Samantha Rose

Samantha was a successful freelance journalist who worked with international news organisations before joining Thaiger. With a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from London, her global perspective on news and current affairs is influenced by her days in the UK, Singapore, and across Thailand. She now covers general stories related to Thailand.
  • Thailand NewsDebt dispute drives Thai woman to fatal self-immolation with niece

    Debt dispute drives Thai woman to fatal self-immolation with niece

    Tragedy struck yesterday when a 66 year old woman and her 14 year old disabled niece were found dead after self-immolation (the act of setting fire to oneself) in a remote area of Chumphon Province, Thailand. The harrowing incident was reported to the police by local authorities, prompting an immediate investigation by officers from Na Sak Police Station, alongside forensic…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok Grab driver earns 2,000 baht tip for returning lost phone

    Bangkok Grab driver earns 2,000 baht tip for returning lost phone

    A Grab driver’s act of honesty in returning a mobile phone to a customer earned him a generous cash tip, sparking praise and discussion in a popular social media group. A Grab driver recently shared an experience on the Facebook group GrabCar Drivers Club Thailand, which boasts over 110,000 members, where he recounted being tipped handsomely by a customer. After…

  • Thailand NewsCritically injured giant king cobra saved by surgery in Sichon

    Critically injured giant king cobra saved by surgery in Sichon

    A critically injured king cobra, believed to be the largest ever found in the district of Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, received emergency veterinary treatment after being discovered with severe wounds. At nearly 5 metres long and weighing almost 10 kilogrammes, the male snake was in critical condition with grave injuries near its cloaca. The incident, which resulted in the first-known…

  • Thailand NewsDesperate singles seek divine intervention at Hanoi ancient pagoda

    Desperate singles seek divine intervention at Hanoi ancient pagoda

    Amidst the ancient serenity of Hanoi’s Ha Pagoda, a modern-day love story unfolds as hopeful hearts flock, laden with offerings, seeking true love. In central Hanoi, young men and women thronged an ancient pagoda on Valentine’s Day, each bearing offerings in a bid to secure a partner, a quest of paramount importance in Vietnamese society. Respectfully placing a tray adorned…

  • Thailand NewsLove triumphs on Valentine’s Day as LGBTQ+ couples flock to register unions

    Love triumphs on Valentine’s Day as LGBTQ+ couples flock to register unions

    In a heartwarming Valentine’s Day spectacle, the Jewellery Trade Centre (JTC) on Silom Road became the epicentre of love as numerous LGBTQ+ couples flocked to register their unions today. Amidst the glittering aura of romance, approximately 800 couples, eager to formalise their relationships, gravitated towards the Bang Rak district, a symbolic haven dubbed the land of love. However, this year,…

  • Thailand NewsThailand lottery fever: Punters chase luck and lore for Feb 16 draw

    Thailand lottery fever: Punters chase luck and lore for Feb 16 draw

    Lottery fever grips Thailand as hopefuls seek to divine the winning numbers for the February 16 draw, with numerous tales of lucky symbols and mystical predictions capturing the public’s imagination. As the draw nears, enthusiasts have collated an eclectic mix of numbers believed to bring fortune, ranging from revered monks’ predictions to serendipitous incidents. Prominent among these is the revered…

  • Thailand NewsDevotees swarm Mahasarakham temple as abbot donates 2 million baht

    Devotees swarm Mahasarakham temple as abbot donates 2 million baht

    Thousands of devotees flocked to pay homage to the revered teacher Suriyant yesterday as he generously distributed 2 million baht (US$55,447) in donations, also sparking excitement for lottery enthusiasts with lucky numbers for the upcoming draw on Friday, February 16. Mahasarakham’s Wat Phutthavanaram, also known as Wat Wang Nam Yen, was teeming with devotees who came to celebrate the 45th…

