Thai Life
Thailand guides, travel tips, cultural insights, and essential local information—discover everything you need to know about living, visiting, and experiencing the Land of Smiles. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for Thailand guides.
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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Branded residences gain ground in Asia’s Property Market with Thailand taking the lead
A quiet transformation has been shaping Asia’s residential landscape for over a decade: the rise of branded residences. Once a niche offering, this category has grown into a significant segment of the region’s property market. Blending high-end real estate with the services and credibility of globally recognised brands, branded residences are increasingly appealing to discerning buyers, and Thailand is at…
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How much does a two-bedroom condo cost in Bangkok?
How much would you guess a two-bedroom condo costs in Bangkok? Three million baht? Ten? Ask around and you’ll get wildly different answers. Some people imagine sky-high prices like in Singapore or Hong Kong. Others assume it’s cheap across the board. But the truth is that Bangkok’s property market is more varied than you might think. For those considering a…
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Phuket’s luxury real estate boom raises green space concerns
Phuket’s latest luxury real estate development, Utopia Urban Glam, has made waves as it positions itself as a key driver of the island’s economic growth. The seven-storey building, currently under construction in Rawai’s Saiyuan area, boasts 110 residential units and a range of high-end amenities, including seven swimming pools, a private cinema, a fitness centre, and a rooftop Sky Lounge. The…
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Cafe culture for people who refuse to make coffee at home
Many people, when they hear the word ‘cafe’ they think of Paris, New York, Vienna, maybe even Melbourne, but did you know that Thailand, especially Bangkok, is the cafe capital of Asia? No? Well, of course, you didn’t hear that, because I made it up. Shame on you for believing a random article on the internet. Jokes aside, Thailand does…
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Thailand’s Red Train: What to know about the SRT Royal Blossom
If you’ve seen a sleek red train while gliding through TikTok or rolling past misty Thai hills, you’re not imagining it. That’s the SRT Royal Blossom, Thailand’s latest generation of long-distance trains, quickly becoming a travel favourite among explorers. With their deep red carriages that were refurbished from Japanese Hamanasu cars, reclining seats, air-conditioning, and luxurious interiors, these new trains…
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Dating in Thailand: Confused, colonised, and 46 years old
Before we start, let’s get this out of the way: Yes, there are plenty of happy, healthy couples who met in Thailand, built a life here, and aren’t walking red flags with passports. This column isn’t about you, so you can relax. Now buckle up. We’re talking about the other ones. The ones who think love is a tourist attraction…
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Bangtao, Phuket: The neighbourhood expats and investors are eyeing in 2025
Bangtao didn’t become Phuket’s most talked-about neighbourhood overnight. For a long time, it was a quiet place on the island’s west coast where locals walked their dogs at sunrise and tourists flocked to sunbathe along its eight-kilometre stretch of beach. Then came the beach clubs, the boutique cafes, the new schools, and the arrival of Boat Avenue and Porto de…
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Meow Chicken Rice: Thai restaurant goes viral after Gundam anime shoutout
After the dish khao man gai (chicken rice) was name-dropped in episode 10 of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, curious fans in Japan began searching for it online. To their surprise, their search didn’t just lead to a recipe. And it led to a real Thai restaurant called Meow Chicken Rice in Saraburi. The restaurant’s name just so happens to match…
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Hot Phuket property deal: Arise Vibe launches limited offer on only four units, now from 2.5m baht
Phuket’s property market is full of big names and high prices, but some of the most exciting opportunities are happening just outside the spotlight. That’s where you’ll find Arise Vibe. Set in Si Sunthon, one of Phuket’s fastest-growing areas, this new residential project is turning heads for all the right reasons. It’s close to international schools, minutes from the airport,…
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Helmet Heroes Thailand transforms from one helmet to global impact, securing major brand sponsorships in 17 Months
