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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    Pre-existing conditions? These expat insurance plans still have you covered

    Many expats feel worried that their pre-existing health problems will stop them from getting insurance in a new country. This fear is common, especially when medical care can be expensive. But the good news is, some insurance, like the plans...

  • Rabies panic: Khon Kaen officials say cooked beef is safe | Thaiger

    Rabies panic: Khon Kaen officials say cooked beef is safe

    Health officials in Sam Sung district, Khon Kaen moved to calm public fears after reports of rabies-infected beef sparked concerns about food safety. While a cow infected with rabies was slaughtered and consumed earlier this month, officials have clarified that properly cooked beef remains safe to eat. The outbreak began on January 23, when a dog infected with rabies entered…

  • We are not Daniel Thaiger | Thaiger

    We are not Daniel Thaiger

    We’re sure that it probably goes without saying that we are not Daniel Thaiger. But just for the laughs, we thought it’d be fun to go through what The Thaiger and Daniel Thaiger are and aren’t. A burning question also arises, do people ever get confused because of the names? Daniel Thaiger was founded in 2013 by Mark and Honey,…

  • Shrewsbury launches first ever premium Mandarin-English bilingual programme | Thaiger

    Shrewsbury launches first ever premium Mandarin-English bilingual programme

    Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus proudly announces the launch of the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway, Thailand’s first premium bilingual programme offered by a leading international school under a British curriculum. Embracing Shrewsbury’s concept of One Campus, Two Pathways, parents and students can now choose between the British curriculum with English as the medium of instruction, or the British curriculum with…

  • New debt relief scheme aids nearly 500,000 Thai debtors | Thaiger

    New debt relief scheme aids nearly 500,000 Thai debtors

    Deputy Finance Minister Phaophum Rojanasakul announced that as of January 28, the You Fight, We Help initiative has received interest from 497,552 debtors, covering 576,496 accounts. The scheme aims to assist individual debtors and includes two measures, excluding direct registration with financial institutions. The first measure, Direct Payment, Asset Retention, targets home, car, and small SME loans with modest limits,…

  • Phuket shopping mall guide: Jungceylon Patong | Thaiger

    Phuket shopping mall guide: Jungceylon Patong

    Beaches? Check. Lush jungles? Check. Retail therapy? Also, check! Phuket has everything, and that includes shopping malls. One of the most iconic, and one you might already know, is Jungceylon Patong. First opened in 2007, Jungceylon Patong shouldn’t need an introduction. It has long been a staple in Phuket’s shopping scene due to its all-in-one experience. Recently refreshed with an…

  • Siam Paragon celebrates ‘A Prosperous Chinese New Year 2025’ | Thaiger

    Siam Paragon celebrates ‘A Prosperous Chinese New Year 2025’

    Siam Paragon, in collaboration with KASIKORNBANK, is hosting a spectacular Lunar New Year celebration, Siam Paragon A Prosperous Chinese New Year 2025, from today until February 2, at Parc Paragon. This year’s event is inspired by the rich heritage of Dunhuang, an ancient oasis along the Silk Road with over 2,000 years of history. The celebration marks 50 years of diplomatic…

  • Poppy: Moo Deng’s overseas pygmy hippo competition | Thaiger

    Poppy: Moo Deng’s overseas pygmy hippo competition

    It seems as if the adorable Moo Deng, an A-lister at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, has found herself some competition over the pond at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia, USA. It has been a few weeks now since the newborn pygmy hippo, Poppy, made her introduction to the world, and just like Moo Deng, people simply can’t get…

  • 6 best spots for Scandinavian food in Bangkok | Thaiger

    6 best spots for Scandinavian food in Bangkok

    Craving a taste of Scandinavia without leaving Bangkok? For all you fellow Nordics experiencing a touch of the homesick blues this winter, look no further: Bangkok has got you covered with these 6 spots for Scandinavian food. 6 best spots for Scandinavian food in Bangkok Whether you’re in the mood for a refined fine-dining experience or a casual fika with…

  • 5 hidden healthcare costs in Thailand and how to avoid them | Thaiger

    5 hidden healthcare costs in Thailand and how to avoid them

    Thailand’s healthcare system is affordable and supported by the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme, offering essential services to most citizens. However, hidden healthcare costs can surprise patients and lead to unexpected expenses. These include specialist fees, insurance gaps, emergency services, and overpriced medications. This article highlights five hidden healthcare costs in Thailand and shares simple ways to avoid them for…

  • Are native grapes the next must have in the wine market? | Thaiger

    Are native grapes the next must have in the wine market?

