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 NewsMaya Bay closes for conservation from August | Thaiger

    Maya Bay closes for conservation from August

    Thailand’s famed Maya Bay is off-limits once again, as officials shut it down for two months to let nature breathe after another hectic High Season. The popular tourist magnet, made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach, will be closed along with neighbouring Loh Sama Bay from August 1 to September 30. The temporary closure, announced by the Department…

  • Phuket NewsBig Buddha deadlock: Locals demand justice, abbot stalls | Thaiger

    Big Buddha deadlock: Locals demand justice, abbot stalls

    Phuket’s iconic Big Buddha Viewpoint remains closed nearly a year after a deadly landslide claimed 13 lives, as tensions mount between locals, temple authorities, and government officials over who should take responsibility — and whether the site should reopen at all. The sole legal owner of the land, the Royal Forest Department’s Phuket branch (RFD Phuket), has issued a list…

  • Pattaya NewsAussie man found dead in Pattaya condo double tragedy named | Thaiger

    Aussie man found dead in Pattaya condo double tragedy named

    A bizarre double tragedy has rocked Pattaya after two foreign men were found dead just hours and floors apart in the same condominium. One of the victims, an Australian national, has been named, while the identity of the Swedish man remains undisclosed pending embassy notification. The grim discoveries were made two hours apart on Thursday, July 17, at the Grand…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesThailand braces for another week of heavy rain and strong winds | Thaiger

    Thailand braces for another week of heavy rain and strong winds

    Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall across Thailand, with strong winds expected in the Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand from today to next Thursday. Many regions, including northern, northeastern, central, eastern, and western southern Thailand, are expected to experience significant rainfall due to a monsoon trough and a strong…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya motorbike taxi driver found dead in apartment | Thaiger

    Pattaya motorbike taxi driver found dead in apartment

    Pattaya was rocked by a tragic late-night discovery when a local motorcycle taxi driver was found dead in his apartment, shocking his community and leaving his wife devastated. The grim scene unfolded at 1.06am today, July 18, when the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Unit received a call about a body found in a room at an unnamed apartment block on…

  • Cannabis NewsBrit mum busted in Munich drug sting after Thailand detour | Thaiger

    Brit mum busted in Munich drug sting after Thailand detour

    A British mum has been charged after she was reportedly caught smuggling cannabis from Thailand to Germany, becoming the latest in a troubling wave of young UK nationals caught in overseas weed crackdowns. Cameron Bradford, a 21 year old from Knebworth, Hertfordshire, is facing serious charges in Germany after being arrested at Munich Airport on April 22. Immigration officers declared…

  • Thailand NewsHackers breach Thai Labour Ministry website, data safe | Thaiger

    Hackers breach Thai Labour Ministry website, data safe

    Cyber crooks launched a bold attack on Thailand’s Ministry of Labour website yesterday, replacing the homepage with a brazen “hacked” message — but officials say no sensitive data was compromised. The ministry confirmed that its systems were breached but insisted the core database remained untouched. Permanent Secretary Boonsong Thapchaiyuth assured the public that the digital assault, while serious, caused no…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya mob attack: Bolt driver beaten by gang of 30 | Thaiger

    Pattaya mob attack: Bolt driver beaten by gang of 30

    Pattaya’s nightlife turned violent in the early hours of today when a Bolt driver was viciously attacked by a mob of more than 30 people, leaving tourists and bar staff in shock. The savage assault unfolded at 3.36am today, July 18, along Pattaya Second Road near Soi 10, where police responded to frantic calls about a mass brawl. Officers arrived…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok woman choked by foreigner in 7-Eleven fights for justice (video) | Thaiger

    Bangkok woman choked by foreigner in 7-Eleven fights for justice (video)

    A late-night milk run turned into a nightmare for one Bangkok woman, choked by a stranger in a 7-Eleven, dismissed by police, and left fearing for her safety. But she’s not staying silent. In a harrowing incident that has sparked outrage online, a woman recounted how a quick trip to the 7-Eleven at Fortune Condo Narathiwas ended in a physical…

  • Bangkok NewsVietjet stuns with 0 baht fares on new Bangkok-Kolkata route | Thaiger

    Vietjet stuns with 0 baht fares on new Bangkok-Kolkata route

    Bargain-hunters, brace yourselves—VietJet Thailand is shaking up the skies again, this time with 0 baht fares to India. The budget airline has announced a jaw-dropping promotion to celebrate its brand-new direct route from Bangkok to Kolkata, launching this November. VietJet Thailand CEO Voranate Laprabang revealed that the new route is part of the carrier’s aggressive push to expand its international…

  • Thailand NewsMan drowns after pickup plunges off Nakhon Si Thammarat bridge | Thaiger

