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 NewsThaksin denies political deal on return from exile

    Thaksin denies political deal on return from exile

    Thaksin Shinawatra firmly stated yesterday that no political arrangement was crafted with his conservative adversaries to facilitate his return from a 15-year exile last year. The former Thai premier made the statement during an on-stage interview at a forum organised by a local media group. “There is no deal, no one dare do a deal with me.” The 75 year…

  • Thailand NewsAsia on alert: Deadly new mpox strain hits Thailand

    Asia on alert: Deadly new mpox strain hits Thailand

    Thailand confirmed its first case of a potentially deadlier strain of mpox, marking Asia’s first encounter with the virus variant known as Clade 1b. This alarming development follows hot on the heels of the first reported case outside Africa, in Sweden, just a week ago. The infected individual, a 66 year old European man, arrived in Bangkok from an undisclosed…

  • Thailand NewsThailand concludes major anti-terrorism drill

    Thailand concludes major anti-terrorism drill

    The Counter Terrorist Operations Centre under the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) Headquarters is wrapping up a five-day anti-terrorism drill today in Chiang Rai. The Crisis Management Exercise 2024 (C-MEX24) at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University saw participation from over 500 individuals representing 60 agencies. This comprehensive exercise included officers from the army, navy, air force, and police, aiming to assess their…

  • Thailand NewsNine confirmed dead in Chachoengsao plane crash (video)

    Nine confirmed dead in Chachoengsao plane crash (video)

    A small plane carrying nine people, including passengers and crew, tragically crashed just 10 minutes after takeoff in Chachoengsao province yesterday. All on board are dead. The harrowing incident occurred yesterday afternoon, August 22, when officials began the grim task of recovering the wreckage in Moo 6, Ban Khao Din, Bang Pakong district. Initially, the bodies of the passengers were…

  • Thailand NewsMystical turtle discovered at Chon Buri temple

    Mystical turtle discovered at Chon Buri temple

    A rare turtle species was discovered at the Wang Sam Sien Chinese Temple on Big Buddha Hill, Khao Phra Tamnak in Chon Buri province. A concerned local, who believed they stumbled upon something extraordinary, alerted local officials after spotting the turtle lying exhausted under the sun, seemingly injured or ill. Katanyu Thongphu, a fisheries scientist from the Chon Buri Provincial…

  • World NewsBeloved gay penguin dies in Sydney (video)

    Beloved gay penguin dies in Sydney (video)

    In a tearful farewell, Sphen, the gentoo penguin who captivated the world as part of a famous same-sex power couple, has died at the age of 11. Sphen and his partner, Magic, shot to global fame in 2018 after falling in love at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and later adopting and raising two chicks. Their heartwarming story touched millions and…

  • Thailand NewsScandal erupts over judge’s joke about defunct MFP

    Scandal erupts over judge’s joke about defunct MFP

    A Pheu Thai MP is set to submit an urgent motion in the House of Representatives, calling for an investigation into a Constitutional Court judge’s controversial comments regarding a dissolved political party. The judge, Udom Sittiwirattham, already under scrutiny for his role in dissolving the Move Forward Party (MFP), has now sparked outrage with a flippant remark about the People’s…

  • Thailand NewsThailand is Somali’s new medical oasis

    Thailand is Somali’s new medical oasis

    Somalia’s ambassador to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, has a surprising new destination in mind for his compatriots seeking medical treatment—Thailand. After a recent visit, he’s convinced it could be the next big thing for Somali medical tourism. Ambassador Abdulle visited Thailand from August 13 to 21 as part of an initiative by the Royal Thai Embassy in Nairobi to showcase…

  • Tourism NewsThailand’s tourism boom tainted by zero-dollar tours

    Thailand’s tourism boom tainted by zero-dollar tours

    Thailand’s booming tourism sector is thriving under a new visa-free policy, attracting millions of foreign tourists. Yet, while Chinese visitors top the list, concerns are mounting over the resurgence of Chinese zero-dollar tours, which could be draining potential revenue from the Thai economy. From January 1 to August 18, Thailand welcomed a staggering 22,474,172 international tourists, who pumped 1.05 trillion…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok jewellery fair set to sparkle with 3.5 billion baht in revenue

    Bangkok jewellery fair set to sparkle with 3.5 billion baht in revenue

    The upcoming 70th Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair is gearing up to dazzle with an expected revenue haul of at least 3.5 billion baht, according to the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand (GIT). This glittering event, scheduled from September 9 to 13 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), is…