Helmet Heroes Thailand, the visionary non-profit dedicated to providing free (TIS Certified) motorcycle helmets to children, proudly announces its remarkable growth from a single helmet donation to significant brand sponsorships within just 17 months. Ducati Motors, Thailand, B Quik, and Triumph Motorcycles have all shown support, as has Bangkok Hospital. This rapid expansion underscores the urgent need for child road…
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PropTech push: Lifull Connect launches SEA Connect Ventures in Southeast Asia
Lifull Connect, a global digital real estate group, has formally launched SEA Connect Ventures, a newly formed regional vehicle that consolidates its Southeast Asian operations and recently acquired assets across the region. SEA Connect Ventures now holds market leadership in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia, with an extended presence in Vietnam and Malaysia. The business combines key portals and…
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Live smart in Phuket: Discover Arise Vibe’s stylish living in a growing neighbourhood
Si Suthon, part of Thalang district, was long overshadowed by its more famous coastal neighbours. Now, however, it has become one of Phuket’s most promising real estate zones. Located between the airport, Bang Tao Beach, and Phuket Town, Si Suthon offers a blend of convenience, accessibility, and quiet charm. It’s also where you’ll find Arise Vibe, a new residential project…
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7 Tips for choosing the best health insurance in Thailand for expats
Many expats in Thailand don’t give health insurance much thought because the country’s healthcare system is excellent (arguably the best in Southeast Asia) and, for the most part, affordable. But affordability doesn’t mean it’s cheap, and it certainly doesn’t mean medical bills can’t add up quickly. Expat health insurance is still one of the most essential things to have. It…
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Thailand’s emotional pull that keeps travellers coming back
In his memoir A Moveable Feast, the American author Ernest Hemingway wrote about his struggles and journeys in Paris. “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you… For Paris is a moveable feast.” His description of enjoying oysters by the…
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Global communities unite at centralwOrld to celebrate Pride Month 2025
Over 300,000 people marched through Bangkok today, ending their Pride Parade journey at centralwOrld in a powerful celebration of love, diversity, and unity. This year’s event was the first Pride Parade since Thailand officially enacted the Marriage Equality Law, making it a historic moment for the LGBTQIAN+ community both in Thailand and globally. Under the theme Born This Way, the…
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Confessions of a soi dog
You’ve seen us. We’re on every soi, under every noodle cart. At every 7-Eleven door, like we’re bouncers. And no, we’re not lost, we live here. You’re the one who wandered in with your Google Translate with zero street sense. We soi dogs are the last free beings in this country. No leash, no rent, no vet bills, no Instagram.…
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Being Thailand 2025 highlights Thailand’s evolving role as a global wellness economy leader
As the global wellness landscape continues to shift alongside changing consumer demands and travel behaviour, Thailand is increasingly recognised as a model of adaptive leadership in the wellness economy. And it was at the new industry strategic touchpoint, Being Thailand 2025 in Phuket, where the country’s role in shaping wellness-oriented tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and consumer markets, was assessed. Over the…
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Bangkok’s 15-minute living: Why location still matters more than ever
Bangkok is a city that moves fast… well, except during rush hour where the traffic will have you questioning your life choices. When you’re stuck in a taxi for 40 minutes just to get to your nearest supermarket, you start to realise that where you live in Bangkok matters just as much as how you live. That’s why the concept…
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The unhealthy beauty standards in Thailand
The first thing I noticed as I left the BKK airport in the early morning and got onto the skytrain was the advertisements around me. each one portraying high beauty standards of a porcelain white, very skinny, man or woman, with perfect, clear skin. Almost every advertisement looked more AI than human, completely blemish-free with huge artificial-looking eyes. Unhealthy beauty…
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From coastal cool to quiet chic: Which Phuket lifestyle is right for you?