    Man drowns after pickup plunges off Nakhon Si Thammarat bridge

    A late-night shortcut turned fatal for one man in Nakhon Si Thammarat, when a routine drive ended in horror as his pickup truck plunged off an unfinished bridge, claiming his life in a freak drowning accident. The tragic incident unfolded around 8.30pm yesterday, July 17, when 51 year old Bamrung’s brown-black Isuzu pickup veered off a construction zone in Village…

  • Thailand NewsThaksin plans to turn Thailand into a tech and aviation powerhouse | Thaiger

    Thaksin plans to turn Thailand into a tech and aviation powerhouse

    Thaksin Shinawatra is back in the spotlight—and he’s thinking big. The former PM has laid out an ambitious strategy to turn Thailand into a regional superhub for aviation, electric vehicles (EV), and green-powered data centres, in what he calls a “golden opportunity” for national transformation. In his recent public statement, Thaksin said Thailand is geographically primed to become ASEAN’s premier…

  • Thailand NewsThailand hit by mental health spike and baby bust | Thaiger

    Thailand hit by mental health spike and baby bust

    Thailand’s facing a double dose of trouble—more people are battling mental health issues than ever before, while fewer babies are being born. Experts say it’s a social time bomb. The newly released Thai Health Report 2025, launched yesterday, July 17, by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and Mahidol University, paints a worrying picture of the nation’s emotional and demographic…

  • Thailand NewsTonnes of toxic beef haul uncovered in Pathum Thani | Thaiger

    Tonnes of toxic beef haul uncovered in Pathum Thani

    More than 41 tonnes of dodgy beef and organ meat—allegedly soaked in toxic formalin—have been seized from a cold storage warehouse in Pathum Thani, sparking fears over contaminated food in Bangkok’s markets. Acting on a tip-off, officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), in coordination with officials from the Livestock Development Department, raided a sprawling cold storage facility covering…

  • Thailand NewsPaetongtarn vows Buddhism reboot after monk scandals | Thaiger

    Paetongtarn vows Buddhism reboot after monk scandals

    After a string of monk scandals that has left Thailand reeling, Culture Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stepped into the spotlight, promising a bold revamp to rescue the tarnished image of Buddhism. In a public statement on social media, Paetongtarn, who also heads the ruling Pheu Thai Party, declared her mission to restore public confidence in the country’s dominant religion, warning that…

  • Thailand NewsContractor kills knife-wielding man in Trang shootout | Thaiger

    Contractor kills knife-wielding man in Trang shootout

    A knife-wielding man was shot dead in broad daylight on a village road in Trang province, after reportedly terrorising locals in a drug-fuelled outburst. The gunman was identified as a local contractor who claimed he was acting in self-defence. The incident unfolded yesterday, July 17, in Huai Yot district, when 40 year old Pathompong, a contractor, fatally shot 32 year…

  • Bangkok NewsChadchart warns 20 baht train plan could spark lawsuits | Thaiger

    Chadchart warns 20 baht train plan could spark lawsuits

    A feel-good fare cut could turn into a legal nightmare. Bangkok’s 20 baht train policy is under fire, again, not for what it promises passengers, but for what it could cost the city in court. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt urged the government to clarify its compensation plan under the second phase of the 20 baht maximum electric train fare policy.…

  • Thailand NewsLove feud sparks gunfight at Phatthalung sports event | Thaiger

    Love feud sparks gunfight at Phatthalung sports event

    What was meant to be a night of community celebration turned into a battleground, as a simmering love feud exploded in gunfire at a district sports event in the southern province of Phatthalung, leaving two teenagers fighting for their lives. Yesterday, July 17, officers from Pa Phayom Police Station responded to an emergency call reporting a shooting at the annual…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok spa inferno guts building in early morning blaze | Thaiger

    Bangkok spa inferno guts building in early morning blaze

    Flames ripped through a Bangkok spa at dawn today, sending thick black smoke billowing into the skies above Siam Square and gutting parts of a four-storey building. At 6.40am today, July 18, the 199 emergency hotline received a report of a fire raging at a commercial property on Siam Square Soi 3, off Rama I Road in Pathum Wan district.…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesHeavy rainfall and strong winds sweep Thailand amidst storm | Thaiger

    Heavy rainfall and strong winds sweep Thailand amidst storm

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across Thailand, with strong winds expected in the upper Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand in the coming week starting tomorrow. This announcement coincides with Tropical Storm Vipa intensifying. The alert, announced today, July 18, highlights that numerous areas of Thailand are expected…

  • Thailand NewsThailand pushes China to fast-track fruit and rice exports | Thaiger

