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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    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...

  • Air Asia flight arrives in Hua Hin. Hey, it’s a really big deal!!

    Air Asia flight arrives in Hua Hin. Hey, it’s a really big deal!!

    One flight a day, four times a week. Hua Hin Today goes grand with its headlines about the inaugural Air Asia flight. It’s straight out of the 1930s… “Hua Hin Realises the Age of International Flight” “In what may prove to be a game-changing event for the local tourism industry, Hua Hin airport has welcomed the inaugural Air Asia direct flight…

  • Airline report card – April 2018. Travel growth slows.

    Airline report card – April 2018. Travel growth slows.

    IATA (International Air Transport Association) has released details of airline performance, worldwide, during its annual general meeting being held in Sydney, Australia. Fewer fare bargains, as fuel prices rise, may be contributing to a slowdown in passenger demand growth during April. This comes from the IATA’s passenger traffic data for April, 2018. Revenue passenger kilometres, or RPKs, rose by 6.2%…

  • No-Straw campaign launched at Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket

    No-Straw campaign launched at Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket

    Ahead of World Environment Day on June 5, 2018, Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket has implemented a “no straw” campaign, successfully removing plastic straws from its seven food & beverage outlets within the resort. The move follows many other organisations around the island committing to “no straw” categories. “While straws remain available for our guests who wish to…

  • Hua Hin and Khon Kaen to get extra flights from Air Asia

    Hua Hin and Khon Kaen to get extra flights from Air Asia

    Hua Hin and Khon Kaen, new flight destinations for Air Asia, are looking to get more passenger love with Air Asia announcing proposed expansion of routes to the two destinations. New routes are being added to and from the Hua Hin airport, adding to the first scheduled flights from KL, Malaysia this month. Hua Hin International Airport The proposed new…

  • Emerald Group says it will continue with its developments

    Emerald Group says it will continue with its developments

    (Translated from Thai) A press conference held at Dara Hotel on Saturday afternoon (May 19) was hosted by Emeral Development Group’s Sawit ‘Mai’ Ketroj. Mr Sawit says, “News about Phuket Future Group Co.,Ltd. real estate projects, which is one of companies in Emerald Group located at Kalim Patong, has damaged us. The news has affected the Phuket real estate business…

  • Renting out rooms daily or weekly? You better read this.

    Renting out rooms daily or weekly? You better read this.

    SCREENGRAB: AirBnB website Illegal short-term holiday rentals, advertised and promoted by online portals like AirBnB, are coming under increasing scrutiny from authorities. Although there has been laws preventing short-term property rentals acting as ‘hotels’, the law has been loosely enforced with some condo developments around the country acting as defacto hotels and listing in many online booking websites. In May…

  • The cheapest places in the world to live – Is Thailand on the list?

    The cheapest places in the world to live – Is Thailand on the list?

    PHOTO: Sam Kittner Compared to what you’re paying in the west, in some countries you can have a palatial house, a maid, personal chef, good health care and a driver for the same cost of a struggling life in your home country. Thailand has long been seen as a retirement haven with its low cost of living, great food and…

  • April tourist arrivals in Thailand up nearly 10%

    April tourist arrivals in Thailand up nearly 10%

    Thailand’s tourism racks up 13,701,411 visitors arriving in the first four months of 2018 – a 14% increase, year on year. For the same four months last year the passenger arrivals increased 3.35%. In April alone arrivals were 3,092,725. This is up 9.38% year on year according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Permanent Secretary, Pongpanu Svetarundra. The top ten…

  • First birthday competition and promotion at SIS Kata

    First birthday competition and promotion at SIS Kata

    The SIS Kata, Phuket celebrates its 1st Birthday by launching the “Stay in Style” promotion and “Photo in Style” contest. The winner of the “Photo in Style” contest will win 4 days/3 nights stay at SIS Kata. There are a total of 5 prizes to be won. Stay in Style Promotion, Stylish Room inclusive of Breakfast for 2 persons. 2,799…

  • Netflix, Spotify and Chill – Navigating the brave new world of music and TV

    Netflix, Spotify and Chill – Navigating the brave new world of music and TV

    Subscription movies and music services are booming, in particular Netflix which has over 125 million users worldwide and Spotify which has over 70 million paying users. The subscription model is where you pay a monthly fee and are entitled access to media which is streamed via the internet, rather than buy a physical CD/DVD, an album from iTunes or pay…

