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 NewsNigerian drug dealer arrested on Koh Pha Ngan after skipping court | Thaiger

    Nigerian drug dealer arrested on Koh Pha Ngan after skipping court

    Police arrested a Nigerian drug dealer on Koh Pha Ngan in Surat Thani on Wednesday, January 14, after he skipped court proceedings following an earlier arrest. Officers from the Koh Pha Ngan Tourist Police received a tip-off that the suspect, 38 year old Nigerian national Ukoma Jefta Nuzbech, who was wanted in a drug case, was travelling along a road…

  • Chiang Mai NewsJapanese man arrested after viral reviews on his illegal matcha stall | Thaiger

    Japanese man arrested after viral reviews on his illegal matcha stall

    Online food reviews led to the arrest of a Japanese man for operating a matcha ice cream shop without permission in Chiang Mai. The apprehension later sparked a heated online debate, with some netizens accusing authorities of discrimination. The Japanese man, 39 year old Junichi, was operating a small matcha ice cream stall outside Yang Kwang Temple, located in the city…

  • Thailand NewsFormer PM Thaksin may be released on parole in May | Thaiger

    Former PM Thaksin may be released on parole in May

    The former Prime Minister (PM) of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, may be eligible for release on parole in May, according to the Department of Corrections. Thaksin returned to Thailand in August and was taken into custody before being transferred to the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital under special detention arrangements. His hospital stay triggered widespread public debate, with critics…

  • Phuket NewsSteel bar dropped from condo crane pierces through Phuket home | Thaiger

    Steel bar dropped from condo crane pierces through Phuket home

    A steel bar reportedly fell from a crane at a high-rise condominium construction site and pierced through a home near Surin Beach in Phuket on the night of Wednesday, January 14. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, despite the close call. The female homeowner shared a video of the shocking incident on social media, showing a long steel bar embedded through…

  • Thailand NewsSouth Korean man and Thai wife die in crane collapse one day after marriage | Thaiger

    South Korean man and Thai wife die in crane collapse one day after marriage

    A South Korean man and his Thai wife lost their lives in the Nakhon Ratchasima crane disaster on Wednesday, January 14, one day after their marriage. Authorities confirmed that a German national and a South Korean man were among 32 people killed when a construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train in Korat on Wednesday. While the German man’s…

  • Crime News3 missing passengers in Korat crane-train collision found alive | Thaiger

    3 missing passengers in Korat crane-train collision found alive

    A medical official confirmed yesterday, January 15, that three people previously reported missing after a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima were found safe and receiving treatment at hospital. The deadly incident occurred on Wednesday, January 14, when a crane from the elevated railway construction for the Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed train collapsed onto a moving passenger…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket unveils ‘Dheveena’ sea goddess sculpture as new landmark | Thaiger

    Phuket unveils ‘Dheveena’ sea goddess sculpture as new landmark

    Phuket unveiled a new landmark, “Dheveena,” a large-scale public sculpture installed along the seafront at Saphan Hin Park in the Wichit sub-district, as part of the Thailand Biennale 2025. The fourth edition of the Thailand Biennale returned to Phuket on November 29 last year and will run for five months until April 30 this year. Under the theme “Eternal Kalpa,”…

  • Pattaya NewsChinese man spotted roaming around Pattaya after robbing real estate agent | Thaiger

    Chinese man spotted roaming around Pattaya after robbing real estate agent

    Pattaya police are continuing their manhunt for a Chinese man wanted for robbing a fellow Chinese woman, after the suspect was spotted on CCTV at a convenience store near Jomtien Beach today, January 15. The victim, 35 year old Chinese real estate agent Yang Wang, filed a complaint with Nong Prue Police Station after the robbery occurred at around midnight…

  • Thailand NewsThai man shares final moment with girlfriend killed in Korat crane collapse | Thaiger

    Thai man shares final moment with girlfriend killed in Korat crane collapse

    A Thai man shared heartbreaking footage of the final moments he spent with his girlfriend before she was killed when a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday, January 14. The woman, Chananya Wongchan, was among 32 victims who lost their lives after a crane from the elevated Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway construction fell onto a…

  • Thailand NewsRoyal Thai Army admits 8 drunk soldiers beat conscript to death | Thaiger

    Royal Thai Army admits 8 drunk soldiers beat conscript to death

    The Royal Thai Army admitted that eight soldiers physically assaulted three conscripts at Sura Dham Pithak Military Camp in Nakhon Ratchasima, resulting in the death of one of the victims. The case came to public attention after the family of a 21 year old private, Krittanon Phonchantuek, spoke out on social media to condemn the abuse inside the military camp.…

  • Pattaya NewsUAE tourist loses 14,500 baht to foreign pickpockets in Pattaya | Thaiger

