Guides
Thailand guides on travel, culture, cuisine, and lifestyle—discover top destinations, hidden gems, visa information, and essential tips. Plan your journey with The Thaiger, your trusted source for expert Thailand guides.
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What to do in Bangkok this weekend (February 6 to 8)
Bangkok weekends have a very specific energy. You start with one plan, accidentally add three more, and somehow end up eating something spicy at a time your body did not agree to. This weekend leans nicely into that chaos, with culture, books, beats and very strong opinions about tea all happening at once. Things to do in Bangkok this weekend…
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Celebrate Valentine’s 2026 with Thai herbs, spices four regions of love at Blue Elephant restaurants
This Valentine’s Day, February 14, Saturday, Blue Elephant invites lovers to embark on an extraordinary culinary journey inspired by the ancient Thai belief that herbs and spices nourish not only the body, but also the heart and spirit. Blue Elephant’s exclusive Valentine’s Menu, especially curated by Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe, Founder & Executive Chef of the Blue Elephant Group,…
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Love, luck, and the sea: February travel ideas near Bangkok
February is a good month for short escapes. The weather is comfortable and with Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day, you have a reason to step away from routine for a night or two. If you’re looking to spend time by the sea somewhere close to Bangkok, Sriracha and nearby Koh Si Chang are fantastic options. Chinese New Year by…
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The case for structure: Why some trainees still choose the Education Visa over the DTV
Disclosure: Muay Thai Visa Thailand (MTVT) operates through Sor.Dechapant Muay Thai School in Bangkok. They earn revenue from training enrollment and visa documentation services. This piece reflects their operational experience working with Muay Thai DTV visa, Muay Thai Education (ED) visa, and Digital Nomad Visa Thailand applicants. Ministry of Education License: สช.กร. 00025/2568. Everyone wants to talk about the Destination…
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ICONSIAM hosts an exclusive evening welcoming LACMA Executives
ICONSIAM, the global landmark on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, steadfast in its mission to become a global hub for artistic collaboration and cultural exchange, recently had the distinct honour of hosting an exclusive dinner reception. The event welcomed Michael Govan, CEO and Director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), one of the world’s most…
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Thai student hospitalised after 800 squat punishment at school
A student in Thailand was hospitalised earlier this week after a teacher allegedly ordered him to perform 800 squats as punishment for failing to hand in his homework. The incident was brought to light today, February 4, by the Facebook page เจ๊ม้อย v+, where the boy’s father shared his son’s experience. According to the father, the student began to suffer…
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A practical way to think about healthcare when living in Thailand
Living in Thailand means co-existing with a healthcare system that’s brilliant in some ways and frustrating in others. Oftentimes, private hospitals feel like five-star hotels, with doctors trained internationally, and the costs seem reasonable compared to Western countries, until you’re actually sitting in that consultation room without insurance, watching the bill climb. Here’s the thing most people don’t tell you…
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Why high-functioning professionals are seeking private recovery instead of group rehab
A growing number of high-functioning professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and senior leaders are choosing private, one-on-one recovery programs over traditional group rehabilitation facilities. As workplace burnout reaches epidemic levels and the stigma around mental health challenges persists in corporate environments, many are discovering that confidential, personalised treatment offers a path to sustainable wellness that group settings cannot provide. Prana Bali, an…
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GWM discontinues Good Cat, prepares ORA 5 SUV launch for Thai market
Great Wall Motor (Thailand) has announced the discontinuation of its ORA Good Cat electric vehicle after more than four years on the market, making way for the launch of the GWM ORA 5 SUV and other new models in 2026. The ORA Good Cat, which first arrived in Thailand in October 2021, accumulated total sales of 20,827 units before production…
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Self-care on every corner: How convenience stores in Thailand have evolved into health hubs
Thailand is well-known for its Wats (Buddhist temples), breathtaking beaches and islands, and vibrant night bazaars. Yet one feature often overlooked is our convenience stores. Although not one of our cultural monuments, with more than 14,000 outlets nationwide as of 2024 – among the highest densities per capita globally – these stores have become iconic landmarks in their own right.…
