Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Originally from Hong Kong, Puntid moved to Bangkok in 2020 to pursue further studies in translation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Hong Kong. Puntid spent 8 years living in Manchester, UK. Before joining The Thaiger, Puntid has been a freelance translator for 2 years. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and listening to music, as well as writing short fiction and poetry.
  • Thailand NewsSingaporean duo busted in Thai sex trafficking crackdown

    Singaporean duo busted in Thai sex trafficking crackdown

    Two Singaporean men have been arrested in Thailand in a cross-border crackdown on a transnational sex trafficking syndicate that allegedly exploited foreign women and funnelled illicit earnings between countries. The suspects, aged 36 and 38, were apprehended on Tuesday, June 17, following a joint operation between the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Thailand’s Royal Thai Police (RTP). A 50 year…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya panic: Chinese tourists ditch Thailand for Japan

    Pattaya panic: Chinese tourists ditch Thailand for Japan

    Pattaya’s golden days with Chinese tourists may be fading fast, and local tourism operators are sounding the alarm. Once a firm favourite with Chinese travellers, Pattaya is now seeing a steady drop in visitors from the mainland, with Japan quickly emerging as their top choice instead. The shift is rattling Thailand’s tourism industry, where Chinese tourists have long made up…

  • Thailand NewsParis Air Show: Thailand and Textron join forces on fighter fleet

    Paris Air Show: Thailand and Textron join forces on fighter fleet

    A high-flying deal was struck at the Paris Air Show this week as Textron Aviation Defence LLC joined forces with Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) to launch a major support programme for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). In a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) signed at the international aviation event, the two companies agreed to jointly sustain and support Thailand’s fleet…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok’s new mega road to Don Mueang set to open this month

    Bangkok’s new mega road to Don Mueang set to open this month

    Bangkok drivers are in for a traffic breakthrough as a major new link road connecting Vibhavadi Rangsit and Phahon Yothin roads nears completion — and it’s set to open by the end of the month. The Bang Khen District Office confirmed the much-anticipated infrastructure upgrade is in its final inspection phase, with workers putting the finishing touches on what’s expected…

  • Thailand NewsPlayful leopard swipes tourist’s flip flop at Kanchanaburi safari (video)

    Playful leopard swipes tourist’s flip flop at Kanchanaburi safari (video)

    A cheeky leopard at a Kanchanaburi Safari Park has gone viral after it snatched a tourist’s flip flop and made a game of it — leaving the unlucky visitor both barefoot and baffled. The incident, caught on camera and shared by TikTok user @p.phonpimon2544, unfolded at the Safari Park Open Zoo in Nong Kum subdistrict, Bo Phloi district, Kanchanaburi province.…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok mechanic dodges tyre explosion in viral TikTok shocker (video)

    Bangkok mechanic dodges tyre explosion in viral TikTok shocker (video)

    A dramatic moment caught on TikTok has gone viral after a tyre unexpectedly exploded during a routine inspection, with the shop owner narrowly dodging disaster in the nick of time. Posted by user @chonkanyang, the video shows the terrifying near-miss at a tyre shop yesterday, June 18. The CCTV footage captures the calm before the blast as the shop owner…

  • Bangkok NewsClip leak scandal: Paetongtarn says ‘This isn’t the time to fight’

    Clip leak scandal: Paetongtarn says ‘This isn’t the time to fight’

    Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra publicly apologised after an explosive leaked audio clip of her private conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen sparked a diplomatic firestorm. In an urgent press conference, the Thai PM addressed the nation and confirmed she had no idea the conversation was being recorded, let alone that it would be released to the public. “I didn’t…

  • Business NewsThai restaurants struggle with 400 baht minimum wage hike

    Thai restaurants struggle with 400 baht minimum wage hike

    The Thai Restaurant Association expressed concern about the impact of the recent decision to raise the daily minimum wage to 400 baht on the already struggling restaurant sector. This adjustment, effective from July 1, will apply to all workers in Bangkok and is extended to employees in most hotels and entertainment venues across the country. Currently, the minimum wage in…

  • Thailand News8,000 tonnes of illegal waste found in Prachin Buri factory raid

    8,000 tonnes of illegal waste found in Prachin Buri factory raid

    A secret industrial dumping ground packed with over 8,000 tonnes of toxic waste has been uncovered in Prachin Buri, exposing a massive illegal recycling racket run by foreign nationals in defiance of Thai law. The shocking discovery was made during a joint raid led by the Industry Ministry and its so-called “Sudsoi Team,” a taskforce spearheaded by Industry Minister Akanat…