  • Bangkok Airways to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket

    Bangkok Airways to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket

    Bangkok Airways is looking to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket this November. This according to Bangkok Airways’ regional airline vice president, Varong Israsena. Myanmar National Airlines started operating a direct flight between Yangon and Phuket last month and are looking to increase frequency of the flights from Myanmar’s largest city to Phuket. “I see great potential in Myanmar.…

  • Bangkok property trends continue to point upward

    Bangkok property trends continue to point upward

    Bangkok’s property market continues to show price growth with an eight-point increase in the DDproperty Property Index from 205 to 213 in the first quarter of 2018. A strong opening for 2018, this growth is on the back of an improving economic outlook and an expected increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) this year to 4.2 percent (up 0.3 percent…

  • Chinese tourism to Thailand poised to top 10 million per annum

    Chinese tourism to Thailand poised to top 10 million per annum

    Thailand’s most tourist arrivals are ‘Others’. When added together, all the arrivals for countries outside the top 10, outnumber the most popular nations contributing annual arrivals to Thailand. ‘Other’s arriving in Thailand in 2017 numbered 11,517,782 out of the 35,381,210 tourist arrivals last year. But, hardly a surprise, Chinese tourists were the Number One nation contributing tourists to Thailand with…

  • Overheating smartphone on KLM jet forces authorities to re-examine the ‘batteries on planes’ issue

    Overheating smartphone on KLM jet forces authorities to re-examine the ‘batteries on planes’ issue

    PHOTO: KLM A KLM Boeing 777 has now landed safely in KL following an 18 hour lay-over in Phuket after a ‘precautionary landing’ forced on the pilot after a smartphone over-heated, emitting smoke in the passenger cabin. It’s not the first incident involving over-heating lithium batteries (if that was the cause) and is sure to bring another close examination of…

  • Phuket Property Awards for Export 2018

    Phuket Property Awards for Export 2018

    PHOTO: The Regent Bang Tao “We have received some good ideas from the Phuket Governor to make a good image for condominium investors in Phuket and to improve confidence and credibility for both Thai and Foreign customers. Many condominium project complaints have been filed at the Damrongdhama Centre.“ This from the President of the Phuket Real Estate Association (P-REA), Boon…

  • TOONS TUNES – Halsey “Alone”

    TOONS TUNES – Halsey “Alone”

    Checking new and amazing music for The Thaiger everyday with Donna Toon Toons Tunes for today features American singer and songwriter Halsey and the latest release as the third single from her upcoming second studio album “Hopeless Fountain” the track is called “Alone”. Halsey of course gained International stardom when she joined American DJ’s and record producers The Chainsmokers for…

  • Investors continue buying up Phuket development projects, land prices increasing

    Investors continue buying up Phuket development projects, land prices increasing

    President of Phuket Real Estate Association (P-REA), Boon Yongsakul says, “Real estate investment in Phuket is continuing to grow. We are sure that this year’s investment is growing more than last year.” “Phuket has a very beautiful natural environment and Phuket local people are very nice. More foreign tourists continue to visit Phuket. Investors, both Thai and foreigners, are continuing…

  • KLM jet makes precautionary landing in Phuket

    KLM jet makes precautionary landing in Phuket

    PHOTO: NewsInFlight.com Newsinflight.com is reporting that a KLM Boeing 777-200, Flight KL 809 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, had to make a precautionary landing in Phuket, after smoke started filling the cabin when a passenger’s mobile phone ‘overheated’. Witnesses report that there were no flames but plenty of smoke coming from the phone. Reports say the crew ‘handled the situation…

  • TOONS TUNES – Jason Derulo “Colours” the anthem of FIFA World Cup 2018

    TOONS TUNES – Jason Derulo “Colours” the anthem of FIFA World Cup 2018

    Checking new and amazing music for The Thaiger everyday with Donna Toon Toons Tunes for today features American singer and songwriter Jason Derulo and the anthem for FIFA World Cup 2018 “Colours” by Coca Cola. If you get a chance to watch the music video it is a feast for the eyes and indicative of the title of the song.…

  • TOONS TUNES – Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa “One Kiss”

    TOONS TUNES – Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa “One Kiss”

    Checking new and amazing music for The Thaiger everyday with Donna Toon Toons Tunes for today features Scottish record producer Calvin Harris and rumored current girlfriend English singer and songwriter Dua Lipa. It is the latest release as the second single from Harris’ upcoming sixth studio album, the track is called “One Kiss”. The music video was released on May…

