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.
  • Phuket NewsPhuket trials emergency alert system after earthquake failures

    Phuket trials emergency alert system after earthquake failures

    In the wake of the March 28 earthquake that rocked Thailand, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has swiftly rolled out a trial run of a new Cell Broadcast alert system in Phuket, aiming to overhaul the country’s emergency alert infrastructure. During the trial, the system showed promising results on Android devices, providing real-time alerts without delays. However,…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya hotels surge as Hua Hin struggles for tourists

    Pattaya hotels surge as Hua Hin struggles for tourists

    Last weekend, local travellers flocked to Pattaya in the aftermath of the earthquake, causing hotel occupancy rates to soar to full capacity. However, the impact of the quake had a very different effect on Hua Hin, where concerns over road safety led to a sharp decline in bookings. “Travellers seeking refuge from the tremors in Bangkok drove a spike in…

  • Thailand NewsWarning: Sinkholes emerge in Mae Hong Son after earthquake

    Warning: Sinkholes emerge in Mae Hong Son after earthquake

    In a startling post-earthquake discovery, six sinkholes have appeared in Mae Hong Son’s Khun Yuam district, leaving locals on edge. The sudden appearance of these giant holes has prompted a warning from the Mineral Resources Regional Office 1, advising residents to exercise extreme caution. The sinkholes, which range in size from 2 to 30 metres in diameter, were first discovered…

  • Phuket NewsDorm inspected in Phuket after quake sparks safety fears

    Dorm inspected in Phuket after quake sparks safety fears

    In the wake of last week’s devastating earthquake in Myanmar, scrutiny has intensified on a Chinese contractor linked to multiple construction projects across Thailand, including a long-delayed female student dormitory at Phuket Rajabhat University. On April 3, officials from the Phuket branch of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT Phuket) carried out an urgent inspection…

  • Pattaya NewsMeth, mayhem and the macabre: Pattaya man busted

    Meth, mayhem and the macabre: Pattaya man busted

    In a twisted tale straight out of a crime thriller, a Pattaya man was arrested after police caught him using methamphetamine (meth) in a junkyard, surrounded by stolen human remains. The shocking discovery left locals stunned and police scrambling for answers. At around 10.30pm on Wednesday, April 2, officers from Bang Lamung Police swooped in on a notorious abandoned area…

  • Phuket NewsBattery blast injures crewman off Phuket’s Cape Panwa

    Battery blast injures crewman off Phuket’s Cape Panwa

    A fishing trip turned into a terrifying ordeal yesterday evening when a battery exploded on board a trawler off the coast of Cape Panwa, leaving one crew member injured and sparking a coordinated rescue mission. The incident occurred aboard the vessel L. Thanakorn, which was approximately 7.3 nautical miles south of Cape Panwa at the time. The Thai Maritime Enforcement…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok governor apologises after woman’s cries go unanswered

    Bangkok governor apologises after woman’s cries go unanswered

    In a heartbreaking development that has gripped the nation, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt issued a public apology after rescuers were unable to locate a woman whose desperate cries for help were heard beneath the rubble of a collapsed structure in Chatuchak district on April 2. Rescue operations yesterday, April 3, were concentrated in Zone B, where a woman’s voice and…

  • Thailand NewsMiss Tourism Myanmar found dead as quake toll rises

    Miss Tourism Myanmar found dead as quake toll rises

    The body of Miss Tourism Myanmar 2018 was pulled from the rubble of a collapsed condo in Mandalay, Myanmar, as the country continues to reel from the catastrophic earthquake that struck on Friday, March 28. The death toll has now surged to 3,145, with more than 4,600 people injured and over 220 still missing. Rescue operations remain underway in multiple…

  • Phuket NewsTourist sparks outrage in Phuket with fake cash stunt (video)

    Tourist sparks outrage in Phuket with fake cash stunt (video)

    A foreign tourist has come under fire after being caught on video throwing fake dollar bills out of a moving car in Phuket, sparking outrage among locals and reigniting debate over Thailand’s visa exemption policy. The bizarre incident, believed to be a social media stunt, took place along Yaowarat Road in Samkong and quickly went viral. The footage, posted to…

  • Thailand NewsRice and fall: Thai fragrant rice at risk as US tariffs give Vietnam edge

    Rice and fall: Thai fragrant rice at risk as US tariffs give Vietnam edge

    Thailand’s Hom Mali fragrant rice faces a major threat in the US market as new reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US could see the country lose its competitive edge to Vietnam. The Thai Rice Exporters Association has raised concerns after the US imposed a steep 36% tariff on Thai rice, which will push prices up to US$1,400 per tonne from…