  • Phuket NewsHigh alert: Phuket to zone out cannabis amid tourist backlash

    High alert: Phuket to zone out cannabis amid tourist backlash

    Phuket officials are cracking down on the island’s cannabis free-for-all, announcing plans to restrict where weed can be sold and smoked after a flood of complaints from locals and tourists. Governor Sophon Suwannarat revealed on Tuesday, June 17, that local officials are pushing to create designated “green zones” for cannabis sales and consumption. The move aims to control the island’s…

  • Thailand NewsThailand drought relief cash halted amid graft claims

    Thailand drought relief cash halted amid graft claims

    A massive 51 billion baht drought relief fund has been frozen amid explosive claims of political meddling and potential budget abuse, sparking fears over delayed aid for struggling communities. Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong confirmed this week that the Budget Bureau has issued a formal notice halting the disbursement of funds earmarked under the 2025 fiscal mid-year budget for water…

  • Bangkok NewsEx-Bangkok MP jailed after Supreme Court slams defamation plea

    Ex-Bangkok MP jailed after Supreme Court slams defamation plea

    A disgraced ex-Bangkok MP has been marched off to jail after Thailand’s Supreme Court upheld a defamation conviction linked to a fiery hospital confrontation. Sira Jenjaka, once a high-profile figure for the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), was sentenced yesterday, June 18, to six months and 20 days in prison without suspension, following a long-running feud with Mongkutwattana Hospital director Majoe…

  • Bangkok NewsHigh-ranking cop medic linked to ghost patient drug fraud

    High-ranking cop medic linked to ghost patient drug fraud

    A senior police psychiatrist has landed in hot water after police uncovered a twisted drug racket involving the identities of hundreds of dead patients. Police Colonel Anchulee Theerawongpaisal, a psychiatrist at Police General Hospital in Bangkok, was arrested last week after alprazolam, a powerful anti-anxiety drug, worth millions of baht was found stashed inside her police accommodation. The bombshell case…

  • Thailand NewsCambodian workers defy Hun Sen’s call amid border crisis

    Cambodian workers defy Hun Sen’s call amid border crisis

    A fierce diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia is putting hundreds of thousands of Cambodian migrant workers in the spotlight — but many are refusing to budge. Tensions flared this month after Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen made an extraordinary plea, urging his countrymen working in Thailand to return home, promising jobs and vocational training. The former prime minister’s appeal…

  • Phuket NewsBrazilian busted at Phuket Airport over traffic crimes

    Brazilian busted at Phuket Airport over traffic crimes

    A holiday escape turned sour for one Brazilian man after he was nabbed by immigration cops at Phuket International Airport – wanted over traffic offences and caught just before takeoff. Phuket Airport Immigration confirmed the arrest of the 35 year old suspect on Sunday, June 15, at around 10.30am. The man, whose name was not released by police, was taken…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesEarthquake tremors hit Mae Hong Son, 5 quakes strike Myanmar

    Earthquake tremors hit Mae Hong Son, 5 quakes strike Myanmar

    A series of tremors rocked Mae Hong Son yesterday morning, as a 1.9-magnitude earthquake hit the region, while neighbouring Myanmar experienced five separate quakes, including one minor tremor and four microquakes. The Meteorological Department of Thailand reported that the quake in Mae Hong Son occurred at 10.53am yesterday, June 18, with its epicentre located in Mae Na Toeng subdistrict, Pai district.…

  • Bangkok NewsVietJet launches Bangkok-Seoul flights with 0 baht fares

    VietJet launches Bangkok-Seoul flights with 0 baht fares

    Get ready to pack your bags for Seoul, as VietJet Thailand announces its first-ever direct flight route from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Seoul (Incheon), set to take off on October 1. This exciting new connection marks a major milestone for the airline, expanding its network across Asia and offering passengers a convenient, budget-friendly travel option between two of the region’s most…

  • Business NewsKing Power seeks duty-free contract renegotiation after setbacks

    King Power seeks duty-free contract renegotiation after setbacks

    Thailand’s leading duty-free giant King Power is in talks with Airports of Thailand (AOT) to renegotiate its contracts across five major airports, after claiming external factors severely impacted business performance. The duty-free giant, known for its extensive presence in airports across the country, raised concerns about an increasingly challenging market and the financial burden of maintaining its original commitments. In response, King Power is…

  • Thailand NewsJAS secures Premier League and FA Cup rights for Thailand

    JAS secures Premier League and FA Cup rights for Thailand

    Football fans in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, rejoice! The rights to broadcast the Premier League and FA Cup have officially changed hands, with Jasmine International Public Company Limited (JAS) securing the exclusive deal for up to six seasons. Yes, you heard that right — the same JAS behind the popular streaming service MONOMAX. While you might not be familiar with the name Jasmine International, the streaming platform…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket launches ‘City Lab’ for sustainable transport revolution

