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.
  • Pattaya NewsChon Buri duo nabbed in midnight aluminium theft | Thaiger

    Chon Buri duo nabbed in midnight aluminium theft

    Two desperate men armed with hammers and a beat-up motorbike were caught red-handed slicing aluminium in a Chon Buri backstreet—fuelled by poverty and the urge to feed their families. In the early hours of yesterday, July 11, Bang Lamung Police Station officers swooped on a quiet lane near Soi Sukhumvit-Pattaya 79 after concerned residents reported suspicious activity. Led by Police…

  • Thailand NewsThai Airways taps ECS group for Swiss cargo takeover | Thaiger

    Thai Airways taps ECS group for Swiss cargo takeover

    Thai Airways is gearing up for a major cargo push in Europe, handing the reins of its Swiss freight operations to Globe Air Cargo in a move set to shake up the market. Globe Air Cargo Switzerland, a subsidiary of the logistics heavyweight ECS Group, has secured an exclusive deal to become the general sales and service agent (GSSA) for…

  • Thailand NewsThai student numbers plummet in Korea as foreign arrivals surge | Thaiger

    Thai student numbers plummet in Korea as foreign arrivals surge

    In a surprising twist to South Korea’s booming foreign arrivals, the number of Thai students and trainees has nosedived—raising eyebrows as other nationalities flock in record numbers. New figures from Statistics Korea have revealed that in 2024, only 21,000 Thai nationals entered South Korea on student and training visas, a steep 40% drop from the previous year. This decline bucks…

  • Pattaya NewsWild Pattaya club busted: Drugs, violence and shutdown threat (video) | Thaiger

    Wild Pattaya club busted: Drugs, violence and shutdown threat (video)

    A notorious Pattaya nightclub was stormed at dawn after authorities finally lost patience with its cocktail of drug use, violent brawls, and brazen disregard for the law. Yesterday, July 11 at 4am, a large team of officers swooped on 86 Club, a hotspot on Soi Bongkot, following a wave of complaints and a shocking street brawl that left locals terrified.…

  • Phuket NewsDrug-fuelled horror: Man slashes own throat in Phuket meltdown | Thaiger

    Drug-fuelled horror: Man slashes own throat in Phuket meltdown

    A Phuket man is fighting for his life after he slit his own throat in a terrifying episode believed to be triggered by a drug-induced hallucination—leaving his family too traumatised to visit him in hospital. Thalang Police confirmed that emergency services rushed to a shed near Wat Manik, in Village 7, Srisoonthorn, at about 1.30pm on Thursday, July 10, following…

  • Thailand NewsTeen motorcyclist dies in crash with truck near Bangkok University | Thaiger

    Teen motorcyclist dies in crash with truck near Bangkok University

    A 17 year old motorcyclist collided with a 10-wheel truck, resulting in his death on Phahonyothin Road’s inbound express lane near Bangkok University, Pathum Thani province. The incident, which occurred at 2am today, July 12, also left four others injured, including two good Samaritans. Police Lieutenant Anusorn Wiangsima, deputy inspector of Khlong Luang Police Station, responded to the multi-vehicle collision.…

  • Pattaya NewsTeen biker caught with homemade gun in Pattaya gang bust | Thaiger

    Teen biker caught with homemade gun in Pattaya gang bust

    A late-night gathering turned into a high-stakes bust when Pattaya police swooped on a park full of youths—only to discover one teenager armed to the teeth and ready for a gang clash. At around 3am today, July 12, Pattaya City Police received urgent reports from worried residents about a large group of young people causing a commotion near the Meteorological…

  • Thailand NewsWoman caught red-handed with 600 meth pills in Phang Nga | Thaiger

    Woman caught red-handed with 600 meth pills in Phang Nga

    Police in Phang Nga have arrested a 33 year old woman who tried to hide a huge haul of methamphetamine pills along a quiet road in Takua Thung district. The bust unfolded at 1.50pm on Wednesday, July 9, when officers from the Special Operations Division of Provincial Police Region 8 swooped in as the suspect attempted to conceal the drugs.…

  • Thailand NewsCambodian activist seeks Thai asylum after criticising government | Thaiger

    Cambodian activist seeks Thai asylum after criticising government

    A 37 year old Cambodian activist has sought refuge in Thailand, fearing for his safety after criticising the Cambodian government and military. Em Piseth, leader of the Cambodian International Youth Network in Thailand, is being pursued by Cambodian police following a social media video mocking soldiers. The video, drawing on information from a former soldier and associate, suggested that troops…

  • Thailand NewsLong-lost ‘Forest sea star’ plant stuns scientists in Thailand | Thaiger

    Long-lost ‘Forest sea star’ plant stuns scientists in Thailand

    A rare plant thought to have vanished from the face of the Earth has emerged like a botanical ghost, shocking scientists with its return after more than a century in hiding deep within Thailand’s rainforests. Botanists worldwide are celebrating the extraordinary rediscovery of Heterostemma brownii Hayata, also known as the Forest Sea Star. Part of the milkweed family (Apocynaceae), this…

