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 NewsSuvarnabhumi Airport sorry after train breakdown causes 30-minute delay | Thaiger

    Suvarnabhumi Airport sorry after train breakdown causes 30-minute delay

    Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok issued an apology following a breakdown of the automated people mover (APM) train today, February 23, resulting in passengers being stranded in the underground train station and a 30-minute delay. The driverless APM train operates between the new concourse, Satellite 1 (SAT1), and the main passenger terminal. Today marked the first malfunction since the concourse…

  • Thailand NewsThai transwoman arrested for trying to swindle monk | Thaiger

    Thai transwoman arrested for trying to swindle monk

    Police arrested a Thai transwoman for offering a sex service and trying to swindle 20,000 baht from a monk at the Dong Sam Muen Monastery in the northern province of Lamphun. The 33 year old monk, Phra Kru Winai Dhammawat, collaborated with officers from Ban Hong Police Station to setup the 23 year old transwoman, Charnnarong, leading to her arrest…

  • Thailand NewsRiot fallout: 18 ex-inmates face death sentence in Thailand prison riot | Thaiger

    Riot fallout: 18 ex-inmates face death sentence in Thailand prison riot

    Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court in the central province of Kanchanaburi sentenced 18 former Thai inmates to death following the death of two people and six injuries in a riot in the Thong Phra Phum Prison nine years ago. The death penalty was given to 18 of the 26 inmates involved in the riot that occurred on February 22, 2015.…

  • Thailand NewsThai boy suffers severe injury to testicles after falling on tree stump | Thaiger

    Thai boy suffers severe injury to testicles after falling on tree stump

    Rescuers in the Isaan province of Udon Thani helped an eight year old Thai boy who suffered a severe injury to his testicles after he tripped and fell on a sharp tree stump. A 47 year old Thai mother reported the accident to the Song Serm Tham Rescue Foundation at 3pm yesterday, February 22. The incident scene was a roadside…

  • Thailand NewsThai mother exposes school bullying and seeks justice for her son | Thaiger

    Thai mother exposes school bullying and seeks justice for her son

    A Thai mother took to social media to share a bullying incident at a school in the Sriracha district of Chon Buri province and seek justice for her son, who has been a victim of his classmates for years. The mother posted the story of her son on Facebook two days ago, February 20. She revealed to the public that…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok Digital Loy Krathong Festival wins best eco-friendly festival | Thaiger

    Bangkok Digital Loy Krathong Festival wins best eco-friendly festival

    The 2023 Bangkok Digital Loy Krathong Festival at the Ong Ang Canal near Bangkok’s Chinatown scooped an Asia Pinnacle Award for the Best Eco-Friendly Festival category. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) official Facebook page yesterday, February 21, invited its followers to join in celebrating the latest award, Best Eco-Friendly Festival, from Asia’s Pinnacle Awards. The BMA added that the representative would attend…

  • Thailand NewsBare truth: Thai man’s crystal meth nap leads to roadside arrest | Thaiger

    Bare truth: Thai man’s crystal meth nap leads to roadside arrest

    Police arrested a Thai man this afternoon for lying naked on the roadside in the eastern province of Trat. The man confessed that the crystal meth he had taken made him feel sleepy and hot. Motorists in the Wang Krajae sub-district of Trat spotted the Thai man, later identified as 39 year old Amphon, lying naked on the side of…

  • Thailand NewsThai doctor crashes sedan into 3 cars in Lampang hospital car park | Thaiger

    Thai doctor crashes sedan into 3 cars in Lampang hospital car park

    A Thai doctor attributed a brake system failure as the cause of his sedan crashing into three cars in a car park at Lampang Hospital in northern Thailand. Fortunately, rescuers managed to avert a potentially hazardous situation by preventing an SUV from plummeting off the sixth floor of the parking structure. The sound of the collision and the sight of…

  • Thailand NewsThai net idol accuses ex-boyfriend of releasing her explicit videos | Thaiger

    Thai net idol accuses ex-boyfriend of releasing her explicit videos

    A Thai net idol accused her ex-boyfriend of posting explicit videos of her on a social media account with more than two million followers. She contacted the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after officers from two police stations ignored her complaint. Saimai Survive team members accompanied the victim, a 30 year old Internet idol and former car racer, to the Cyber…

  • Thailand NewsThai drug addict crashes pickup, killing 2 students, injuring 13 | Thaiger

    Thai drug addict crashes pickup, killing 2 students, injuring 13

    A Thai man addicted to drugs crashed his pickup into a roadside pavilion in the Sadao district in the southern province of Songkhla yesterday, resulting in the deaths of two students and injuries to 13 other pupils. Officers from Sadao Police Station were alerted to the fatal car accident at about 11am yesterday, February 21. The accident took place when…