It’s not hard to understand why people lose entire afternoons scrolling through Phuket property for sale listings. The views are lush, the sunsets come with their own colour palette, and the price tags (if you know where to look) are still less terrifying than anything in London or Hong Kong. Living in Phuket is a dream for many. But as…
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A pivot to lifestyle as Phuket’s property market continues to surge
Phuket’s property market is continuing to thrive despite global economic volatility as the sector moves increasingly towards condominiums as lifestyle becomes the new luxury on the island, as delegates heard at the Asia Connect: Phuket Property Pulse event. Held at Andara Resort & Villas, in conjunction with Property Guru Thailand and C9 Hotelworks, the top-level industry gathering further heard speakers…
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Dot Property launches ‘Dot Property Exclusive’ to connect developers, agents, and buyers in Thailand’s real estate market
The leading property portal Dot Property has just launched a new, streamlined service called Dot Property Exclusive in a mission to make buying and selling homes in Thailand more connected, transparent, and efficient. Part of the company’s New Homes department, this new service directly connects developers, agents, and buyers through exclusive listings, centralised tools, and AI-powered support. Dot Property Exclusive…
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Experience nature-inspired living in Phuket at Botanica Lakeside and Foresta II
What comes to mind when you think of a luxury villa in Phuket? Is it sunshine flooding every room through teakwood shutters? Perhaps natural finishes and a design that seamlessly blends with the nature outside? Or maybe a private pool where you can escape the tropical heat? Botanica Luxury Villas in Phuket offers all that, and more. Botanica Luxury Villas boasts…
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Phuket property market in 2025: Evolving with demand and diversification
Phuket’s real estate market is undergoing a significant transformation in 2025, marked by growing inventory, shifting buyer preferences, and intensifying competition. The latest Phuket Property Market Update by C9 Hotelworks reveals a dynamic landscape shaped by lifestyle migration, maturing development ecosystems, and rising price premiums, particularly in branded and well-located properties. Performance in early 2024 and emerging trends The first…
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Is Thailand suffering from overtourism?
As the years have passed, Thailand has grown into a bucket list essential for travellers all around the world. For those looking for stunning natural scenery or bumping nightlife, Thailand has proved to be the place to be. Though in more recent years, overtourism has become more and more of a topic within the media. At the same time, however,…
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5 Thai habits you didn’t know are secretly saving the planet (and what we can learn from them)
Thailand’s full of things that make you look twice, like the tuk-tuks, the tangled electric wires, and the fact that it can rain sideways and still feel like summer. But hidden in the chaos are everyday habits that are, without meaning to be, surprisingly eco-friendly. Spend a bit of time here and you’ll spot the small, brilliant habits everywhere, the…
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Bangkok through time: A city in flux and its spirit of resilience
The recent earthquake, brief but unnerving, reminded residents that nothing, not even concrete or glass, is entirely fixed. And yet, in true Bangkok fashion, life carried on. Commuters returned to the skytrain. Street vendors lit their woks. The Chao Phraya kept flowing. In this fleeting moment of disruption, the city’s rhythm barely faltered, its quiet resilience taking centre stage. It…
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Why are boat noodles served in tiny bowls and why you’ll need at least five
If you’ve ever sat down at a boat noodle shop in Thailand and been surprised by the size of the bowl, you’re not alone. Boat noodles, or kuai tiao ruea (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือ), are famously served in bowls so small you could almost finish one in three slurps. But behind these tiny servings lies a rich tradition that has helped turn the…
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How Southeast Asia can capitalise on The White Lotus Effect
Since The White Lotus checked into Thailand, so has the rest of the world, or at least, they’re trying to. With sweeping drone shots of Koh Samui’s turquoise waters, and a cast of rich, unhappy people sweating their way through wellness retreats, infinity pools and luxury suites, Thailand has never looked more glamorous. To understand the real impact behind the…
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The hottest month in Thailand 2025
Thailand is known for its year-round warmth, but it also has significant temperature fluctuations depending on the region, time of year, and even day-to-day weather patterns. If you’re an expat living here, understanding the country’s climate can make a big difference in how you plan your activities, especially during the hottest months. Here’s a breakdown of Thailand’s temperatures by region…
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