Expats

Stay updated on the latest expat news and insights in Thailand with The Thaiger. Our all-inclusive coverage brings you vital information on residency, visas, work permits, property, healthcare, and other expat-related issues. Adapt to the Land of Smiles seamlessly with our advice, guiding you through various aspects of life as a foreign resident in this enthralling country.

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    History of Cannabis and Thai Traditional Medicine

    On June 9, 2022, Thailand made headlines as it took a bold step towards embracing the therapeutic potential of cannabis by enabling access to it for medical use. This monumental decision ushers in a new era of possibilities for alternative...

  • British woman’s Thailand epiphany leads to £6K savings a year (video)

    A British woman revealed her ability to save 274,000 baht (£6,000) a year after having an epiphany during a trip to Thailand. Chrissie Milan embarked on a no-spend challenge and is on course to accumulate nearly £6,000 by eliminating extravagant clothes shopping and costly dining experiences. The 25 year old Londoner began reassessing what she considers essential expenditure after having…

  • Pattaya serves up first IFBT beach tennis comp: sun, sand, serve & volley

    The vibrant fun-filled city of Pattaya is all set to host its annual beach tennis tournament amidst the sun-soaked beaches and scenic beauty of the city. From April 5 to April 7, you will find Jomtien Beach, in front of the D’varee Hotel, teeming with tennis enthusiasts and spectators. What sets this year’s tournament apart is that it’s the first…

  • Retired Thai police officer survives attack by American bully

    A retired Thai police officer narrowly escaped death when an American man allegedly assaulted him by choking him at a local village grocery store yesterday. The incident was reported to the police, who are investigating the matter and ensuring justice for both parties involved. The peaceful routine of a village grocery store was shattered when a 59 year old retired…

  • Phuket governor calls for probe into Laem Nga beach blockade

    Phuket Vice Governor Sattha Thongkham demanded a probe into the barricading of privately owned land at Lemg Nga, located at the northern edge of Koh Siray, which has obstructed public access to Laem Nga Beach. This directive came on the heels of a protest by local villagers on-site on March 7. The locals voiced their demand for the restoration of…

  • British man quits England for Thailand’s tropical tranquility

    A disgruntled British man declared he had quit England for Thailand pledging never to return to his homeland. Riyan Ruparelia left Blighty for the Land of Smiles in January vowing he’d had enough of truth-twisting ruling Conservative Party, Sir Keir Starmer’s Tory-lite opposition Labour Party, and the economic destruction of the United Kingdom, and not to mention its soaring crime…

  • Thai cop spills beans on bid to hush British backpacker’s drugs dealing bust (video)

    An unnamed Thai police officer revealed that his superiors attempted to suppress a story about the arrest of a British backpacker for selling Category 1 drugs on a notorious island in Thailand. Andrew Brett was arrested on Thursday, February 29, for allegedly selling ecstasy and LSD to other foreign tourists at the Ecco Bar on Koh Tao island in the…

  • Foreign mafia concerns raised in Phuket by UTN deputy

    In the stunning tourist hotspot of Phuket, a concerning situation has surfaced. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the Deputy leader of the United Thai Nation, has brought to light allegations of foreign mafia gangs operating within the area. This revelation comes after a recent visit to Phuket, during which Thanakorn conducted an inspection and collected information about the matter. Phuket, known for its…

  • American expat escapes Thai jail time for scathing hotel review

    An American expat living in Thailand faced a nightmare scenario when his negative TripAdvisor review landed him in hot water with the law. Wesley Barnes found himself in a legal tussle after leaving a less-than-flattering review of Sea View Resort on Koh Chang. Barnes’ brush with the law began after he described the hotel’s staff as unfriendly and likened their…

  • Phuket gears up for annual Makha Bucha national Buddhist holiday

    The bustling town of Phuket is set to observe a moment of stillness as the main Phuket Immigration Office, alongside other government establishments, prepares to halt operations for the upcoming Makha Bucha national Buddhist holiday on Monday, February 26. This sacred holiday not only brings about a day of rest for public offices but also a countrywide prohibition on alcohol…