    When it comes to wine, we often gravitate towards the obvious names; Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and a few more of them. Yet, a quiet revolution is underway. Across the globe, a growing number of wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs are turning their attention away from mass-produced, international varieties and embracing the unique stories and flavours of native grapes. In…

  • Chinese Zodiac 2025: What’s your luck in the Year of the Snake? | Thaiger

    Chinese Zodiac 2025: What’s your luck in the Year of the Snake?

    As the Year of the Snake approaches 2025, Thailand is gearing up for grand Chinese New Year celebrations, expecting a surge in visitors. With over 770,000 Chinese tourists anticipated to visit Thailand during the holiday period, the nation’s streets will be adorned with red lanterns, dragon dances, and bustling markets. This year, the Lunar New Year 2025 falls on Wednesday,…

  • Tamarind Restaurant Phuket: Southern Thai dishes reimagined through French techniques | Thaiger

    Tamarind Restaurant Phuket: Southern Thai dishes reimagined through French techniques

    Drawing from the flavours of Southern Thai cuisine and elevating them with the precision of French culinary techniques, the new offerings at Tamarind Restaurant, Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort promise a dining experience unlike any other on the island. The heart behind the cuisine – Chef Nok’s culinary philosophy is rooted in storytelling – blending her passion for Southern Thai…

  • Did Apple predict the current air pollution crisis? | Thaiger

    Did Apple predict the current air pollution crisis?

    Since the dawn of the new year, many provinces across Thailand have been grappling with a severe level of air pollution. As of January 24, Bangkok has been rated the fourth most polluted city in the world in terms of poor air quality by IQAir. The capital is often blanketed by a thick layer of smog, which has reminded some…

  • Thai FDA approves kratom use for health and economic benefits | Thaiger

    Thai FDA approves kratom use for health and economic benefits

    The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of kratom plant products for economic and health benefits. The regulations now permit mitragynine, an active compound in kratom leaves, to be used up to 3 milligrammes (mg) per day, with appropriate warnings on product labels. Dr Witit Srisa-atchachakul, the Deputy Secretary-General of the FDA, announced that the FDA,…

  • 62 students suffer food poisoning at Koh Samui school camp | Thaiger

    62 students suffer food poisoning at Koh Samui school camp

    Sixty-two students from Theeparatpittaya School on Koh Samui experienced food poisoning symptoms, prompting urgent medical attention. The incident occurred yesterday, January 24, when students attending a scout camp began suffering from severe abdominal pain after consuming boxed meals. The Narenthorn Ao Thai Centre at Koh Samui Hospital was notified of the situation and quickly coordinated with the Koh Samui district public…

  • Best weed shops in Phuket [2025] | Thaiger

    Best weed shops in Phuket [2025]

    It’s been almost three years since cannabis was legalised in Thailand, and Phuket has become the home to a variety of super cool, licensed dispensaries. The best weed shops in Phuket offer everything from premium buds and edibles to rosins and accessories that wouldn’t look out of place in a high-end boutique. However, with so many establishments popping up, it can…

  • What to do in Bangkok this weekend (January 24 to 26) | Thaiger

    What to do in Bangkok this weekend (January 24 to 26)

    The air quality in Bangkok might not be the best these days, but that doesn’t mean your weekend plans have to suffer. Bangkok, as always, is full of exciting events and activities. From moutwatering food and flea markets to free film screenings, there’s no shortage of ways to keep entertaind in the city. To help you make the most of…

  • Pink Ribbon charity tennis challenge raises funds for QSCBC Foundation | Thaiger

    Pink Ribbon charity tennis challenge raises funds for QSCBC Foundation

    The 6th Annual Pink Ribbon Charity Tennis Challenge in support of the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation (QSCBC) will be held on Friday, February 21 at The British Club. Support a great cause by participating in a charity event with us! For an entry donation of 1,200 baht, you can take part in the tennis tournament, with two…

  • Spend Chinese New Year by the ocean at Novotel Marina Sriracha and Koh Si Chang Thailand | Thaiger

    Spend Chinese New Year by the ocean at Novotel Marina Sriracha and Koh Si Chang Thailand

    Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, whatever you call it, is a time for family, feasting, and fresh beginnings. This year, why not swap the crowded streets for sea breezes and sunshine at Novotel Marina Sriracha and Koh Si Chang? The dual-location hotel in Chonburi is ready to welcome the Year of the Snake with exciting packages.…

  • Finding the perfect souvenir in Thailand is closer than you think | Thaiger

    Finding the perfect souvenir in Thailand is closer than you think

    What’s the best thing to bring home from Thailand? For me, it’s always been about finding keepsakes that characterise the soul of the place. One of my favourite souvenirs is a small glass elephant I found at a market in Chiang Mai and people say that elephants are symbols of good luck – so why not have one around? Now,…

