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 NewsHouse of cards: Vietnamese nationals busted in Bangkok gambling raid

    House of cards: Vietnamese nationals busted in Bangkok gambling raid

    Immigration Bureau officers raided a luxury house in the Rama 9 neighbourhood of Bangkok and arrested 18 Vietnamese nationals for running a gambling website. Immigration police revealed to several news outlets in a press conference yesterday, March 7, that they successfully suppressed an online gambling gang run by a Vietnamese investor on March 5. They arrested 18 Vietnamese suspects at…

  • Thailand NewsSwiss scandal sparks crackdown on unruly farangs in Thailand

    Swiss scandal sparks crackdown on unruly farangs in Thailand

    The scandal involving a Swiss man assaulting a Thai doctor in Phuket prompted authorities to initiate a massive crackdown on illegal foreigners and farangs behaving badly in Thailand. In total, nearly 30 foreigners were arrested during the past weeks. Following the physical assault on a Thai doctor outside the luxury villa of a Swiss man, locals in Phuket demanded that…

  • Thailand NewsThai man flees after assaulting girlfriend and killing her lover

    Thai man flees after assaulting girlfriend and killing her lover

    A Thai man remains at large after brutally assaulting his girlfriend and killing her lover outside a rented room in the Doi Saket district of the northern province of Chiang Mai. Officers from the Doi Saket Police Station and rescuers from the Sawang Samret Chiang Mai Foundation investigated the physical assaults that took place around midnight on March 5. Officers…

  • Thailand NewsBeware the bill dodger: Thai rescue warns Bangkok eateries of Thai man’s seizure scam

    Beware the bill dodger: Thai rescue warns Bangkok eateries of Thai man’s seizure scam

    A Thai rescue foundation issued a scam warning to restaurants and bars in Bangkok, urging them to remain vigilant for a Thai man who has been repeatedly feigning seizures after meals to avoid paying his bills. The rescue team, stationed in the Phattanakarn, On Nut, Srinagarindra, and Suan Luang neighborhoods of Bangkok urged the media to highlight the Thai man’s…

  • Thailand NewsThai cop blackmails ex for sex, blackmails her with explicit videos

    Thai cop blackmails ex for sex, blackmails her with explicit videos

    An officer from the Special Service Division (SSD), also known as the Commando Police, is under investigation for allegedly demanding sex from his ex-girlfriend and blackmailing her by posting explicit videos of her on social media when she refused to comply with his request. In February of this year, the victim was sent explicit video links by her relatives and…

  • Crime News15 year old schoolboy opens fire, injuring 2 rival students in Buriram

    15 year old schoolboy opens fire, injuring 2 rival students in Buriram

    A 15 year old schoolboy opened fire at a temple near his school in the Isaan province of Buriram, injuring two rival students. The victims are in a stable condition. Officers from Nongki Police Station were alerted to the temple shooting at Wat Mai Chai Mongkhon at about 12.30pm yesterday, March 6. Police arrived at the scene with the Nongki…

  • Thailand NewsAmerican woman charged for unlicensed nursery in Koh Pha Ngan

    American woman charged for unlicensed nursery in Koh Pha Ngan

    Police charged an American woman for running an unlicensed nursery on Koh Phra Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Seven foreigners were found working at the site without permits. Officers from the Immigration Bureau, Tourist Police, Koh Phra Ngan Police Station, and district office raided a rented house on a coconut plantation on the island which…

  • Phuket News2 foreigners in Phuket caught running businesses without licences

    2 foreigners in Phuket caught running businesses without licences

    Phuket Provincial Tourist Police arrested two foreigners for running their businesses, a money exchange shop and a travel agency, without licences. The arrests stem from a crackdown on illegal foreigners and their businesses following the Swiss man scandal. Prompted by the conflict between the Swiss man and the Thai doctor, as well as complaints from locals, all Phuket police departments…

  • Thailand NewsPM Srettha revs up plans for Thailand’s Formula One debut

    PM Srettha revs up plans for Thailand’s Formula One debut

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is scheduled to meet with representatives from the renowned world of Formula One (F1) during his official trip to France in a bid to host an F1 event in Thailand. PM Srettha spoke to the media at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on March 4, discussing his upcoming trips to Australia, Germany, and France. He revealed…

  • Thailand NewsNational Office of Buddhism Facebook page hacked to post porn

    National Office of Buddhism Facebook page hacked to post porn

    The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) of Thailand filed a complaint with the police after its official Facebook page was hacked and flooded with porn pictures and videos. More than 80,000 Buddhist followers were shocked by the series of pornographic pictures and videos shared by the NOB. The first porn content was shared early this morning, March 6, and the…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman arrested for procuring sexual assault of niece

