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 NewsLandmine blast injures 3 soldiers near Thai-Cambodian border | Thaiger

    Landmine blast injures 3 soldiers near Thai-Cambodian border

    A border patrol mission turned into a nightmare after three Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine blast in a former conflict zone near Hill 481 in the Chong Bok area in Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani province. Military sources say the men are lucky to be alive. At around 8pm yesterday, July 16, Lieutenant General Boonsin Phadklang, Commander of the…

  • Bangkok NewsTuk tuk blitz nets 800 drivers in Bangkok mall clampdown | Thaiger

    Tuk tuk blitz nets 800 drivers in Bangkok mall clampdown

    More than 800 tuk tuk drivers have been busted for clogging traffic outside Bangkok’s busiest malls in just the first half of July, as police ramp up efforts to clear key roads of the iconic but unruly three-wheeled rides. Police Colonel Sirichat Chanpromma of Pathumwan Police Station confirmed that from July 1 to 15, a staggering 824 tuk tuks were…

  • Thailand NewsState Railway of Thailand ticket system shutdown for upgrades | Thaiger

    State Railway of Thailand ticket system shutdown for upgrades

    The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced a temporary shutdown of its ticketing and seat reservation system, known as D-Ticket, which was scheduled for today from 12.30am to 1.30am. This maintenance aimed to enhance service efficiency. The SRT has apologised for any inconvenience caused by this temporary suspension. The system underwent improvements to further develop its capabilities today, July 17,…

  • Thailand NewsElectricity rates review set as Thailand aims to cap prices | Thaiger

    Electricity rates review set as Thailand aims to cap prices

    The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will gather public input on the new electricity rate for the upcoming September to December period, the last quarter of this year. This initiative, scheduled for today, aims to ensure electricity prices align with government policies. Yesterday, July 16, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy Prasert Sinsukprasert announced that the ERC will open discussions…

  • Thailand NewsRed flags at the border: Thai senator calls for crackdown committee | Thaiger

    Red flags at the border: Thai senator calls for crackdown committee

    Thailand’s border tensions are escalating, and Senator Sawat Thatsana is calling for urgent action. Citing increased incursions, unresolved territorial disputes, and rising unrest in the Deep South, he is urging the Senate to establish a special committee to address the growing security crisis, strengthen cross-border relations, and safeguard long-term peace. Speaking yesterday, July 16, Senator Sawat pointed to several flashpoints…

  • HealthThai health officials warn against dangerous kids’ pimple popper toy | Thaiger

    Thai health officials warn against dangerous kids’ pimple popper toy

    The Department of Health (DoH) has initiated a campaign to protect children from dangerous toys, including a new item dubbed the “pimple popper.” The campaign was introduced at the department’s Data Centre with participation from the Royal College of Paediatricians of Thailand, the Child Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Centre, and the Foundation for Consumers. Director General Amporn Benjapolpitak expressed…

  • Chiang Mai NewsChiang Mai tops Asia’s best cities as Bangkok grabs 3rd place | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai tops Asia’s best cities as Bangkok grabs 3rd place

    Thailand has cemented its status as a tourism heavyweight after Chiang Mai was officially crowned Asia’s best city for 2025, leaving travel-hungry globetrotters buzzing with excitement. The prestigious ranking, released by Travel + Leisure, placed Chiang Mai at the very top of its coveted list, scoring a remarkable 91.94 out of 100. Bangkok wasn’t far behind, clinching third place with…

  • Phuket NewsFight for the future: Phuket steps up Muay Thai game with training blitz | Thaiger

    Fight for the future: Phuket steps up Muay Thai game with training blitz

    Phuket kicked off a major push to raise the bar in Thailand’s most iconic martial art, as dozens of aspiring coaches began intensive training to earn their official Muay Thai credentials. Today, July 16, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) held the opening ceremony for the C-License Muay Thai Coach Training Project at the Bukitta Boutique Hotel in Phuket. The…

  • Bangkok NewsThaksin to hear lese majeste ruling on exile anniversary | Thaiger

    Thaksin to hear lese majeste ruling on exile anniversary

    All eyes are on Thailand’s Criminal Court as it prepares to deliver a high-stakes verdict in the lese majeste case against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra—a decision that could reignite political tensions across the country. Today, July 16, Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chartmontree, announced that the court had scheduled August 22 as the date for the ruling. Fittingly, the decision will…

  • Thailand NewsThailand fights back as Myanmar pollution threatens health crisis | Thaiger

    Thailand fights back as Myanmar pollution threatens health crisis

    Thailand has launched an urgent crackdown on toxic cross-border pollution after dangerous levels of heavy metals were detected flowing into northern rivers from Myanmar, sparking fears of a looming health and environmental disaster. Yesterday, July 15, the Cabinet officially endorsed recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to protect communities along the Kok and Sai rivers, where contamination has…