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Thailand signs deal with Canva to improve digital learning
Thailand’s Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC) has signed a memorandum of understanding in Bangkok with Canva, marking a new collaboration to enhance digital learning and design capabilities in private schools across the country. The agreement was signed at OPEC’s Bangkok headquarters on January 26 by OPEC Secretary-General Monthon Phaksuwan and Canva Thailand Country Manager Pakapol Thangtongchin. The partnership…
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How to use Binance in Southeast Asia
The use of cryptocurrency in Southeast Asia is on the rise, and Binance remains one of the most popular exchanges for trading and investing. You can be in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, or Singapore, but you need to know how to open your account, fund it, and trade safely. This guide will take you through the most important steps, issues, and…
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Where to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Thailand
Valentine’s Day is coming in hot again, and no, you don’t have to panic-book the first candlelit table you see. Thailand does romance in many lanes, from private islands where the world politely disappears, to riverside dinners that feel cinematic. Here are the best ones. Where to go Date Location Why it’s special The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort…
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Big Bad Wolf Books 2026 brings massive discounts to Seacon Bangkae
Book lovers, the Big Bad Wolf Books 2026 is back in Bangkok, and this time it’s bringing the bargains closer to home (relatively, for some). This beloved book fair promises hundreds of thousands of titles at discounts of up to 90% off. There’s something here for every reader, whether you’re hunting for children’s picture books, the latest bestsellers, or cookbooks…
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England brings it home in Reignwood Icons Of Football 2026
England has retained the Icons Series Trophy, emerging victorious at the 2026 Reignwood Icons of Football. In a day defined by immense pressure, Team England finished the afternoon singles with a single-point 20-19 victory over a resilient Team World. The final session had fans worldwide on the edge of their seats as Team World launched a valiant fightback to erase…
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Budget phones that are thin and light in 2026
The budget smartphone market in early 2026 has achieved what seemed impossible just two years ago: delivering phones under 8mm thick with battery capacities exceeding 6,000mAh, all while keeping prices under 13,000 baht. The breakthrough comes from silicon-carbon battery technology, which packs 20-30% more energy into the same space by using silicon composite anodes instead of traditional graphite. For budget-conscious…
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Astrologer predicts Thailand’s next prime minister for 2026 Election
Astrological prediction becomes especially compelling when applied to unprecedented political situations, particularly when forecasts must be made before an actual term of office begins. According to JD Mukkarji, a scientific astrologer residing in Bangkok, unlike recurring events such as annual or biennial sports tournaments, where patterns are relatively easier to track, political transitions often lack predictable cycles. Events that occur…
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Product Watch warns Thai youth about cannabis vapes
Product Watch issued a warning yesterday, January 29, that electric cannabis vapes are spreading rapidly among young people, highlighting their low cost, easy availability, and toy‑like design as growing risks to children and teens. Associate Professor Dr Sirach Lapyai from the Faculty of Public Health at Mahidol University, who also manages the Product Watch project monitoring dangerous health products, said…
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Montien Hotel Surawong Bangkok hosts Bangkok Design Week 2026
Montien Hotel Surawong Bangkok, in collaboration with the Bang Rak District Office, is honoured to be selected as one of the principal venues for Bangkok Design Week 2026 (BKKDW 2026). Organised by the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organisation) (CEA), the international creative festival will take place from January 29 to February 8 under the theme “Design S/O/S.” Bangkok Design Week…
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Thailand reforms business, visa, and social laws to attract global expats
Thailand is undertaking its most comprehensive expatriate policy overhaul in decades, introducing reforms across business law, visa regulations, property ownership, and civil rights that collectively aim to position the country as Southeast Asia’s premier destination for foreign residents and investors. Announced progressively throughout 2024 and early 2025, these reforms respond to regional competition for foreign talent and investment, particularly as…