  • Thailand NewsIndian PM meets Thaksin to strengthen India-Thailand ties

    Indian PM meets Thaksin to strengthen India-Thailand ties

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a significant meeting with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday, April 3, sparking discussions aimed at strengthening India-Thailand relations in key areas such as defence, trade, and culture. Modi, who was in Thailand for a two-day visit to attend the sixth BIMSTEC summit, described the meeting as a “delight” and praised Thaksin’s vast…

  • Phuket NewsBoT launches debt relief and fraud crackdown in Phuket

    BoT launches debt relief and fraud crackdown in Phuket

    To ease the financial burden on struggling debtors and combat rampant financial fraud, the Bank of Thailand’s Southern Office unveiled a new initiative in Phuket yesterday, April 3. The You Fight, We Help programme aims to provide critical support for citizens and small businesses facing financial difficulties while also tackling the growing issue of financial crime. Thatlap Paoleuangthong, Senior Director…

  • Bangkok NewsEntertainment Complex Bill to be debated in Parliament by April 9

    Entertainment Complex Bill to be debated in Parliament by April 9

    The much-discussed Entertainment Complex Bill is set to be reviewed in Parliament soon, with a likely discussion date of April 9, according to Chief Government Whip Wisut Chainarun. The bill, which was approved by the Cabinet on March 27, is designed to boost Thailand’s economy by diversifying tourism beyond its traditional seasonal peaks. Wisut, a Pheu Thai list-MP, provided an…

  • Thailand NewsPhayao’s 70-million-baht SAO building abandoned

    Phayao’s 70-million-baht SAO building abandoned

    A 70-million-baht government project in Phayao has been left incomplete and abandoned, sparking questions over its delayed construction. The building, intended to house the State Audit Office (SAO), remains unfinished, with no clear explanation for its stalled progress. Located near the provincial immigration office, the once-promising site now sits as an eyesore, with only the third-floor framework partially finished, surrounded…

  • Thailand NewsFuel prices in Thailand to drop by 0.50 baht per litre from April 4

    Fuel prices in Thailand to drop by 0.50 baht per litre from April 4

    Fuel prices will drop today, giving a welcome relief to motorists ahead of the Songkran festival. Starting today, April 4, petrol and diesel prices will decrease by 0.50 baht per litre, thanks to a government initiative aimed at easing the financial burden on citizens travelling home for the traditional Thai New Year celebrations. PTT Station made the announcement yesterday, April…

  • Bangkok NewsThailand offers rent waivers for earthquake-hit tenants

    Thailand offers rent waivers for earthquake-hit tenants

    The Treasury Department has stepped up to support those impacted by the earthquake that struck Thailand on March 28. In an announcement made by Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul, tenants renting state land in earthquake-affected areas are now eligible for rent waivers, providing much-needed relief to those whose properties were damaged in the disaster. This initiative targets tenants of state-owned…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya brawl: Chinese tourists and taxi riders clash over urination

    Pattaya brawl: Chinese tourists and taxi riders clash over urination

    A wild altercation broke out in the heart of Pattaya involving local motorcycle taxi drivers and a group of Chinese tourists. The fracas unfolded in Soi Liap Hat Pattaya 6, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri province, when tempers flared over a dispute that escalated into punches being thrown. According to Police Lieutenant Santhaya Khanthap, Deputy Chief of…

  • Thailand NewsBhumjaithai denies tension with Pheu Thai amid PM’s Buriram visit

    Bhumjaithai denies tension with Pheu Thai amid PM’s Buriram visit

    The Bhumjaithai Party has denied any tensions with coalition leader Pheu Thai, asserting that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s visit to Buriram province, a stronghold of the Bhumjaithai Party, was not politically motivated. Chaichanok Chidchob, the party’s secretary-general, emphasised the coalition’s unity. Newin Chidchob, the party’s co-founder, welcomed the prime minister and guided her around Chang International Circuit without any political…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesSummer storm: Heavy rain and heat to hit 27 provinces in Thailand

    Summer storm: Heavy rain and heat to hit 27 provinces in Thailand

    Thailand is bracing for heavy rain across 27 provinces, with 12 provinces in the south mainly affected. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts rising temperatures, reaching up to 40°C. A weakened high-pressure system over the northeast and the South China Sea is causing temperatures to rise across upper Thailand, leading to generally hot weather. Meanwhile, winds from the south and…

  • Bangkok NewsCash for quakes: Homeowners in Thailand eligible for repair aid

    Cash for quakes: Homeowners in Thailand eligible for repair aid

    Good news for homeowners rattled by last week’s powerful quake—financial relief is on the way. Thai residents whose properties were damaged by the 8.2-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on March 28 can now apply for government compensation of up to 49,500 baht to cover repair costs. Bangkok MP Suphanat Minchaiynunt announced the support package in a Facebook post today, confirming that…