    Thai woman arrested for procuring sexual assault of niece

    Officers from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division of the Police arrested a Thai woman in Bangkok yesterday for orchestrating the sexual assault of her 11 year old niece on behalf of her boyfriend, whom she met on a dating app. The report of the sexual assault in the southern province of Chumphon attracted public attention last month after her father…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok airports hit turbulence: Ranked among world’s worst

    Bangkok airports hit turbulence: Ranked among world’s worst

    Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok ranked among the worst air travel hubs in Asia according to Business Financing’s recent report. The financial information and research website from the UK, Business Financing, launched the Best & Worst Airports in the World, According to Business Travellers in February this year. This rank is based on the business…

  • Thailand News2 Russian women arrested for providing sex services in Phuket

    2 Russian women arrested for providing sex services in Phuket

    Police arrested two Russian women at a hotel in the Katu district of Phuket on March 4 for illegally providing sex services. Officers from Patong Police Station investigated the illegal activities being offered by foreigners in the area. Upon discovering that these illicit sex services were being provided by Russian women, the officers proceeded to search for their contact details.…

  • Thailand NewsFilipina ladyboys accused of illegally offering sex services in Bangkok

    Filipina ladyboys accused of illegally offering sex services in Bangkok

    Following the clash between Thai and Filipina transwomen on Soi Sukhumvit 11 in Bangkok yesterday, some locals came forward to accuse the Filipina ladyboys of illegally offering sex services to European tourists in the area. The altercation between Thai and Filipina transwomen reportedly sparked after more than 20 Filipina ladyboys attacked two Thai transwomen and stole their belongings. A friend…

  • Thailand NewsForeign man kicks up a storm over discriminatory bike rental policy in Phuket

    Foreign man kicks up a storm over discriminatory bike rental policy in Phuket

    A foreign man brought to light a discriminatory practice at a foreign-owned motorcycle rental shop in Phuket. The shop refused to serve his Thai wife and other Thai customers, justifying their decision by alleging that Thais frequently engage in motorcycle theft, complain excessively, and are unable to meet the necessary deposit requirements. The foreign man, using the account BlacksmithSolid2194, took…

  • Thailand NewsThai cop accused of cheating on wife, impregnating teenage mistress

    Thai cop accused of cheating on wife, impregnating teenage mistress

    A Thai woman is seeking justice after her police sub-lieutenant husband cheated on her and impregnated his 17 year old teenage mistress. The police officer allegedly assaulted and threatened his wife to accept the polyamorous relationship as the teenager is seven months pregnant. The 55 year old Thai woman from the Isaan province of Roi Et told her story to…

  • Thailand NewsForeign man caught on CCTV stealing Thai flag in Phuket (video)

    Foreign man caught on CCTV stealing Thai flag in Phuket (video)

    A CCTV camera caught a foreign man stealing a Thai flag from outside an office in Phuket. Thai netizens urged the police to take the case seriously as the Thai flag is highly respected by locals. The Jootee Tin Dredging Company shared CCTV footage of the theft to the Facebook page, Phuket Hotnews, today, March 5. The video shows a…

  • Thailand NewsThai fisherman hooked in pipe rescued by garbage collector

    Thai fisherman hooked in pipe rescued by garbage collector

    In an unfortunate twist of fate, a Thai man managed to get trapped in a drainage pipe for two days after a fishing trip in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham. Fortunately, a garbage collector heard his cries for help and promptly reeled in a rescue team on March 4. A Thai garbage collector heard the victim, 45 year old…

  • Thailand NewsRetired official accused of sexually assaulting Laotian woman

    Retired official accused of sexually assaulting Laotian woman

    An 18 year old Laotian woman accused her employer, a retired official from the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand, of imprisoning and sexually assaulting her. The accused official denies the allegations, asserting that he cares for her like a father loves his daughter. The older brother of the Laotian victim pleaded with officers from Mueang Udon Thani Police Station…

  • Thailand News5 Thai people injured in missile attacks on Israel-Lebanon border

    5 Thai people injured in missile attacks on Israel-Lebanon border

    Five Thai people suffered injuries after missile attacks at an agricultural community called Margaliot on the Israel-Lebanon border on March 4. Authorities advised Thai nationals in the area to evacuate. The conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah group has raged over the past four months at the Israel-Lebanon border in parallel to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The Ministry of…