  • Kata Sea Breeze Resort has been awarded Thailand MICE Venue certification

    Kata Sea Breeze Resort has been awarded Thailand MICE Venue certification

    PHOTO: Kata Sea Breeze Resort represented by Ms.Rutchaneegorn Chalayondeja, Group Director of Business development of AKSARA Collection received the award from Mr.Weerasak Kowsurat Kata Sea Breeze Resort is now a certified Thailand MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) Venue as certified by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau for its Sea Sky Conference Room having met the required standards. This opens up…

  • TOONS TUNES – Ariana Grande “No Tears Left to Cry”

    TOONS TUNES – Ariana Grande “No Tears Left to Cry”

    Checking new and amazing music for The Thaiger everyday with Donna Toon Toons Tunes for today features American singer and songwriter Ariana Grande and the latest release as the lead single from her upcoming fourth studio album “Sweetener” the track is called “No Tears Left to Cry”. The track was released on April 20, 2018 and already has over 110…

  • Ride 4 Kids V2.0 Gearing Up

    Ride 4 Kids V2.0 Gearing Up

    Pedal power to raise money for needy children in Phuket. Following on from the success of Ride 4 Kids 2017, preparations and training is underway for Ride 4 Kids V2.0, 2018, to benefit the needy children of Phuket in three different charities, The Good Shepherd, Phuket Has Been Good To Us and Outrigger’s Share 4 Change Program. On June 11,…

  • TOONS TUNES – Zayn “Let Me”

    TOONS TUNES – Zayn “Let Me”

    Checking new and amazing music for The Thaiger everyday with Donna Toon Toons Tunes for today features English singer and songwriter ZAYN and the latest release as the second single from his upcoming second studio album, the track is called “Let Me”. The song itself was dropped on April 12, and Zayn describes it as a very personal and emotional…

  • TOONS TUNES – 5 Seconds of Summer “Want You Back”

    TOONS TUNES – 5 Seconds of Summer “Want You Back”

    Checking new and amazing music for The Thaiger everyday with Donna Toon Toons Tunes for today features Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer and the latest release as the lead single from their upcoming third studio album “Youngblood” the track is called “Want You Back”. The band’s debut single in 2014 “She Looks So Perfect” topped the charts…

  • AKSARA Collection appoints new Director of Hotels and Resorts

    AKSARA Collection appoints new Director of Hotels and Resorts

    The Pattaravornee Family of Phuket are very proud to announce that Mr. Matthew C Hindmarch, who joined the company as General Manager for Kata Sea Breeze Resort and part of the development team of The SIS Kata Phuket four years ago, has been promoted to position of Director of Hotels and Resorts. In this role, Khun Matthew who has been…

  • May Event Round-Up

    May Event Round-Up

    with Paul Poole (South East Asia) May is typically the month of the popular Hua Hin International Jazz Festival and this year is no different. For two days from 18-19 May, the seaside resort transforms into a mecca for jazz lovers with performers and fans arriving from all over the world. This year’s highlights include Austrian-born Simone Kopmajer and New…

  • TOONS TUNES – Lauv “Chasing Fire”

    TOONS TUNES – Lauv “Chasing Fire”

    Checking new and amazing music for The Thaiger everyday with Donna Toon Toons Tunes for today features American singer and songwriter Lauv with his latest release “Chasing Fire” which is a non album single release. Lauv rose to fame in 2015 after the release of his debut studio album “Lost in the Light” which feature hit song “I Like Me…

  • Tenants and landlords. Things change from today.

    Tenants and landlords. Things change from today.

    If you rent property in Thailand there are new guidelines for tenants and landlords that come into effect from today. Mostly good news but there are a few exceptions that you will need to be aware of. The days of the unscrupulous landlord may be partly over. With thanks to Thailandproperty.news and Tilleke & Gibbons, leading south east asian lawyers, here’s a…

  • TOONS TUNES – Lady Gaga “Your Song”

    TOONS TUNES – Lady Gaga “Your Song”

    Checking new and amazing music for The Thaiger everyday with Donna Toon Toons Tunes for today features American singer and songwriter Lady Gaga with her rendition of Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s 1970 hit song “Your Song” from the dedication album “Reimagining the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, REVAMP” The actual original song was released by rock band…