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.
  • Phuket NewsFirecracker folly: Phuket driver’s explosive secret sparks car blaze | Thaiger

    Firecracker folly: Phuket driver’s explosive secret sparks car blaze

    A Thai driver yesterday admitted to storing an assortment of firecrackers in his car, which led to a blaze that engulfed his vehicle and another nearby in Phuket. A witness lodged a complaint with Mueang Phuket Police Station around 8.30pm, Yesterday, October 3, reporting the fire that erupted on two vehicles in Soi Shopping, right in the heart of Phuket…

  • Thailand NewsTide turns: Chinese man in hot water over risky Ping River plunge | Thaiger

    Tide turns: Chinese man in hot water over risky Ping River plunge

    A Chinese man faces a fine of up to 5,000 baht for swimming in the Ping River in Chiang Mai province during a strong current and flooding. A video of the man floating and relaxing in the Ping River during heavy flooding in Chiang Mai was first shared last month. The video drew widespread criticism, with many expressing concern that…

  • Thailand NewsRolling the dice: Pattaya homes raided in Chinese gambling bust | Thaiger

    Rolling the dice: Pattaya homes raided in Chinese gambling bust

    Police raided three luxury houses in Pattaya and arrested 20 Chinese nationals for operating a gambling website and illegal loan service. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station discovered a group of Chinese nationals running illegal businesses based in Thailand. They were found to be offering loans illegally to clients in China. The gang rented three luxury houses to carry out…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok on the ropes: Ex-boxer dodges arrest and takes hostages | Thaiger

    Bangkok on the ropes: Ex-boxer dodges arrest and takes hostages

    A former Thai boxer remains at large after evading arrest for theft. The fugitive then went on a rampage in Bangkok’s Phrayathai district, taking two innocent people hostage in the process. The 39 year old theft suspect, Santi Jehali, began his disturbing behaviour after officers from Tao Poon Police Station raided his home to arrest him yesterday, October 3, at around…

  • Thailand NewsBets off: Jilted Thai man gambles on lawsuit after wedding deception | Thaiger

    Bets off: Jilted Thai man gambles on lawsuit after wedding deception

    A Thai man is taking legal action against his ex-girlfriend, who tricked him into transferring 500,000 baht to fund her gambling, claiming the money was for their dream wedding. The victim, 38 year old Jaruwat, filed a complaint against his ex-girlfriend at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB)‘s complaint centre today, October 3. Jaruwat said he was the victim of a…

  • Thailand NewsPosition impossible: Director’s promotion sparks drama in Surin | Thaiger

    Position impossible: Director’s promotion sparks drama in Surin

    Drama erupted among education professionals after an education centre director in the Isaan province of Surin was transferred to a better position, despite allegations of dereliction of duty. The alleged misuse of power and inappropriate behaviour of a female education centre director, Nittaya Phupanna, came to light after the Facebook page, Watchdog Anti-corruption Organisation of Thailand, shared a picture and…

  • Thailand News14 year old Isaan girl missing after playing in dam with friends | Thaiger

    14 year old Isaan girl missing after playing in dam with friends

    A 14 year old Thai girl went missing yesterday after she went to play with two friends near a dam in the Isaan province of Buriram. Officers from Lam Plai Mat Police Station coordinated with volunteer divers to search for the missing girl named Noi who disappeared at around 3pm yesterday, October 2. The incident took place at a weir,…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman dies after car plunges into river during driving practice | Thaiger

    Thai woman dies after car plunges into river during driving practice

    A Thai woman lost her life after her car careened into a river while she was practising her driving skills in the southern province of Trang. Officers from Nong Trut Police Station, along with rescuers and volunteer divers, rushed to a road along the Trang River in the Nong Trut sub-district, Mueang district, Trang province, after receiving a report that…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman wanted for tricking victim into delivering drugs to South Korea | Thaiger

    Thai woman wanted for tricking victim into delivering drugs to South Korea

    Police are searching for a Thai woman who tricked an innocent man in the Isaan province of Udon Thani into delivering drugs to South Korea. The victim, 20 year old Auan, was hired for 500 baht by a woman, named Eye, to deliver a parcel for her on two occasions. Auan became suspicious about the contents and suspected they might…

  • Thailand NewsThai man murders business partner before committing suicide | Thaiger

    Thai man murders business partner before committing suicide

    A housing estate owner shot and murdered his female business partner before taking his own life in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, allegedly due to financial issues. The shooting at the sales office of a housing estate in Nonthaburi province was reported to Sainoi Police Station at around 6.10pm yesterday, October 2. Officers investigated the scene and found two bodies in…

  • Phuket NewsForeign couple loses 100,000 baht to Muay Thai trainer in Phuket | Thaiger