    UAE tourist loses 14,500 baht to foreign pickpockets in Pattaya

    A tourist from the United Arab Emirates lost around 14,500 baht in cash after being pickpocketed by two foreign men in Pattaya yesterday, January 14. The victim, 45 year old Mohamed Abdelkaliq Abdalla Khadim Almaazmi, filed a complaint with Mueang Pattaya Police Station at around 7am on Tuesday, January 13, after realising that cash had gone missing from his trouser…

  • Thailand NewsPeople’s Party MP candidate arrested over alleged online gambling links | Thaiger

    People’s Party MP candidate arrested over alleged online gambling links

    Police arrested a Member of Parliament (MP) candidate from the People’s Party yesterday, January 14, at his home in Bangkok over alleged involvement in an online gambling network and money laundering. Officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) raided the residence of 32 year old Ratchapong “Pond” Soisuwan at around 5.30pm. The property is located in Nuan Chan Village,…

  • Thailand NewsGerman and South Korean among 32 killed after crane collapses onto train in Korat | Thaiger

    German and South Korean among 32 killed after crane collapses onto train in Korat

    A German man and a South Korean national are among 32 people killed after a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province yesterday morning, January 14. The devastating incident occurred at around 9am on a railway track in the Baan Thanon Kot community in Sikhiu district, also known as Korat. The area is located beneath the…

  • Thailand NewsITD accepts responsibility after crane collapse kills 31 in Korat | Thaiger

    ITD accepts responsibility after crane collapse kills 31 in Korat

    Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited (ITD) issued an official statement expressing condolences and accepting responsibility following a crane collapse that struck a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Tuesday morning, January 14. The fatal incident occurred at around 9am when a construction crane from the elevated Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway project collapsed onto the Bangkok–Ubon Ratchathani passenger train as…

  • Bangkok NewsBus passengers clash after woman criticises driver over delays in traffic jam | Thaiger

    Bus passengers clash after woman criticises driver over delays in traffic jam

    A heated argument broke out between two passengers on a public bus in Bangkok after a woman repeatedly complained about slow driving during heavy traffic congestion, sparking irritation among fellow commuters. A witness shared a video of the incident on TikTok account @gotobedwithnext yesterday, January 13. The footage showed a woman dressed entirely in black engaging in a verbal confrontation…

  • Thailand NewsThai rapist remains at large after drugging and raping 15 year old girl | Thaiger

    Thai rapist remains at large after drugging and raping 15 year old girl

    A Thai mother demanded a punishment on a rapist who drugged and sexually assaulted her 15 year old daughter in Rayong province in 2024. The 52 year old victim’s mother met the commander of the Rayong Provincial Police, Pramote Ngampradit, to seek justice after the rape case had no development since it occurred in July of 2024. The suspect remains…

  • Phuket News6 boat workers at Chalong Bay Pier in Phuket tested positive for drugs | Thaiger

    6 boat workers at Chalong Bay Pier in Phuket tested positive for drugs

    Phuket Tourist Police intensified safety measures at Chalong Bay Pier following a fatal speedboat accident involving a drug-fuelled driver, with random drug tests revealing that six boat workers tested positive for illegal substances. Officers from Phuket Tourist Police, Marine Police, Chalong Police Station, and Marine Department Region 5 jointly announced stricter controls targeting drug use among workers in the tourism…

  • Thailand NewsDeath toll rises to 22 in Korat train crash after crane collapse | Thaiger

    Death toll rises to 22 in Korat train crash after crane collapse

    Local rescue teams reported this afternoon, January 14, that the death toll from a train accident in Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, rose sharply from four to 22, with more than 50 people injured. The fatal incident occurred at around 9am on a railway line in the Baan Thanon Kot community in the Sikhiu district of Nakhon Ratchasima. The track…

  • Thailand NewsAt least 4 killed after crane collapses onto train in Nakhon Ratchasima | Thaiger

    At least 4 killed after crane collapses onto train in Nakhon Ratchasima

    An elevated railway construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima this morning, January 14, killing at least four people and injuring more than 20 others. The incident occurred at around 9am on a railway line near the Baan Thanon Kot community in the Sikhiu district. The area lies beneath the Bangkok–Nong Khai High-Speed Railway, which is currently…

  • Bangkok NewsThai man attacks 3 Cambodian nationals after repeated ‘ladyboy’ taunts | Thaiger

    Thai man attacks 3 Cambodian nationals after repeated ‘ladyboy’ taunts

    A Thai worker at a cannabis shop in Bangkok physically attacked Cambodian customers after allegedly enduring repeated harassment and being mocked as a “ladyboy”. The shop owner released CCTV footage of the incident, which occurred at around 2am on Sunday, January 11, saying he wanted justice for his employee. The video shows the 26 year old shop worker, Jirayu, rushing…