  • Bangkok News20-baht Bangkok train fare sparks clash over big business perks | Thaiger

    20-baht Bangkok train fare sparks clash over big business perks

    Thailand’s transport boss has come out swinging against claims that the government’s 20-baht flat fare scheme is just a handout for big business, insisting it’s about easing the financial pain of ordinary commuters, not lining investors’ pockets. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit dismissed accusations from the main opposition People’s Party (PP), which alleged the low-fare policy is…

  • Thailand NewsTopless Thai transwoman busted for beach stunt in Sri Lanka | Thaiger

    Topless Thai transwoman busted for beach stunt in Sri Lanka

    A Thai transwoman has been slapped with a suspended prison sentence after strutting topless down a popular Sri Lankan surf strip, sparking outrage among conservative locals. The 26 year old tourist was arrested on Monday, July 14, in Arugam Bay, a laid-back beach resort nearly 400 kilometres from Colombo, after social media videos showed her strolling along the sand bare-chested.…

  • Thailand NewsThailand plots digital baht revolution to lure big-spending tourists | Thaiger

    Thailand plots digital baht revolution to lure big-spending tourists

    Thailand is taking a bold leap to cash in on the crypto craze, with regulators unveiling plans to let foreign tourists spend their digital coins directly on everything from street food to luxury hotels. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in partnership with the Bank of Thailand (BoT), announced a groundbreaking crypto sandbox programme designed to boost tourism and inject…

  • Thailand NewsThai clinics exposed in massive gold card fraud scandal | Thaiger

    Thai clinics exposed in massive gold card fraud scandal

    A major healthcare scandal is rocking Thailand as the Ministry of Public Health cracks down on 16 clinics accused of defrauding the country’s universal health scheme out of nearly 30 million baht. Yesterday, July 15, Thanakrit Chitareerat, Secretary to the Minister of Public Health, revealed he had personally inspected several clinics in Sakhon Nakhon’s Song Dao district as part of…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok’s ‘Thai Hot Guys’ restaurant to shut doors after 9 years (video) | Thaiger

    Bangkok’s ‘Thai Hot Guys’ restaurant to shut doors after 9 years (video)

    Bangkok’s most flamboyant seafood joint—famous for its cross-dressing, muscle-bound waiters—will soon sashay off into history. Staneemeehoi, the legendary venue where diners were serenaded by dancing “Thai Hot Guys” in silky pyjamas and crop tops, has announced it will close on July 31 after nearly a decade of saucy performances. The closure comes as the restaurant’s lease at Hua Mum Night…

  • Phuket NewsMentally ill man nabbed after bag theft at Phuket hospital | Thaiger

    Mentally ill man nabbed after bag theft at Phuket hospital

    Chaos erupted at Vachira Phuket Hospital yesterday when a man suffering from mental illness allegedly snatched a nurse’s shoulder bag and bolted, sparking a frantic search across the city. The incident unfolded around 3pm yesterday, July 15, inside the outpatient examination room on the hospital’s third floor. Witnesses reported seeing the suspect grab the bag before sprinting out of the…

  • Bangkok NewsFake AMLO boss gang busted in Bangkok for scamming student | Thaiger

    Fake AMLO boss gang busted in Bangkok for scamming student

    Police in Bangkok have dismantled a criminal gang posing as a fake director of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), who deceived a postgraduate student into losing hundreds of thousands of baht. The group, notorious for its call centre scams, was apprehended at a popular shopping mall in the Bang Na area yesterday, July 15. The operation was led by Police…

  • Thailand NewsLottery fever grips Kham Chanod as lucky numbers vanish | Thaiger

    Lottery fever grips Kham Chanod as lucky numbers vanish

    Hopeful punters have swarmed Udon Thani’s mystical Kham Chanod Island, desperately trying to snag elusive lucky numbers before the lottery draw today. Yesterday, July 15, hundreds of visitors descended on the sacred home of Phaya Naga, where believers flock to seek blessings from Pu Sri Sutho and Mae Ya Sri Pratumma. Despite a noticeable drop in foot traffic this year,…

  • Chiang Mai NewsChiang Mai University warns of deadly brain-eating disease | Thaiger

    Chiang Mai University warns of deadly brain-eating disease

    The Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University warns of the silent threat posed by the brain-eating amoeba found in natural water sources, urging caution even with seemingly clean water. Yesterday, July 15, the official page of the Chiang Mai University Faculty of Medicine published an article highlighting the dangers of Naegleria fowleri, a single-celled parasite that can cause fatal…

  • Thailand NewsThai travel subsidy fiasco triggers backlash | Thaiger

    Thai travel subsidy fiasco triggers backlash

    Thailand’s flagship tourism stimulus project has spiralled into disarray, sparking fury among hotel operators and senators alike as delays drag on with no end in sight. The Senate Committee on Tourism and Sports is now demanding answers from Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong over the botched rollout of the much-touted Half-Half Thai Travel scheme. Senate Committee Chairperson Phisut Rattanawong…

