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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    5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)

    Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...

  • Thailand to manufacture anti-viral drug to treat Covid-19 patients

    Thailand to manufacture anti-viral drug to treat Covid-19 patients

    The state-owned enterprise responsible for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals in Thailand says it plans to produce a licenced version of Favipiravir, the anti-viral drug that has proved successful in treating some Covid-19 patients. Nation Thailand reports that The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation developed the drug in March, but there is a waiting period of about a year before the product can…

  • Online learning system to support re-opening of schools

    Online learning system to support re-opening of schools

    Thailand’s Ministry of Education is launching an online learning system designed as a back-up in the event that the re-opening of schools is deemed unsafe. With Thaialnd’s schools set to reopen their doors from July 1, a televised and online system is being tested to supplement children’s learning. The new system, set to be tested next Monday, May 18, will…

  • Obesity on the rise in the Land of Smiles

    Obesity on the rise in the Land of Smiles

    Thailand has a health problem and it appears to be an even bigger concern than the current Covid-19 pandemic. The World Health Organisation says nearly one third of the Thai population is now overweight and 9% of the country is obese. Malaysia currently holds the dubious honour of having the highest obesity rate in Southeast Asia – but Thailand is…

  • Top Benefits of Having Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) in Thailand

    Top Benefits of Having Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) in Thailand

    Have you been asking yourself the question of why would people get onto a plane and travel to Thailand to have a LASIK procedure? We are here to answer that question and any other questions you may have. People are willing to travel to Thailand for LASIK because the country offers many benefits that cannot be found anywhere else. What…

  • The top 10 most expensive condominiums in Bangkok

    The top 10 most expensive condominiums in Bangkok

    Bangkok is never short on luxury condominiums, and one new project keeps overtaking the others, in terms of price and amenities. Here are the 10 most expensive condominium units in Bangkok for sale, in 2020. The most expensive condominium on the list is priced at 650 million baht (20 million US$). Which one is for you? No.1 98 Wireless –…

  • Top tips on having Breast Reduction Surgery in Thailand

    Top tips on having Breast Reduction Surgery in Thailand

    Many women want to undergo breast reduction surgery because they have oversized breasts that make them feel uncomfortable. Disproportionally large breasts can stop you from participating in physical activities. Also, women who have large breasts can experience chronic back, shoulder, or even neck pain and can make it difficult for them to fit into clothing and bras. Since a breast…

  • World’s best street food, top 30 cities rated

    World’s best street food, top 30 cities rated

    Where in the world is the best street food? Those living in Thailand will bet Bangkok is going to come out on top, right? Well, not according to research, the Street Food Index, conducted by My Late Deals. In their current surgery, Hong Kong came out on top as the city with the best street food. The city topped the Street Food Index, beating tasty competition from Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh in…

  • After 32 years, legendary Phuket eatery Baan Rim Pa is on the move

    After 32 years, legendary Phuket eatery Baan Rim Pa is on the move

    But not too far! One of Phuket’s most iconic restaurants, a firm local favourite, Baan Rim Pa, is moving after 32 years. The multi-award-winning bastion of the resort island’s dining scene, long located in Patong, will be absorbed into its newer location farther north in Kalim, while its daughter outlets, Da Maurizio and Joes Downstairs will be shuttered. Baan Rim…

  • Best eateries in Bangkok’s Chinatown and beyond

    Best eateries in Bangkok’s Chinatown and beyond

    Bangkok’s Chinatown and its historic Phran Nakhon district are home to some of the city’s most storied and beloved restaurants. But rather than brave Bangkok’s notorious traffic, The Thaiger suggests taking public transport, the MRT’s Blue “heritage” Line for maximum convenience. There are heaps of historic landmarks and temples nearby like Sao Chingcha (Giant Swing), Wat Traimit, the Golden Mount/Wat…

  • Thailand Medical Tourism, 2020: Reviewed

    Thailand Medical Tourism, 2020: Reviewed

    Following on from our previous review of Thailand’s Medical Tourism Industry, we’ve seen the highs and lows across 2019 and now into 2020. The highs mostly focused on the value of the Thai Baht and the lows centered around the Coronavirus, with Thailand still welcoming Chinese tourists, weeks after most countries closed their borders to them. The impact can easily…