  • Thailand NewsNorthern Thailand flooding: Phichit’s Yom River water levels rise

    Northern Thailand flooding: Phichit’s Yom River water levels rise

    The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is closely monitoring the water levels in the Yom River in Phichit province, which has been rising steadily due to heavy rainfall in northern Thailand, particularly in Phrae and Phayao. This surge in water is expected to flow down to Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, and Phichit. Chuchart Rakjit, the Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, announced yesterday,…

  • Politics NewsShocking survey reveals Thai government’s trust crisis

    Shocking survey reveals Thai government’s trust crisis

    A recent survey has uncovered a deep-seated distrust among the Thai populace towards their government, with more than 69% of respondents expressing doubts that the government acts in the country’s best interests. Conducted by the Institute of Future Studies for Development (IFD) from August 17 to 20, the survey sampled 1,251 adults nationwide. The findings paint a troubling picture of…

  • Thailand NewsChachoengsao man builds new gate to avoid neighbour’s threats

    Chachoengsao man builds new gate to avoid neighbour’s threats

    A 60 year old Thai man in Chachoengsao province opted to build a new gate to his home to avoid further conflict with his neighbour, who has been reportedly harassing him and brandishing a firearm. The Thai man, Thitiwat, complained to Athiwat Sirikangwalwong, founder of the Dare to Step Forward Facebook page, about the threats he faced from his neighbour,…

  • Thailand NewsChon Buri restaurant owner finds stones in imported river prawns (video)

    Chon Buri restaurant owner finds stones in imported river prawns (video)

    A restaurant owner in Chon Buri discovered large river prawns stuffed with stones, warning other eateries to be vigilant. The prawns, imported from a neighbouring country, pose a risk of financial loss in the current economic climate. Pratchaya Prayad, the 37 year old owner of Klang Na Pla Khao restaurant in Nong Tamlueng, Phanthong, Chon Buri, shared a video warning…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok to Beijing train: Mekong River railway bridge opens

    Bangkok to Beijing train: Mekong River railway bridge opens

    Travellers are one step closer to an epic train journey from Bangkok to Beijing as a new railway bridge over the Mekong River has opened, linking Thailand and Laos by rail for the first time. This milestone, completed last month, leaves just a few dozen miles of a trackless gap before the route can finally reach China. With the launch…

  • Transport NewsThailand urged to subsidise public transport with vehicle tax funds

    Thailand urged to subsidise public transport with vehicle tax funds

    The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) urged the government to subsidise public transport fares using funds sourced from taxes on personal vehicles, land, and windfall profits. This recommendation emerged during the inaugural meeting of the Consumer Council for Public Transportation Users, aimed at developing a safer and fairer public transport system through collaborative guidelines and projects. TCC President Boonyeun Siritham highlighted…

  • Thailand NewsThai MP faces axe for defying party and mingling with rivals

    Thai MP faces axe for defying party and mingling with rivals

    The Thai Sang Thai (TST) Party plans to boot out one of its MPs for repeatedly flouting the party’s stance and rubbing shoulders with rival factions. The ethics panel, led by TST bigwigs Khunying Sudarat Keyurapan and Pokin Polakul, has put Yasothon MP Supaporn Salapsri in the hot seat after she voted against the party line multiple times. Supaporn, a…

  • Thailand NewsPetition claims Bhumjaithai leaders encroached on forest park land

    Petition claims Bhumjaithai leaders encroached on forest park land

    A petition was submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul and the party Secretary-General Chaichanok Chidchob over alleged land encroachment in Khao Kradong Forest Park, Buriram. Lawyer Pattharpong Supassorn lodged the complaint yesterday, August 21, calling for an investigation into a building project on a 5,083-rai land plot owned by the State Railway of Thailand…

  • Thailand NewsChon Buri jewellery shop owner seeks return of lost heirlooms

    Chon Buri jewellery shop owner seeks return of lost heirlooms

    A jewellery shop owner is urgently seeking the return of several high-value pieces. Offering a reward, the owner details that some items hold significant sentimental value as family heirlooms. The shop owner, 40 year old Yothaka Panyafong, requested media assistance to recover jewellery worth several hundred thousand baht that went missing yesterday, August 21. The incident occurred along the road…

  • Thailand NewsPolice pursue suspect after man murdered near Khon Kaen temple

    Police pursue suspect after man murdered near Khon Kaen temple

    Police are actively pursuing the suspect who brutally murdered a man on a road near a temple in Khon Kaen province. The victim’s brother revealed that the deceased had been helping with a funeral in the village and was attacked while on his way to deliver food to an elderly acquaintance. Surachet Matnok, a sub-inspector at Nong Song Hong Police…

  • Thailand NewsTeen brawl in Samut Prakan causes traffic chaos (video)

    Teen brawl in Samut Prakan causes traffic chaos (video)