  • Drunken foreigner turns heads in Pattaya pandemonium

    Pattaya residents witnessed more quality tourists at the weekend when a half-naked drunken foreigner caused chaos on the bustling roads of the popular holiday destination. Responding promptly to reports, Pattaya police arrived at the scene on Saturday, February 17, where the drunken foreigner was seen creating a public disturbance at the intersection of Pattaya Klang Road. Upon arrival, officers encountered…

  • Bangkok airport battles congestion with tech amid tourism recovery

    Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand’s busiest, is facing daily traffic congestion as vehicles compete for parking spaces. The problem is compounded by long queues at immigration and baggage claim areas due to inoperative kiosks and staff shortages. Tourist complaints prompted an unannounced visit from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who has since ordered airport authorities to quicken procedures to under…

  • Muscle madness: Strongman showdown set for Pattaya, Thailand

    Prepare to witness the power and prowess of Thailand’s strongest individuals. An exciting strongman competition, hosted by Bench Fitness Equipment and Thai Strength Club, is set to take place tomorrow, February 17, by the picturesque Mapprachan Lake in Pattaya. This thrilling event will showcase the strength and endurance of 55 robust competitors hailing from 14 different countries, all vying for…

  • Sheffield Wednesday fans chirp for change: Dejphon Chansiri urged to get out of club (video)

    Sheffield Wednesday fans ramped up the pressure on Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri and his family to get out of the club. Wednesday supporters made their feelings known prior to and during the club’s English Football League clash with Birmingham City on Friday night increasing pressure on the Chansiri family, who owns the Thai Union Group, the world’s largest canned tuna producer.…

  • Education visa in Thailand: Fulfilling your academic dreams

    Education visa in Thailand offers a unique opportunity for international students and learners to immerse themselves in the country’s rich culture, language, and traditions while pursuing their educational goals. This type of visa enables foreigners to study at accredited Thai institutions, ranging from language courses and vocational training to higher education programs. With its diverse educational offerings and enchanting landscape,…

  • Phuket lights up with lanterns for annual Chinese New Year festival

    The popular seaside resort of Phuket has been brightly lit up with lanterns, signalling the start of the Phuket Lantern Festival. This annual event is an integral part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, with this year marking the Year of the Dragon. Saroj Angkhanapilas, the Mayor of Phuket Town, inaugurated the festival on a Saturday night at the Chartered…

  • Swedish and British nationals die in separate falls in Pattaya City

    Pattaya City, located in Chon Buri, Thailand, was the unfortunate scene of a tragedy as two foreign men – a Swedish national and a British resident – plummeted to their deaths in seemingly unrelated incidents just 30 minutes apart early Sunday. An official statement from Pattaya City Police Station, delivered by Police Inspector Police Lieutenant Aniruj Jeroh, confirmed the incidents…

  • Police crackdown on kidnapping for crypto ransom in Phuket, Thailand

    Authorities in Phuket detained four foreign suspects in a brazen kidnapping that targeted a Russian couple in the island’s bustling streets. The assailants forced their victims to transfer cryptocurrency worth an estimated 30 million baht but upon interrogation the suspects maintained their innocence, claiming no acquaintance with the victims and identifying themselves as tourists. The incident, which unfolded yesterday, January…

  • Tourists arrested for refusing to pay for beach chairs in Pattaya

    Two tourists were arrested by Pattaya police yesterday, January 18, for refusing to pay for beach chairs. According to eyewitnesses, the drama unfolded when the two men, one sporting a shirtless bravado and described as aggressive, attempted to commandeer beach chairs without paying. The eagle-eyed owners promptly reminded them that the coveted chairs came at a cost, igniting a fiery…

  • Spread the word! More Brits in Thailand can now vote in the UK

    British citizens living abroad are now eligible to register to vote in UK general elections, regardless of how long they’ve been living outside the UK. A new law has removed the previous 15-year time limit. Supporting the awareness raising campaign of the UK’s Electoral Commission, the British Embassy in Bangkok is calling on British residents living in Thailand to check…

  • Patong’s wild night: Tipsy Ukrainian tourist tamed after rowdy escapades in Phuket