  • 10 ways to optimise your property for sale

    10 ways to optimise your property for sale

    So, you’re thinking about selling your property… but, before you put your house or condominium on the market, it’s always a right move to hear what experts in the local market have to say. In this article, we’ve gathered advice from property consultants at Thailand’s top real estate company, Fazwaz Property Group on how to increase the value of your…

  • Chicken feet skin extracted by mouth, factory explains

    Chicken feet skin extracted by mouth, factory explains

    A factory in the northeastern Nong Khai province had some explaining to do after a video went viral showing employees using their mouths to extract the skin from chicken feet. The skin of chicken feet, (called leb mue nang in Thai), is a delicacy for many Thais that’s often used in spicy salad dishes. Netizens were shocked to see employees picking…

  • Thailand is making you fat

    Thailand is making you fat

    “…compare a Big Mac to an average Pad Thai and there’s at least double the kilojoules in the Thai noodle dish.” I came to Thailand as a fit, healthy 70 kilogram Australian. After six years in Thailand I’m now a reasonably fit, healthy 76 kilogram Australian. Why? Well, Thai food, despite its healthy appearance and fresh origins is also full of fats,…

  • 10 proven tips to sell your property quickly in Thailand

    10 proven tips to sell your property quickly in Thailand

    Selling property can be a headache, especially when you sell in an unfamiliar market like Thailand. However, it doesn’t have to be like that. There are several fool-proof ways we have gathered from experienced agents at Thaiger Property in Thailand to help you increase your viewings and sell your property faster. 1. Have the right attitude Thailand is a buyer’s…

  • Top 10 predictions for Thailand 2020

    Top 10 predictions for Thailand 2020

    So what is in store for the Land of Smiles over the next 12 months? Will the tourists stay away? Will some big projects go ahead? Will the baht continue to soar? Will Thais take to the streets once again? We come up with our top ten predictions for the year ahead and invite your thoughts as well… There will be…

  • First ‘China coronavirus’ case confirmed in Japan

    First ‘China coronavirus’ case confirmed in Japan

    As Thailand’s airports continue screening passengers arriving from China, Japan has confirmed its first case of the new China coronavirus that has killed one and attracted a travel alert from the US State Department. The patient, a man from Kanagawa prefecture near Tokyo, had recently visited the Chinese city of Wuhan, where an outbreak of a pneumonia strain is believed to…

  • More than 100 Chiang Mai students hospitalised with food poisoning

    More than 100 Chiang Mai students hospitalised with food poisoning

    There was chaos at Chiang Mai hospitals yesterday when around 130 students were hospitalised with food poisoning. The grade 8 students from Montfort College in Chiang Mai had eaten lunch at the San Sai scout camp when they began showing symptoms of food poisoning, including diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps. There were an estimated 400 students at the camp: about 89 were…

  • Cannabis oil gaining traction in Thai medical circles

    Cannabis oil gaining traction in Thai medical circles

    Last week’s opening of Thailand’s first two full-time clinics dispensing cannabis oil (cannabidiol, or CBD) for medical treatment has brought international attention, not only to the kingdom’s burgeoning cannabis industry, but to the oil’s many reputed benefits. Around 25 CBD clinics have been operating part-time since the government agreed in 2018 to amend drug laws to allow the use and…

  • Paying the price for beauty: Top treatments for women in Thailand

    Paying the price for beauty: Top treatments for women in Thailand

    As the thirst for plastic surgery in Thailand grows, this has led to many Thai females searching for alternative beauty solutions. In fact, Thai ladies are seeking better ways in order to achieve the ultimate look via cosmetic treatment. Now, who said beauty was only skin deep. Thanks to an emerging market where overseas patients benefit from top-notch surgeons at…

  • Top 10 ways to save our water

    Top 10 ways to save our water

    Hot weather and Thailand’s boom-or-bust water issues (floods in wet season and water shortages in the hot season) are a part of our life. It’s predicted that there will be hotter hot seasons and wet-seasons with less rain in the future. Even if we’re not sure what the future brings we should all be conscious of our water usage, be…