    Thailand pushes China to fast-track fruit and rice exports

    Thailand is turning up the heat on China to help fast-track its tastiest exports—from sweet tamarinds to juicy pomelos—in a high-stakes trade push aimed at cracking the world’s biggest consumer market. The Ministry of Commerce is pulling out all the stops to promote Thailand’s prized Geographical Indication (GI) products in China, urging Beijing’s top trade agency to speed up the…

  • Pattaya NewsRussian teen busted for Pattaya pier graffiti | Thaiger

    Russian teen busted for Pattaya pier graffiti

    A 16 year old Russian boy has been caught red-handed after launching a midnight graffiti attack on Pattaya’s iconic Bali Hai Pier Overpass. In the early hours of today, July 17, Pattaya City’s Special Affairs Unit swooped in on the teen, identified only as Dobrynia, as he vandalised the structure with spray paint. The sharp-eyed officer spotted the youth in…

  • Thailand NewsNBTC to revise mobile tariffs, cheaper packages under 240 baht | Thaiger

    NBTC to revise mobile tariffs, cheaper packages under 240 baht

    The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is revising mobile phone tariffs, encouraging operators to introduce cheaper Blue Flag Packages from the current cap of 240 baht per month. Yesterday, July 16, acting Secretary-General of the NBTC Trairat Viriyasirikul announced that today’s NBTC meeting covered a total of 86 agenda items, with 25 items reviewed. These included business operation permits,…

  • Hua Hin NewsBoom in the bin: Hua Hin rocked by live grenade and C4 find | Thaiger

    Boom in the bin: Hua Hin rocked by live grenade and C4 find

    Rubbish collectors got more than they bargained for when a pile of deadly military explosives was discovered beside a bin in Hua Hin, sparking a full-scale bomb squad operation and a police investigation that’s now gripping the quiet coastal town. At around 11.30am yesterday, July 16, police were alerted by a concerned resident who spotted a suspicious object dumped next…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket governor wins top honour for anti-drug crusade | Thaiger

    Phuket governor wins top honour for anti-drug crusade

    Phuket’s top official just bagged a royal seal of approval—and a national spotlight—for leading the fight against drugs. Governor Sophon Suwannarat has been crowned with the coveted Outstanding Governor award for his role in championing the To be Number One campaign, a youth-focused anti-drug initiative that’s making waves across Thailand. The award was handed out during the star-studded To be Number…

  • Thailand NewsUbon manhunt after machete attack leaves girl, 4, blind | Thaiger

    Ubon manhunt after machete attack leaves girl, 4, blind

    Police in Det Udom district announced a manhunt for a suspect involved in the attack on a four year old girl, which left her blind. The suspect has a criminal record with over 10 drug-related cases. The incident occurred on June 28 in Ubon Ratchathani province. Ekaphop Luangprasert, the owner of the Saimai Must Survive Facebook page, visited Ubon Ratchathani…

  • Thailand NewsChai Nat woman wins big with 30 million baht lottery jackpot | Thaiger

    Chai Nat woman wins big with 30 million baht lottery jackpot

    A woman from Chai Nat is laughing all the way to the bank after scooping a jaw-dropping 30 million baht in the latest government lottery draw—thanks to five winning tickets that turned her into a multi-millionaire overnight. The lucky draw took place yesterday, July 16, revealing the first prize number as 245324, with the two-digit suffix 26. Among the nation’s…

  • Thailand NewsFamily scoops 6 million baht jackpot in Thai lottery | Thaiger

    Family scoops 6 million baht jackpot in Thai lottery

    The tranquil village of Ban Yang Noi in Surin province erupted in joyous celebration as news broke of a staggering 6 million baht lottery win that has forever altered the destiny of Ta Noi and Yai Phon and their loved ones. The air was thick with anticipation yesterday, July 16, as families across Thailand tuned in for the much-awaited government…

  • Phuket NewsUAE island fever: Phuket and Madagascar top wishlist | Thaiger

    UAE island fever: Phuket and Madagascar top wishlist

    Island fever is sweeping the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with travellers trading city breaks for sun-soaked escapes like Phuket. Expedia’s 2025 Island Hot List reveals a 30% global spike in demand for tropical getaways, and UAE holidaymakers are leading the charge, craving culture-packed, nature-filled trips that go beyond beach loungers and cocktails. According to Expedia’s latest insights, UAE travellers are…

  • Bangkok NewsAirAsia spreads its wings with new Bangkok–Hai Phong route | Thaiger

    AirAsia spreads its wings with new Bangkok–Hai Phong route

    AirAsia has officially launched its brand-new direct route between Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport and the northern Vietnamese city of Hai Phong, offering four flights a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. To mark the inaugural journey, vibrant welcome events were held at both Don Mueang and Hai Phong International Airport, with excited passengers greeted by celebratory activities and…