Best of

Explore the various aspects of Thailand, from its vibrant cities to its serene beaches, with Thaiger’s Best-of Guides. Covering a wide range of topics including lifestyle, entertainment, travel, and property, these guides will help you discover the hidden gems and top attractions in the country. Whether you are a tourist, expat, or local, our Best-of Guides provide valuable insights and tips to make your Thailand experience truly unforgettable.

  • Sponsored

    Last chance for Thaiger readers: Get 10% off your health insurance—Offer ends in 5 days!

    Did you know that treating a broken leg can cost around 200,000 THB for uninsured patients, and a three-day hospital stay for conditions like dengue fever averages 40,000 to 80,000 THB in Thailand? While healthcare in Thailand is more affordable...

  • Top 10 reasons to add some coconut into your life

    Top 10 reasons to add some coconut into your life

    We are so lucky here on the island of Phuket to have access to fresh coconuts. Lots of them. Coconuts not only feature in many local Thai dishes but they also have numerous health benefits according to some health practitioners. Whether you are drinking yours from Makro or on the side of the street you are doing your body a…

  • Top 10 sources of tourists to Thailand in August, 2017

    Top 10 sources of tourists to Thailand in August, 2017

    The rise in tourists to Thailand over the past two decades has been staggering. Whilst there are ebbs and flows in the tourism mix and the occasional political fracas, one thing is consistent – the rise in the tourist numbers flocking to the Kingdom. We may argue the issues in another article but here are the stark statistics which show…

  • Secrets of Better Living – Gratitude

    Secrets of Better Living – Gratitude

    with Darren Scherbain In his book ‘Happier’, Tal Ben-Sharar talks about the importance of taking the steps necessary to increase our happiness. Like any other muscle in the body if we don’t use it, we will lose it. Ask most people what they want from life, and most will answer ‘I want to be happy’. What we need to remember…

  • Standing in your strength

    Standing in your strength

    Living a courageous and passionate life requires that we embrace the sheer physicality of these concepts. Treating yourself with compassion and loving kindness starts with standing in your truth. Are you honouring yourself with standing tall,opening up more to life and leading with your heart? Are you the Predator or Prey? How does a tiger walk through the jungle? Chest…

  • Hail Caesars Palace. Dining in Rococo style overlooking Patong.

    Hail Caesars Palace. Dining in Rococo style overlooking Patong.

    The new ‘Caesars Palace’ is now open in Patong, three floors of kitch Italian plush with, arguably, the best view over Patong. We met up with the General Manager Michael who says they wanted to create a nice, relaxing environment with a warm and homely atmosphere. “This is a place where you can come to eat and drink or…

  • Kata Rocks mixing it up with the ‘Best of Mixology’

    Kata Rocks mixing it up with the ‘Best of Mixology’

    Kata Rocks’ Collective Series 10 ‘Best of Mixology’ returned on September 2 with some of Asia’s top mixologists pouring their hearts out into every signature handcrafted cocktail. Following an amazing Phuket sunset at the resort’s hip bar and infinity pool area, Collective Series 10 proved to be a huge success. 100 guests partied into the night with refreshing handcrafted cocktails…

  • The newest energy drink? ‘Kratom’

    The newest energy drink? ‘Kratom’

    Story by The Nation Dr Supaporn Pitiporn, head of the herb product development project at Chaopraya Abhaiphubejhr Hospital, said the benefits of kratom outweigh its drawbacks. Supaporn made the recommendation in an article she wrote that was posted online on Tuesday. Last week, Narcotics Control Board secretary general Sirinya Sittichai said the Narcotic Crops Survey and Monitoring Institute is studying…

  • 9th Floor gets top gong from Exotiq Magazine

    9th Floor gets top gong from Exotiq Magazine

    Patong’s The 9th Floor restaurant has been voted the best independent restaurant on Phuket in the inaugural 2017 “Exotiq Magazine Thailand Best of the Best” awards. The Gold Award was made after Exotiq Magazine’s readers voted over an 18 week period. Commenting on the Gold Award, The 9th Floor owner, Bart Duykers, said the “total gourmet solution” of three tasting menus with…

  • The Ultimate Currency

    The Ultimate Currency

    “A human being, like a business, makes profits and suffers losses. For a human being, however, the ultimate currency is not money, nor is it any external measure, such as fame, fortune, or power. The ultimate currency for a human being is happiness.” TAL BEN-SHAHAR If the ultimate currency is happiness, why do we keep paying high interest rates to…

  • Top 10 Hamburgers in Phuket

    Top 10 Hamburgers in Phuket

    The winner was Thavorn Beach Village & Spa, Phuket Thailand 2. 2nd place Novotel Phuket Karon Beach Resort & Spa (Photo by real Life) 3. 3rd place Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach 4. Kata Rocks 5. Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa 6. Dewa Nai Yang Resort Phuket 7. Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa 8. Two Chefs Bar & Grill 9.…

  • Do we need a Last Will and Testament in Thailand?