    Phuket launches ‘City Lab’ for sustainable transport revolution

    Phuket is charging ahead in the race for greener cities, with the launch of an innovative new initiative to transform urban mobility. The City Lab project, a key part of the Thai-German cooperation on energy, transport, and climate change, is set to revolutionise the way locals and tourists get around, starting with the use of electric vehicles (EVs). The official…

  • Thailand NewsThailand urged to unlock US billion for green city investment

    Thailand urged to unlock US$2 billion for green city investment

    Thailand could unlock a flood of green investment — up to US$2 billion (approximately 65 billion baht) a year — by transforming its cities into eco-smart powerhouses, a top World Bank official told a major climate forum in Bangkok. Melinda Good, the World Bank’s Country Director for Thailand and Myanmar, delivered the bold message at the Road to Net Zero…

  • Phuket News‘Don’t be afraid:’ Thai soldier’s final words before sniper shot

    ‘Don’t be afraid:’ Thai soldier’s final words before sniper shot

    A 22 year old Thai soldier who told his family “don’t be afraid” the night before he was gunned down by a sniper has been laid to rest in a solemn ceremony in Phuket. Private First Class (PFC) Pakom Suden was shot and killed yesterday, June 17, during a security patrol in Ban Wang Hin, Bannang Sata district, Yala. The…

  • Bangkok NewsThailand diner: ‘Shrimp paste nearly killed me’

    Thailand diner: ‘Shrimp paste nearly killed me’

    A Thai man with a severe allergy says he nearly died at a popular Bangkok restaurant after being served a dish containing shrimp paste, despite clearly warning the staff he was allergic. Yesterday, June 17, Facebook user Chayutpol Sukkaew shared a harrowing account of his near-death experience at the well-known Bangkok eatery. His post, which has since gone viral, urges…

  • Bangkok NewsMiss World Opal vows to empower Thai women

    Miss World Opal vows to empower Thai women

    Thailand’s newly crowned Miss World lit up Government House this week, promising to use her global spotlight to empower women — and sending a message of strength to the nation’s leader. Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri, the first Thai woman to ever win the Miss World crown in the pageant’s 72-year history, paid a visit to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra yesterday, June…

  • Thailand NewsThai princess takes to the skies with Sweden’s top fighter jet

    Thai princess takes to the skies with Sweden’s top fighter jet

    Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya turned heads in Sweden this week as she got hands-on with one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets — and showed unwavering support for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). During a private visit to Linköping, the Thai royal observed a live demonstration of the Gripen D aircraft’s capabilities and took a closer look at…

  • Business NewsThailand SEC cracks down on margin loan misuse

    Thailand SEC cracks down on margin loan misuse

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will initiate a second round of public hearings regarding tighter regulations on margin loans. This comes amid concerns that certain brokerages have allowed margin credit to be utilised for non-investment purposes. Surasak Ritthongpitak, the Assistant Secretary General of the SEC, indicated that forthcoming regulatory amendments will likely prevent securities firms from granting margin loans…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s 157 billion baht stimulus scramble begins

    Thailand’s 157 billion baht stimulus scramble begins

    Time is running out for government agencies to grab their slice of a massive 157 billion baht stimulus budget — and if they don’t move fast, the money disappears for good. Today, June 18, Thailand’s Economic Stimulus Committee will review a long list of proposals from ministries scrambling to secure funding before the clock runs out on September 30. If…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok workers score 400-baht payday in wage shake-up

    Bangkok workers score 400-baht payday in wage shake-up

    Workers in Bangkok are about to get a pay bump — and it’s not just the capital cashing in. From July 1, the minimum daily wage in Bangkok will jump to 400 baht, up from the current 372 baht, according to the national wage committee. The hike will also apply to thousands of hotel and entertainment venue staff across the…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok bets big on EV buses in 15 billion baht shake-up

    Bangkok bets big on EV buses in 15 billion baht shake-up

    Bangkok’s battered diesel buses are finally getting the boot and they’re being replaced with shiny electric ones in a mega-billion baht revamp. The Cabinet has greenlit a 15.35 billion baht plan to lease electric buses for Bangkok under a new seven-year scheme pitched by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). Instead of sticking with outdated natural gas-powered vehicles, the capital…

  • Thailand NewsSrettha slams Pride tokenism, demands real equality

    Srettha slams Pride tokenism, demands real equality

    Thailand may have just made history by legalising same-sex marriage, but former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin says the party can’t stop at rainbow flags and parades. In a hard-hitting interview with the Bangkok Post for Pride Month, Srettha warned that true equality needs to go far beyond symbolism. “The goal should no longer be limited to designated celebrations such as Pride Month.…