  • Thailand NewsThai Cabinet rejects gender recognition bill, citing crime concerns | Thaiger

    Thai Cabinet rejects gender recognition bill, citing crime concerns

    The Thai Cabinet yesterday rejected the proposed Act on Gender Recognition, Title, and Protection of Gender Diversity, citing concerns about false identities if people are allowed to use preferred titles. The titles of people in the LGBTQA+ community have been trending on Thai social media since a transgender model, Phacharanat “Mimi” Nobantao, questioned why Thai citizens were unable to choose their…

  • Thailand NewsBig Joke faces 2 charges over financial links to gambling operators | Thaiger

    Big Joke faces 2 charges over financial links to gambling operators

    The Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, faces two charges after financial transactions of his were found linked with the online gambling operators. Four other senior police officers were found involved but their identities had not yet been revealed. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers raided Big Joke’s home in September last year…

  • Thailand NewsThai man accuses 3 police of threatening him to steal 3,000 baht | Thaiger

    Thai man accuses 3 police of threatening him to steal 3,000 baht

    A Thai man accused three police officers in the central province of Saraburi of threatening him with a gun and stealing 3,000 baht in cash from him. The 32 year old Thai man, Weerachart Pangate, took to social media to share his corrupt police story. He reported a complaint at Nongkhae Police Station two months ago but he has not…

  • Thailand NewsControversy erupts as Thai doctors clash over mRNA vaccine effect | Thaiger

    Controversy erupts as Thai doctors clash over mRNA vaccine effect

    Thai doctor Thiravat Hemachudha sparked controversy when he shared information about the potentially fatal effect of the messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) Covid-19 vaccine, citing English YouTuber John Campbell. Thiravat shared information from the English YouTuber, and retired nurse educator, Campbell, on Facebook on February 19. Thiravat talked about a white clot that was found in people and dead bodies with…

  • Thailand NewsCambodia’s ex-PM Hun Sen visits Thaksin at home in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Cambodia’s ex-PM Hun Sen visits Thaksin at home in Bangkok

    The former Prime Minister of Cambodia, Samdech Hun Sen, arrived at Chan Song La in Bangkok at 10.50am today to meet his friend, the former PM of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra. The 74 year old former PM had been at his Chan Song La residence for the fourth consecutive day since his release on parole on February 18. Several Thai politicians…

  • Thailand NewsMalaysian arrested for rape, theft of 1.2 million baht from Thai ex-wife | Thaiger

    Malaysian arrested for rape, theft of 1.2 million baht from Thai ex-wife

    Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police arrested a Malaysian man at his Bangkok condominium for raping his Thai ex-wife, stealing 1.2 million baht from her, and stabbing her dog at a house in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat last year. The 53 year old Malaysian man, Lee Woon Earnx, was subject to an arrest warrant following his break-in at…

  • Thailand NewsKrabi rampage: Chinese woman blocks road, tries undress, bites cop | Thaiger

    Krabi rampage: Chinese woman blocks road, tries undress, bites cop

    A Chinese woman went on a rampage in the southern province of Krabi after breaking up with her boyfriend. She blocked the road, attempted to undress, and bit a police officer on the arm. Mueang Krabi Police Station and Tourist Police officers tried to calm the 34 year old Chinese woman, Zhang Yanxin, after she startled motorists. Witnesses reported that…

  • Thailand NewsThai soldier caught selling explicit videos of ex-girlfriend online | Thaiger

    Thai soldier caught selling explicit videos of ex-girlfriend online

    A Thai woman sought help from non-profit organization Be One after police did not file charges against a soldier who sold explicit videos of her online. The 19 year old victim, identified only as A, told the Be One organisation that her ex-boyfriend, Sergeant Apisit, secretly recorded videos during sexual activities and sold them online. She broke up with him…

  • Thailand NewsDrama erupts over transgender actress’ privilege to use gender-neutral title | Thaiger

    Drama erupts over transgender actress’ privilege to use gender-neutral title

    A drama erupted over the privileges of Thai celebrities after a renowned transgender actress was allowed to use a gender-neutral title on her bank account while others were not afforded the same privilege. Miss Tiffany Universe 2007, Thunyarat “Film” Chipraphachin, shared a receipt from Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) of Treechada “Poyd” Hongyok, transferring money to her via Facebook and thanked…

  • Thailand NewsThai man loses 10,000 baht after sex with woman met on roadside | Thaiger

    Thai man loses 10,000 baht after sex with woman met on roadside

    A Thai man accused a woman he met on the roadside of stealing 10,000 baht in cash from him after they had sex. The woman insisted the money was her hard-earned cash. Several motorists on the Friendship Highway in the Isaan province of Udon Thani filed a complaint with Nonsung Police Station stating that they witnessed a Thai man chasing…