    Foreign couple loses 100,000 baht to Muay Thai trainer in Phuket

    A foreign couple exposed the fraudulent behaviour of a Muay Thai trainer and his Chinese wife in Phuket, who tricked them into a visa scam, resulting in a 100,000 baht loss. The 29 year old Czech victim, Vit Musilik, and his 26 year old Chinese wife, Xiao Feng Kang, urged officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) to help them retrieve…

  • Thailand NewsBus-ted: Driver in bus blaze tragedy jailed, previous accidents shared | Thaiger

    Bus-ted: Driver in bus blaze tragedy jailed, previous accidents shared

    Police denied a bail request from the driver involved in the bus blaze tragedy that claimed the lives of 23 people in Pathum Thani. He was detained at Thanyaburi Provincial Court. A school director and student from the central province of Uthai Thani came forward to share details of previous accidents involving the same bus company. The driver, 48 year old Saman…

  • Thailand NewsThai sex workers rally at Parliament for protection act | Thaiger

    Thai sex workers rally at Parliament for protection act

    Thai sex workers protested outside Parliament today, October 2, to follow up on a protection act proposal in Thailand. This marked the third protest on the matter. Workers from entertainment venues, massage parlours, karaoke venues, go-go bars, as well as freelance sex workers and members of the Empower Foundation, hosted the event called “I come to demand my laws. Sex…

  • Thailand NewsThai’s the limit: Thailand nabs third spot in Asia’s foodie rankings | Thaiger

    Thai’s the limit: Thailand nabs third spot in Asia’s foodie rankings

    Travel booking platform Agoda ranked Thailand third among the most popular destinations in Asia for foodies around the globe. Agoda launched a campaign inviting more than 4,000 users from ten countries worldwide to respond to the platform’s survey about the top destinations for food lovers. Participants were asked to complete the survey after finishing their bookings. The platform released the results…

  • Thailand NewsThai teacher escapes with minor injuries after car crashes into truck | Thaiger

    Thai teacher escapes with minor injuries after car crashes into truck

    A Thai teacher crashed her sedan into a six-wheel truck on a bypass road in the southern province of Phetchaburi but fortunately sustained only minor injuries. Officers from the Cha-am Police Station were alerted to the accident and injuries on the Cha-am-Pranburi Bypass Road yesterday, October 1, and rushed to the scene with rescuers from the Sawang Sunphet Foundation. Upon…

  • Thailand NewsAncient bus and outdated gas tanks blamed in deadly bus blaze | Thaiger

    Ancient bus and outdated gas tanks blamed in deadly bus blaze

    An investigation into the bus blaze that claimed the lives of 23 people in Pathum Thani yesterday revealed that the vehicle was first registered 54 years ago and its NGV gas tanks were 15 years old. A further investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. The tragic incident, which claimed the lives of 23 students and teachers from…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya mafia bully brutally assaults teen, rapes innocent woman | Thaiger

    Pattaya mafia bully brutally assaults teen, rapes innocent woman

    A ruthless Thai mafia enforcer unleashed a brutal assault on a 15 year old boy and raped a 20 year old woman in his rented Pattaya room, accusing them of helping his wife escape from him. Yesterday, October 1, the boy’s 32 year old mother accompanied her son, Tang, to Bang Lamung Police Station to file a complaint against the…

  • Thailand NewsBig Pom-ise: Prawit vows to return salary and attend Parliament | Thaiger

    Big Pom-ise: Prawit vows to return salary and attend Parliament

    The party-list MP and leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), Prawit Wongsuwan, announced yesterday, October 1, that he intends to return his salary and related allowances to the Secretariat of the House of Representatives, and promised to attend parliamentary meetings more frequently. The Secretary-general of the PPRP, Paibun Nititawan, revealed at a press conference yesterday that the party leader,…

  • Thailand NewsAyutthaya school cancels field trip after bus blaze tragedy kills 23 | Thaiger

    Ayutthaya school cancels field trip after bus blaze tragedy kills 23

    Following the bus blaze tragedy that claimed the lives of 23 students and teachers, St. Anthony Bang Pa-in School in the central province of Ayutthaya cancelled its upcoming field trip on October 9 as a safety precaution. The fire yesterday, October 1, broke out on a coach bus carrying 44 students and teachers from Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School during a…

  • Thailand NewsThai bus blaze driver turns himself in after fiery escape | Thaiger

    Thai bus blaze driver turns himself in after fiery escape

    The driver behind the wheel in yesterday’s tragic bus blaze in Pathum Thani province turned himself in after initially fleeing from the devastating fire. He sought refuge at a relative’s home. A survival teacher defended the bus driver saying he made efforts to save all the victims before fleeing in a panic. The tragic incident occurred at around 12pm yesterday, October…