    Do we need a Last Will and Testament in Thailand?

    With the growing number of people retiring in Thailand, our firm has received several inquiries for a Last Will and Testament. The primary question that we receive is, “Do I need a will?” What does a Last Will and Testament do? The purpose of a Last Will and Testament is to direct funeral arrangements, determine property distributions, assign a guardian…

  • Dining: Something for everyone at Moon Bistro

    Dining: Something for everyone at Moon Bistro

    PHUKET: With the Cherng Talay area filled with flashy eateries, it is often difficult to decide where to grab a bite to eat. Driving down Lagoon Road, a small joint named Moon Bistro and Restaurant catches the eye at first glance. This elegantly-designed restaurant appeals to tourists, as well as long-term expats and locals, with both indoor and outdoor seating…

  • Food: Fusion fare at Wok Pagoda

    Food: Fusion fare at Wok Pagoda

    PHUKET: Located 10 minutes from Chalong Circle along the road to Kata-Karon, Mom Tri’s Wok Pagoda fuses gourmet Western and traditional Thai dishes together over an open-air pavilion. Nestled in the steep slopes of Phuket’s mountainous East-West divide, Wok Pagoda’s vantage captures a nearly 180-degree view of Chalong Bay, Phi Phi island and the carpet of lush terrain rising into…

  • CoolSculpting: What is it and why is it so popular in Thailand?

    CoolSculpting: What is it and why is it so popular in Thailand?

    “There is a growing trend for alternative body contouring treatments. Consequently, many medical tourists turn to CoolSculpting with some incredible before and after results as well as reduced recovery time without the need for anaesthetic or incisions.” Darren Lyons from MyMediTravel has noticed the upward curve in alternative non-invasive liposuction and vaser liposuction treatments in Thailand. Known as Coolsculpting or…

  • Indulge your Italian cravings

    Indulge your Italian cravings

    PHUKET: My tastebuds had been tingling for some authentic Italian food for a few weeks, so I feel fortunate to have discovered Leonardo DaVinci restaurant located in Kata Hills. The restaurant recently launched a new menu, in addition to a sizable wine list offering a variety of sparkling, white, rose and red wines. The newly renovated restaurant can seat up…

  • Treat yourself to Sunday tapas

    Treat yourself to Sunday tapas

    PHUKET: Good food and relaxation are what Sundays are all about. The Sunday Tapas lunch at Banyan Tree Phuket provides this and more. This weekly event is about a three hour affair, which starts at noon and replaces the resort’s Sunday Seafood Brunch. The ambience at the newly relocated ‘The Watercourt’ complements the meal, a live jazz band, a view…

  • Indulge your cheesebuds at Only Cheese

    Indulge your cheesebuds at Only Cheese

    PHUKET: Three hungry Gazette editors with a craving for cheese descended on ‘Only Cheese’ in Kathu for lunch last week, and much to the annoyance of other editorial team members couldn’t stop talking about it for a week afterward. Whether you are a cheese lover or not, there’s something for everyone on the menu. At first glance, it looks like…

  • Authentic Phuket cuisine at Wanon restaurant

    Authentic Phuket cuisine at Wanon restaurant

    PHUKET: Located in the lush green surroundings of the Flying Hanuman eco-adventure park in Wichit, Wanon restaurant offers a truly unique and authentic local dining experience. Head chef Kittipong Jaramorn Burapong graduated from the Culinary Arts Institute in New York. He has extensive experience with Thai, Italian and Mexican cuisine, having lived and worked in the US for 20 years.…

  • Celebration of good food and good friends at Da Maurizio

    Celebration of good food and good friends at Da Maurizio

    PHUKET: It would best be described as a celebration of good friends sharing great cuisine when Rose Maitland-Smith, brand ambassador for Pommery, hosted an evening of fine dining at the beautiful Da Maurizio Bar Ristorante. Invited guests at the event last month included famed vintner Pascal Jolivet, who flew in from his Loire Valley estate in France to taste Chef…

