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 NewsThailand braces for more rainfall, TMD warns of flash floods

    Thailand braces for more rainfall, TMD warns of flash floods

    Weather conditions in Thailand are set to bring heavy rainfall across 48 provinces, including the north, northeast, Bangkok, and eastern Thailand. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warns of potential flash floods in some areas due to a 70-80% chance of rain. Residents in these regions should be cautious of heavy rainfall and accumulated precipitation, which may lead to flash floods,…

  • Bangkok NewsMexican actress battles brutal heat filming in Bangkok

    Mexican actress battles brutal heat filming in Bangkok

    A Mexican actress has opened up about the punishing heat she endured while filming the new action movie Fountain of Youth in Bangkok, calling it one of the toughest challenges on set. In a recent Zoom interview with The Star, actress Eiza González revealed how the scorching Thai weather made her shoot physically gruelling. “When we watch movies, we rarely think about the…

  • Koh Samui NewsElephants find freedom and healing at Thailand’s Samui sanctuary

    Elephants find freedom and healing at Thailand’s Samui sanctuary

    In the lush greenery of Koh Samui’s Bo Phut district, two elephants have discovered the ultimate way to beat the sizzling May heat: cooling off in a pool and rolling in mud at the Samui Elephant Sanctuary. Kaew Ta and Kham Phean, both in their mid-60s, enjoy this peaceful retirement after years of harsh labour in logging and tourism. The…

  • Thailand NewsFalse alarm: No volcano threat in Isaan’s Buriram

    False alarm: No volcano threat in Isaan’s Buriram

    A mysterious rumbling heard by mushroom pickers near a long-dormant volcano outside Buriram city sparked local fears of an eruption, but officials have now confirmed it was merely the sound of underground water. Last Thursday, May 22, villagers collecting wild mushrooms at the base of Khao Kradong in Mueang district recorded eerie rumbling noises on their phones. One man shared…

  • Thailand NewsUdon Thani motorist fined for repainting no-parking kerb

    Udon Thani motorist fined for repainting no-parking kerb

    A well-intentioned motorist’s attempt to boost business at a local food stall backfired spectacularly after he was caught painting over a red-and-white no-parking kerb in Udon Thani. The 45 year old auto mechanic, who is not connected to the eatery, took matters into his own hands on Saturday, May 24. Spotting an empty stretch outside the food outlet, he decided…

  • Phuket NewsMajor power outage hits Cherng Talay in Phuket May 29

    Major power outage hits Cherng Talay in Phuket May 29

    Residents and businesses in Cherng Talay are bracing for a major power outage this Thursday, May 29, as the Provincial Electricity Authority’s Thalang branch (PEA Thalang) undertakes essential upgrades to the high-voltage distribution system. The electricity cut will last from 9am to 4.30pm, affecting a wide area stretching from Blue Tree Water Park to the entrance of Wat Thepwanaram. This…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok taxi crackdown nets 76 drivers for cheating and refusals

    Bangkok taxi crackdown nets 76 drivers for cheating and refusals

    Bangkok’s tourist police are cracking down hard on taxi drivers who cheat tourists by refusing rides, avoiding meters, or blocking traffic. In a major enforcement sweep, 76 drivers were arrested for violating the law in the city’s busy tourist areas. Today, May 27, Police Lieutenant General Saksira Pueak-am, Commander-in-Chief of the Tourist Police Bureau, ordered strict action to ensure taxi…

  • Bangkok News27 animals seized, 2 arrested in Bangkok airport wildlife sting

    27 animals seized, 2 arrested in Bangkok airport wildlife sting

    Thai police dealt a major blow to wildlife traffickers after intercepting 27 exotic animals hidden in luggage on two separate flights at Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt. The first haul included 20 blue iguanas and two sulcata tortoises found in the luggage of an Indian passenger preparing to board flight TG325…

  • Business NewsThai billionaire passes empire torch to next generation

    Thai billionaire passes empire torch to next generation

    Thailand’s second-richest man, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, is handing over the reins of his sprawling business empire to his five children as he steps back from day-to-day management. The 81 year old billionaire has transferred ownership of two major listed companies to his offspring, signalling a major shift in the country’s corporate landscape. According to filings made late yesterday, May 26, by…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s helmet crackdown kicks off June 1 with hefty fines

    Thailand’s helmet crackdown kicks off June 1 with hefty fines

    Thailand’s police are ramping up efforts to curb traffic accidents with a nationwide Road Safety Project launching on this Sunday, June 1, targeting drivers and passengers who refuse to wear helmets. The crackdown comes with hefty penalties: fines of up to 2,000 baht, doubled if a motorcyclist’s passenger isn’t helmeted. Today, May 27, Police Lieutenant General Nitithorn Jintakanon, Commander of…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya’s new glow keeps tourists coming despite low season