    A drunken Ukrainian tourist was apprehended in the early hours of yesterday in Phuket following a succession of boisterous episodes at Patong Police Station. Displaying signs of intoxication, the Eastern European man made an appearance at Patong Police Station yesterday, January 14, instantly becoming a source of disturbance and public inconvenience, revealed the local police. According to the Patong Police,…

  • Phuket’s phenomenal rise: From tropical paradise to global hub

    In the wake of a robust global economic resurgence, Phuket has emerged as a magnet for inbound migration, shaping a vibrant and eclectic international community in the heart of Asia, reveals C9 Hotelworks’ latest expansive investment dossier on Phuket’s economic landscape. Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks Bill Barnett stated… “With a tourism and property market in full throttle, we’re witnessing…

  • Thai road safety groups challenge extended bar hours over drink-driving fears

    Alcohol temperance and road safety groups are challenging the new government decision to allow late-night bars and clubs in major Thai cities to extend opening hours until 4am. The critics argue that the authorities failed to make necessary arrangements to avert potential alcohol-related mishaps. This protest follows an announcement made by the Interior Ministry nearly a week ago, permitting bars…

  • German documentary reignites sex tourism concerns for Thailand’s Pattaya

    Concerns are being raised about the potential damage to Thailand’s overall tourism market due to a documentary by German media organisation Deutsche Welle (DW), which highlights Pattaya as a sex tourism destination. This documentary is currently blocked in Thailand. Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, the president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), recalls a similar report about sex tourism in Pattaya from…

  • Phuket readies marine safety measures for Thai prime minister’s visit

    As a visit from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to assess Phuket‘s sea safety measures approaches, the island’s officials confirmed 100 lifeguards will be deployed across all main beaches. One of the highlights of the 61 year old prime minister’s visit will be a demonstration of the Phuket Marine Disaster Response Plan. A full rehearsal of this plan was carried out…

  • Surin Beach sunbeds mysteriously vanish, sparking tourist speculation in Phuket

    A sudden and unexplained removal of sunbeds from the popular Surin Beach in Phuket has left tourists and locals alike perplexed. The event occurred last week, with only one operator, the Surin Beach Club, left unaffected, leading to a surge in inquiries and speculation. The mystery deepens as the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (Cherng Talay OrBorTor), the local government…

  • Bangkok ranked 9th in 2023 best cities for expats, down from 6th last year

    One of the globe’s leading expat networking and guide websites ranked the Big Mango, Bangkok, as the 9th best city to live and visit for expats in 2023. The ranking is down from last year when Bangkok was ranked 6th. InterNations said it conducted an online survey from February 1 to 28 this year, with 12,065 expats from 172 countries…

  • Best places to play sports in Bangkok as an expat

    Bangkok is a culturally diverse city with a thriving expat community that has contributed significantly to the growth of businesses in Bangkok. Bangkok has benefited from the global influence of expats in several areas, such as its sports clubs, film selection, and food culture. Some of the best sports clubs with a wide range of activities in Bangkok that serve…

  • Smooth sailing: Suvarnabhumi Airport’s snazzy channels promise swift boarding for foreign jet-setters

    Foreign passengers will soon experience expedited boarding at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, thanks to the introduction of automatic channels set to go live next month. The move aims to ease congestion at the airport, allowing for a smoother transit experience for travellers. Currently, the automatic processing at Suvarnabhumi is limited to travellers holding Thai, Hong Kong or Singaporean passports, as relayed…

  • Helmetless motorcycle rides in Thailand puts lives at risk (video)

    Accidents involving motorcycle rides, especially those involving head injuries, are a common cause of work for neurosurgeons. This unfortunate reality is being addressed by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (THPF) which invited neurosurgeon, Pracha Panyaprakitti, to share his experiences and encourage preventative measures. One case involved a Chiang Mai resident who took a routine motorcycle ride to the market without…

  • Foreign national arrested for overstaying visa launching Crime Free Phuket year two

    A foreign national was taken into custody at the weekend at Phuket International Airport for overstaying his visa by 80 days. This event marks the launch of the second year of the Crime Free Phuket initiative run by the local Immigration Bureau. The past year has seen the arrest of 188 individuals, with overstaying visas accounting for 66 of these…