  • Thailand NewsFrom star to scam: Former actress accused of designer deceit | Thaiger

    From star to scam: Former actress accused of designer deceit

    A former Thai actress and ex-candidate for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council allegedly swindled more than 10 million baht from multiple victims in a designer brand scam. Some of the victims visited the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB)’s Complaint Centre on September 30, to report the scam to officials. The former actor and president of the Santi Prachatham Foundation, Taenkhun Jit-itsara, accompanied…

  • Thailand NewsThai students brutally abused by soldiers in behaviour modification camp | Thaiger

    Thai students brutally abused by soldiers in behaviour modification camp

    Parents and guardians of students in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok are seeking justice after soldiers brutally abused students during a behaviour modification camp on military premises in Chon Buri province. Bangpleeratbamrung School in Samut Prakan sent 130 students to the behaviour modification camp after they violated school rules by smoking, fighting, engaging in altercations over romantic matters, arriving late…

  • Thailand NewsHippo hullabaloo: TSPCA roars back at PETA over moo deng controversy | Thaiger

    Hippo hullabaloo: TSPCA roars back at PETA over moo deng controversy

    The Thai Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA) hit back at the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), accusing them of using outdated and inaccurate information in their boycott campaign to save wildlife. The controversy centres around the world-famous pygmy hippo, Moo Deng. Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon…

  • Thailand NewsDeath toll in bus blaze tragedy rises to 25, 22 students, 3 teachers | Thaiger

    Death toll in bus blaze tragedy rises to 25, 22 students, 3 teachers

    The death toll from a devastating bus blaze tragedy today on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok has soared to 25. Among the victims were 22 young students and three teachers. According to a grim update by KhaoSod, the ill-fated coach was packed with 44 students, aged between three and nine, along with their devoted teachers from…

  • Thailand NewsThai man assaults wife over digital wallet failure in Udon Thani | Thaiger

    Thai man assaults wife over digital wallet failure in Udon Thani

    A Thai man in the Isaan province of Udon Thani physically assaulted his wife yesterday out of frustration after failing to receive 10,000 baht from the digital wallet scheme. The wife sustained a bloody wound to her head. Officers from Mueang Udon Thani Police Station, and rescuers from the Song Serm Dhamma Satarn Foundation, yesterday, September 30, rushed to a…

  • Bangkok NewsThai deputy superintendent commits suicide at Bangkok police station | Thaiger

    Thai deputy superintendent commits suicide at Bangkok police station

    A deputy superintendent tragically committed suicide yesterday at Udomsuk Police Station, in Bangkok. The senior officer’s heartbreaking decision is believed to be driven by a valiant struggle with depression and debilitating congenital diseases. Police officers on duty heard a gunshot from the second floor of the police station yesterday, September 30, and rushed to investigate. In the office of the…

  • Bangkok NewsThai man attacked at Bangkok bar for protecting Chinese tourist | Thaiger

    Thai man attacked at Bangkok bar for protecting Chinese tourist

    A Thai man sustained a head injury after being attacked by a group of 10 men outside a bar in Bangkok for protecting a Chinese tourist. The victim, 50 year old Rongrit Choomee, urged Thai news agencies to help him seek justice, as the gang that attacked him claimed to be powerful and well-connected with officers at Bangna Police Station…

  • Thailand NewsGoogle to invest 35 billion baht in Thailand, creating 14,000 jobs | Thaiger

    Google to invest 35 billion baht in Thailand, creating 14,000 jobs

    Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, has unveiled an eye-watering 35 billion baht investment plan in Thailand. This massive cash injection is set to give the nation’s economy a turbo boost, with expectations to create a staggering 14,000 job positions. Porat met with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra yesterday, September 30, to discuss the investment project…

  • Thailand News2 fake wealthy men scam party entertainers out of 200,000 baht | Thaiger

    2 fake wealthy men scam party entertainers out of 200,000 baht

    Police arrested two men posing as wealthy business operators after they tricked two female Thai party entertainers in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen into an investment scam, resulting in a loss of nearly 200,000 baht. The two victims, who worked as party entertainers, filed a complaint against the two Thai men at Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station on September…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman escapes attempted rape by fake Good Samaritan | Thaiger

    Thai woman escapes attempted rape by fake Good Samaritan

    A Thai woman narrowly escaped an attempted rape yesterday after a man posing as a Good Samaritan offered to take her to her friend in the central province of Ayutthaya. The 29 year old victim, referred to as A, filed a complaint at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Police Station yesterday, September 29, and brought the suspect’s flipflops and face mask…