    Pattaya’s new glow keeps tourists coming despite low season

    Pattaya is proving that even the so-called low season cannot dim its vibrant appeal. With fresh urban upgrades and the ever-popular nearby island of Koh Larn continuing to attract visitors, this bustling city remains a favourite destination for both Thai and international travellers year-round. On Sunday, May 25, reporters visited Khao Phra Tamnak, also known as Naval Radio Station Hill,…

  • Bangkok NewsBLACKPINK is back: Bangkok gears up for epic ‘deadline’ tour stop

    BLACKPINK is back: Bangkok gears up for epic ‘deadline’ tour stop

    BLINKs, it’s happening! K-pop royalty BLACKPINK is officially reuniting for a brand-new world tour—and yes, Bangkok is on the map. After making waves worldwide with solo projects and smashing records with their last tour, Born Pink, the chart-topping girl group is turning up the heat once again with the BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR <DEADLINE>. The electrifying new tour kicks off in Seoul on…

  • Thailand NewsSSO approves 900 baht refund for flood-hit Thai provinces

    SSO approves 900 baht refund for flood-hit Thai provinces

    The Royal Gazette has announced new regulations from the Social Security Office (SSO) regarding a 900 baht refund for those insured in 55 affected provinces. This measure, effective today, May 27, aims to alleviate impacts from storms and floods between October 2024 and March 2025. The Ministry of Labour and the SSO have implemented measures to support businesses and insured…

  • Business NewsThailand eyes 100,000-tonne rice boom at global convention

    Thailand eyes 100,000-tonne rice boom at global convention

    Thailand is actively promoting its unique and high-quality rice varieties, with expectations that the Thailand Rice Convention will result in orders for 100,000 tonnes and generate revenue exceeding 2 billion baht. During the 10th Thailand Rice Convention 2025 held in Bangkok yesterday, May 26, Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan emphasised the government’s dedication to advancing Thailand’s rice sector. The Ministry of…

  • Phuket NewsPakistan’s top envoy brings friendship mission to Phuket

    Pakistan’s top envoy brings friendship mission to Phuket

    In a warm show of diplomacy and island hospitality, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand Rukhsana Afzal paid a high-profile visit to Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat yesterday, reaffirming her country’s commitment to deepening ties with the popular tourist province. The meeting, held at Phuket Provincial Hall, was more than just a polite exchange of pleasantries. According to an official report, it marked a…

  • Pattaya NewsDeadly flu surge sparks star-backed vaccine push in Pattaya

    Deadly flu surge sparks star-backed vaccine push in Pattaya

    Bangkok Hospital Pattaya has launched a high-profile vaccine campaign to combat influenza following Thailand’s deadly flu outbreak earlier this year. Held in the lobby of Building E, the BDMS Preventive Vaccine event drew attention not only for its critical public health message, but also for its star power. Thai actor Art Phasut Banyam and his mother took centre stage to…

  • Bangkok NewsThai police ground aircraft for safety checks after fatal crashes

    Thai police ground aircraft for safety checks after fatal crashes

    The national police chief has suspended all police aircraft for comprehensive safety evaluations following two crashes within a month that resulted in the deaths of nine people. Police General Kittharath Punpetch announced yesterday, May 26, that all planes belonging to the Thai Police Aviation Division (TPAD) would remain grounded until they complete new safety inspections. “Experiencing two crashes in a…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok restaurant criticised over misleading birthday promotion

    Bangkok restaurant criticised over misleading birthday promotion

    A Japanese restaurant in Bangkok faces criticism after a customer’s dissatisfaction with a birthday promotion gained traction on social media. The incident was highlighted yesterday, May 26, by a well-known Thai consumer rights Facebook group. The customer visited a popular à la carte Japanese restaurant, enticed by an online promotion offering a complimentary salmon rice cake for those celebrating their…

  • Thailand NewsPregnant woman and baby die in central Thailand tragedy (video)

    Pregnant woman and baby die in central Thailand tragedy (video)

    A seven-month pregnant woman passed away after being found in a seizure on a Sing Buri road in central Thailand. Rescue teams rushed her to hospital, but she lost her life following a distressing incident. The woman, identified as 34 year old Bee, was the only daughter of 64 year old Nee. Bee, who also had a five year old…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok mall busted for counterfeit luxury goods in crackdown

    Bangkok mall busted for counterfeit luxury goods in crackdown

    Yesterday, a major operation targeted a well-known shopping mall in Bangkok, uncovering counterfeit luxury brands, including bags and watches. The Thai government is intensifying its efforts to combat copyright infringement, aiming to remove Thailand from international watch lists for such issues. Government Spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap highlighted the importance placed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s administration on addressing all forms of…

  • Thailand NewsChiang Rai restaurant struggles as tourists flee contamination fears