  • Thailand NewsSurin’s Tha Tum district dazzles with traditional egg parade

    Surin’s Tha Tum district dazzles with traditional egg parade

    A time-honoured tradition in Surin province’s Tha Tum district, the annual egg parade ceremony to honour the town’s guardian spirits, has once again captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike. The event, which took place yesterday, February 13, is renowned not only for its cultural significance but also for the much-anticipated divination ritual where participants seek lucky numbers from…

  • Thailand NewsFlight disrupted by vibrating luggage reveals sex toy (video)

    Flight disrupted by vibrating luggage reveals sex toy (video)

    An embarrassing incident took place on a flight when a model faced the awkward, embarrassing situation of being asked to disembark due to her continuously vibrating luggage which turned out to come from a sex toy. The incident, which has since become a viral sensation with over 12 million views, was documented in a video posted by the model, Amanda…

  • Thailand NewsEd Sheeran embraces Thai culture with traditional tattoo before Bangkok concert (video)

    Ed Sheeran embraces Thai culture with traditional tattoo before Bangkok concert (video)

    Global singing sensation Ed Sheeran truly arrived in Thailand, performing a sensational concert on Saturday, February 10, at the Rajamangala Stadium. Beyond his electrifying performance, the singer immersed himself in Thai culture, donning the national football team’s jersey on stage and checking into famed local eateries like Je Fai Restaurant and Tip Samai Pad Thai. The 32 year old British…

  • Thailand NewsSocial media debate ignites over adverse housing estate possession

    Social media debate ignites over adverse housing estate possession

    The legal concept of adverse possession, originally established to allow the utilisation of neglected or abandoned land, has recently sparked controversy on social media following a dispute involving a couple and an uninvited occupant on their property. The couple discovered that their wedding gift, a house in a housing estate, had been occupied and altered by someone claiming a long-standing…

  • Thailand NewsNaga’s eyes open wide: Cave ceremony stuns Thailand devotees

    Naga’s eyes open wide: Cave ceremony stuns Thailand devotees

    A ceremony to reveal the eyes of the Naga statues in the Ruesi Sombat Cave in the Phetchabun province caused astonishment among devotees. The event, led by the head monk of the Sombat Cave, Phra Ajarn Sakol Kosolo, and witnessed by over 300 participants, involved rituals to honour deities and sacred entities. The cave, with historical significance dating back to…

  • World News13-year search ends in murder’s cruel revelation

    13-year search ends in murder’s cruel revelation

    A family’s relentless 13-year search for their missing daughter tragically ended with the arrest of a suspect and the confirmation that she had been murdered shortly after her disappearance in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China. The girl vanished on January 7, 2011, just metres from her home, prompting her parents to dedicate their lives to finding her, even offering a 100,000…

  • Thailand NewsMisleading GPS directions left female driver stranded in Phetchabun (video)

    Misleading GPS directions left female driver stranded in Phetchabun (video)

    A driver’s reliance on her GPS turned into an unexpected off-road adventure as she attempted to reach a coffee shop in Khao Kho, Phetchabun, resulting in the vehicle becoming stuck and necessitating assistance. The incident, captured on video and shared on TikTok by user @tulip_kunyapak, has attracted nearly 2 million views. The driver yesterday set out for a coffee shop…

  • Thailand NewsKhon Kaen buffet fines diner 9000 baht for uneaten food

    Khon Kaen buffet fines diner 9000 baht for uneaten food

    A buffet restaurant in Khon Kaen made headlines after a customer was faced with a hefty fine of 9,100 baht for leaving an excessive amount of uneaten food. However, the situation was amicably resolved, resulting in satisfaction on both sides. Oshinei Khon Kaen, a Japanese buffet restaurant in Khon Kaen, took to Facebook to recount an incident where a group…

  • Thailand NewsChinese New Year ang pao tradition favors lucky numbers in 2024

    Chinese New Year ang pao tradition favors lucky numbers in 2024

    As Chinese New Year approaches, the customary exchange of red envelopes, known as ang pao, becomes a focal point of the festivities. These monetary gifts, traditionally given to children and younger family members, symbolise good luck and are meant to ward off evil spirits. The art of giving ang pao is steeped in tradition and superstition, with certain numbers believed…