  • Pattaya NewsNaked Belgian man seriously injured after fall from Pattaya hotel | Thaiger

    Naked Belgian man seriously injured after fall from Pattaya hotel

    A Belgian man sustained serious injuries after falling from the seventh floor of a hotel in Pattaya while naked in the early hours of today, January 13. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station, along with rescuers from Sawang Borriboon Dhammastan Rescue Foundation, were notified of the incident at around 2.30am. The fall occurred at a hotel located on Soi Buakhao,…

  • Phuket NewsRussian drug dealers arrested during ‘mushroom temple’ raid in Phuket | Thaiger

    Russian drug dealers arrested during ‘mushroom temple’ raid in Phuket

    Police arrested two Russian men and seized around 10 kilogrammes of magic mushrooms during a raid on a property dubbed the “Mushroom Temple” in the Rawai district of Phuket today, January 13. A Russian woman managed to escape from the arrest. Officers from Chalong Police Station launched the operation after receiving complaints that Russian nationals were illegally selling magic mushrooms…

  • Thailand NewsForeign man assaults train officers sparking retaliation from Thai passengers | Thaiger

    Foreign man assaults train officers sparking retaliation from Thai passengers

    A foreign man, believed to be heavily intoxicated, allegedly assaulted two Thai train officers before being attacked by fellow passengers and forcibly removed from a train. The incident was filmed by a witness, Ameenah Tokyousoh, who shared the footage on his Facebook account yesterday, January 12. The video showed chaos inside a passenger carriage, but the exact route and location…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman killed after saving colleague from loader accident in Phrae | Thaiger

    Thai woman killed after saving colleague from loader accident in Phrae

    A Thai woman lost her life in a tragic workplace accident in Phrae province after sacrificing herself to save a colleague from being struck by a loader at an agricultural product store. Officers from Mueang Phrae Police Station were alerted to the fatal incident at around 2.30pm yesterday, January 12. Police arrived at the agricultural product store in the Mae…

  • Pattaya News36 foreigners arrested in Pattaya for illegal work, overstay, and drugs | Thaiger

    36 foreigners arrested in Pattaya for illegal work, overstay, and drugs

    Police raided an accommodation building in Pattaya yesterday, January 12, arresting 36 foreigners for illegal entry, working without permits, visa overstays, and drug use. Officers from the Chon Buri Provincial Immigration Bureau, together with Tourist Police, launched the operation as part of a wider crackdown on illegal foreign nationals aimed at improving safety and restoring confidence among residents and tourists.…

  • Thailand NewsCar and skeleton recovered from canal, linked to missing Thai man | Thaiger

    Car and skeleton recovered from canal, linked to missing Thai man

    Police yesterday, January 12, recovered a sedan from an irrigation canal in Kanchanaburi, along with a human skeleton believed to belong to a Thai man who went missing more than two years ago. Officers from Tha Muang Police Station were alerted to a submerged vehicle in an irrigation canal in the Tha Muang district at around 9.30am. The discovery was…

  • Phuket NewsEgyptian man arrested for illegally working as barber in Phuket | Thaiger

    Egyptian man arrested for illegally working as barber in Phuket

    Police arrested an Egyptian man in Phuket yesterday, January 12, for illegally working as a barber after he was caught providing services to a foreign customer. Officers from Patong Police Station acted on a complaint from a local resident who reported that a foreign national was operating a barbershop on Phang Mueang Sai Kor Road in the Patong sub-district of…

  • Thailand NewsPolice rule out murder in deadly house fire in Chiang Mai | Thaiger

    Police rule out murder in deadly house fire in Chiang Mai

    Police insisted that the deadly house fire in Chiang Mai province that killed a family of five was an accident, while criticising some media outlets for spreading misleading and unverified information. The tragedy occurred on January 8, when a fire broke out at a two-storey home in the Pa Dad sub-district of Chiang Mai. Five family members, including five year…

  • Phuket NewsForeign man exposes himself to Thai woman in Phuket car park | Thaiger

    Foreign man exposes himself to Thai woman in Phuket car park

    A Thai woman exposed a foreign man after he exposed his genitals in front of her in the Kamala area of Phuket yesterday, January 11. The woman shared photos of the foreign suspect with the Phuket Times Facebook page. In the images, the man was seen wearing a light blue Hawaiian shirt left unbuttoned and white shorts. He was standing…

  • Thailand NewsItalian man slammed for insulting Thai taxi driver comparing him to dog | Thaiger

    Italian man slammed for insulting Thai taxi driver comparing him to dog

    Thai and international netizens condemned an Italian man after he posted a video insulting a Thai taxi driver for eating from a plastic bag, allegedly comparing the driver to a dog. The Italian tourist shared the video on his Facebook account yesterday, Saturday, January 11, along with a caption written in Italian. The caption was later translated as, “Enjoy travelling…