    Chiang Rai restaurant struggles as tourists flee contamination fears

    A riverside restaurant in Chiang Rai is facing financial struggles as tourists have vanished due to contamination concerns in the Kok River. Despite the safety of land-based eateries, customers remain scarce, impacting income and debt repayment. At the riverside eatery in Ban Pang Ngiu, in the Mueang district of Chiang Rai, the once-bustling atmosphere has become eerily quiet. The dining…

  • Business NewsThailand’s Visa payments slow despite higher visitor spending

    Thailand’s Visa payments slow despite higher visitor spending

    Visa Thailand is experiencing slower growth in Visa card payments by inbound tourists, correlating with stagnant foreign tourist arrivals. Despite this, there has been an increase in spending per visitor, attributed to “higher quality travellers,” according to the card company. During April and May, foreign tourist spending in Thailand using Visa cards increased by 10% year-on-year. This is a decrease…

  • Thailand NewsPolice raid illegal sawmill linked to Chinese operators in Phitsanulok

    Police raid illegal sawmill linked to Chinese operators in Phitsanulok

    An illegal sawmill accused of secretly being run by Chinese nationals has been raided in Phitsanulok amid complaints of toxic pollution affecting locals. Yesterday, May 23, police and forestry officials stormed the veneer processing plant in Chai Nam subdistrict, Wang Thong district, after mounting community concerns about burning wood scraps that released choking smoke and dust. The operation was led…

  • Pattaya NewsChon Buri police arrest suspects in BMW cloning scam

    Chon Buri police arrest suspects in BMW cloning scam

    A slick car fraud ring has been smashed by Chon Buri highway police after a victim’s BMW was illegally cloned and used to rack up fines, prompting a high-stakes investigation and arrests. On Wednesday, May 21, officers led by Police Lieutenant General Jirabhop Bhuridej, Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), swooped on suspects involved in a sophisticated car forgery…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya woman arrested in undercover Ice sting

    Pattaya woman arrested in undercover Ice sting

    A woman’s attempt to buy crystal meth in Pattaya’s Jomtien area backfired spectacularly when she unknowingly tried to purchase the drug from an undercover police officer during a targeted drug crackdown. Yesterday, May 23, officers from Pattaya City Police’s anti-drug unit, led by Deputy Inspector Prasit Boonprasit, were patrolling Jomtien Sois 2, 3, and 4 as part of a government…

  • Phuket NewsBomb threat panic on Phuket flight sparks emergency evacuation

    Bomb threat panic on Phuket flight sparks emergency evacuation

    Chaos broke out yesterday at Phuket International Airport when a passenger on an AirAsia flight caused panic by jokingly warning of a bomb in his bag — triggering a full-scale emergency response and a police investigation. At 3.50pm yesterday, May 23, officials were alerted after 62 year old Thanawut Wichaidit reportedly told a flight attendant, “Watch out for the bomb…

  • Thailand News12-year-old stabs classmate to death in Isaan school lunch break

    12-year-old stabs classmate to death in Isaan school lunch break

    In Phibun Mangsahan district, Ubon Ratchathani province, a tragic incident unfolded when a 12 year old student fatally stabbed a classmate at a secondary school. The incident, which occurred during the school’s lunch break on Thursday, May 22, has deeply shocked the community and brought attention to the safety measures within educational institutions. Police reports indicate that the incident took…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok police arrest Chinese photo scam ringleaders

    Bangkok police arrest Chinese photo scam ringleaders

    A ruthless gang of Chinese and Thai fraudsters has been busted in Bangkok after swindling victims out of millions of baht with a bogus photo promotion scam. Two Chinese nationals, 29 year old Di Tian Shaanxi and 44 year old Li Shengyou, along with three Thai accomplices, were arrested near a shopping mall on Phahon Yothin Road on Thursday, May…

  • Thailand NewsFrenchman busted on Koh Pha Ngan with drug and weapon haul

    Frenchman busted on Koh Pha Ngan with drug and weapon haul

    A Frenchman known for flashing weapons at a Koh Pha Ngan hotel has been arrested after police uncovered a stash of illicit drugs, while a Russian woman was caught selling banned e-cigarettes on nearby Koh Samui. Tourist police and Koh Pha Ngan officers raided the KPG Suite Dream hotel in Ban Tai around 4pm on Thursday, May 22, after receiving…

  • Thailand NewsSeasonal downpour to drench Thailand, flooding expected

    Seasonal downpour to drench Thailand, flooding expected

    Weather conditions across Thailand are expected to deteriorate, with increased rainfall predicted for 73 provinces. Heavy to very heavy rain may lead to flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides. Residents are advised to avoid flood-prone areas, especially in Bangkok, where 70% of the area is at risk as of today. Thailand is forecast to experience significant rainfall in the north,…