    A group of teenagers clashed violently on a road in Samut Prakan province, causing significant disruption and damage to vehicles, leading a witness to label them as societal nuisances. Facebook user Maem posted a video showing a group of teenagers engaging in a brawl with a gang of students near a U-turn median, causing a traffic jam. The altercation not…

  • Thailand NewsThai man assaults escort over service time dispute

    Thai man assaults escort over service time dispute

    A Thai man assaulted an escort after she refused to extend her service time, leading to a heated argument and subsequent violence. The incident was reported yesterday by the Facebook page อีซ้อขยี้ข่าว3 which posted details and photos of the assaulted woman. The altercation began when the man requested to extend the escort’s service time but the woman wanted to go home.…

  • Bangkok NewsDoctor charged for assaulting, stripping teenage boy in Bangkok

    Doctor charged for assaulting, stripping teenage boy in Bangkok

    Prosecutors have formally charged four individuals, including a doctor, for allegedly assaulting a 14 year old boy in Lak Si district, Bangkok and forcing him to strip. Evidence will be reviewed on December 9. The defendants have been granted temporary release. The Office of the Special Prosecutor for Criminal Cases 4 submitted a lawsuit against Doctor Weerayuth Naenna, Doctor Weerayut…

  • Koh Samui NewsAustralian tourists help collect rubbish on Koh Samui (video)

    Australian tourists help collect rubbish on Koh Samui (video)

    A group of Australian tourists on Koh Samui became an unexpected viral sensation by helping local municipal workers collect rubbish in the early morning hours. Their enthusiastic efforts, captured on video, brought smiles and laughter to viewers, especially Thais. The incident took place yesterday at around 4am, today, August 22, when the tourists, hanging off the back of a garbage…

  • Thailand NewsFloods displace 500 households in Nan, severe damage reported

    Floods displace 500 households in Nan, severe damage reported

    Floods have caused significant damage in the northern province of Nan, affecting eight districts and displacing over 500 households. The heavy rain led to rapid rises in river levels, particularly impacting Thawngpha district where residents struggled to evacuate their belongings in time. The province of Nan is facing a severe flood crisis, with eight districts now affected. These districts include…

  • Thailand NewsPolice seize nearly 2 million meth pills in Saraburi drug bust

    Police seize nearly 2 million meth pills in Saraburi drug bust

    Saraburi Highway police intercepted a drug trafficking operation, seizing nearly 2 million methamphetamine (meth) pills from a pickup truck in Nong Khae district, Saraburi province. Officers patrolling Highway 2044 near Raphiphat Canal noticed a suspicious grey pickup truck on Tuesday, August 20. When signalled to stop, the driver sped away, eventually abandoning the vehicle in Chonprathan Soi 1 and fleeing…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya motorbike taxi driver arrested for selling kratom juice

    Pattaya motorbike taxi driver arrested for selling kratom juice

    Police in Pattaya detained a female motorbike taxi driver on Monday for selling unauthorised kratom juice, aiming to mitigate financial strains during Thailand’s economic difficulties. The arrest was made on Soi Phothisan 1/1 in the Naklua area, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Police officers yesterday, August 19, apprehended Sirikaset, a 60 year old motorcycle taxi driver, who was found…

  • Thailand NewsPeople’s Party goes all in: By-election showdown in Phitsanulok

    People’s Party goes all in: By-election showdown in Phitsanulok

    In a high-stakes bid to hold onto their seat in Phitsanulok’s Constituency 1, the People’s Party (PP) is pulling out all the stops. PP leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and former MP Padipat Suntiphada hit the campaign trail yesterday, August 20, introducing Natachanon Chanaburanasak as their candidate for the upcoming by-election. The by-election, set for September 15, was announced by the Election…

  • Thailand NewsViral dugong sighting stuns Phuket

    Viral dugong sighting stuns Phuket

    A video of a rare dugong swimming near the bustling Rawai Bridge in Phuket has taken social media by storm, sparking calls for immediate action from local officials. The 41-second clip, posted on the Phuket Info Centre’s Facebook page, shows the elusive sea creature gracefully navigating the waters of Rawai Beach, a popular tourist destination. Filmed yesterday morning, August 20,…

  • Thailand NewsAuthentic Thai flavours invade Kazakhstan

    Authentic Thai flavours invade Kazakhstan

    Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce turned up the heat in Kazakhstan, recognising three Thai restaurants for delivering an unbeatable authentic taste with the prestigious Thai SELECT certification. At the forefront of this culinary accolade is Bangkok Thai Café in Almaty, a restaurant that leaves no stone unturned in bringing the true essence of Thailand to Central Asia. With skilled Thai chefs…