  • Thailand NewsHome lottery bonanza: 5,000 cheap Thai homes up for grabs | Thaiger

    Home lottery bonanza: 5,000 cheap Thai homes up for grabs

    The Ministry of Transport has announced plans to launch a lottery system to allocate the first phase of 5,000 affordable housing units under the ambitious Home for Thais scheme. If approved, the project will see residents moving into their new homes by late 2026. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote revealed that following the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding…

  • Thailand NewsThai retiree scammed of 50k baht in fake luxury watch auction | Thaiger

    Thai retiree scammed of 50k baht in fake luxury watch auction

    A 65 year old retiree fell victim to a scam after participating in an online auction for a luxury watch, resulting in a loss of nearly 50,000 baht. Police are now preparing to summon the account holder involved for questioning. Nitikarn reported the incident to the Pak Kret District Police Station in Nonthaburi province yesterday, July 10. He recounted being…

  • Bangkok NewsBank of Thailand dismisses deflation fears despite low inflation | Thaiger

    Bank of Thailand dismisses deflation fears despite low inflation

    Economists are increasingly concerned about potential deflationary trends but the Bank of Thailand (BoT) asserts there are no definitive signs of deflation despite ongoing low inflation. At a monetary policy forum on Wednesday, July 9, Surach Tanboon, senior director of the central bank’s monetary policy department, stated that the bank has not identified any signals of deflation, although inflation remains subdued.…

  • Thailand NewsIllegal logging racket busted in South Thailand | Thaiger

    Illegal logging racket busted in South Thailand

    Underwater rescue teams from the Rom Sai Rescue Foundation in Satun province uncovered an illegal logging operation yesterday. Acting on a tip-off, they discovered submerged timber in Ban Thung Mai, Nam Phut subdistrict, La-ngu district, strategically hidden to evade detection. Although only remnants of the timber were found, the concealment was sophisticated. Previously, officials were alerted to illegal logging in…

  • Thailand NewsUdon Thani woman scammed by fake dentist out of 1 million baht | Thaiger

    Udon Thani woman scammed by fake dentist out of 1 million baht

    A 34 year old woman from a veterinary hospital in Udon Thani has fallen victim to a scam, losing nearly 1 million baht. The fraudster posed as a charming dentist, luring her into investing in luxury goods through an app. Initially engaging in friendly conversation, the scammer eventually persuaded her to invest, resulting in a loss of 849,500 baht. Anna…

  • Thailand NewsMelioidosis kills 72: Thai health ministry issues urgent warning | Thaiger

    Melioidosis kills 72: Thai health ministry issues urgent warning

    The Ministry of Public Health has issued a warning about the melioidosis disease, which has resulted in 72 deaths and 1,676 infections. The disease can be contracted through contact with contaminated soil or water, or even by inhaling contaminated dust. It is advised to avoid wading through water or mud and to consume only cooked food. If symptoms develop, medical…

  • Thailand NewsHalf-Half travel scheme rebooted: Snag your subsidies fast | Thaiger

    Half-Half travel scheme rebooted: Snag your subsidies fast

    After days of online chaos, Thailand’s travel subsidies are finally back on track, with the Tourism Authority promising smooth sailing for millions hungry to snap up cut-price getaways. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced yesterday, July 10, that it has resolved technical glitches plaguing the online registration for the Half-Half Thai Travel programme, paving the way for registration to…

  • Thailand NewsWild elephants forage for food, wreak havoc in Prachin Buri | Thaiger

    Wild elephants forage for food, wreak havoc in Prachin Buri

    A group of five wild elephants, including a mother and calf, from Thap Lan National Park, invaded a worker’s home late at night, causing significant damage as they searched for food. The incident, which marks the sixth consecutive day the elephants have roamed outside the park, occurred yesterday, July 10, in Prachin Buri province. The elephants, part of a herd…

  • Koh Samui NewsKoh Samui thief nailed by GPS hidden in stolen fan | Thaiger

    Koh Samui thief nailed by GPS hidden in stolen fan

    A brazen thief on Koh Samui thought he could get away with snatching a fan under the cover of darkness—until a hidden GPS tracker led police straight to his door. Police in Koh Samui, Surat Thani province, arrested a man after a stolen fan equipped with a GPS device exposed his hiding place in a labour camp. The drama unfolded…

  • Thailand NewsUS picks ex-lawyer with Asian ties as new Thailand envoy | Thaiger

    US picks ex-lawyer with Asian ties as new Thailand envoy

    Washington has tapped a veteran Foreign Service officer and former Wall Street lawyer to take the reins as the next US ambassador to Thailand, if the Senate gives the green light. The White House nominated Sean Kotaro O’Neill to succeed Robert F Godec as the United States Ambassador to Thailand, ending months of speculation over who would fill the critical…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesThailand deluge: TMD warns of heavy rainfall and flash floods | Thaiger