  • Thailand NewsThai PM tours Chang Circuit amid MotoGP, political tensions

    Thai PM tours Chang Circuit amid MotoGP, political tensions

    In a political and sporting crossover, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took a tour of the Chang International Circuit in Buriram today, led by none other than Newin Chidchob, president of the race track and political heavyweight of the Bhumjaithai Party. While the track hosts Thailand’s MotoGP races, it was political tensions and contract concerns that stole the spotlight. The 38…

  • Thailand NewsThai construction materials price index hits 112.8 in March

    Thai construction materials price index hits 112.8 in March

    The March 2025 construction materials price index, as reported by Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director of the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy under the Ministry of Commerce, rose to 112.8. This marks a 0.5% increase compared to March 2024, continuing a 10-month growth trend. The increase is attributed to accelerated government budget disbursements in the first quarter, driving demand for construction…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya gamble: Entertainment complex bets big on tourism boom

    Pattaya gamble: Entertainment complex bets big on tourism boom

    Pattaya is on the brink of a major transformation as plans to introduce a sprawling entertainment complex gain traction, promising a bold boost to tourism and the local economy but not without stirring debate among residents. Yesterday, April 2, Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet revealed that the proposed law for the entertainment complex has already passed Cabinet review and is now…

  • Bangkok NewsPolice dogs bring paws of comfort after SAO building collapse

    Police dogs bring paws of comfort after SAO building collapse

    Police dogs were introduced to provide emotional support to families affected by the Office of the Auditor General’s building collapse on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, opposite Chatuchak Market. Yesterday, April 2, at 3pm, Alongkot Chukaew, deputy director of the National Rescue Dog Organisation, known as K9 USAR Thailand, instructed handlers to prepare their dogs for the mission upon receiving signals…

  • Thailand NewsWoman convicted of keeping Thai women as sex slaves in Australia

    Woman convicted of keeping Thai women as sex slaves in Australia

    In a chilling case of modern slavery, a 63 year old Sydney woman has been found guilty of keeping two Thai women as sex slaves, forcing them into brothels and stripping them of their freedom. Rungnapha Kanbut, herself a Thai national, stood trial last month at the Downing Centre Court on six serious charges, including exercising ownership over a slave…

  • Phuket NewsSea tragedy: Dead dolphin found near Phuket sparks investigation

    Sea tragedy: Dead dolphin found near Phuket sparks investigation

    Locals were left shocked after a dead dolphin was discovered floating just off Koh Sirey, east of Phuket Town, late last night prompting marine biologists to launch an urgent investigation into the cause of death. At around 11pm, yesterday, April 2, rescue workers from the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation were alerted to the scene near Haad Silaphan by residents who spotted…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya tops Songkran travel list again: Agoda

    Pattaya tops Songkran travel list again: Agoda

    Pattaya has done it again, cementing its reputation as the ultimate Thai New Year playground. According to Agoda, the vibrant coastal city topped the charts as the most searched Songkran destination among Thai travellers in 2025. And it’s not just locals who are flocking to the festive hub, international visitors also ranked Pattaya as their second-favourite destination after Bangkok. What…

  • Thailand NewsHigh tide floods Samut Prakan, ONWR warns Bangkok

    High tide floods Samut Prakan, ONWR warns Bangkok

    Thailand’s coastal defences were put to the test this morning as high tides sent floodwaters pouring into parts of Samut Prakan, submerging roads and triggering an urgent warning for Bangkok and four other provinces to brace for more. Flooding struck early along Soi Krathing Daeng in Phra Samut Chedi and in front of a local police station in Ban Khlong…

  • Thailand NewsDSI uncovers evidence to disqualify 30 senators in voting scandal

    DSI uncovers evidence to disqualify 30 senators in voting scandal

    The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is moving forward with a shocking probe that could lead to the disqualification of 30 senators. The DSI has gathered what it claims to be irrefutable evidence pointing to voter collusion during last year’s senatorial elections, including security camera footage showing suspicious peer voting patterns. If the Election Commission (EC) agrees with the DSI’s…

  • Thailand NewsPhetchabun council candidate jailed for drink driving

    Phetchabun council candidate jailed for drink driving

    A local election candidate in Phetchabun province has found himself at the centre of a scandal after reportedly being involved in a shocking five-vehicle collision while allegedly drunk. Chaiwat, a former municipal council member and current candidate for the Bueng Sam Phan subdistrict municipal council election, was arrested after the incident, where he was found to be over the legal…