  • Thailand NewsGame over: Thai businessman loses millions to virtual love affair

    Game over: Thai businessman loses millions to virtual love affair

    A Thai businessman lost around 4 million baht to a woman he met through an online game and dated online for more than five years. The victim, 40 year old A, sought help from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after discovering that the woman he had been dating online for five years cheated him out of around 4 million baht by…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman exposes half-naked motorbike rider (video)

    Thai woman exposes half-naked motorbike rider (video)

    A Thai woman shared a video of a half naked motorcycle rider from a ride-hailing application on social media to warn other users. The 20 year old victim shared a video of her ride on Facebook and Instagram. The video showed the indecent motorcycle rider wearing a black jacket without any underwear. The woman stated in the video caption… “Do…

  • Thailand NewsChinese tourist’s beach drive ends in Phuket sand trap (video)

    Chinese tourist’s beach drive ends in Phuket sand trap (video)

    A Chinese national on holiday ignored a warning sign advising against driving on the beach and subsequently ended up getting his car stuck in the sand at Kamala Beach in Phuket province. A local posted a video on his Facebook account, อามิตร อามอ อิสลาม, at about 8am yesterday, March 3, showing a green Jeep partially submerged in the water at…

  • Thailand NewsForeign woman critisised for walking around Phuket in bikini (video)

    Foreign woman critisised for walking around Phuket in bikini (video)

    Facebook page Phuket Hotnews shared a video of a foreign woman walking around Phuket Old Town in a bikini, sparking criticism from Thai netizens. The Facebook page posted a video of the foreign woman in a black bikini last night, March 3. The caption said… “Phuket is super hot! A foreign tourist wore a bikini and walked around Phuket Old…

  • Thailand NewsFatal crash on Chon Buri motorway claims Chinese, Malaysian lives

    Fatal crash on Chon Buri motorway claims Chinese, Malaysian lives

    A Malaysian man and two Chinese nationals died while one Chinese woman was injured in a car accident on the Chon Buri motorway. Highway Police officers and Dhamma Rassamee Foundation rescuers rushed to a rest area on the motorway at about 10am yesterday, March 3. Officers came across a white BMW 5 Series sedan that had collided with a large…

  • Thailand NewsBritish man throws glass at Thai woman in anger over dog barking

    British man throws glass at Thai woman in anger over dog barking

    A Thai woman demanded a British man to apologise to her in public after he threw a glass at her in a fit of rage over a barking dog on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya on Saturday, March 2. The Thai victim, Amavalee Tongfark, took to Facebook to share the abusive behaviour of the Englishman, identified as Sam, and urged netizens…

  • Thailand NewsRunway blackout: Krabi Airport power failure affects 508 passengers

    Runway blackout: Krabi Airport power failure affects 508 passengers

    Krabi International Airport suffered a power failure on the runway on Saturday night, affecting three flights and 508 passengers. The Acting Director of the Airport Department, Montri Dechasakulsom, reported that a power failure occurred at the third apron of Krabi Airport on Saturday, March 2, preventing aircraft from landing or taking off at the time. Montri said three flights and…

  • Thailand NewsFare play: Thai taxi driver slams cops for toll indulgence

    Fare play: Thai taxi driver slams cops for toll indulgence

    A female Thai taxi driver condemned police officers for indulging two foreign tourists who refused to pay toll fees by covering the costs themselves. The female taxi driver shared a video of when she engaged in an argument with police officers and two foreign women passengers on Facebook. In the video, she refused to accept money from the police and asked…

  • Thailand NewsBeach blunder: Swiss man and wife regret assaulting Thai doctor in Phuket (video)

    Beach blunder: Swiss man and wife regret assaulting Thai doctor in Phuket (video)

    An underfire Swiss man and his Thai wife apologised to a Thai doctor for physically assaulting and insulting her after she innocently sat on the steps to their beachside villa. The foreign man claims the incident was an accident, stating that he mistakenly identified the victim and her friend as a previous Chinese trespasser. The Thai doctor, 26 year old…

  • Thailand NewsRolling the cyber dice: Thai police bust online gambling network

    Rolling the cyber dice: Thai police bust online gambling network

    Police from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau yesterday seized 329 million baht in assets and arrested four suspects in a crackdown on online gambling. Following the crusade to shut down illegal online gambling in Thailand, police investigated a website, Fullplays 39, and discovered it offered online gambling games and had over 200,000 users. The amount of money circulating on the…