cross their legs while sitting

    Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain is asking for cooperation from the passengers to avoid crossing their legs while sitting on the train during a rush hour to avoid annoying people… Yesterday, the official Facebook page รถไฟฟ้าบีทีเอส (BTS Skytrain) published a post saying… “We ask for your cooperation, please do not cross your legs while sitting on the skytrain. Admin would like to…