  • Why you need to wear a mask in Bangkok right now | Thaiger

    Why you need to wear a mask in Bangkok right now

    As anyone who has spent time in Thailand, or other Asian cultures for that matter, I’m sure you have seen people wearing masks while in public in Bangkok. But why? The scare of Covid-19 has now long lost its saliency and fears among the general public have been diminished to a level comparable to a bad cold. Yet we still…

  • Bangkok set for Thailand’s first legal same-sex marriages on January 23 | Thaiger

    Bangkok set for Thailand’s first legal same-sex marriages on January 23

    Bangkok is making history as it prepares to offer Thailand’s first-ever legal same-sex marriage registrations starting January 23, 2025, following the enforcement of the Marriage Equality Act (Amendment No. 24, 2024). Thailand becomes the first Southeast Asian nation and third Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage following Taiwan in 2019 and Nepal in 2024, marking a historic step for LGBTQ+…

  • FazWaz assumes control of Lifull Connect for Thai global real estate leadership and innovation | Thaiger

    FazWaz assumes control of Lifull Connect for Thai global real estate leadership and innovation

    Phuket-found PropTech company FazWaz has taken over Lifull Connect, the world’s largest real estate aggregation network, solidifying its position as a leader in the global real estate market. This milestone showcases the potential of Thai companies to succeed internationally. FazWaz and Thaiger share core shareholders which emphasises their joint commitment to advancing Thai businesses globally and reinforcing Phuket’s growing reputation…

  • How TrustFinance is leading financial transparency in 2025 | Thaiger

    How TrustFinance is leading financial transparency in 2025

    The world of digital finance is full of malicious people who seek to use the anonymity and obscure nature of the internet to scam and take advantage of other people’s money. Almost everyone has lost their money or at least had a friend or family member scammed by what they thought was a trusted person telling them to trade, invest,…

  • Vana Nava Express Special Train from Bangkok to Hua Hin is now open! Here’s how to book your tickets | Thaiger

    Vana Nava Express Special Train from Bangkok to Hua Hin is now open! Here’s how to book your tickets

    Have you been planning to escape the chaos of Bangkok for a chilled-out weekend in Hua Hin? What if we told you that you can do it without the hassle of long drives or overcrowded buses? The Proud Group, a leading developer of integrated entertainment and resort destinations in Thailand, is offering free air-conditioned train rides from Krung Thep Aphiwat…

  • State Welfare Card applications to open by March | Thaiger

    State Welfare Card applications to open by March

    Applications for the State Welfare Card will open by the end of March, with low-income and vulnerable groups invited to register. The registration follows two years after the last round, which took place from September 5 to October 31, 2022. Julapan Amornwiwat, Deputy Finance Minister, announced that the details of the new registration for the State Welfare Card this year…

  • How much is Thai health insurance? | Thaiger

    How much is Thai health insurance?

    Health insurance in Thailand is essential for expats and locals, providing financial protection and access to quality care. Costs depend on age, health, and coverage level, with basic plans being cheaper but limited and comprehensive plans offering more benefits at a higher price. Regardless, getting Thai health insurance has its costs and it’s good to be aware of how much…

  • GSB windfall: Bangkok man wins 40 million baht jackpot | Thaiger

    GSB windfall: Bangkok man wins 40 million baht jackpot

    A man from Bangkok became the lucky winner of a 40 million baht jackpot from a special one-year digital Government Savings Bank (GSB) bond. The GSB Society page congratulated Danai, the lucky winner, on this extraordinary prize, stating that the prize distribution was genuine and congratulating him on winning the substantial amount. Danai, a client from the GSB branch at…

  • Thai woman left in debt after lending 880k baht to friend | Thaiger

    Thai woman left in debt after lending 880k baht to friend

    A woman voiced her grievances on social media after lending 880,000 baht to a close friend nearly three years ago, only to have it remain unpaid. While her friend continues to live a comfortable life, she finds herself burdened with a high-interest loan. The incident came to light yesterday, January 20, when the woman shared her story online, revealing the…

  • Concerts coming to Bangkok 2025 | Thaiger

    Concerts coming to Bangkok 2025

    Looking back, 2024 was a great year for music lovers, especially those who enjoy live performances. In addition to Coldplay and Bruno Mars, we saw legends like Slash and Rod Stewart, K-pop sensations like Red Velvet and Stray Kids, and beloved pop artists such as Conan Gray and Olivia Rodrigo. No matter your taste in music, there was a concert…