  • Thailand NewsBurned skeleton in Khon Kaen landfill confirmed as female | Thaiger

    Burned skeleton in Khon Kaen landfill confirmed as female

    Police confirmed that the burned skeleton found in the landfill in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen was a female under 35 years old. A 66 year old Thai woman came to the police station believing that the skeleton belonged to her missing granddaughter. A water delivery driver discovered the burned skeleton at a dump site in the Waeng Noi…

  • Thailand NewsThaksin denies lese majeste law violation, secures 500,000 baht bail | Thaiger

    Thaksin denies lese majeste law violation, secures 500,000 baht bail

    After being released on parole for only a day, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra turned himself into authorities again, yesterday, February 19, in connection with a lese majeste case. He successfully secured bail of 500,000 baht. The 74 year old former PM was released on parole after a six-month detention at Police General Hospital. On February 18, he returned…

  • Thailand NewsChinese woman escapes attempted rape and murder in Pattaya | Thaiger

    Chinese woman escapes attempted rape and murder in Pattaya

    A Chinese woman is seeking justice after she managed to escape from a Thai man who tried to rape and kill her near a roadside forest beside Siam Country Club in Pattaya. Police are currently searching for the suspect. The Chinese victim, 29 year old Meilin, and her younger brother, 19 year old Chen, called officers from the Nong Prue…

  • Thailand NewsLove triangle turmoil: Thai woman attempts suicide over romantic attention from 2 men | Thaiger

    Love triangle turmoil: Thai woman attempts suicide over romantic attention from 2 men

    A Thai woman tried to commit suicide by running into a crowded road in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok because she could not choose between two men who fell in love with her. The three eventually agreed to be in a relationship together. Officers at Rattahathibet Police Station were alerted to a car accident on the Rattanathibet Road at 11.30pm on February…

  • Thailand NewsChinese man’s gambling site bust leaves billions in losses | Thaiger

    Chinese man’s gambling site bust leaves billions in losses

    The Immigration Bureau of Thailand arrested a Chinese man for running an illegal gambling website that caused more than 2.5 billion baht in losses to people in China. The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Thailand requested cooperation from the Immigration Bureau to apprehend a 32 year old Chinese suspect named Huang who escaped an…

  • Thailand NewsThai mum’s plea for aid after daughter’s car crash in Taiwan | Thaiger

    Thai mum’s plea for aid after daughter’s car crash in Taiwan

    A Thai mother is seeking help from the Government of Thailand after her daughter was seriously injured in a car accident in Taiwan. She has received no assistance from the Taiwanese authorities or the driver’s family. The mother contacted the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive, saying her daughter was in hospital in Taiwan following a car accident on February 7, but she cannot…

  • Thailand NewsThailand teenager’s tragic stabbing leads to police pursuit | Thaiger

    Thailand teenager’s tragic stabbing leads to police pursuit

    Police arrested a Thai man for fatally stabbing a 16 year old boy in the central province of Suphan Buri. Another suspect is still at large. Officers at U Thong Police Station in the U Thong district of Suphan Buri received a report of the stabbing on the evening of Saturday, February 17. Officers rushed to the scene and discovered…

  • Thailand NewsMysterious burned human skeletons found in Isaan landfill | Thaiger

    Mysterious burned human skeletons found in Isaan landfill

    A Thai man discovered a burned human skeleton in a landfill in the Waeng Noi district of the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. The identity of the deceased and the cause of death are currently under investigation. The man, a water delivery driver, stopped at the landfill yesterday, February 18, to urinate and came across the skeletons. He then reported…

  • Thailand NewsLocals rally to clean up messy situation for Thai-Scottish family in Pattaya | Thaiger

    Locals rally to clean up messy situation for Thai-Scottish family in Pattaya

    Locals sought help for a Thai woman and her half Thai half Scottish sons living in an unhealthy, rubbish-strewn house in Pattaya. The three were reportedly in financial trouble after the woman’s Scottish husband left Thailand four years ago. Residents in the northern Pattaya neighbourhood urged Amarin TV to tell the family’s story in a bid to find help for…

  • Thailand NewsSpirited debate: Health ministry’s alcohol curfew talks hit a hiccup | Thaiger

    Spirited debate: Health ministry’s alcohol curfew talks hit a hiccup

    The Ministry of Public Health held a meeting today, February 15, to deliberate on the potential abolition of the time restriction for alcohol sales, currently set between 11am and 2pm. However, the meeting failed to reach a clear conclusion. The Public Health Minister, Chonlnan Srikaew, reported that the proposal to cancel the time limit for alcohol sales was submitted to…