    Thailand deluge: TMD warns of heavy rainfall and flash floods

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, predicting heavy rainfall in 41 provinces across Thailand, with some areas experiencing intense downpours covering 70% of the region. Eight provinces have been specifically cautioned to be on alert for flash floods and rapid water flow due to accumulated rainfall. These provinces include Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae,…

  • Thailand NewsElderly poacher busted in West Thailand national park raid | Thaiger

    Elderly poacher busted in West Thailand national park raid

    Khao Laem National Park rangers collared an elderly poaching suspect armed to the teeth in a hidden forest hideout, highlighting Thailand’s ongoing battle against illegal wildlife hunting. Around 11am yesterday, July 8, rangers patrolling a remote area of the park stumbled upon a longtail boat tied up along a forest stream. With no one in sight, they grew suspicious and…

  • Thailand NewsNew regulations for ride-hailing services in Thailand announced | Thaiger

    New regulations for ride-hailing services in Thailand announced

    The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) announced new regulations for ride-hailing service providers. Drivers using such platforms must register their vehicles as public transport and possess a public transport driving licence. These new rules will be enforced 90 days following the announcement today, July 9. The Royal Gazette has published the ETDA’s announcement, specifying that digital platform services for public…

  • Bangkok NewsCasino clash: Paetongtarn blasts Anutin for twisting Xi’s words | Thaiger

    Casino clash: Paetongtarn blasts Anutin for twisting Xi’s words

    Thailand’s suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra fired back at Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, accusing him of distorting Chinese President Xi Jinping’s views on Thailand’s controversial casino policy. Speaking in her capacity as culture minister, Paetongtarn took aim at Anutin’s claim that President Xi had voiced strong objections to Thailand’s plans for entertainment complexes that include casinos. “Xi offered various…

  • Thailand NewsStudent scammed: Fake landlord steals rent in Thai Facebook con | Thaiger

    Student scammed: Fake landlord steals rent in Thai Facebook con

    An engineering student’s quest for affordable housing ended in heartbreak after he was duped into paying rent on a property he wasn’t allowed to enter. Siwakorn turned up at Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station this week clutching evidence of a slick rental scam that cost him every baht he had saved for accommodation. “I just wanted to save money on rent,”…

  • Phuket NewsMeth-fuelled mayhem: Thai cops nab drugged driver on Patong Hill | Thaiger

    Meth-fuelled mayhem: Thai cops nab drugged driver on Patong Hill

    Patong police swooped late last night to arrest a Thai man who was not only high behind the wheel but also carrying methamphetamine on Phuket’s notorious Patong Hill. The dramatic arrest unfolded at around 1.30am today, July 9, at the Patong Hill intersection on Phra Metta Road, a busy route popular with late-night revellers. Under orders from Police Colonel Chalermchai…

  • Thailand NewsFoul play: Buriram village choked by giant chicken farm nightmare | Thaiger

    Foul play: Buriram village choked by giant chicken farm nightmare

    A once-tranquil village in Buriram has been plunged into misery as a sprawling chicken farm turns daily life into a living hell. Residents of Ban Khok Wan, in Nang Rong district, say their community is overwhelmed by noxious odours, swarms of flies, and the constant roar of heavy trucks thundering through the night. Today, July 9, locals and members of…

  • Phuket NewsWave of caution: Patong stages tsunami drill to save lives | Thaiger

    Wave of caution: Patong stages tsunami drill to save lives

    Patong is set to go into full emergency mode this month, as officials prepare to evacuate the town in a massive tsunami drill that could one day mean the difference between life and death. Patong Mayor Lalita Maneesri announced the ambitious exercise yesterday, July 8, during a high-level meeting at the Patong Municipality Office. “The safety of everyone in Patong—residents,…

  • Bangkok NewsFermented fury: Barefoot pensioner splashes Hun Sen portrait | Thaiger

    Fermented fury: Barefoot pensioner splashes Hun Sen portrait

    Bangkok commuters were treated to a bizarre spectacle on Monday, July 7, when a barefoot pensioner splashed fermented fish sauce over a portrait of Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, earning himself a small fine and a lot of attention. Retired tennis coach 69 year old Thewa Sritawan set out from his home in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi province, before dawn, carrying…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s quiet bond with South Sudan takes off | Thaiger

    Thailand’s quiet bond with South Sudan takes off

    Thailand has been quietly deepening its ties with Africa’s youngest nation, South Sudan, blending trade, peacekeeping, and even a dash of royal philosophy. Although diplomatic relations between the two countries remain limited—largely because South Sudan only gained independence in 2011—recent developments show that Thailand sees real opportunity in this far-flung relationship. The first formal step came on December 5, 2013,…