  • Thailand NewsRTA ready to fence Ta Muen Thom temple amid tensions | Thaiger

    RTA ready to fence Ta Muen Thom temple amid tensions

    The commander of Thailand’s 2nd Army Region has declared the military’s readiness to erect a fence around the disputed Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province if the government and the Department of Fine Arts give the green light. Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang confirmed that, despite the simmering dispute, stability currently prevails along the border. He noted that while local…

  • Thailand NewsAnutin dismisses Khao Kradong land dispute investigation | Thaiger

    Anutin dismisses Khao Kradong land dispute investigation

    Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul dismissed a renewed investigation into the Khao Kradong land dispute in Buriram, asserting that all actions taken during his tenure as interior minister were lawful. The dispute involves land claimed by both the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and private individuals linked to Bhumjaithai. In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the SRT,…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok launches waste separation campaign with fee discounts | Thaiger

    Bangkok launches waste separation campaign with fee discounts

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched a new waste-separation campaign named This House Doesn’t Mix Waste. This initiative encourages city residents to sort their waste correctly in exchange for discounts on trash collection fees. Registration for the campaign starts on August 1, with the official rollout scheduled for October. The programme involves collaboration with the private sector and offers…

  • Thailand NewsThai ministers deny US bid for Phang Nga navy base (video) | Thaiger

    Thai ministers deny US bid for Phang Nga navy base (video)

    Top Thai ministers have slammed swirling rumours that the United States tried to swap tariff perks for military access to a strategic naval base on the Andaman coast, calling the claims baseless and speculative. Three senior Cabinet ministers today firmly denied a report suggesting the US had demanded use of Thailand’s Phang Nga naval base during recent tariff negotiations. Deputy…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket bust: Dealer caught with meth in sea gypsy village | Thaiger

    Phuket bust: Dealer caught with meth in sea gypsy village

    A late-night raid in Phuket’s Rawai Sea Gypsy Village landed a 22 year old in handcuffs after security officers uncovered a stash of crystal methamphetamine and pills hidden along a narrow walkway. Yesterday, July 14, Phuket police swooped to arrest Sompop, also known as Oh, a young man from Rawai subdistrict, on charges of dealing and possessing illegal drugs. The operation…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok sinking: City could be underwater by 2030 | Thaiger

    Bangkok sinking: City could be underwater by 2030

    Bangkok, already notorious for choking traffic and fierce floods, is now staring down an even grimmer fate—sinking beneath the sea within the next decade if climate change and unchecked development continue unabated. Recent studies have singled out Bangkok alongside Jakarta as two of Southeast Asia’s fastest-sinking cities. According to The Guardian, Bangkok is subsiding by over one centimetre a year…

  • Thailand NewsThailand shelves tourist tax plan over fears of deterring visitors | Thaiger

    Thailand shelves tourist tax plan over fears of deterring visitors

    Thailand’s controversial 300-baht entry fee for foreign tourists has been kicked down the road yet again, with officials admitting that sluggish demand and global uncertainty make this the wrong moment to squeeze travellers’ wallets. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced that the long-discussed Travel Fee—dubbed the Kha Yeap Pan Din, meaning “stepping onto Thai soil”—will not be enforced…

  • Thailand NewsCambodia accused of claiming Thailand’s royal literary treasures | Thaiger

    Cambodia accused of claiming Thailand’s royal literary treasures

    A storm is brewing between Thailand and Cambodia after claims emerged online that 22 classic Thai literary works have been quietly registered as Cambodian cultural heritage with UNESCO, sparking outrage over what critics are calling a brazen cultural grab. Social media erupted this week when reports circulated alleging that Cambodia had listed dozens of Thai literary masterpieces—many composed by Thai…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket declared nearly rabies-free thanks to Soi Dog | Thaiger

    Phuket declared nearly rabies-free thanks to Soi Dog

    In a remarkable triumph for animal welfare and public health, Phuket has emerged as one of the safest destinations in Southeast Asia for pet-loving tourists, thanks to a relentless campaign that has driven rabies risk down to almost zero. Southeast Asia’s largest dog and cat charity, Soi Dog Foundation, announced this week that the island has recorded only one human…

  • Bangkok NewsSticker shock: Thai food prices soar 106% as wages lag behind | Thaiger

    Sticker shock: Thai food prices soar 106% as wages lag behind

    Eating out in Bangkok is becoming a luxury few can afford, with research revealing Thai food prices have more than doubled in just over a decade, while wages have barely kept pace. A new study by the Agency for Real Estate Affairs (AREA) has revealed that the cost of food in Thailand has skyrocketed by 106.5% over the past 13…