  • Top 10 tips for riding a motorbike in Thailand (2020)

    Top 10 tips for riding a motorbike in Thailand (2020)

    Motorbikes and scooters are the most popular mode of transport in Thailand, and most of south east Asia. Indeed, in many cases, they’re the ‘engine’ for the local economies. The 110cc step-thru is ubiquitous. Most of them just go and go and go – they’re astonishingly reliable. Whilst you’re meant to change the oil once a month we suspect most…

  • Top 10 things NOT to do in Thailand (2020)

    Top 10 things NOT to do in Thailand (2020)

    There are thousands of things to do in Thailand, on any budget and in a growing number of locations. But there are a few things that may be worth avoiding, despite being available, during your time in the Kingdom. Thailand has its own laws and guileless regarding many of the issues you’re about to read about. Some of the things…

  • The Top 10 types of expat in Thailand (2020)

    The Top 10 types of expat in Thailand (2020)

    Being an expat in Thailand you’ll go through plenty of phases – from excitement, to astonishment, to bewilderment, to (eventually) acceptance. It’s all an exciting journey, and will rarely go to plan. But that’s why so many of us love living in Thailand. There are some particular sub-sets of Thai expat we can spot a mile away. Far from type-casting…

  • Retiring in Thailand, most of the things you need to know

    Retiring in Thailand, most of the things you need to know

    Please note: The information in this document is provided as a guide only. You should always check the latest information with a Thai Immigration official or professional visa agent. Thailand remains a popular world location for retirees – the beaches, climate, access to good medical care and great food. There may be a few more potholes in the roads and…

  • Top 5 places to celebrate New Years Eve in Bangkok (2020)

    Top 5 places to celebrate New Years Eve in Bangkok (2020)

    It’s hard to imagine a more vibrant city anywhere in the world, with warm weather and an entire population ready to party, to celebrate your New Year on December 31. Bangkok will host New Years Eve parties on almost every corner but we’ve listed the Top 5 locations for you to see in 2020. The links will take you to…

  • Go easy on the antibiotics, warn Thai medical experts

    Go easy on the antibiotics, warn Thai medical experts

    Antibiotic resistance is a significant threat to the health of Thais, according to leading medical experts who are urging people to cut down their use of antibiotics. There has long been a practice of the drugs being all too readily prescribed – often completely unnecessarily or erroneously – by doctors in the Kingdom. The habit has then been learned by…

  • Wellbeing, chronic disease and integrative medicine

    Wellbeing, chronic disease and integrative medicine

    Re-printed with permission from expatlifeinthailand.com by Sevcan Gast, MD Since 1946, the WHO (World Health Organisation) has defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (1). Wellness, a more recent term, is “the pursuit of overall health in a physical and mental matter. It is a multidimensional state…

  • Hospital in Bangkok first to open a specific medical cannabis clinic

    Hospital in Bangkok first to open a specific medical cannabis clinic

    A hospital in Nonthaburi, Bangkok, has opened its first medical cannabis clinic. The Phra Nangklao Hospital is under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Health. The Minister says that the clinic will be staffed by six doctors, a dentist, five pharmacists and four nurses. All have completed a specific training course in the use of cannabis in medical cases. The…

  • Top 10 benefits of living at a beach house

    Top 10 benefits of living at a beach house

    Living in a beach house is an ambition for many people, but the price is often too high in some counties. But in Thailand this dream remains affordable. Instead of 10 million Baht for a beach house in France or 7.6 million Baht for one in Spain, you can get a larger beach house on a tropical island for as…

  • Kratom leaves to be declassified as a narcotic

    Kratom leaves to be declassified as a narcotic

    PHOTO: Kraken Kratom Kratom, the controversial leaf used both medicinally and recreationally in Thailand, is to be declassified as a narcotic. Justice Minister Somsak Thapsutin says his ministry will propose new narcotics laws that will exclude kratom leaves from illegal drugs lists. Kratom is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia. It’s common in Thailand,…