  • Meka Sky Lounge: Above the Rest

    Meka Sky Lounge: Above the Rest

    PHUKET: Our golf cart weaves through The Naka Phuket resort estate, climbing ever higher on the hill as we approach The Meka Sky Lounge. The building is a monolith with clean, modern cement walls rising up toward the vast tropical sky; a guard tower overlooking the enchanting and daringly-designed villa development by Duangrit Bunnag. On an island where stunning sea…

  • Fusion food gets down in town at Surf & Turf

    Fusion food gets down in town at Surf & Turf

    PHUKET: December ushered in a new air of excitement to the island. The start of the holiday season brought the streets to an even busier bustle, as did the large number of arrivals at Phuket International Airport. Along with those arrivals was the appearance of new shops and restaurants open and ready to please the hungriest of patrons for the…

  • Menu changes mark new ‘season’

    Menu changes mark new ‘season’

    PHUKET: The soft sounds of warm hands playing on a baby grand in the bar area of Mom Tri’s Villa Royale rise gently above the sound of the waves splashing onto the rocks at the north end of Kata Noi Beach. It’s already high season, so the waves, catching the light of a three-quarter moon, are rolling in small and…

  • Discover La Gritta at Amari

    Discover La Gritta at Amari

    PHUKET: Recently awarded ‘Best Beach Resort in Asia-Pacific’ at the 26th annual Travel Trade Gazette Awards and the ‘2015 Best In Stay Elite Award’ by Orbitz Worldwide, Amari Phuket is a charming and elegant resort located at the southern tip of Patong. One of the greatest gems of this beautiful beach resort is the dining experience you will have within.…

  • Planting seeds to grow a community

    Planting seeds to grow a community

    PHUKET: Late last year Laguna Phuket Resort announced the launch of a new program aimed at helping underprivileged youth, under the slogan ‘Plant A Seed, Change A Life’. The ‘Seedlings Phuket’ initiative includes a nine-month food and beverage training program specializing in career and personal development at Banyan Tree Phuket Resort, with an additional nine-month work experience at the newly…

  • Confessions of a Caffeine addict

    Confessions of a Caffeine addict

    PHUKET: Located on the very busy Wichitsongkram Road, near Prince of Songkhla University in Kathu, is one of the best places in Phuket to satisfy all Italian cravings. Caffeine Food and Coffee Bar has been part of the Kathu community since October 2013. Opened by Andrea Capucci and his wife Kui, Caffeine offers up some of the best authentic Italian…

  • Food: Welcome to the dark side

    Food: Welcome to the dark side

    PHUKET: The black burger is all the rage in Bangkok lately, but unless one is actively paying attention to food trends from around the nation, one might not have had any idea that such a trend even existed. What makes this particular burger special, and gives it its color identifier, is its black bun, which has edible charcoal powder mixed…

  • Head to hotcake heaven

    Head to hotcake heaven

    PHUKET: Ever wonder what life would be like if all of your favorite foods were made with pancakes? Well, wonder no more. With the moto ‘If there is no pancakes in heaven, I am not going’, the Pancake Corner is making flapjack fantasies a reality with their inventive and creative menu of pancake-themed delights that are available all day, and…

  • I did it all for the gnocchi

    I did it all for the gnocchi

    PHUKET: Tucked away in a small soi off Rassada Road in Phuket Town, just after Krungsri Bank, you will discover one of the island’s many hidden gems. Unlike the ever-changing coffee shop and restaurant scene in town, Spaghetti & C has been around for longer than I can remember. Nee, the owner, has been serving up some of the best…

  • They say: “A pizza a day’

    They say: “A pizza a day’

    PHUKET: At a mere seven months old, the OSOT Apotheke Cafe and Pizzeria on Phuket Road in town has already begun to stand out as one of the best places to grab a coffee, all-day breakfast and, yes, even a pizza. With fresh ingredients, homemade food and a very cool atmosphere, OSOT has locals and expats excited and full of…

  • A Phuket high from Smokin’ Fish

    A Phuket high from Smokin’ Fish

    PHUKET: THERE has been a lot of buzz lately about new and upcoming restaurants popping up all over Phuket Town, but there is one restaurant that made its mark long ago and has locals and expats alike lined up at the door. Smokin’ Fish on Phang Nga Road is a sight for sore eyes and a haven for the hungry.…