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What to do in Bangkok this weekend (January 30 to February 1)
Ah, the passage of time. We’re finally entering the second month of 2026, which feels so fast but here we are. January barely logged out and February is already asking what the plan is. The good news is Bangkok is not easing us in gently. The city has gone straight into design takeovers, river hangouts, art that spills into public…
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A seafood & champagne night at Sole Mio’s 7th Floor Restaurant
This February, 7th Floor Restaurant & Bar at Sole Mio Hotel & Wellness Phuket presents The Aristocratic Duo, a relaxed rooftop evening overlooking the shores of Bangtao, accompanied by a seafood and champagne pairing. Bringing together an Alain Navare Champagne and a seafood platter for two as the sunburst skies slowly fade into the night, guests are invited to settle…
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BoT flags suspicious cash withdrawals, tightens online gold trading rules
Thailand’s central bank, Bank of Thailand (BoT), is cracking down on suspicious financial activity after unusual cash withdrawals totalling 250 million baht were flagged across commercial banks. BoT Governor, Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, revealed on January 28 that commercial banks have been ordered to urgently investigate irregular cash withdrawal patterns. In one case, a customer withdrew 250 million baht in a single…
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The quick history of Valentine’s Day in Thailand from the 1980s to now
Valentine’s Day in Thailand bears little resemblance to its Western origins. What arrived as a foreign novelty in the 1980s has evolved into a distinctively Thai institution, one that blends bureaucratic ritual, spiritual intervention, commercial spectacle, and most recently, historic civil rights milestones into a celebration that reveals as much about Thai society as it does about romance. On this…
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What no one tells you about being a digital nomad in Thailand
Bangkok ranks first as the world’s favourite city for digital nomads, with Chiang Mai close behind. It’s easy to see why. Thailand has a magnetic charm that pulls people in. You come for a short stay, rent a scooter, find a café with fast Wi Fi, and before you know it, you are talking about “base cities” and lease renewals.…
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Last chance for tickets! Football’s global giants descend on Bangkok this weekend for Reignwood Icons of Football
The wait is almost over for sports fans in Thailand as the world’s most iconic footballers touch down in Bangkok to trade their boots for golf clubs. The Reignwood Icons of Football takes place this Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1, at the prestigious Robinswood Golf Club, where Team England will face Team World in a high-stakes golf showdown.…
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Etro Residences Phuket hits 830,000 Thai baht per square metre shattering island sales records
Etro Residences Phuket has made an explosive debut, setting a new per square metre sales record just days after launch. Located within the prestigious Gardens of Eden development in Bangtao, the ultra-limited collection achieved prices of 830,000 Thai baht (US$26,350) per square metre, more than four times Phuket’s branded residence average, and the highest on the island. Launched on January…
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Thailand vs. Vietnam vs. Malaysia: Which is better for long-term living?
Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia have each carved out their own space in the long-term expat landscape. Thailand offers dependable healthcare and a well-established expat infrastructure. Vietnam stands out for rock-bottom costs and relentless urban energy. Malaysia brings modern living standards, cultural diversity, and an English-speaking environment that makes settling in remarkably smooth. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. The right choice…
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When is the Chinese New Year in 2026 and what is the Fire Horse?
As the sound of firecrackers from the international New Year celebrations begins to fade, the atmosphere of the most important festival for Thai people of Chinese descent is drawing near. The year 2569 BE, or the Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse, carries special significance. According to Chinese astrology, it is a Fire element year, known as the “Fire Horse,”…
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EDC Thailand announces new December dates following strong early-year momentum
Following the success of EDC 2026, held just last week from January 16 to 18, Future Vibes, the developer and operator of international music festivals in Thailand, together with Insomniac, the global dance music experience curator and creator of Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), announced the return of EDC Thailand for its third edition. The festival will move from its traditional…
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