  • Thailand NewsFrom hardship to billionaire: Rise of martial arts star Chatri Sityodtong

    From hardship to billionaire: Rise of martial arts star Chatri Sityodtong

    Chatri Sityodtong, a Thai-Japanese entrepreneur, became a global household name as the founder of ONE Championship, Asia’s largest sports media property in history. His journey to success, however, is filled with trials and triumphs that many are unaware of. At over 50 years old, Chatri’s past is a testament to his resilience, having overcome the economic crisis in Thailand during…

  • Thailand NewsBarking up the auction tree: Military dogs find new homes

    Barking up the auction tree: Military dogs find new homes

    A military dog auction in Nakhon Ratchasima attracted significant interest as 54 dogs, deemed unsuitable for military service, were sold to the highest bidders. The event, held at the Military Dog Center in Pak Chong district, saw a white Labrador named Lee-Ann fetch the auction’s highest price of 95,000 baht. The auction, which took place yesterday, featured a selection of…

  • Thailand NewsGirl injured by classmate in Buriram schoolyard seeks justice

    Girl injured by classmate in Buriram schoolyard seeks justice

    A dispute between parents over a schoolyard incident in Buriram escalated after a fourth-grade girl was kicked in the throat by a male classmate. The 38 year old girl’s mother, Euaengkham, from Isaan Khet, Chaloem Phrakiat district, is demanding justice following the attack that left her daughter with a swollen neck, chest pain, and vomiting, requiring two hospital visits for…

  • Thailand NewsTechnician faces ethical test over damaged iPhone repair plea

    Technician faces ethical test over damaged iPhone repair plea

    A dilemma unfolded today when a technician was torn between two conflicting requests regarding a damaged iPhone brought in for repair. A woman, the owner of the shattered screen iPhone, was willing to pay any amount to have the device fixed. Contrarily, her boyfriend secretly handed the technician a note pleading for the phone to remain inoperable, offering money for…

  • Thailand NewsHuabobo resurgence marks Spring Festival in Shandong with tradition

    Huabobo resurgence marks Spring Festival in Shandong with tradition

    The traditional Chinese delicacy Huabobo, a steamed bun with a history stretching back three centuries, is enjoying a surge in production as the Spring Festival approaches. In the eastern Chinese province of Shandong, food factory workers are busily crafting these colourful, charmingly shaped buns, which carry significant cultural and festive importance. With Spring Festival around the corner, the atmosphere in…

  • Thailand NewsJapan’s court sentences young murderer to death in landmark ruling

    Japan’s court sentences young murderer to death in landmark ruling

    Japan has confirmed the death penalty for a 21 year old man convicted of murdering two people and setting fire to their house. The Kofu District Court in Yamanashi Prefecture announced the decision on Friday (February 2), following the withdrawal of an appeal by the defendant the day before. The landmark ruling in January marked the first time the death…

  • Thailand NewsBarber assaulted by irate Russian client at Jomtien salon

    Barber assaulted by irate Russian client at Jomtien salon

    A violent outburst at a hair salon in Jomtien, Chon Buri Province, has left a local barber in shock after a Russian customer, dissatisfied with his haircut, attacked the barber and vandalised the salon. Supachai Maneecharoen, a 32 year old barber, was the victim of the assault which occurred yesterday afternoon around 4pm. The incident unfolded when the Russian client,…

  • Thailand NewsRare Pokémon Oreo fetches up to 200,000 baht

    Rare Pokémon Oreo fetches up to 200,000 baht

    A recent online sensation has emerged as a Facebook page announced it is willing to pay up to 200,000 baht (US$5,637) for a special edition Oreo cookie featuring the rare Mew Pokémon design. This limited-edition cookie has caused a stir among collectors and raised questions about the authenticity of the buying offers, with some speculating it might be a price…